Nov 16, 2005 06:03 PM
2069 Views
(Updated Nov 16, 2005 06:03 PM)
Ever since Ganguly came into captaincy, India has been performaing well. But there were so many problems such as Finals woes. India has never won the finals of any tounament since Natwest victory over England in 2002. So, what was the cause for this jinx. Is this a jinx?
Who is to be blamed? So many questions propped up instantly.
The year 2005, started with Pakistan touring India. It looked like a promising series for India after the clean sweep in the first 2 matches, India going up 2-0. But the next 4 ODI's saw a good Indian batting or bowling. Both of them never clicked together. Being the most powerful team on paper, could they take the even greater challenge of facing World No.2 Sri Lanka, when they had lost badly to Pakistan in their homeground?In fact, India had lost to Sri Lanka in the Tri Nation tournament only a couple of months ago! Well, there propped up the issue of Chapell- Ganguly which ended with both of them settling for a compromise. But, Ganguly came up with an injury( tennis elbow). So, Dravid was named captain, this time, for a good span of 12 mathces. However, there was a doubt in every Indian's mind whether the Dravid-Chapell combo would work.
It has worked brilliantly for the Indians! Dravid has proven to be a great captain. Putting in Tendulkar's, Chapell's, & many of his own ideas, he has been able to handle the team very well. Some of the outstanding maves made by Dravid in the Videocon cup has been introducing various players in the No.3 slot. This includes trying Irfan Pathan, J.P.Yadav,MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh at the No.3 slot. Out of these, Irfan Pathan has sizzled. He knocked 83 off 70 balls in the 1st match & a quick fire 35 in the last match of just 22 balls. MS Dhoni has scored a wonderful 183* & a duck when he was introduced. But, he will be a sure option in the future.
The other superb, strategic move has been to use more of youngsters. In the Ahmedabad ODI,
there were only 2 seniors, when India were fielding. The youngsters who have made an impressive mark are R.P.Singh, Gautam Ghambir, S.Raina, Y.V.Rao, Sreesanth etc.
Such moves have been the key to Indian success. The return of Tendulkar has also been a major positive to the team. Dravid's intelligence & planning as a captain has been noted by the way, he has used the Power Plays. Impressive! The only thing I can say is, only if this team remains consistent, India eye a chance of qwinning World Cup '07
