A victory, richly deserved, came India’s way after 4 and half days of exciting TEST match cricket (yes- today, and what was played out 10 days ago at the SSC are part of the same game).
Considering the Sri Lankan batting performance in the 2nd innings, it was pretty much clear that as the day moved on, the ball became softer, bowlers started tiring, and the batsmen, whoever they may be, had a much easier time, provided they were ready to put a price on their wicket. Of course with a 5th day pitch, a target to chase and already 3 wickets down, it was a different ball game when India was batting. But even then, although many people thought it was 75-25 or even 90-10 in favour of Sri Lanka at the end of 4th day, I thought that there was a distinct chance of the same 4th day story repeating on the final day of the series.
But, it was even better. The master, as usual, wanted to take India home, and it was he who blunted the initial Lankan onslaught. Speaking of the onslaught, it wasn’t exactly one. Many, me included, thought that Sangakkara would start with Randiv and Lasith ‘Slinga’ Malinga first up. If I had been the fielding captain, I would have told Malinga to bowl 3 overs of 140 plus deliveries, without worrying at all about the runs he may concede, but just shake the batsmen up. The control and penetration was always going to be available from Randiv at the other end. But, he went with Welegedara, who, one must say, bowled well, but didn’t look like getting Sachin’s wicket. Some were of the opinion that Sanga wanted to create rough areas near the right –arm batsman’s off stump using Welegedara’s footmarks, but to prepare for the future by wasting the present, is not exactly, prudence personified. And he paid the price. Tendulkar, save the bat pad chance which was grassed by Dilshan, settled in nicely. He looked in no trouble at all, and after an hour or so, when Malinga was finally introduced, didn’t look threatening at all.
Sometimes, Lakshman has to bat with the tail and because he isn’t adept at doing so, remains stranded at one end, for want of better support. Today was his chance. To bat with Sachin, play well, and take India home. And, he did just that. He was looking to score runs from the onset, and his strike rate was actually better than the maestro’s. He faced his nemesis, Ajantha Mendis, who hasn’t been the same threat he was 2 years ago, quite well. India also scored around 40-50% of their morning session runs, in singles, which was good to see. In short, it was skilled batting, combined with over 200 test matches between them, which enabled the duo to take India to relative safety at 162-4.
The back spasms which have caused troubles for Lakshman many times in the past, returned post lunch. There was a break in the middle, when the physio had to attend to Lakshman. And Sachin fell prey sweeping a harmless Randiv ball just 2 balls after the break. How many times have we seen that? Won’t the master, holding the record for most number of tests played, have known? Of course he would have. What happens in such cases is a mind-body disconnect. After long periods of concentration in which the body responds exactly as per the minds instructions, after a break, of course one tells to oneself, “Be careful, concentrate”, but the body, doesn’t exactly respond. It acts on reflex, only after some time, does the body once again attune itself with the mind.
With still 81 runs to win, Lankans were still in it with a chance, with Raina, playing only his second test, coming to the crease. Nerves got the better of him as he slashed a wide Malinga delivery, and next ball, charged down the wicket only to be narrowly beaten!!! Many will say that, oh, he was playing his ‘natural’ game, aggressive game, but he would be the first person to say he wasn’t doing so. But, although he mellowed down a bit, he made his runs at fair clip, was selective in his approach and not downright aggressive. His 41 n.o. was a good innings, played under pressure.
One is tempted to ask, would the result have been different if Murali was there? I think yes. Because all Randiv needed was some support and potency from the other end, which would have been in abundance had Murali been there. If both had been bowling in tandem, the breakthrough would surely have been there, particularly in the morning session. And, one wicket would have surely led to another, as was the case with Sri Lanka on the 4th day. But, again, would we have been saying this had Dilshan caught the sharp chance that came his way? Probably not. In all probabilities, Sri Lankans would have won if that catch had been taken. I think ultimately, it comes down to these chances at this level. Invariably, bowlers will bowl well, batsmen will play well, the fielders too, will FIELD well, but who will convert the chances that comes one’s way? And who won’t? That ultimately proves to be the difference between teams at this level. Dhoni missed Sanga’s catch in the 1st innings of the 1st test; Laxman too couldn’t latch on to a sharp Paranavitana slash in the same innings. Ultimately, India lost the test. It would have been a different story if those chances were taken. The saying ‘catches win matches’ is a far more important and prominent one than what it is perceived presently.
So, an under strength Indian team beat the full strength Sri Lankans to level the series 1-1, preventing further damage to their No. 1 spot. Really, this team has to be commended for this fight back, for to win against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka without Zak, Bhajji and Gambhir after you are 1-0 down, is not a Sunday morning task. Kudos to team India!!!
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