By Sunil Gavaskar
India’s big win in the first one dayer at Hyderabad would have come as a big relief for it came against a team that had whipped them not too long back, and another loss would not only have shattered India’s self confidence but also would have given England the feeling that anything India did they could do better. Cricket is a game which is more often than not only played between 22 yards but also the space between the ears and it is here that England had been so superior in England. In Hyderabad India would have dented that to some extent for it was not a narrow, close win but by a thumping margin too.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni had not had much luck with the toss in England but in Hyderabad India began by firstly changing the dressing room which they had occupied for previous one dayers all of which they had lost.
This change was positive since Dhoni began by getting the choice to bat first, and then himself taking the England attack apart to get India past 300 runs. Not that it was a safe total as was seen in England but it definitely gave the team something to defend. India’s fielding also was top class which means runs saved, catches taken and run-outs effected.
The pressure was not let up at all and the weather did not help England as their players who had fielded in the hot sun wilted when it was their turn to bat.
India did not get the bright starts that it got in England. Both Parthiv Patel and Ajinkya Rahane were strangely subdued and the bigger problem was that they were not even trying to look for the quick singles.
Rahane once again threw his wicket away and the earlier he realizes that he is there only because the regulars are injured, and so he must grab the chances and make the most of it the better for him.
Else he will also be one of those who played a few cameos for India as have several others who haven’t gone beyond 10 or 15 matches.
Gambhir looked good as also Kohli, but both were unable to go on to a big score.
Luckily Raina and Dhoni who had a bit of a breather before this game got together and saved the day for India by running smartly between the wickets, and then going for their shots.
Dhoni then took the game to another level and played some amazing shots and with Jadeja showing that he also can power the ball, India put up a challenging total on board. England had made light of such totals in England, but it was quite obvious that the heat had taken its toll and players who otherwise wouldn’t have been breathing heavy in England were huffing and puffing after running singles too.
The pitch also slowed down and the Indian spinners took advantage of that and did not allow the batsmen the pace off the pitch that they like.
It is a good start to the series and should revive interest after the forgettable tour of England and India need to ensure that it is not a flash in the pan.