The Hindu : Sport : Hard work key to India’s success

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Saturday, Aug 11, 2007
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Hard work key to India’s success

It has been a sturdy effort from a side that has played with but a single thought

PETER ROEBUCK

Hard work has been the most noticeable feature of an Indian performance that has surpassed most expectations. Scorning all indulgences and welcoming the assistance of Dame Fortune (who smiles upon the brave) Rahul Dravid’s resolute team is poised to secure a rare victory away from home.

It has been a sturdy effort from a side that has played with but a single thought. Doubtless the decisions taken in the wake of the calamitous World Cup campaign helped. Greg Chappell was not a bad coach, merely the wrong coach.

He understood the weaknesses of his players but could not correct them. Conflict was the inevitable result.

Virender Sehwag had become a burden to the side. A fine, mercurial batsman, his career has lost momentum owing to mental lapses.

Dravid’s imprint

Left to his own devices, Dravid has put his imprint on his side. His players have displayed their leader’s pragmatism and determination. Credit must be given to Karthik and Wasim Jaffer at the top of the order.

Over the years India has been blessed with many scintillating middle order batsmen but reliable openers have been as hard to find as tuc-tucs at rush hour.

Giving the job to an unproven wicket-keeper and a poor lad from Mumbai was a gamble. Evidently the selectors knew their men.

By and large the openers have carried out this primary task of taking the shine off the ball. Nor has the middle-order failed to appreciate their achievements. Every batsmen has scored vital runs. None has sold his wicket cheaply. Prising a sherbet from a child has been easier than removing these combatants from their occupation.

Much about the team’s spirit could be gleaned from the manner in which the batsmen have conducted themselves at the crease. Mahendra Dhoni’s match-saving innings at Lord’s was out of character.

Actually that is not correctly phrased. That he rose to the occasion was typical. Only his approach was unusual since he did not try to thrash every third ball onto Edgeware Road. It was an innings deserving the highest acclaim, a contribution that set the tone for the campaign.

Unwavering concentration

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly have also applied themselves with humility and diligence. In the twilight of their illustrious careers, they might have been forgiven for taking short cuts, or else pleasing themselves. As former captains, they could have distanced themselves from the incumbent the better to pounce on any mishap. Instead they have batted with unwavering concentration, resisting a capable England attack. Ganguly played a lovely innings at The Oval and deserved better than to be the victim of a blunder. His contribution came just as India was faltering and showed him in the best possible light.

Memorable

One beautifully timed glide through cover will linger in the memory yet this was an innings notable for its intent not its periodic blessings. His darkness has not yet come.

Tendulkar was sublimely solid. It is no more possible for him to play an ugly innings than it was for Jane Austen to write a clumsy sentence.

Certainly he did not take the attack apart but he presented an almost immovable object. England battered his body but he did not wilt or risk his wicket.

His willingness to stand his ground in the face of an onslaught had been questioned. He met the challenge with fortitude.

It was satisfying to see cricketers of this calibre prepared to work so fiercely at the crease. Even as age takes its toll upon their powers, true sportsmen continue to serve their side with modesty and judgement.

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