Javagal Srinath
The Test results offered an unusual and complex portrait of a cricket team in a flux. This young One-day Indian team leading 2-1 in the ODI series is showing another picture. All in all it is very clear and obvious that when we watch different forms of the game we need to have a different perspective o
f the team.
In yesterday's comprehensive win one could see a growth in all departments. To be consistent in winning, that balance in bowling and batting is crucial. A team which has great batting line-up sans decent bowlers or vice versa will find it hard to be consistent in winning. In the last two Indian victories, we have noticed a collective good performance from all the members of the team than any individual brilliance.
Let me go through the performances of some of the players whose telling contribution is worth a mention. Praveen Kumar, the Haryana all rounder is already sharing the new ball. Pravin appears to be an intelligent cricketer who utilizes his potential to the fullest. With the new ball in his hand and an easy run up to the wicket makes him look very innocuous. The strength of Praveen is in the swing which he is able to achieve at will. Pravin's easy action might not enable him to bowl fast but allows having greater control on his line and length. His upright position at the delivery stride gives him that advantage from where he can swing either ways. I was quite impressed with the way he bowled to Jayasuriya moving the ball away giving hardly any room on the off-side. Pravin's ability to bowl with subtle variation at the depth makes Dhoni's task much easier.
Munaf preferred ahead Irfan shows the former new found interest in the game. Munaf keenly dispelling the myth that he always struggled in his later spells.
Harbhajan and Zaheer, the senior pros have lived up to their reputation.
Indian batting stuttered but never looked out of control. Impressive Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played to the team's requirement. Rohit who is struggling for runs walked in with a purpose. With Skipper Dhoni at the other end, his run a ball effort gave the team a decent score. Here again Rohit's attitude to look for runs to secure the team than to worry about his own runs was evident. Such approach helps build a stronger image of the player in the dressing room. In the end for a player to be chosen or to survive during a long loss of form, it's that image in the dressing room which comes to his rescue.
Srilanka heavily relying on veteran Jayasuriya and Sangakara were once again exposed. Indians have very well explored the chinks in the Srilankan side and exploited it well. It is a great opportunity for Indians to seal the series in the next game itself. If Srilanka were to win the next one, the advantage would rest with the host going into the finals.
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