The Kolkata Fightback

Ganguly and Wright got it right today. Congratulations are in order for the two of them.

‘Pressure’ was the keyword. It was conspicuously missing in India’s gameplan yesterday. If at all it existed, it was on themselves! But today, smart bowling combinations and intelligent field placements ensured that the two Y’s were not allowed the same liberty this morning. Balaji and Pathan bowled with a shade more aggression and a lot more intelligence. The result was there for all to see.

Balaji set up Youhana beautifully. A succession of out-swingers was followed up by an accurate in-cutter that foxed Youhana completely. When Pathan got rid of Inzamam with a ball that defied logic and swung away from the shiny side, the way he patted his own back and pumped his fists showed that public criticism of his poor form had stung him. And after this, the two tweakers began their show. Ganguly put in extra fielders around the bat, something that he had not done yesterday. Putting Laxman at second slip for the spinners was a masterstroke! Special mention must be made of the run-out of Asim Kamal. The ferocity with which Tendulkar threw the ball from the boundary to the wicket-keeper’s end was terrific! It caught Kamal absolutely by surprise!! Awesome!!

In the end, there were no heroics like the ones at Mohali and India clawed their way back into the driver’s seat. By the day’s end, even though India was just about 147 runs ahead of the Pakistanis with 2 days to go, I would stick my neck out and say that India are the favourites to win this contest.

After all… the snakes in the pitch are ready to surface!