True, T20s and ODIs are not the same as Tests, and a couple of wins may not be sufficient evidence of a turnaround in fortunes after the 4-0 whitewash in the Test series. Still, one gets the feeling this Indian team will, at least, be able to compete with worthy opponents like the Aussies and Sri Lankans.
As many as four run-outs contributed to our victory over Australia in the T20game. Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are livewires in the field, and the running between the wickets, too, is of international standard, unlike in the Tests where Kohli had to forego many a second or third run because he had an older, less agile batting partner. And it’s not just about runs and wickets either. When you have this energy level on the field, it sends a message across to the opposition that they have a fight on their hands.
MS Dhoni, too, looks a little more comfortable with his captaincy now, partly because the limited-overs format is what he understands better, but also because he probably has the team he wants instead of being saddled with players past their prime who are struggling in all departments of the game. It’s a lot easier to set the field, too, when you don’t have to hide slow, barely fit players pushing 40.
Strategically, however, Dhoni is still not quite there, and he probably misses Gary Kirsten more than he would care to admit. He played just two pacers in the first ODI, as a result of which Australia got off the hook after losing early wickets. A spin-based attack obviously works for Dhoni in the sub-continent, but for him to adopt that on a pace-friendly Aussie track was quite a shocker, and even more so because under the new ODI rules there are two new balls being used, one at either end.
A good move has been the resting of one of the experienced batsmen by rotation. First it was Virender Sehwag, then Gautam Gambhir and now in Adelaide it will be Sachin Tendulkar’s turn to sit out. (It would be a shame if an exception is made for him, because that is exactly the sort of thing that deflates team spirit.)
The rotation at the top allows Rohit and Raina or one of the other hopefuls on the bench to get a fair outing to show what they can do in these alien conditions, especially because the next World Cup will be Down Under. Kohlihas settled in nicely after his initial hiccups in the Test series, and he looks like becoming our mainstay in the middle order. Rohit and Rainaunfortunately just haven’t spent enough time in the middle to get their bearings yet.
The rotation at the top allows Rohit and Raina or one of the other hopefuls on the bench to get a fair outing to show what they can do in these alien conditions, especially because the next World Cup will be Down Under. Kohlihas settled in nicely after his initial hiccups in the Test series, and he looks like becoming our mainstay in the middle order. Rohit and Rainaunfortunately just haven’t spent enough time in the middle to get their bearings yet.
Both have got out to loose shots; Raina in particular looks vulnerable because he doesn’t know what to do with the bouncer. Both are greatstrokemakers, however, and if they learn is to leave a few deliveries alone while the ball is new, they will come good.
The Test series failed to live up to its potential because it’s no fun even for an Aussie fan to see the Indian team go down by an innings in match after match. But the ODI tri-series has already had three interesting games and promises to be much more closely contested. After all, everyone is in the same age group now.
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