Another symphony from Motzart of Cricket, Lax, the Axeman. And what a contrasting day of cricket it was yesterday. Even if you may not have watched it, I am sure you can imagine Laxman and Dhoni sharing a long pertnership (I think this is their first century partnership). Laxman’s silken touch sending the cricket ball to the fence without apparent power intersperced with Dhoni’s violent treatment, was like listening to a Ghazal and a Bhangra at the same time. I love melody and rythem both equally and it was fantastic to watch. So where is this test and India’s tenuous hold on the top ranking in the ICC test championship headed? I reckon, Indians will be able to force a decision in their favour even though the wicket looks nice to bat on. I believe you need to give lots of rotation to the ball on this wicket to create an impact; Bhajji and Mishra should be able to do so and with a lead of 347, put Proteas under pressure and share the series. At worst, Indians will be chasing ~50 in fourth innings.
Also, good to see Yusuf Pathan come into the ODI team. He seems to be in great form; remains to be seen if he can stand up to the pressure of playing against probably the best bowling side in the world, with the same confidence he takes into a Ranji game. I reckon he can. He seems to be that ever-elusive all -rounder, “poor-man’s Kapil” that his younger sibling gave me a glimps of being, at the start of his career in 2004. All those who listened to me know how certain I was about Irfan Pathan becoming that important all-rounder Indian test team so desperately needs. While Yusuf Pathan is still many miles from reaching there, I believe he has the capability and, most importantly, ATTITUDE to be there. He can fill in that spot at 7, given that the “Prince” Yuvraj Singh at number 6 has done very little in test matches to support immense faith placed by his captain and selectors. About time to give the Prince a bit of competition..
Imagine this; after two years, Indian test batting order can read like so: Shewag/Gambhir (1 & 2); Badri Nath / Murli Vijay(3), Virat Kohli/Suresh Raina (4), Laxman (5), Dhoni (6) and Yusuf Pathan (7). While it won’t be easy to replace Tendulkar and Dravid, above players if given enough exposure can at least give a start to a new order.
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