Kolkata Day 2

Many maids all in a row, and the Mozz, Indian style

17:00 IST
An interesting day at Eden Gardens, but at the end of it all you realise there have still been only 230 runs scored in the day. It was a good gritty cricket from both sides, but I guess we have all been spoilt by the pace and excitement that the Aussies have brought to the longer format.

Shaun Pollock has reached the (easily missed yet much talked about today) milestone of 1000 maiden overs in test cricket. He is the 11th bowler and 5th paceman to do so, though in these 11 he leads the pack with the highest percentage of maiden overs from career overs bowled. That's about 30 something percent, as is Glenn McGrath. The spinners are Warne, Murali, Lance Gibbs and I think Kumble and Bedi. There was extended conversation and in depth analysis of this stat, and while I must say I sort of enjoyed it (why, I wonder), I guess it was also a reflection of how exciting the match was. Especially at that point there was a slew of maiden overs as Laxman and Karthik settled in.

Talking of which. Sanjay Manjrekar, I have always maintained, has been one to put some sort of a hodoo on batsmen when they are going well, or promising to. Ravi Shastri was another one, but he seems tohave improved over recent times. I learnt not so long ago that this is called 'mozzying' in Australia. To 'put the mozz' is to talk about the batsman doing well, playing well, looking set etc, and in doing so ensuring he is out soon.

At any rate, Manjrekar had barely settled into his commentary position, and he began on the special relationships players share with grounds. He was referring, of course, to a Very Very Special relationship with Eden Gardens that a certain wristy batsmen enjoys. Except, the said batsman was on 38 and only starting to look a little fluent. I immediately jerked my head towards the score and confirmed that his innings was just about settling down, and far from being the sort (even potentially) that Eden Gardens has inspired in him. I often mute the commentary when I hear possibly dangerous comments such as this one, but I guess I was too lazy this time.
Manju dear, of course, had not had enough. How different the body language has been, he said; how relaxed the man seems. It really is amazing, he informed us, how some grounds and some batsman share something so special.
It was special enough for Laxman to smash the next ball down point's throat.

Hey, thanks there, idiot. (& not even so much as an "oops, I really put the hodoo on him there".)

But anyway, Pathan and Karthik have ensured there would be no sudden Day 3 collapse; and while the lead may not be anywhere near what India mayhave hoped for (to bat only once), it might still be good for pressure on the Proteas come the second round of batting.

Smith, by the way, has used the same ball for 125 overs, choosing not to take the new ball just before tea. Then he chose to not take the new ball even after tea, when he had refreshed bowlers and batsmen coming in from a break. Of course a new ball would go off the bat quicker and all that, but it seemed to me that he would rather be safe and stifle runs with the old ball then take shiny one and with it, take the chance of buying some wickets.
Which means No.6 and 7 will (surely?) have the new ball to contend with tomorrow morning in conditions that will help Pollock and "Entini" (how the hell is his name pronounced anyway?).

Should be some good stuff, and the bottom half better be as prolific as they were against Australia. Then, the bolwers will really look forward to another shot at the S'Africans on a slow but cracking pitch.

Kolkata Day 1

17:23 IST

Even if he is at home, In Eden Gardens, with afew thousand Bengalis shouting hoarse for him, Saurav Ganguly cannot win a toss. And so, Slater pronounced "you're batting" to Smith at the toss interview, before the smiling S'African captain could even open his mouth. Of course, he was going to bat.

After that, one could only hope the Proteas would not 'play safe' like they did in Kanpur. They did play cautiosuly, but the Indians also bowled pretty tight. Unusually, at the end of the day, Kumble was easily the most ineffective of the lot, while Pathan and Khan unsurprisingly, were the key bowlers. Zaheer was particularly good in his opening speel, while Pathan's spell in the final session was crucial. If there is a rivalry between the two (and how can there not be), it is absolutely great for us. This, with Nehra and Balaji both on the sidelines. The latter in particular, I believe, can work as a great third seamer as he is not *another* left armer; and he is, while possibly less spectacular, more the steady sort.

Kallis got his first century against India, which is suprising. He now has 17, which is equal to Dravid's tally. Despite his phenomenal form of late and increased stature in the game, it is a little odd that Dravid has only 17 even now. Langer and Hayden are both on 20 tons, Hayden in the least tests of all these(60-odd), and it is a great record. Mr Sehwag has 8 from 28, and if he can maintain broadly the same form for the next say 6-8 years, he will undoubtedly retire an all time great. I guess *maintaining the form* is they key- much easier said than achieved!

But, Eden Gardens- after all the good performances, we still had 226 runs scored in the day. There ha sto be something that wakes the batsmen from their slumber. Of course, it was nothing like the First Test where they were slow despite a position of strength. The wickets in the final session put them on the backfoot. If India cannot wrap up this innings quickly, hope for a result will nosedive.

