The drubbing at Centurion notwithstanding, Indian Cricket
team did justice to their No.1 ranking in test matches by winning the second
cricket test match at Durban by 87 runs. The uprising in the Indian Team was
reminiscent of the fighting nature which India, as a nation, has become. After
an innings loss at Centurion, not too many cricket experts were expecting such
a big turnaround in the Indian fortunes especially after the Durban pitch was
tailor made to suit the home side and its fearsome pace attack. Keeping the
past haunting at bay, the Indian team showed a great test of character and won
a very closely fought battle. The boxing day test might well prove to be the
defining character of the Indian team for the rest of the tour.
The test match began with the Indian team down 0-1, and
having been put to bat first on a bouncy track chances looked bleak that
anything miraculous will happen in the batting department. The Indians were
bowled out for a meagre 205 with their nemesis Dale Steyn picking up 6 wickets
in the 1st innings. It looked certain that the Indians were looking at yet
another big score from the Proteas but the Indian bowling department, in the
leadership of Zaheer, looked completely in control and bowled out the Proteas
for 131. Thanks to the much needed confidence gained from a 74- run 1st innings
lead, Indian batsmen looked more confident in the 2nd innings. Although
confident, most of the famed Indian batting lineup couldn't convert their start
into big scores and only one man, the very very special Laxman, stood up and
took the challenge from the Proteas pace attack. The silken touch and an art of
genius showed the other players from both the team that the pitch didn't have
any demons in it and if the batsmen could apply themselves for a little longer
they would see runs coming. VVS Laxman's 96 catapulted the tattering Indian
target to a difficult to surmount target of 302. The target 
proved too much for
the Proteas as they were beaten by 87 runs. The good thing was that all the
bowlers contributed to some extent and the team work paid off in the end. At
the end of it, a 1-1 scoreline reads good and now the battle is being taken to
the final test at Cape Town. Let's hope for a 2-1 scoreline at the end of it,
and, I forgot to mention, in India's favor. ;) :)
proved too much for
the Proteas as they were beaten by 87 runs. The good thing was that all the
bowlers contributed to some extent and the team work paid off in the end. At
the end of it, a 1-1 scoreline reads good and now the battle is being taken to
the final test at Cape Town. Let's hope for a 2-1 scoreline at the end of it,
and, I forgot to mention, in India's favor. ;) :)
-Sunny Gusain
