Kartik was the find of the series
It is not often that India loses a one-day international series at home
Partab Ramchand
25-Nov-2002
It is not often that India loses a one-day international series
at home. Their record in the limited overs game is as impressive
as their record in Test cricket. In 2000, India even got the
better of the redoubtable South Africans and last year they ran
Australia, the reigning world champions, close before losing by
three matches to two. On the evidence of this, the loss in the
just-concluded series against the West Indies might be difficult
to digest for some.
On the contrary, while there is still some cause for concern as
far as the team composition for the World Cup is concerned one
need not take the final result at its face value. In the first
place it must not be forgotten that India were without Sachin
Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan for the entire series of seven matches.
Then at various times during the contests and for different
reasons India lost the services of Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble
and Harbhajan Singh.
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Indeed, continuing to look at developments from the positive
angle, the non-availability of the stars and the decision to
experiment gave the fringe players a chance to bid for a
permanent place in the squad. The selectors also took the
opportunity to give talented young players the big break. It is
another matter that cricketers like Dinesh Mongia, Jai Prakash
Yadav, Reetinder Singh Sodhi and Lakshmipathy Balaji did not make
the most of the chances that came their way.
On the other hand, players like Sanjay Bangar and Murali Kartik
came up with eye-catching performances and took a firm step
towards cementing their places in a full-strength squad. The
former showed distinct signs of emerging as the all-rounder the
World Cup side will undoubtedly require while Kartik's left arm
spinners frequently had the Caribbean batsmen in trouble.
Kartik's strong temperament allied to his undoubted skill makes
him an ideal bowler for Test cricket too.
There was a clamour for long that both Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad
Kaif batted too low down the order. The absence of some of the
stars gave them the opening to bat a notch or two up the order
and the result was at best a mixed bag. Once Tendulkar and
Ganguly return, it is apparent that the two will again have to
bat in the lower half of the order. With Dravid, Sehwag and
Laxman in the line-up, there does not seem to be any other
option.
With the attacks of both sides coming in for a lot of stick, it
was inevitable that the Indian bowling too would pose problems.
The emergence of Kartik was a big plus and one must assume that
Javagal Srinath will go to South Africa again, at least on the
basis of his vast experience, if not exactly as the spearhead. It
must be admitted that even at 33 there were times in the seven
matches that he looked quite menacing.
The return of Zaheer will no doubt strengthen the seam attack
while Ajit Agarkar did just about enough to guarantee his place
in the World Cup squad. In any avatar - as relief seam
bowler, a pinch-hitter or utility man - his claims cannot be
overlooked. There must be a question mark over Ashish Nehra while
Balaji was a sore disappointment. With the seam bowling resources
rather limited, it is obvious that spin will continue to play a
notable part in shaping India's fortunes in the World Cup. Kartik
remains the most promising prospect.
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One is not sure whether the team management will continue with
the experiments in the seven one-day internationals in New
Zealand next month, the final engagement for the Indian side
before the World Cup. But one thing is clear. The experimentation
process against the West Indies did not help much in zeroing in
on the ideal combination for the World Cup. Question marks still
remain over the bowling and the all-rounder's slot despite
Bangar showing some promise. After all, it must not be forgotten
that conditions in South Africa are very different. The pitches
there are less likely to favour the batsmen and it is batting
after all that is our trump card. The bowlers will no doubt do
better in the more helpful conditions but is it a match-winning
line-up? I think we all know the answer to that one.