Oh- Eden Gardens, it would seem, is one of the oldest Cricket clubs and grounds in the world...(!). The MCC was formed in the 1770s (1776, I think) and while conformed records exist to prove the CAB's existence in 1780-something, it is likely it was around as early as the 1760s. Now that's interesting. (So said Boria Majumdar)

The rest of a lazy Sunday beckons, thank you.

Kanpur Day 4

Well so much for my whining about South Africa's approach. While India's tardiness with the bat today was not in the same league as the display on the first two days, it still fell short of expectations. And, short of match ambition.

Gambhir just missing out on his ton was a tad sad (tad sad? did I just say tad sad?....ugh).
The day, though, undoubtedly belonged to Sehwag. Even if his brief assault was just that- brief- it was the kind that would stick in the mind far more than, with due respect, Andrew Hall's labour of sleep...er, love. Despite a period of inactivity just before lunch, he came out of the break all guns blazing. It was evident from the first ball in the second session that the crazy jat boy had decided he was not going to let things meander along. Possibly most heartening (then) was the indication that it could have been a decision taken at lunch- to go after the South African bowling and explore any chances there were for making a match of this.

Yet, after the 'scintillating strokeplay' and 'master blaster' stuff, you realised there was no real team decision in that direction. At least, not one that looked beyond Sehwag. Once his wicket fell, and Sachin departed after an unhappy 18 balls, the skipper and his deputy retreated into a shell again. Admittedly, the low bounce combined with the bowlers' very effective use of the reverse swing was making it pretty tricky to bat out there, yet the intent clearly lacked. It was not till much later that there was some increased scoring (thanks to the new ball being taken), but it couldn't make much of a dent on the run rate- which ended at a depressing 3 rpo for the day.

As Gavaskar said on the telly later on, it was a case of "behti ganga mein haath dho lo" or 'if the holy Ganges flows before you, wash your hands in the water ' or 'if you have the chance to make some runs for yourself because there is little hope for forcing a result, why take it upon yourself to explore that tiny ray of hope?' or 'just relax and play. they screwed the result in the first two days anyway' or 'I insist on using a Hindi phrase that sounds catchy; and let me accept that the boys played for their form without actually saying so because I am now the batting consultant after all'
Or something like that!

But but but. To be fair, you couldn't have had Dada and Dravid suddenly going for it. A couple of wickets, and we would have said 'oh, here's the familiar Indian collapse', and I would be harping on right now about how they could have used the innings to get back into form instead they were all flashy, what do you know. So while yes, Australia in the same situation would have gone for the runs, Australia does not have a batting lineup that is still shorn of some confidence and looking to get back into some form. Not everyone is a Sehwag, you see. And even he could smash the ball around the way he did given he had played for a quite a while. Ganguly may just have stepped it up a bit more too, if he had not got out.
Oh well. Ifs and buts, and all that...

Meanwhile, I just read, some English reporters (quite afew) have not been accredited for the Zim series by the Zimbabwe govt, at the last minute. That's so ridiculous.
But please, everyone, the situation in Zimbabwe is perfectly normal, ok? (spank) Got it? (spank) Sure? (spank) Good.

Kanpur Day 3

18:00 IST
Finally there was some cricket which was *exciting* for the spectators/viewers.

As if yesterdays’ irritatingly over cautious approach was not bad enough, South Africa did not declare even today, despite the delayed start. 20 runs in the last 16 overs yesterday was nothing short of irrational caution. After dominating (if through attrition) for most of the first 4 sessions, somewhere through the fifth, or at least the 6th session of the match, they should have upped the tempo. There was no such move.
This morning’s bizarre weather (heavy fog across the ground with virtually no visibility) did nothing to affect that irrationality. At 450 odd, you’d think that was enough to ensure they did not lose the match. Of course there are hypothetical (read: miraculous) situations, like Kolkata 2001 and Adelaide 2003, when even such a high score would have let you lose, but you cannot seriously consider them as factors that affect your decision. Also, I agree that theirs is a young team, inexperienced and one that may let slip an advantage a more seasoned side may not. But I do believe that after losing an entire session to weather this morning, it was time to declare. Also, SA’s innings had taken so long that there was (is) too little time for there to be a result aside from India losing or a draw.

Anyway, I do not want to harp on this too much, but adding this strategy to the low, dull (albeit effective and justified) cricket played over the first 2 days, it is a bit much for the way cricket is played (for the fans). At any rate, it may not mean much if the Indians can bat the way they did this afternoon, and play out a high scoring draw.

I did not see al of India’s innings, but there was some positive intent from the openers that was refreshing. The pitch looks to be still a good one to bat on, despite the slow nature and low bounce. There is still very little unpredictability, so the batsmen can breathe a little easy. I must say a draw looks most likely, despite talk of India scoring as rapidly through the innings as they have in the last part of today, and getting a lead by early Day 5, and inserting SA to put them under pressure, and anything could happen then. The likelihood seems as wearisome as the length of that last sentence.

