The young wicketkeeper is a bundle of energy and has always been in the thick of action
Partab Ramchand26-Jan-2002The fluctuating fortunes in the India-England one-day series have notonly covered up for some mediocre cricket but have also brought backmemories of the limited overs contest between the two countries held onthe previous tour nine years ago. That too was a six-match series, andat the halfway mark England led 2-1. They went on to increase the leadby winning the fourth game before India fought back to win the last twogames and level the series 3-3.
The young wicketkeeper is a bundle of energy and hasalways been in the thick of action. His work behind the stumps has beenexemplary and he is always goading the bowlers and other teammatesalong. He is no rabbit with the bat too and has verily proved to be afind. He has certainly lived up to the promise he held out while keepingfor the victorious under-19 team in Sri Lanka two years ago and it is tobe hoped that the selectors will persist with him.
At the halfway mark this time, the situation is reversed with Indialeading 2-1 but if the three games have proved anything, it is thatthere is not much to choose between the teams and one cannot discount aclose series this time too.The contestants have had both moments to savour and disappointments.India have stuck to their plan of playing six batsmen and four bowlers.Actually, in the absence of a genuine all rounder, they have few otheroptions. But it is good to see Ajit Agarkar finally come good. The slimutility player from Bombay has had his critics who feel that he has hadmore than his faire share of opportunities. That he is talented, no onewill deny. But he has not done his admirable gifts much justice. He hasall the qualities to make him a genuine all rounder in one day cricket he certainly cannot command a place in the Test side and his formparticularly with the ball but also to some extent with the bat has seento it that India stays ahead at the halfway mark in the series.Another plus point from India’s viewpoint is the encouraging showing ofAjay Ratra. The young wicketkeeper is a bundle of energy and has alwaysbeen in the thick of action. His work behind the stumps has beenexemplary and he is always goading the bowlers and other teammatesalong. He is no rabbit with the bat too and has verily proved to be afind. He has certainly lived up to the promise he held out while keepingfor the victorious under-19 team in Sri Lanka two years ago and it is tobe hoped that the selectors will persist with him. Certainly the unhappyscenario of the last couple of years when the selectors tried out half adozen stumpers should not be repeated. India has found an able youngkeeper and Ratra should be encouraged.Sourav Ganguly’s injury was a blessing in disguise. His withdrawalproved two things that there is a readymade opening pair in Tendulkarand Sehwag should Ganguly the batsman be unavailable. and also thatthere is excellent leadership material in Anil Kumble should Ganguly thecaptain have to drop out for any reason. Ganguly has been woefully outof touch and even though he would have been disappointed at missing outon a vital encounter, perhaps the enforced rest will do him a world ofgood and he could even recover his form. In the meantime, Sehwag showed,not for the first time, that he can be a match for Ganguly in strokeplay and run production. And Kumble proved that he has the qualities tolead the country perhaps even on a long-term basis. He has probablynot been given enough credit for Karnataka’s excellent record in theRanji Trophy under his captaincy. There was something refreshinglydifferent about his approach at Chennai on Friday.If there have been disappointments from the Indian viewpoint, it is thatthe batting and bowling lacks consistency. England has wasted no time inexploiting the chinks in the Indian armour and they may well do so againbefore the series is over. But then India can take heart from the factthat consistency has not been England’s forte too. There are certaininherent weakness in their batting and bowling and this probably costthem victory in the first game. Batting without a sense of purpose anddirection saw them lose the third match rather tamely but it was areally fine performance that saw them clinch the Cuttack tie. However,they are over dependent on two or three batsmen and a couple of bowlersand that is not the kind of situation an international team should findthemselves in.