The recently concluded test series between India and
New Zealand was as expected a one sided affair, yet crucial for India to return
to their winning ways even against a New Zealand side that seams to have lost
the skills to fight.
The highlight of the one sided first test was the rise
of a new spin partnership between Ojha and Ashwin, who looked like the only
bowlers in a side bereft of bowling talent. Zaheer’s pace and therefore his
penetration is falling at an alarming rate and Yadav’s wayward performance can
be compared to on-field bouts of diarrhea. India produced a rank turner taking
us back to the dark days of the 90s when Azhar’s Eleven thrashed opponents on
dust bowls, only to capitulate on sporting wickets. What was refreshing was both spinners were
unafraid to toss the ball with accuracy, guile and variety, giving hope to what
seems to be a dying art in a country once rich with reserves.
Two young-rising stars demonstrated technique and
application on a sporting track in Bangalore. The seamers were on top and the
rest of the batsmen looked like a T-20 squad that wandered into a test.
Pujara’s balance on the front foot and back makes him a strong contender for
the crucial No.3 and gives India hope of survival on faster tracks. He gave the
impression that he belonged. Kohli could be another batting great in the
making. He played crucial knocks in the second test taking a leadership role,
batting with flair at the same time possessing the technique to wait out
difficult periods. In time these two could form the core of India’s middle
order.
Sachin’s career and the life of a star have not been
very different. 1980-93, he was the Protostar sizzling hot, yet highly
volatile. 1994-2010 was the Main Sequence when he shone consistently and bright.
The last two years he has been the Red Giant, surpassing every batting record
but losing some of the sizzle of the past. His recent performances makes us
wonder has he reached Planetary Nebula, where the star runs out of gas. Well if
that’s true I would say, be prepared for a Supernova, as this star ain’t dying
quietly.