The fog in the morning was really out of the blue. It is common in North India once winter sets in- usually late December and January. At this time of the year, and not in conjunction with genuine cold conditions, it was really strange.

Well, at least the Indian batsmen and fans have something to look forward to- we can hope that not only the openers, but majority of the rest of the side play themselves in as well. Sehwag and Gambhir have gone amazingly concurrent with each other in terms of runs scored, hardly being far apart from the other’s score for to long. Despite the easy pitch, I do hope they get their tons cause it will be a good confidence booster, especially for Gambhir.
Till tomorrow then, unless there are any surprises, sleep well.

Donkey's XI

If you are in Delhi, and a cricket fan, and the type who wants to watch cricket live in a stadium- yes, with your very own eyes- here are some things you can do:

1. Please take some time out to drink your sorrows away, and also take out a large bottle of whatever it is that takes your fancy. (the heavier the bottle the better- once you polish it off, you can use it bash your head in)
2. Give up the aforementioned idea regarding cricket
3. Move city
4. Travel to watch it (and give up your job, spend all your money, just leave enough to drink away your sorrows-see point #1)

Sometime in 2002 (april, methinks) the wise, well meaning, responsible men that take decisions at the DDCA (thats the Delhi District Cricket Association) took the wise decision to rennovate the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium. Given that it was a blot on Delhi anyway, that sounded like a good move. They were to finish the task by April 2004, which of course did not happen despite their most earnest efforts. It was to be ready for the series against South Africa, but that too did not happen for reasons too heartbreaking to go into, especially for the good men whose heart it broke trying their darndest to complete it.

But. That's not all. Fate had more in store for these hard working, conscientious men with hearts of gold. In April 2004 (the scheduled time of completion) their permission (to continue work) from the Municipal Corporation ran out, and through some dark conspiracy, an extension was not applied for. By October, the villainous MCD woke up and stopped the (now illegal) work. It was then that the magnanimous members of the DDCA took time out from their numerous good deeds, and applied for an extension.
Till that piece of paper is obtained from those vicious, law abiding imbeciles who stopped the work in the first place, the ground is ready only for various donkeys around the ground to stray in and graze on the grass where once great men walked with leather ball and Kashmir willow in hand.

* * *
This is in the TOI for today, but I can't seem to find it online. It is absolutely ridiculous. For heaven's sake, this is the Capital of the country, and an embarassing stadium has been replaced by rubble and procrastination. Nobody seems interested, and there actually is a photo of the donkeys out in the middle. Coming in the wake of the fiasco (for spectators and media) that was the Delhi v AP Ranji match at the Roshanara Club, despair reigns supreme.

(Unless of course, your heart is of gold like thise wise men. After all, what can they do in the face of omnipotent Fate)

Feature Presentation!

The Big News for the day, though, is from far away at the Gabba. Glenn McGrath has hooked, pulled and grinned his way to a pugnacious 54 not out. Initial reports suggest that half the Aussie population has already guzzled a few kegs of beer in celebration, while the other half is still reeling under shock. Some, they say, continued sitting at the Gabba after close of play- rooted to their seats in disbelief till ground staff were forced to evict them in the darkness.

I woke to find first the morons at Fourth Umpire welcoming us to a brand new series (Ind v SA), but I quickly flipped to ESPN-Star and was hardly surprised, maybe a little bemused and shaking-the-head-smiling-sighing as I saw the score at 399/5. Clarke just hit a glorious backfoot cover drive and followed it up with a gorgeous copybook straight drive. Martyn had left early, but as is their wont, the Aussies decided to just push the pedal harder. Gilchrist and Clarke- from the highlights package at tea- looked in scintillating form, while the Kiwis had no answers at all.

But the best/worst/craziest/most infuriating/enjoyable (depending on your position in world cricket) part was yet to come. I think the unbeaten last wicket partnership between Pigeon and Dizzy is 93, and Fleming and his boys could do little to thwart them. From whatever I saw, they bowled a lot of consistently short stuff, and I have no idea why. I saw over after over (at the cost of missing some of the Ind-SA stuff) of short pitched stuff. Especially as McGrath showed that the shot that promises to send him into the next league of batters- the pull/hook- is what he is most comfortable at, it made no sense to continue with it. But they did, the Aussies smiled, grinned and then unabashedly laughed as the great bowler reached his first fifty. The delight was writ large on his team mates’ faces, and on all those around the ground who could comprehend what was happening.

(What is happening, in case you missed it, is that Australia are on their way to winning another test)

Kanpur Day 1

14:10, IST
The S’Africans reached the very brink of tea with all the reasons to claim the second session as entirely their own. Then Kumble’s hard work through the session paid off, ad he got two in two. Kallis out lbw to a decision that he seemed unhappy about, but loked pretty good to me; and Rudolph out in a manner suggesting he takes great inspiration from his skipper. Suddenly, the 2 Jacques had departed, and India will reach out for those cups of chai on a high, with Jumbo on hat trick ball when he returns.

