Well-Kept Wicket

In a perverse way, the Australian defeat was also the result of team effort, with both bowlers and batsmen making their contributions to a disappointing performance.

The Kotla track, traditionally docile and dead, contained juice on the first day, causing the odd ball to spin and jump. This so alarmed batsmen, that they imagined a monster in the wicket and batted as though death was imminent. No wonder they were in the field a little after tea.

Any team failing to survive day one of a test, reaching a meagre 182, has had it. And after their dismal start Australias back was very much to the sight screen. Chappell, former captain, thought they exhibited poor technique on a spinning wicket but had Warne been around it could have been different.

 

When India batted, Rathore did get himself out. The ball stopped on him a bit as he stabbed a gentle catch to mid wicket. Mongia, having read the wicket right, was determined to occupy the crease and stay there.

With interminable patience and awesome concentration, he got right in line, presented a straight bat and played totally within himself. Which prompted Geoff Boycott, not an easy man to please, to remark that Mongia must be the best test batsman among keepers in the world.

Equally profuse in his praise was Kapil Dev. Bachhe ne kamal kar diya, he said, because wicket par rukna difficult hai.

During his monumental vigil, Mongia was assisted by Ganguly/Dravid, Indias rising stars. Both played with remarkable assurance and fluency. When they batted, the track appeared harmless and the bowling ordinary. There were few alarms obviously the Aussie spinners lacked the class and experience to exploit conditions. They regularly threw up loose balls, these gifts quickly pounced upon by grateful batsmen, and India achieved a huge lead.

Indian spinners showed no such generosity towards the visitors. And with Kumble back at his best, they got no respite. Recently some questions were raised about his form but Kumble set the record right in a telling manner. Warne, admittedly, is a wizard with his bewildering variety, but Kumble is as ruthless. He chokes you with relentless accuracy once he finds the spot on off stump, he stays there as if fixed on target by some mechanical device. Joshi/Kapoor provided honest support but have a long way to go before catching up with Kumble.

The only Australian to resist was Steve Waugh. He batted with considerable skill to overcome testing conditions and defended with soft hands.

The wicket required players to graft, defend patiently and wait. It was the kind of track where you must be prepared to stay scoreless for half an hour at a time and handle two bat/pad appeals every over.

The Kotla win reinforces the commonly held view about Indias strength at home spin is our most potent weapon, Kumble our nuclear warhead. Still the win leaves some awkward questions about team balance unanswered, especially about openers. Sidhus return should inject stability at the top, but it is time another specialist arrived on the scene from somewhere.