Adeel Lakhani
( Entrepreneur)
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The India vs Australia test series which concluded yesterday certainly lived up to its billing. There was no shortage of excitement; on and off the pitch. From Harbajhan’s exploits to Gilly’s retirement announcement, it was unpredictable in every aspect right up to the final day. And some of us are worried that tests will lose their appeal to the emergence of the T20 version of the game! This series certainly proved otherwise and laid fears of the demise of the test format to rest (at least for the time being).

The Indian team proved once again that it is the Rafael Nadal of cricket with Australia being King Fed. Beating Australia at Perth was the equivalent of Nadal beating Federer at Wimbledon, which is regarded as his house. Having said that, Australia are still the undisputed champs of world cricket; however, the cracks in the side after the retirement of all time greats like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were beginning to show and were increasingly exposed by India throughout the series.

Ricky Ponting’s performance was far below the high standards of play which we have become accustomed to seeing from him. He never looked like the Ponting of recent time who we have seen come in and dominate the opposition from the first ball. In my opinion, Ricky Ponting is in the same category of batsmen as Tendulkar and Lara; however, the attitude and free flowing strokes which have put him in that category were no where to be seen. All credit to India and their coaching staff for containing him in this series.

Poor Yuvraj. He waited a long time to make a return to test cricket and could never find his rhythm. I am sure he will put this behind him and be a completely different Yuvraj in the triangular ODI series, one which we have been accustomed to see in recent times with the barrage of shots and those full stretch catches in the gully and point region. On the other hand Sehwag cashed in on his opportunity and has done a world of good to his cause of cementing his place as a regular opener in the side. Vintage Sehwag in the second innings at Adelaide!

Sachin once again showed why he is the best batsman of the post Sir Donald Bradman era. He gave the Aussies a master class in batting on the first day of the last test and was very rightly adjudged man of the match. I have always felt that as long as Tendulkar is out there playing for India in any version of the game, they have a chance to win. He proved that he is still the best batsman in the world and still has 2-3 great years left in him.

Young Ishant Sharma was simply outstanding given the severity of the situation in which he was brought into the side. This lad is going to be a great bowler in the next two to three years. He has a great head on his shoulders and is constantly bowling to get the batsman out, not just bowling because he has to get through the over. Zaheer Khan’s tour ending injury may have proved to be a blessing in disguise for India and Indian fans alike since fast bowling is a department where India has never had an abundance of supply unlike Pakistan or Australia or the Calypso kings (barring this decade) who just seem to produce a factory of quickies who go on to become all time greats.

I have to dedicate a paragraph to Adam Gilchrist here. He has been an outstanding cricketer, a great sportsman and an even better person. The way he used to walk even before the umpire’s decision, no matter what the situation, is inspirational for all time to come. He has been a role model for millions and there will never be another like him. Without him, I seriously question Australia’s continued dominance in the one day version of the game.

Brett Lee has proven that if he is fit, he can rip through any side in the world and this series was a true test for him, in which he came out with flying colors. He has one of most fluid bowling actions in the game today along with the new sensation Dale Steyn of South Africa. He will be the spearhead of the Australian attack for a few more years to come and scare many an opening batsmen in the process.

South Africa is going to tour India later on this year and it will be a Djokovic vs Nadal all out battle. For India it will give them an opportunity to consolidate the second place status they currently hold and for South Africa, it will be a great opportunity to conquer India in India and go after the Aussies next, since after a successful Pakistan tour, they now truly believe in their hearts that than CAN win on the dry flat pitches in the sub-continent so it will be a very exciting series to watch.

What’s next? Well, lets sit back and enjoy the triangular ODI series starting on the 3rd of February for it features the only 2 teams who have given the Aussies a run for their money in the last year or so: Sri Lanka and India. Enjoy the series and good luck with your ODI Selector picks.