I would still say the batting side has a long way to go, what their keeper batsman coming in at no.10, but with India, spin and the final session of a day, you never know. Hats off to Andre Hall, though- unexpectedly at the top of the order, he not only saw of the (relatively toothless) opening spell, but comfortably negotiated all the spinners have thrown at him so far.

In the morning, the pitch looked fair- typically Indian is what I mean. Bound to take turn, but not a minefield and unlikely to turn into a dustbowl. Dada continued his great luck at the toss and Graeme Smith happily elected to bat. It was an important toss for many reasons. It gave South Africa the chance to start of the series with a decent batting performance as opposed to India piling on the runs and setting the tone for the series. India, on the other hand, went in with 3 spinners and would have loved to bowl last on this track.

Round up

Not been writing too much have I?

20:15, IST
Time for some catching up. Between Diwali and Id, in the midst of the Diwali firecracker smoke and Kolkata haze, celebrating the Platinum jubilee of the Indian Cricket Board, and in a steaming cauldron of 90,000 people or thereabouts, Pakistan won. In fact, they not only won, but did so comprehensively. First thing in the morning there was speculation whether dew would play an part in the match. Well, it was Kolkata, it was Dada’s home ground, and he would know if it would be significant enough for him to not bat first. Or so they thought.

It was possibly the most sedate and withdrawn I have seen Sehwag bat. It was as if he was in a trance, struggling to break free from the spell and get back to getting on with it, as he does. At the other end, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar showed flashes of the SRT of old. I was tempted to pen my thoughts that at the very time, but had to settle for a later post.

Truth be told, once the second innings got underway, Pakistan never seemed like they were out of it. Much as the commentators tried, they could not convince (at least me) that there was a good chance Pakistan would not make it. In fact, there were times (even after the return of the young man who must find himself the Butt of many jokes) that they said things like "Pakistan still have a chance" and "Anything could happen here". Ya right. Thanks for the insight, Messrs Jackman and Manjrekar.
The latter had a pointless exchange with Rameez about the shawl gifted to him by the BCCI in the break as one of the former Pak captains- inane attempts at humour. Imran Khan continued on his "Inzamam is one of the best of his time" tangent. Grant him the consistency- it has been years he has maintained this.

The Zimbabwe rebels have given up. I don't suppose that is going to make any real difference, and anyway I doubt it has been done with that aim in mind. It is a tired, defeated, hopeless and possibly cost induced move that will do little to get Zim cricket anywhere near normal, but will serve to finally (unsatisfactorily) bury the whole issue. Oh, well.

Rashid-everyone is a cheat-Latif and Moin Khan are both pretty much out of international cricket now. Though you never know with Pakistani cricket, it is unlikely they shall return, and I think that is a good thing...

Australia v NZ is underway, and I haven't caught a ball of the action, even on the highlights package (I'm assuming there is one this part of the world?). I wonder why they say that Warne bowled in pain. I thought this was the fastest broken digit recovery in recent history- and if he hadn't recovered, then why is he playing? Kasper, almost routiney referred to as the Renaissance man, took another bunch of three crucial wickets. I really do not see Blee getting alook in some time soon, though it is worth a wonder how Kasper has, indeed, had such a late revival. But what a revival it has been, and in both forms of the game. While it shows amazing resilience and determination, it is symbolic also of a common trait in the Aussie side. The fight for places is so intense, the quality of domestic cricket so high, and the hunger for a Baggy green so acute, that every chance that is made available to fringe players is grabbed with all limbs available. As a result, a large number of the comebacks and debuts seen in the team are of an above-average quality. Hence you have the Clarke v Lehmann v Katich sort of situation. Grrrr, lucky them.

The chucking issue really has blown out big time, and while I have nothing freshor insightful to say about it, I must say it is appalling that the governing body of the game has such clout to be able to make the process of giving clarity such an ambiguous affair. Not only has no one seen the report, but the only worthwile revelation made from it (with no details) is a sensationalist one, possibly set to make things worse.

And then, the South Africans are here. Kanpur is round the bend, and hopefully so is a turn in Indian fortunes. They came precariously close to being embrassed by the Board Presidents XI, and despite the recent performance (or lack of it)India must go in as favourites. But, more on that later.
For now, it is good night.

And oh, I just started A Corner Of A Foreign Field, and am a little submerged in work again.

The Heart in Mouth Affliction- a seduction

Since I can remember watching the man bat, he had the genius like knack of batting exactly the way he wished, the uncanny ability to pick gaps and shots and the unwitting penchant of causing not a few minor heart attacks. I spent countless days watching with bated breath and crossed fingers while Sachin Tendulkar batted. He drove, pulled, slashed and heaved 80 percent of the deliveries he faced. It was batting with little fear, the desire to dominate and the seeming disdain of risk. It was, naturally, edge of the seat stuff. Except if you were an Indian fan (or me-a crazy fan) there was the perpetual chance that you would actually fall off your seat, and notice your bruises only once you had recovered from the dejection of the great man’s dismissal- which would be sometime the next day.

