Day 5- Preview
http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/1996-97/IND_IN_RSA/IND_RSA_T2_02-06JAN1997.html
We've been there before and we have screwed up BIG TIME before. It was January 1997 and Indias tour of South Africa. South Africa batted first and piled 570 just like Pakistan did here this time around. Who would forget the blitzkrig set up by Mohammad Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar in the first innings but inspite of their tremendous efforts India ended the first innings about 150 short of SouthAfrica. Just like this Test. Inspite of Sehwags innings we ended about 150 short of the South African total. South Africa batted next, scored quickly and left us about 420 to win in the last 120 overs or so. Same situation here. Afridi has powered Pakistan to a situation where India have to score about 400.
There are huge differences though. When that game in 1997 was going on ....Nonody...Just about Nobody talked of a possible Indian win. It was considered a miracle if India managed a draw out of that game inspite of the batting maestros Sachin and Azhar being in such great form. But now, most people, including some commentators believe that India do have a wiff of chance of victory. Infact, i think this Indian team believes its got its chances of winning this game. Listen to Laxmans statements today and Sehwags statements yesterday and you will realize that this team thinks its on top. But in 1997 the then Indian team did not believe it had it within them to win the game. History says that there attempt to draw the match did not materialize and they lost the game. But this game is very different. Its not different in terms of the match situation. It is very different in terms of game momentum and belief.....This Indian team has the audacity to believe it can score at over 4 runs an over for the entire day on the last day of a turning pitch. Only time will tell whether this belief is well suppoorted by performancves on the field of play. But one thing is certain. If India wants to be the great team it claims it is, then this is one feat they must perform to prove the world that they are indeed what they claim to be. And its got poetic justice to it too. If India do manage to topple Pakistan then they will take the 2nd spot behind only Australia on the ICC Test rankings. I would then call it well earned 2nd position.
As far as the Indian mentality for tomorrows game goes, they must show what they are made of...which is ...an amazing batting lineup that can scare the living daylights out of any bowling attack. Sehwag is in pristine touch and an innings from him is very important because it sets the momentum for the rest of the game. If he plays a good innings Pakistan is on the back foot and the rest of the BIG GUNS in the Indian batting lineup can deliver without much pressure. The less said about Dravid the better. Sachin has for him the perfect stage to complete his record 35 hundred. If he does manage that this game...it would be a great achievement and i am sure he will be thrilled to get a record in such a manner. Laxman and Ganguly must be willing to play as demanded by the occasion. They will be faced with the tough decision of either going out for a win or playing out a draw.....Not the best of decisions to make...especially in light of Gangulys recent woeful form.
BUT we souldnt forget the fact that if books and scorecards and history is to be believed Pakistan is the fovorites to win this game. They will have to bowl weel to snatch victory out of the Indian batting lineup.
The most probable verdict is of crse the Draw. Anywhere during the days play if there is a small peroiod of around 5-10 overs when Pakistan emerge on top and claim 2-3 quick wickets that will push India defensivce and complete the draw script.
Whatever comes of this game.....It will be an exciting and thrilling days game....
We've been there before and we have screwed up BIG TIME before. It was January 1997 and Indias tour of South Africa. South Africa batted first and piled 570 just like Pakistan did here this time around. Who would forget the blitzkrig set up by Mohammad Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar in the first innings but inspite of their tremendous efforts India ended the first innings about 150 short of SouthAfrica. Just like this Test. Inspite of Sehwags innings we ended about 150 short of the South African total. South Africa batted next, scored quickly and left us about 420 to win in the last 120 overs or so. Same situation here. Afridi has powered Pakistan to a situation where India have to score about 400.
There are huge differences though. When that game in 1997 was going on ....Nonody...Just about Nobody talked of a possible Indian win. It was considered a miracle if India managed a draw out of that game inspite of the batting maestros Sachin and Azhar being in such great form. But now, most people, including some commentators believe that India do have a wiff of chance of victory. Infact, i think this Indian team believes its got its chances of winning this game. Listen to Laxmans statements today and Sehwags statements yesterday and you will realize that this team thinks its on top. But in 1997 the then Indian team did not believe it had it within them to win the game. History says that there attempt to draw the match did not materialize and they lost the game. But this game is very different. Its not different in terms of the match situation. It is very different in terms of game momentum and belief.....This Indian team has the audacity to believe it can score at over 4 runs an over for the entire day on the last day of a turning pitch. Only time will tell whether this belief is well suppoorted by performancves on the field of play. But one thing is certain. If India wants to be the great team it claims it is, then this is one feat they must perform to prove the world that they are indeed what they claim to be. And its got poetic justice to it too. If India do manage to topple Pakistan then they will take the 2nd spot behind only Australia on the ICC Test rankings. I would then call it well earned 2nd position.
As far as the Indian mentality for tomorrows game goes, they must show what they are made of...which is ...an amazing batting lineup that can scare the living daylights out of any bowling attack. Sehwag is in pristine touch and an innings from him is very important because it sets the momentum for the rest of the game. If he plays a good innings Pakistan is on the back foot and the rest of the BIG GUNS in the Indian batting lineup can deliver without much pressure. The less said about Dravid the better. Sachin has for him the perfect stage to complete his record 35 hundred. If he does manage that this game...it would be a great achievement and i am sure he will be thrilled to get a record in such a manner. Laxman and Ganguly must be willing to play as demanded by the occasion. They will be faced with the tough decision of either going out for a win or playing out a draw.....Not the best of decisions to make...especially in light of Gangulys recent woeful form.
BUT we souldnt forget the fact that if books and scorecards and history is to be believed Pakistan is the fovorites to win this game. They will have to bowl weel to snatch victory out of the Indian batting lineup.
The most probable verdict is of crse the Draw. Anywhere during the days play if there is a small peroiod of around 5-10 overs when Pakistan emerge on top and claim 2-3 quick wickets that will push India defensivce and complete the draw script.
Whatever comes of this game.....It will be an exciting and thrilling days game....
posted by vashok | 10:58 AM
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