2nd ODI: India v Zimbabwe at Mohali, 10 Mar 2002 Anand Vasu |
India innings:
Pre-game: Zimbabwe innings: |
After the first one-dayer, where Douglas Marillier pulled off a minor miracle, it would be silly to predict the outcome of this clash so early in the match. It must be said, however, that VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid batted with a sense of urgency and purpose that is the exception rather than the rule with Indian cricket.
While Laxman seemed to continue from where he left off in the first game, it was Dravid’s approach that was most surprising. The Karnataka middle-order batsman, usually slow and dour, played an innings of character – innovating at will. Inside-out through the off-side, pulls that skipped away to the fence, a reverse-sweep that beat short third man, and even an attempted scoop shot a la Marillier were on display.
Laxman, having reached a well made 52 (72 balls, 3 fours) from which India benefited to the tune of 55 runs for the third wicket, got the leading edge off an attempted pull shot. Trying to force the pace, Laxman spooned a catch off Travis Friend to Dion Ebrahim at point.
Dravid, however, was unfazed by the fall of wickets at the other end. Growing in confidence, he remained unbeaten on 66 (59 balls, 6 fours) as India put together a massive 319/6 in 50 overs. Harbhajan Singh (15 not out), cheered on by his home crowd, struck a couple of lusty blows towards the end.
It was yet another disappointment with the bat for Sanjay Bangar. After lasting two balls for a duck in the first encounter, the all-rounder fell for a first ball duck at Mohali.
Marillier and miracles apart, Zimbabwe will struggle hard to make a match of this one.
The Zimbabwe bowling looked effective early on, with Heath Streak in particular bowling a tight line to India’s makeshift opening partnership of Sourav Ganguly and Dinesh Mongia. The former was troubled by the short ball, mis-hitting more than one pull shot but getting away with it.
Mongia for his part was more than content to play a sedate knock. After getting a start and failing to capitalise in the first encounter, Mongia got into a good rhythm. Using the width afforded to him to good effect, the Punjab southpaw got the scoreboard moving at a steady pace. He was however, less than convincing in his approach, and it came as no surprise that a mis-timed drive went straight down the throat of Travis Friend at mid-off. Despite being unattractive, Mongia’s innings was of immense value. Mongia’s 45 (52 balls, 9 fours) took India to 109 for the opening partnership.
Ganguly changed his gloves more than once, his bat on occasion, but whatever it was, he seemed to get things just right. After struggling to get his feet moving early on, the Indian captain regained his old form – signalled by total domination of the bowlers in limited-overs cricket. Using his feet well, Ganguly came down the track with regularity, unmindful of the fact that Tatenda Taibu was standing up to the stumps to prevent just this.
The assualt had its effect on the Zimbabweans, with Friend losing his way completely in the middle overs. The mediumpacer bowled as many as five wides in a single over – the over lasted 11 balls. Fortunately for Stuart Carlisle, slow bowlers Douglas Marillier and Grant Flower managed to keep their heads even as the pressure mounted.
Clattering the ball into the stands with ease, Ganguly found himself and India in a position of strength that is not normally associated with Indian teams playing without Sachin Tendulkar. At the end of 25 overs, Ganguly was unbeaten on 68 (71 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) and had his eyes set on a big ton. VVS Laxman, batting with characteristic elan had 21 to his name with two spanking cover drives that you could pay good money to watch.
India certainly look poised to notch up a big score and put Zimbabwe firmly on the back foot.
India, keen to make a strong comeback in this series have been bothered by a spate of niggling injuries. Zaheer Khan who bowled so well is troubled by a niggle, while skipper Sourav Ganguly has some trouble with his knee. Despite this India play an unchanged side.
Zimbabwe too have left their team composition just the same – after all, it would not be wise to change a winning combination.
On winning the toss, Ganguly elected to bat, looking to put a good total on the board and get the Zimbabweans under pressure. The wicket, as always at Mohali, looks good and hard.
Teams: India: D Mongia, SC Ganguly, VVS Laxman, R Dravid, M Kaif, SB Bangar, +A Ratra, AB Agarkar, A Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan.
Zimbabwe:ADR Campbell, CB Wishart, TJ Friend, A Flower, DD Ebrahim, *SV Carlisle, GW Flower, HH Streak, DA Marillier, +T Taibu, GB Brent.
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Date-stamped : 10 Mar2002 - 23:36