Watching Sachin bat then was the curious and exhilarating mix of not being able to pull your eyes away and not wanting to watch, at the same time. His batting lived on the edge, and many a heartbeat would skip as the precarious balance was maintained, just about. This was the brilliance of the man, and coupled with his statistical consistency, it was what made him a great in my eyes. In fact, a hero.

Yet, before this sounds like he has retired, let me say that he is no less a hero to me today. Sachin has changed his batting style over the last few years, and the difference has been spoken about, written about, thought about and debated upon endlessly. I don’t want to go into the philosophy behind his change here (or what I think is his thinking), but I am quite sure it has not been the decline in ability. Couple this change in approach with the increased ability of the Indian batting lineup, and you had a situation where you thought you missed the all out attacking style, not so much.

At Mumbai’s second innings and briefly in Kolkata against Pakistan, SRT showed flashes of the past. There were fleeting glimpses of the desire to dominate, to not just make runs but make dents on the opposition psyche. That both efforts were relatively short lived is another case altogether. Yet, both innings showed an intent that had been missing for some time now. The conservative approach was replaced by an aggression in the mind that brought back long lost doses of shut-eye excitement, goose bumps and anxiety.

It brought back memories of the ailment every SRT fan, every Indian had to helplessly enjoy/suffer every time the little fellow was at the crease. As I watched the determination with which he strode around the crease on Saturday, subtle but certain symptoms of the said weakness showed themselves. I had almost let slip how nerve racking it was. And consequently, the fall was harder when he was run out, trying to get the strike again. But briefly, I had been allowed to flirt with the Heart in Mouth Affliction again, and now I can’t wait for more.
You think I will get some more?

Diwali aftermath

13:00 IST

Happy Diwali to all you who know Diwali. Fresh (not) from the rigours of festivities over the past few days, I can now settle down to a quiet (and, might I add, ‘on my own’) day of cricket watching, with the 94th 'Mother of all Battles'.
India v Pakistan.
This time (surprise surprise), there is nothing to play for except goodwill. With all the (I must say, welcome) talk about good relations and brotherly neighbours, the fact that there is a ODI match underway is sort of hidden in the background.

For the Indian team, their Diwali was spent in training schedules and Hotel rooms, so they’d be hoping for some firecrackers on the field. Let me clarify (post Wankhede)- I mean firecrackers in the batting, bowling and fielding (those components of a cricket game still in our hands, you’d think), and not the 22 yards that could erupt in their very own special way.

The Indian batting, fresh from the wounds inflicted by the Aussie bowlers and the a little thing called woeful form, will have their task cut out against Sami, Shoaib, Razzaq and Afridi- assuming there is not further experimentation. Irfan Pathan comes back into the side, so he and the Zack Attack should be able to do a decent job.

Again, coming off the sort of form that we had in the Tests, and looking at the SA series next week, I doubt the Indians would like to experiment too much. I am definitely tempted, though, to suggest that Karthick should get a game in as keeper. I think that would mean VVS missing out- and though I believe it might be time for him to be eased out of the ODI setup, I am not too sure they’d like to do that and undermine his confidence just before the next series. Assuming of course, he is still in the thinking for Tests as well (which I think he would be, after his sparks in the 2nd innings at Mumbai).
At any rate, it will be a relatively relaxed match (for us viewers) even for the players I think; though India surely are under more pressure- home crowd, 3 losses to the arch rival not so long ago, and the recent form.

And while I have been spending my time playing cards, losing money and generally finding other ways to brighten up my life in the Festival of Lights, the ICC has decided that heck, everyone chucks a bit, so let us just legalise it all. I am not quite sure why some umpires are cribbing- about not being able to determine the degree of straightening with the naked eye. You could detect transgression over the earlier limits as well as you can over the new ones, I should think.
And meanwhile, Katich finds himself hopelessly unluckily dropped. Oh well, I think this would be Lehmann’s last summer, no?

There is some prospectively exciting news in INDIAN HOCKEY as well. Come January, and the IHF starts a hockey league on the lines of club football and club sport in general. Players trading, foreign players and (hopefully) top Indian players playing for city teams. Sounds good, especially as plans are to eventually make it a full fledged home-away system; and with ESPN Star telecasting it all live and pumping in significant money to ensure its success, we might just have an appealing (fashionable? popular? cool?) hockey league in place in a year or so. At any rate, the plans sound great. Hyderabad in January will let us know to what extent they will be a success.

14:03
The match is on Ten Sports, not DD Sports.
What?
> The match was on Ten Sports. Now the Ten Sports feed also has the morons from ‘Fourth Umpire’ (i.e. they are beaming down DD Sports). The few brief moments of decent coverage on Ten Sports, and now we are back to this, frankly, shitty stuff.
So much for my wicketkeeping hopes. The team is the regular ODI team from recent times, and Pakistan have Younis Khan opening. At least dada has won the toss. India bats.
75 years of the BCCI.
Eden Gardens. Wish I was there.

