An Aussie cricket fan sported a very famous poster in his collection. It said, ’’I’ve seen GOD! He plays for India’’.. Such is the brilliance and aura that Sachin Tendulkar possesses and Dravid’s decision to declare and leave Sachin dry on 194 has divided everyone from the plush interiors of the Marylebone Cricket Club to the streets of Mulund.
The views put forward by most come from two distinctly different mindsets. On one hand theres the opinion that Dravid was right in keeping the team’s best interest in mind and that India should have been bowling and taking wickets rather than wait for a batsman reach a personal milestone. On the other hand theres the vehement arguement that the great master was just 6 runs short of a double ton (not an everyday occurence) and that he should have been given the extra over or two to get it under his belt. The argument I am sure will go on forever but it is important that we make a few interesting and illuminating observations about our team from this episode.
Team India as our team is passionately referred to nowadays exudes a different flair and personality from what earlier Indian teams showed. 5 years ago, it would have been a joke to think that India would actually post a big total in any match without a significant contribution from Sachin. The dependence on him was so large that opposition bowlers planned for only one batsman during their match prep. On the second day at Multan, Sachin was outscored in all three partnerships with Sehwag, Laxman and Yuvraj. People who criticize Rahul’s decision should think of Sachin as just another member of the team and not as the pillar as he once used to be. One could clearly see Saurav indicating his displeasure to Dravid when the going got slow. It is therefore baffling to hear that Sachin did not get a message to increase the run rate. The batsmen were going on at a healthy albeit conservative rate. This tells us that either there was a communications fiasco or that Sachin just did not understand the urgency (very hard to digest that).. Maybe it is time to give batsmen microphones like the ones quarterbacks get. But as Sachin rightly pointed out, the decision was made.. Its now time to get on with the game!!
What transpired during Powar’s trips to the middle is not obvious, but what surely is clear is that the press has totally lapped up the controversy like only it can. People who dont have a dime’s idea about the situation are taking a dig at the men involved and that is sad to see. All that matters on the scoresheet is the series result. That will give the people of either nation bragging rights for a long time.