Airtel Border-Gavaskar Series 1st Test, Bangalore

Let me start by stating right at the beginning that this is not going to be a real cricket analysis of the test but just my thoughts about the test. The test was gripping, had its ups and downs throughout the 5 days. Though India claims that it had take a lot of positives, I believe that the only positive for me was that they didnt succumb to tier habitual tendency to collapse when playing the final innings in test. There have been so many instances, as recent as test at SSC, Colombo, and I need not elaborate on those instances. Australia would have definitely missed Andrew Symonds, they sorely missed his explosive batting and very decent off spin bowling option (actually would have been much better that Cameron White).

Australia can safely claim to have dominated the test for the most part, while India dominated only 2-3 sessions in my perspective. India dominated the 2nd and 3rd sessions of the second day, last 2 sessions on the third day and probably the first hour and the 2nd session on the 4th day. Indian batting has always been suspect against the consistent and relentless Aussie pace bowling, this is irrespective of whether the conditions suited them or not. Australia were lucky to win the toss and bat for the most part when the pitch was very suitable for batting and their application helped them to secure the healthy lead in the first innings. I certainly agree with Zaheer only in the fact that the Aussie first innings was certainly very defensive where their batsmen were more intent on partnerships and innings building, uncharacterestic of the Aussies to score at less than 3 runs an over. Ponting and Hussey showed the tenacity and graft to counter some spirited bowling from Zaheer and Ishant. The Indian first innings started of very well but after the loss of Sehwag and Gambhir the usual pavilion procession started. Dravid, Ganguly were not able to build on thier starts and if not for Harbhajan and Zaheer Indians could have faced a follow-on.

Harbhajan and Zaheer were patient and punished when the ball was there to be hit, so unlike the exhalted middle order (F(l)ab Four). I had a feeling that India could salvage a hard fought draw if they cross the 350 mark. Zaheer and Ishant persevered to get past that mark. The one factor that really helped the Indians was the indifferent physical condition of Stuart Clark. There were the usual mixups and slow running between the wickets, India should thank thier luck for quite a few throws from the fielders not finding the stumps. I atleast recollect two occassions in the first innings, Tendulkar and Ganguly being the benefactors. This brings up the point of how the Aussies back thier plan with the right actions. At the begining of the series Ponting said that he would exploit the lax Indian fielding and thier running between wickets and how they exploited that very well was there to be seen amply clear. Australia seem to have q set of plans to change, upset the rhythm of the Indian batsmen by clever field setup suited for each individual player. This goes to prove how much analysis has been done. Their capability to adapt to the situation and think though another plan if Plan A fails was also clearly seen when they were able to use Mitchell Johnson when Stuart Clark was not bowling according to thier plan. This makes one wonder if the Indian team really has a plan or if they just have one plan and if it fails they just persist till the Aussie batsmen blink. This cannot work against the quality of the Aussies, as they give very few chances and the when they do they can be do with impunity given the quality of Indian fielding.

Now as the tour moves to Mohali, which is not likely to assist spin it will be interesting what India plan to take on the Aussies. I think Zaheer, after this test and Sehwag before the start of the series, committed big blunders by blurting thier opinions early. I hope that they backup what they have said with corrective actions or else they could very well be the laughing stock of the tourists. This also makes you wonder what the team management’s role in the post match conferences. Im sure there is going to be a lot of edgy situations as the series progresses. The only thing is that the Indians have never natched their talk with the walk. So I feel that they have already handed the advantage to the Aussies. I dont think that this series is going to be easy for India to win and I think the most favourable India result could be a drawn series. I hope that Kumble gets fit before the next test. So here hoping that India puts up a great show and back thier talk with the action.