Oh ya...the pitch.

There is a curious combination of condemnation and turning a blind eye to the craziest pitch since New Zealand's consistency in 2002-03.
In India, the joy (relief) at the victory (salvage job) has disallowed any post mortem on the pitch. Like Dravid's 'interesting' quote on the pitch, the pitch is widle ignored while as widely, I suspect, acknowledged deep down, to be the cricketing equivalent of dal makhni with coconut-
i.e. ridiculous.

First off, I am still happily breathing sighs of relief that the final scorecard read 2-1. I am also the first to say that it creates a much better image of the Indian teamthan the real picture. 2-1 tends to be soft water colours painting a soothing image of a good contest, lost. In reality, the stark streaks of oil on rough canvas should serve as fresh wounds for a series hopelessly lost.

But. The Mumbai track. Despite Polly Umrigar's claims
("I do not care what others say, my verdict is that the batsmen did not apply themselves")
you could hardly say that the match was won or lost by great or little skill. There were quiet predictions before the match that it was not a typical looking Wankhede track (The red soil, even on cloudy day one, was there for all to see- powdery despite the grass), and would assist the spinners much more than usual. After Nagpur, that was all but assured. It is just that no one figured this is what would happen. Manjrekar went so far as to say that curator did not want to prepare this sort of track.
A bit late, for that one ol chap. I think there was an earnest effort to produce a turner. Now that, on a Wankhede pitch, was out of the ordinary insofar as it has always been a 'sporting' pitch. There has been assistance for fast bowlers and spinners and batsmen alike. In trying to make it a spiner's paradise, they came up with a minefield. I would like to believe (and hope) that their intention was not to make such a shocker of a track. We will never know that for sure, of course, but it would be a far more palatable (if still unacceptable) explanation. Incompetence would be far preferable to deviousness.

Of course, there are many who don't think so. Ponting is clear he did not believe it was of Test standard, and Roebuck's intensity was more before the crazy final day (er...day 3), than it was in the final analysis. Or maybe he just didnot want to repeat himself- given he thought it was an appalling track on Day 2, Day 3 would have driven him mad.

There might well be (probably should be) an enquiry into this. Such pitches cannot be deemed acceptable, and whether it is true for this one or not, we cannot provide such ease for underhand pitch preparation. There is a pertinent point from the pundits on what India should (but probably need not) expect when they go Down Under next. I don't think, though, that this is a reflection of the philosphy of Indian hosting of cricket tours.

But the match was still a cracker. Australia still should have gotten those 103 runs. It was exciting, despite the pitch and exciting because of the pitch. Dravid's take is a pretty good one:
it was a fantastic game of cricket, on what was definitely not an ideal Test wicket.

Yet, all said and done, I am glad this pitch was not served up when the series was still in the balance. Now that? That would have been one hell of coconut dal makhni dish.

T4 D3

18:20, IST

Phew. We won. Consolation win, dodgy pitch, ‘dead’ rubber and all….but at least we won. And the series scoreline reads 2-1, though it was precariously close to 3-0. Boy, that would have been gutting.
I missed a lot of the crucial/ exciting/ insane/ climactic last innings, though I saw the last few overs (from 88 for 8), and then saw the recap of the wickets. There is much to be said (argued) about the pitch, but that I shall leave for later. The most significant feature of the day for me was the attitude and approach of the Indian team. Finally, finally there was a positive approach from the batting.
But first- I (late latif) got to the Tv only at 9:30 again. It was 23/2. Very Very bleary-eyed (this sound familiar?- well, this time I had only slept about4.5 hours) I thought for a moment it was a replay of the 1st innings. Then I saw that Laxman and SRT had scored all but 6 runs of the total, so I figured the openers went for next to nothing.

Led by Sachin, there was a veritable rediscovery of the mode of batting called run-making. Seriously, though, it was great to watch. It is not like Sachin has forgotten or cannot play the way he used to. He has chosen to play the way he has in recent times. In pure logic and practicality, I can’t always fault his line of thinking. Ina lineup that is always full of strokemakers, he and Dravid then become the only two who you can rely on to protect their wicket. I am just not sure whether he himself likes it that much. He acknowledges it in his mind to be the best way, but it may not be the best suited to his headspace. At any rate, today there was no confusion. He played his shots, played them well, and it was hugely disappointing to see him get out. For a prolonged period just before that, he had not gotten much strike- especially against Hauritz who he was obviously looking to target. Laxman was playing out over after over of runless off spin, and I believe it might just have frustrated ST a bit. That sweep, which he had been eyeing for long, was just not a percentage shot.

