India New Zealand Series

There’s a saying “Well begun is half done”. For the Indian cricket team, with New Zealand as the opposition in a two test series, it doesn’t really hold true specially with two opponents, one from whom India snatched the No.1 test ranking and other to whom India handed over the No.1 test ranking, lined up over the winter. But this victory over the Black caps would surely be satisfying since it has been a start of a new era as far as the makeup of Indian test batting line up is concerned. Without Dravid and Laxman, there was an air of anxiety as to how would the younger brigade shape up in whites? In the end, it was these youngsters who were the architects of the series win more than the seasoned pros. Here’s an account of the heroes and duds for India in this series.

Heroes

Virat Kohli (212 runs at 106): Undoubtedly the star of the series and the most consistent batter for India. Kohli had an air of assurance about him whenever he was at the crease and more importantly during that tricky fourth innings chase at Bangalore. As long as Kohli was there at the crease, India wouldn’t stumble. With 2 fifties and 1 hundred, Kohli is yet to get out for a score of less than 50 during a home test. Even in the slip cordon Kohli filled the void created by the absence of Dravid and Laxman.

MS Dhoni (183 runs @ 91.50 and 4 victims) : MS Dhoni with two half centuries and one near half century would have calmed down all those who were debating his position in the test line up purely on the basis of his individual contribution. Though some might say that this series was played at home and against an opposition which is ranked 8^th in the world, what was impressive about Dhoni’s batting is that he came in and delivered at crucial junctures of the match and that he was involved in two of the three 100-plus partnerships for India in the series along with an unbeaten 96 run stand with Kohli during the chase at Bangalore is a testimonial to that fact. Dhoni played his natural game and took the attack to the opposition when required.

Cheteshwar Pujara (216 runs @ 72): Chesteshwar Pujara ended the series as the leading run scorer on either side. This was largely due to that big hundred he scored in the first test at Hyderabad. He occupied that most crucial No.3 slot in the batting line up where we have been accustomed to seeing Rahul Dravid for last 16 years and he did his chances no harm with a composed display of classical batsmanship. Though Pujara faced some awkward moments while hooking or figuring out the straighter one from Jeetan Patel, he will learn.

Ravichandra Ashwin (18 Wickets @ 13.11): Ashwin completely bamboozled the Kiwis in the first test where their batsmen didn’t have a clue how to handle either the off spinner or the carom ball. He was handled with a bit more comfort in the first innings of the 2^nd test; however Ashwin was quick to learn and varied his pace in the 2^nd innings and that five wicket haul on the 3^rd day never allowed the New Zealanders to forge a substantial partnership. Ashwin was impressive with the bat too which prompted many experts to believe that India can play five bowlers, at least in home conditions. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen but for now Ashwin has warmed up well for the tougher challenges ahead.

Pragyan Ojha (13 wickets @ 18.46): With the ball turning away from the right handed Kiwi openers, Dhoni preferred Ojha over his CSK team mate to open the bowling with the new ball at times. He complemented Ashwin pretty well in the series and it comes as no surprise when you look at their record in the four test matches that they have played together. Interestingly they have accounted for a staggering 60 wickets between them in these four matches. Agreed, all these 60 wickets have come against the West Indies and New Zealand at home but can such high numbers be a mere flash in the pan? Let’s wait for the Aussies and Englishmen to land on these shores to find the answer.

Duds

Sachin Tendulkar (63 runs @ 21): The manner in which Sachin Tendulkar got out in the series got more mileage in the media than perhaps even India’s series win. While experts may point out technical flaw, age etc as factors for Sachin’s poor show in the series and some might even want him to call it quits, let’s not forget that he was coming off from a rather longish break having played his last international game way back in March. With no domestic games in India, he didn’t have any match practice behind him. Guess it’s about time to let the great man be and I am sure he will be ready to unleash his best against the best.

Virender Sehwag (128 runs @ 42.66) & Gautam Gambhir ( 58 @ 19.33) : Not only have their individual contribution fallen way below the expectations but collectively also they haven’t come up with the kind of opening partnership which we come to expect from them. More than the opposing bowler it’s their own misdemeanor which has been their nemesis. Sehwag with his reckless brand of cricket when set and Gambhir by pushing and prodding, have been throwing away their wickets. They would do well to go back to the drawing board and get that hunger for big runs back because runs from these two matter a lot.

Suresh Raina (58 @ 19.33): Raina’s tally of 58 runs in the series included a good counter attacking half century when he walked in at 80 for 4 in the first innings of Bangalore test. His arrival at the crease in the second innings warranted a similar knock but with more discipline. After being kept quiet without scoring for nine balls, Raina experienced a rush of blood and perished to an ugly looking shot which drew plenty of flak from all quarters. However it will be sad if Raina is judged on the basis of this one poor shot selection and doesn’t find himself in the squad for the first test against England. Between now and then there is plenty of time and unless some of the other young contenders come up with brilliant knock in the domestic tournaments, which would have started by then, I feel Raina should get another chance. And for Raina himself, he need not look beyond his English counterpart, Jonny Bairstow, for inspiration, who overcame the demons of short pitched bowling with a masterly 95 in the Lords test against Dale Steyn and co.

For Kiwis the biggest positive was the fight shown by their fast bowlers, only if their batsman had shown more patience in the 2^nd innings at Bangalore, the series score line might have been different. For India, with the transition phase that it is going through, this series win is a small but surely a positive step in right direction for the tougher battles ahead.