IT WAS VEERU’S TEST
article written by krishna.
It would be wrong to begin any analysis of the Test match with any subject other than Virender Sehwag’s incredible triple century. ‘Of course, it was a flat track for batting but that does not explain the skill, imagination, strength and fitness to score at more than a run a ball for nine hours. Many times I thought ‘this can’t carryon’ because he was playing so many shots. Surely, he would make a mistake. But he didn’t and I couldn’t help admiring his stroke play.
As a batting all-rounder rather than a bowling all-rounder, I have had plenty to say over the years about pitches which offer an unfair advantage to bowlers and make life difficult for the batsmen, so I must be careful what I say now. I am in favour of pitches which provide an even contest between bat and ball, which provide even bounce for the batsmen but also some movement, seam or spin, for the bowlers. Obviously this pitch did not do that. I would have been happy to bat on it on day seven! I don’t know whether it was a deliberate move or whether it was accidental, but all I would say is that it wasn’t ideal. However, given the choice between playing on a ‘good’ pitch arid a ‘bad’ one which is designed to produce a result quickly, I would still rather play on a pitch like the one in Chepauk.
A batsman-friendly pitch makes greater demands on a team’s tactical skills and, although bowlers have to work harder for their wickets, those with the ability to deliver the most wicket-taking balls will eventually succeed. Of course, I would rather have a pitch with plenty of pace and bounce and a bit of grass on it, but I don’t think that’s going to happen in Ahmadabad or Kanpur!
Both teams now begin the process of assessing their strengths and weaknesses, both in playing terms and in fitness terms. Perhaps one or both sides will rest a fast bowler in order to have fresh legs for the third Test.
Maybe there are a few injuries and niggles which have been kept quiet. Two back-to-back Tests are hard enough, but three in a row requires a lot of forward thinking and planning.
At the end of five hard days I feel very much as though honours were shared evenly. But I will always remember this match as ‘Veeru’s Test’.
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