That we still slipped from 150-odd for 3 to 206 all out was another display of carelessness. Laxman had been showing signs of offering a c&b all innings, and it finally happened. But I am glad that he at least proved my point#2 of yesterday wrong- he should find himself in for the SA series now. Karthik should really not have been playing against the spin on this track, and Kaif messed up Tea by padding up (again). He offered no shot, and worse, made no pretence of offering one either.
Everyone in the Aussie camp must have rued not bringing on Clarke earlier. Sure, you could not have predicted his incredible haul, but there was a definite case for bringing him or Katich on much earlier in the day. You have a pitch that is turning square, and you refuse to even try your optional spinners. Silly, I thought. It is a bit much, though, that he ended with 6 wickets. To be fair, he bowled spot on right from the word go, but I just cannot reconcile to him taking a 6 wicket haul against us.

It was great to see Murali Karthik coming into his own. Agreed, it was a spiteful pitch that made even Clarke look like Bishan’s brother. Yet, Murali had some good batsmen fooled by his variety, and the arm ball was simply superb. Especially the one to get Martyn out. Hayden finished his series with very little of note, but no real failures either. Odd, for his style of batting. Though it is probably that very style that got him out- the irresistible urge to always dominate. Hauritz, Gillespie and Kasper took them to the brink, and it was nerve racking stuff. But Bhajji came back and bowled really well, and to a plan- the one that got Kasper out was what he had worked out, and it was a ripper.

The passionate celebrations when we won, the almost angry venting of emotion from so many of the players… I guess this meant something to them. The series was gone, and to easily the better side, but this was something to go home with. Something to restore some belief- again, not just because we won, but the way we won. The batters will probably have some confidence in their run scoring abilities after today, and I hope they carry that into the South African series.

Ponting did not think much of the pitch, and he made it pretty clear. Dravid chose to call it only ‘interesting’, with the slightest hint of a wry smile. Pitch or not, it was evident he was a much relieved man. As might be, I suspect, a certain person back home in Calcutta.

T4 D2

10:00, IST
I did not realise there was an early start today, and consequently woke to find 9 balls already bowled for the day. Bleary eyed and sullen, I figured Sachin had added 3 to his overnight score. Rubbing the sleep put of my eyes was replaced soon enough by rubbing disbelief out. Sachin was gone.
Nature called, briefly, and Laxman answered the seemingly irresistible call of the pavilion. 4 down. Making coffee for the missus, and Kaif took an extended coffee break himself.

37 for 5. Heck, I hadn’t even brushed yet.

There are a few things you can infer from this:
1. The loyal double barrel of the Australian shotgun reminds us it is forever present. We, obligingly, stare right down at it.
2. Laxman should not play against South Africa. (You are welcome to prove me wrong in the 2nd innings, VVS)
3. I am not an early riser.

10:25, and it is 59 for 6 courtesy a few boundaries from Kumble. Dravid stolidly and runlessly hangs on. What is this?
-And what about Mr Hauritz? He won’t believe his luck, getting ready to bowl on a turner, and at a side that is 6 down.

10:45
There you are. 33rd over of the match. 1st over in test cricket for Nathan Hauritz, and he gets his first wicket.
Now it is 80 for 7, but the ball is spinning like a top from one end and reversing from McGrath the other. India will be cursing themselves, wasting a pitch that is tailor made for them. 80? That’s the bloody opening partnership for the Aussies. Yikes.

11:35 LUNCH
104 all out. The pitch is looking vicious and full of turn and bounce. Bhajji, Kumble and Karthik will be licking their lips…. Until they see the number of runs they are defending. This is way too little to give them a realistic chance of skittling the Aussies out for a small lead. Baby faced Hauritz was getting so much grip and turn on what is effectively a first day pitch, the heart burns at what might have been had we batted with a little more purpose.If the Aussies ignore convention when they bat, and step on the pedal a little, they would have overhauled our score before the spinners can sink their teeth into the pitch. Even a 250 total would mean Indian will have to score upwards of 350 in the third innings of the match. Doesn’t look good.

12:20
4th over of the innings. What an over. Bhajji to Langer, this time over the wicket. 3 absolute snorters, then Langer tries to sweep and skies it toward the square leg boundary. Sehwag dived and in the end made it look tougher and more spectacular than it was or needed to be, I suspect. He should have caught it. With 104 backing us up, he should have caught it. Damn.

13:45
About to approach the computer for a couple of lines about Hayden looking good. He had played himself in, eschewing his big shots early on, even the sweep. 3 sixes had seen him up the tempo and reach 35. As I was about to turn, he’s OUT! Bat pad to Murali Karthik, who he had smashed for a six a couple of balls ago. Sharp catch from Kaif (who replaced Gambhir at short leg after the latter had dropped Martyn on 11), and as Slater pointed out- Hayden “looked guilty”.
Fight, boys.

TEA
5 runs short of our appalling total, and 7 wickets in hand. The 2 best players of spin this tour are at the crease, and the considerable attacking talents of Clarke and Gilly to follow. It doesn’t look good, but that’s how it is.

