INDIA FORCES AUSTRALIA TO A DRAW AT BANGALORE

India, which was set a target of 299 runs to win in about 80 odd overs in the fourth innings, managed to draw the first Test match of the series comfortably. It was a remarkable thing by Indians to draw this Test match considering their recent poor record in fourth innings. Lack of a decent spinner in their ranks and lower order batting display by Indians did the Aussies in this Test match. Otherwise Aussies could have gone one up in the series at their favorite venue in India.

Scorecard: India vs Australia, I Test, Bangalore, 2008.

It appears to me that it was a contest between two weakened teams (skill wise). Absence of Gilchrist, Warne & McGrath and wane of fab four is showing. But the quality of cricket was excellent as always. It was an absorbing Test match. The mental and fighting skills of the two teams came to the fore. But as a fan I also like to see cricketing skills to be exhibited. I suppose, may be the pitch at Bangalore was not conductive for that.

India’s Spin Department Worrying
The performance of the spin combination, Kumble and Harbhajan, is worrying. This is the third series in succession in which they are not able to make any impact. On one hand improvement of our pacers are encouraging but the deterioration of our spin prowess is nullifying that gain. I pray to the God that any one of the spinners, preferably Kumble, to get injured and Amit Mishra coming into the picture. Kumble is already having trouble with his shoulders.

Some Dynamism Needed in the Middle Order
Atleast two of the fab four needs to step up the pace. Only Sehwag appears to be capable of taking the attack to the opposition. Infact the fab four played perfectly according to the situation in this particular Test match. But my views are based on their recent past. In Aussie middle-order they have Watson, Haddin and White to step up the pace. They are making up for the poor form of Hayden and understandably little mellowed approach of Ponting. Even Dhoni is not showing enough dynamism.

Kudos to Zaheer, Ishant, Ponting and Hussey!
The bowling of Indian pace duo, Zaheer and Ishant, in both the innings was very refreshing. There is also an itchiness to watch improved Munaf operating along with them. But team composition and pitch conditions won’t allow this to happen in this series. The way Ishant operated to get rid of Ponting in the second innings was fantastic. Kudos to Ponting for getting his first century in India! Mr. Cricket, Hussey, also got his maiden century in India. Both worked hard in the middle and showed their class.

One has to make special mention of Bhajji’s and Zaheer’s batting in the first innings to get India out of the danger. Kudos to both of them!