Winning mantra: Stick to spin

No doubt, seamers Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar ably supported the spin duo to the hilt for the first time in the series. The wicket was also ideally suited for seaming and swinging in overcast conditions for which Leeds is famous.

Ater a long time, I could notice the realisation of playing with patience, gumption, great resolve and the determination for five days dawning on the Indians. I liked the way Zaheer looked at the burly Andrew Flintoff with fire when he ducked the first bouncer awkwardly.

The Indian batsmen also frustrated the England attack which was not only wayward but most indiscipline in line and length bowling well.

It was also a very brave decision by Saurav to bat first when wicket had moisture and conditions were ideal for the seam and the swing bowling. No praise could be enough for the way Sanjay Bangar and Rahul Dravid stayed at the wicket for first two sessions when the ball was seaming and kicking all the time. Otherwise, India could have been easily 100/5 on the first day itself.

What a superb, flawless innings Rahul played! It was a chanceless innings, perhaps the best from Rahul’s bat so far. Sachin loves to talk through his real broad willow. It was a masterful mix of aggression and caution. The final nail in the England attack was hammered when Saurav Ganguly batted selflessly to ensure that the total was well above 600.

This is also the first time the three musketeers of the Indian team got runs together with Sachin almost scoring a double century. Between them, they shared almost 500 runs, about 80 per cent of the entire team’s total.

If the trend continues, they have all the chances of winning the last Test at Oval. They can clinch the series like we did way back in 1971 at Oval. Mind you, this is also the 100th Test Sachin and all the players must be itching to give him a present — a victory, most dearer to Sachin always!

The controversy over sponsorship issue raised stupidly by ICC has made them more united and tough. Its relationship with players is not like employer-employee but as partners in the business. The ICC must realise that it is because of these players the crowd throngs the stadia, the viewers watch the games on televison and sponsors rush to fill not only the coffers of the players but also that of the governing body, the Boards and the associations. Yes, these stars are golden goose and nobody should try to hurt or kill it.

It’s unfortunate the stalemate continues, thanks to the hard line drawn by the ICC. At home, the cat is really out of the bag. The agreement with controversial clauses was signed not by Dalmiya but the then secretary of BCCI, Jaywant Lele in May 2001 without going through it in detail. Of course, Muthiah, then president was also a party to this signing! It was not brought to the notice of the players nor was it discussed in the Working Committee ever. Both were kept in dark.

These are the woes of the Indian players. They are always taken for granted. When I was the captain in 70s, I had to literally beg for the terms and conditions before the start of any series. It used to be handed over to me only after the first few games in the series got over. As a player in the team, I never got to know anything about such terms and conditions! What a shame!