India's series win over WI: The aura of No 1
In the age of T20s, calling off a chase of 86 runs in 90 deliveries would apparently seem a cowardice act. The Indian team in the West Indies had to face a lot of flack for that but looking back, skipper MS Dhoni thought it was wise to return with the series victory rather than risk it by losing it on the last hour of the tour. Dhoni's post-match remarks, "We were risking a series win going after the target, we realised that it was not worth going for it after those wickets, we gave it a go but we are happy with the series win," summed up the tough on-field decisions that the team had to take. For, statistically speaking, the 1-0 series victory in the scoreline sounds much better than a "1-1". The fact that the scoreline was achieved by a team which comprised of lots of youngsters who were gaining the much needed experience of tackling test cricket adds more punch into the ecstasy and the satisfaction of an overseas series victory. The scoreline would definitely give a boost to the Indian cricketing environment especially after clinching the ICC World Cup and continuing with the numero uno status in Test Cricket.
In the age of T20s, calling off a chase of 86 runs in 90 deliveries would apparently seem a cowardice act. The Indian team in the West Indies had to face a lot of flack for that but looking back, skipper MS Dhoni thought it was wise to return with the series victory rather than risk it by losing it on the last hour of the tour. Dhoni's post-match remarks, "We were risking a series win going after the target, we realised that it was not worth going for it after those wickets, we gave it a go but we are happy with the series win," summed up the tough on-field decisions that the team had to take. For, statistically speaking, the 1-0 series victory in the scoreline sounds much better than a "1-1". The fact that the scoreline was achieved by a team which comprised of lots of youngsters who were gaining the much needed experience of tackling test cricket adds more punch into the ecstasy and the satisfaction of an overseas series victory. The scoreline would definitely give a boost to the Indian cricketing environment especially after clinching the ICC World Cup and continuing with the numero uno status in Test Cricket.
The critics would deplore MS Dhoni's decision to pull out of the chase while India have consistently chased bigger targets in the shorter versions of the games in the recent past. However, we frequently forget under what conditions the Third Test match was being played - the condition of the wicket. Five days of cricket, the boot marks, the wear and tear made it not the best to go for a 6-an-over chase. The ball were turning, bouncing (as Harbhajan Singh clearly demonstrated earlier in the day). Any freak delivery and dismissal might have triggered a collapse in the Indian batting order. Panic swoops faster when you are under pressure with no expert backing you up. India clearly read the situation and wanted to avoid a similar situation.
The thrill would have been enormous had it been achieved, but the risk was much higher. Having already lost 3 wickets, and with Kohli and Dhoni to come as the last recognised batting pair, it was wise for Rahul Dravid and Laxman - the two most experienced batsmen in the side, to play it safe. Mind you, both Kohli and Dhoni didn't have a great run with their bat in the series. It was prudent, hence, to call off the chase. But by that time, the young Indian side achieved what it had in mind before the start of the series. The resurgence of Ishant Sharma as a potent weapon, the emergence of a swinging option in Praveen Kumar, continuing with the faith in Dravid and Laxman, the maturity of youngsters like Kohli and Suresh Raina. As the number one side in the world, its the aura and the way the side takes on every challenge that set them apart from the rest of the competition. India achieved that without the services of many regulars of the first eleven. The take-aways have been huge from this series.
The next challenge is bigger, facing England in England, not to mention that the series victory over West Indies in West Indies will definitely be a big boost and inspire the England bound side.
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India could have won the series 2-0 easily....