Boria Majumdar has been talking to Sanjay Manjrekar in the breaks yesterday and will contunue for the rest of the test. 28 years old, he has "wed his passion (cricket) and profession (history)" by doing a PhD in Indian cricket history, at Oxford. Now here he is, sharp voice and excited articulation all in place. Some interesting stories yesterday. Let's see what today has to offer.

Sane(r) reads

There have (fortunately) been some attempts at sane criticism of the Indian performance, and quiet disapproval of the extreme reactions and condemnation by Indians in general. A lot like how I feel, and have mentioned earlier too.
It is the ultimate reactionary reaction to call for Saurav's head, or for Wright's. Instead, it is worthwhile to try and figure out how the very men who led the team to such dizzying heights have not been able to do so now.
And of course, it may just (may) do some good for the hollerers to question the vision and commitment, or lack of therof, of the BCCI.

Clearly, there should be no sacred cows and such professionals must be held to a high standard. Yet there is a difference between scrutiny and scorn, between criticism and cynicism.
-Rohit Brijnath

Criticism against the team has been manic and more often than not unjustified. Cricket appears a very easy game on a 20-inch screen with the countless slomo replays of every action. But contemporary India is as impatient with failure as it is extravagant in its praise and rewards for performers.
- Ayaz Memon

But in the long run, if our team has to become a world-beating one, we need vision and planning. But does the power-hungry BCCI have the inclination or the time
- Pradeep Magazine

T4 D1

14:17
Is anything going to change? We shall wait and see, because it is already 11/2.
Nice solid defence from SRT on his first ball, but he is, again, in too early. 4th over of the innings.
Sehwag was, as is his wont, rooted to the crease. Except this time his feet were too far away form where the ball was and the gate was a big one. Gambhir’s lbw was a good ball, good decision- and both the opening bowlers have the upper hand.

Now Sachin survives a run out. Just about, the ball hitting his bat on the way to the stumps. If it had hit, he would have been a gonner. Glad to see he saw the lighter side of it all…..
Ad break, and the pitch- nice and brown, I could almost see its tendency to be powdery soon enough…good signs. We finally won the toss, but what are we going to do with it?

Oh great- its raining again,though DD Sports didn’t exactly let us see it cause they returned from the ad break for about 5 seconds and jazzed off again.

The final test

20:15, IST
and the news is this:
Warne's out of the mumbai test. Broken thumb. Out for 6-8 weeks, meaning he will miss the tests against the old trans tasman rivals later this month too. It seems highly improbable that the Aussies will go in with 4 pacers on a track likely to take turn, so India can look forward to playing a rookie spinner.
McGrath's flu, too, is not all cured. He may just be ruled out tomorrow morning before the match. Which means Blee could also be in- more pace, more snorters...and more runs, I hope?
* * *

The Mumbai dead rubber starts tomorrow.
Drag yourself out of the depression/ negativism/apathy/disgust/anger/tears (take your pick), and there may yet be some things to look out for.
For while it may be the not so relevant Final Match of the series, it is the Final Test and final chance to salvage something for team India.

New talent is always exciting (at least in theory)- both Gambhir and Karthik have done enough tosuggest they mae have what it takes at this level. AT any rate, there will at least be the excitement of the possibility that they will do well. Phew, thats long drawn out, but still.
Despite Nagpur, SRT remains something to look forward to. There are suggestions that he should instead play some club/domestic cricket before coming back for the SA series. Simply, I don't agree, thank you.
VVS Laxman (may not be somethng to look forward to), but his place is on the line and I dont care about the pressure, he better perform. It will be truly surprising if he fails her and is still picked for the SA series. It is surprising enough that he has retained his place for the series finsiher, but given that it is dead (though we are dying to win it), it is still acceptable. Screwup here, and it surely is curtains for a while, no?

Sehwag is always somethign to look forward to.

The pitch might actually help us (though with Mumabi tracks, you cant be sure- and def not as much as say a Chennai). We may even play 3 spinners!
So Sachin might open the bowling!

Ponting will be back, if you like that sort of thing (the opposition team being strengthened).

But seriously, this is some sort of chance to redeem some sort of pride with some sort of victory. Years later a 2-1 scorecard will read eminently better than 3-0, even if the latter would be a closer reflection of the team performances. A loss here will leave us in even more shredded tatters (if that's possible) going in to the SA series. Till not so long ago, that was one where we were supposed to try and thrash them. Now look.

It is an interesting point that the Indian Test performances over the last few years have not been like the second best team in the world. Instead, the have been fluctuating to match the calibre of the teams we have faced. Be it England, Australia, Pakistan, West Indies or Zimbabwe. Except this time we did not rise to the occasion.

Yet, rising to the rebuilding South Africans' challenge is till some time away. First we have a buoyant, momentum driven, top form and new hungry-for-winning-captain-led team to deal with.
Save us, Mumbai.