I’m delighted at the outset with the curators and the administrators for not preparing minefields as history would suggest and making it a Bat vs Ball contest rather than bat vs pitch contest. It was the most easiest option to carve to avenge revenge on a team low on confidence after the Bangladesh debacle and insert further wound to injury. Such pitches wouldn’t have told us anything more that we don’t know about India and also hide the frailties in the team. Also would have been a hollow statement win, and would have told the world thats the only way we can win. But lo behold that wasn’t the case and result was we got 3 good test matches and the better team won at the end.
The pitches have allowed batsman to score runs if they are committed to apply themselves and bat as the batsman of the yester years, i.e., to grill the opposition down. The bowlers have needed to bowl well to reap the rewards. R Ashwin and Jadeja had to think and maintain a certain line and length consistently for wickets and wasn’t the case just to roll arm over and let the pitch do the rest. The pitches have also allowed fast bowlers to come back and bowl well. Shami and Yadav have consistently bowl well even in the third fourth spell of the day. It was refreshing to see Shami Bounced the opposition out. How often we have seen or said this about an Indian Bowler, that he bounced the opposition out.
They have used the old bowl better and offered the captain much more and chipping in with the wickets at the right time has been a blessing in disguise. It felt India are playing with genuine 5 bowlers, who can take wickets and pile on the pressure from both ends. Credit should also be given to the captain for giving confidence to the faster bowlers to bowl short bursts of spells and using them as a potent weapon to take wickets and not merely to contain the opposition. Kohli likes pace and not like his predecessor thinks merely as a support cast and be defensive, which has been a revelation not only for his captaincy but also the growth of him as a cricketer. He asses the conditions very well and uses all the resources he has as a potent weapon to win matches.
Currently the pithes have allowed India to play a well balanced team. The 3 spinners are no mug with the bat and score some valuable runs lower down as we saw in the last match when the middle order collapsed. Although they are still to be tested in foreign waters but at least this will give them confidence to perform better in foreign conditions. The coach and captain need to be acknowledged for giving them confidence and letting them bat with freedom and correct positions.
All in all the prospects look good and if India can win 4-0 without having to throw a minefield then I assume it would be a huge statement and something which Indian Cricket can be proud of.
Tulip Nandu 