Roaring to life

With New Zealand missing their only two genuinely world-class bowlers, this was an ultimately facile run-chase, especially once Virender Sehwag got stuck into some early Christmas presents from the wretchedly wayward Andre Adams. With no Shane Bond to take the shine off the white lacquer, India's batsmen could express themselves without a hint of trepidation, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's manic strokeplay at the end gave the result a touch of the emphatic.

In truth though, the damage had been done by Sehwag's exhilarating dismissal of the new ball in the first 10 overs. And between the two hatchet jobs, there was an innings of tremendous class and poise from Mohammad Kaif, who finally batted as a top-notch No.3 needs to in the one-day game. Known more for tapping and nudging the ball and brisk running between the wickets, Kaif interspersed his traditional strengths with some magnificent hits to the fence, off good balls and bad ones alike. It ensured that there was no let-up after Sehwag's assault, and denied Stephen Fleming the luxury of a breather to rally his shell-shocked side.

But for a brief phase when Scott Styris's sluggish medium-pace pushed the asking-rate up to near a run-a-ball, India were never troubled. Jacob Oram scalped Sehwag, but bowled only five overs, perhaps kept in reserve with the final in mind. Kyle Mills, Nathan Astle and Chris Cairns - a shadow of the fine bowler he once was - asked no probing questions, while Jeetan Patel was little more than a shot of confidence for batsmen who had struggled for it in recent times.

On a surface that was excellent for batting, India were indebted to the utilitarian talent of Jai Prakash Yadav after New Zealand had threatened in excess of 300 at one stage. Yadav's bowling is eerily reminiscent of one of New Zealand's great one-day performers, Gavin Larsen, with its emphasis on line and length and subtle movement off the seam. On a day when India's frontline pace bowlers went for 178 from 29 overs, his spell of 1 for 34 was invaluable, and it could have been even better had Irfan Pathan latched on to a simple chance off Styris at short fine leg.

Ajit Agarkar was the best of the erratic trio, bowling some peaches and effecting a stunning run-out before being clattered for 20 in his final over. After Fleming had set the tone, Lou Vincent's coruscating 37 pushed India on the defensive, allowing Styris to compile a sedate 56. Around him, Craig McMillan, Brendon McCullum and Oram played their cameos, struggling only against Yadav's accuracy and Harbhajan Singh's variations.

After conceding 108 in the first 20 overs, India wrenched it back with some sharp fielding and disciplined bowling. Both Yuvraj and Agarkar were spot on with throws at the stumps, and there was enough passion on view - even a cross word or two between Pathan and Agarkar - to suggest that repeated failure and deserved criticism had finally sparked a much-needed response from those who were merely treading water.

That sense of urgency was thrillingly exemplified by Sehwag later, though the headlines should no doubt go to Kaif, who married the prosaic with the gorgeous as a daunting target was surpassed with ease. No corners have been turned just yet, but finally the engine of what can be a truly powerful machine is finally ticking over. Not a moment too soon.