The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : A symbiotic relationship

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 12, 2004

Sport

Sport - Cricket

A symbiotic relationship

By S. Dinakar

BANGALORE, OCT. 11. The Mexican waves created dazzling patterns in the stands, as if a huge length of multi-coloured cloth was swirling around the corners of the ground. The man at the drums kept pounding away furiously, as if the sounds produced by him alone could infuse a sense of rhythm into the proceedings.

The flag waving supporters went about their job with much devotion, as if only they had the powers to swing the wind in their team's favour. And the crowd at the Chinnaswamy Stadium roared, as if none else could bring the Indian spinners to life.

The Indian crowd and the Indian spinners — this is a symbiotic relationship. It is almost as if all the noise, drawn in by a centrifugal force, is transfigured into some kind of a magical octane for the merchants of spin; all of a sudden there is a spring in Harbhajan Singh's steps and more bite in Anil Kumble's bowling.

It probably was no coincidence that when there was a greater crowd support for the Indian spinners, on the third and the fourth days of the first TVS Cup Test for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the duo appeared a bigger threat.

Though India lost by a big margin despite Harbhajan's 11-wicket match haul, indications are that the host's spin-crowd tango could inflict more damage as the series progresses.

High decibel levels

Over the years, the decibel levels in the stadium have troubled most of the visiting cricketing teams other than those from the sub-continent. It is never easy to get the mind focussed when there is an ocean of noise in the arena — concentrating in such surroundings is a huge ask. Particularly so, when the tourists are combating the Indians spinners, on pitches where the ball grips and turns.

Here, each time the ball bounces off either the bat or the pad or both, the action is accompanied by a deafening noise. For the embattled batsmen, already harried by the spin and venom off the surface, with the close-in catchers breathing down their necks, the ear-splitting reaction from the spectators only adds to their woe.

The England side under Tony Lewis, that toured India in the early 70s, was teased and tormented by the legendary Indian spin trio — it was also given a torrid time by the massive crowds from Calcutta to Madras, from Kanpur to Bombay. So much so that the Englishmen, on that campaign and subsequent one in the mid-70s, made a conscious effort to strike a friendly rapport with the spectators, with Tony Greig and Derek Randall, compelling personalities both, extending an arm of fun and laughter.

Strong bond

These tactics did not always work, and `the crowd-spin force' bond, only grew stronger. The most enduring of them all was the chemistry between

B.S. Chandrasekar and a captivated audience that would synchronise its claps with the fluent, rhythmic run-up of this unique, match-winning leg-spinner. In more recent times, even as Kumble and Harbhajan sheared through line-ups at home, they often had the frenzied crowd behind them.

The meticulous Kiwis, ahead of their tour of India last year, simulated the

Indian conditions back home which included getting adjusted to the noise levels.

An umpire's ability is also put through a severe test here, and when the spectators stretch their vocal chords, hearing a sound or distinguishing whether it is off the bat or pad.

A quality spin attack and a passionate crowd — a two-dimensional threat of the very Indian kind. It could still `turn' things around for Sourav Ganguly and his men.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport