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News Letter
Mon Feb 25 2002
Issue No: 35

India walk all over hapless Zimbabwe

The end of the first Test was sudden - as sudden as the mercurial rise of Harbhajan Singh’s wicket-taking luck. The doughty off-spinner, after being wicketless till the end of the fourth day, claimed four of the last five wickets in the first session of the the final day to send Zimbabwe spiralling to an innings and 101 runs defeat at Nagpur.

His spinning partner Anil Kumble too played a vital part in destroying the Zimbabwean challenge. The Karnataka leggie claimed nine wickets in the two Zimbabwean innings to win the Man of the match award in a Test which had seen splendid performances from quite a few of his colleagues.

Sanjay Bangar, who made an unbeaten 100 in just his second Test, and Sachin Tendulkar, who made 176, had earlier ensured that India had gained a formidable 283-run first innings lead before declaring their first innings at 570 for seven. Their performances along with the hundred from opener Shiv Sunder Das ensured that India go into the final Test at Delhi with a 1-0 lead.

Wright: You should have your best keeper in the side

Deep Dasgupta’s continued poor showing behind the stumps has been a matter of concern in recent times. Speaking about the Indian wicket-keeper, Indian coach John Wright told pressmen, “He has to perform better. It is understandable that it is not easy to keep wickets like these which turn to this extent. But we have to perform better at the end of the day, he (Deep) has to take the chances.

“A ‘keeper has a very important role when he is in a side which has quality spin bowlers. He has improved himself while standing behind, but standing up he has to improve drastically. He will be getting another chance and should work hard at doing better.

“I don’t want to go into the selection matters, but at the end of the day, I would tell you, you should have your best ‘keeper in the side.”

The failure of the talented VVS Laxman in the first innings also came up as a topic of discussion during the conference. Wright was rousing in his defence of the talented Hyderabadi stylist.

“He is too good a player and there is no question about his ability. If you look at his last fifteen matches, he has an average of 43-44 but you have to look at his statistics. That delivery to which he got out in the first innings was very good. I have no doubts about his potential,” the Indian coach said.

He came down heavily on the sub-standard fielding efforts from the Indians. “At the end of the day, I would like to say that some of our best players are our worst fielders,” the straight-talking Wright said.

Bangar: I dedicate this ton to my mother

Sanjay Bangar has waited for a long while for his moment in the sun. The 29-year-old, then, was naturally delighted on reaching his maiden Test hundred at Nagpur on Sunday. "It was a wonderful feeling. I dedicate this to my mother who is no more and my family members," said the all-rounder who hails from Beed, Maharashtra. Bangar assured everybody that he was not under any kind of pressure while playing with Sachin Tendulkar. Scoring at a faster clip than the master batsman, Bangar smashed 12 boundaries and two sixes on his way to a hundred in just his second Test. "Sachin helped me a lot with minute instructions - where to go for runs, how to be comfortable while at the crease, which bowler to go after and a few more," the unassuming cricketer said.

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For all his batting talent and reputation, Sachin Tendulkar did not score a first-class double-hundred until, on February 25 1998, he played for Mumbai in a tour match and blasted the Australian attack to smithereens. He went on to dominate the Test series as well, establishing firm supremacy over Shane Warne in the process.

The Zimbabweans, with Andy Flower failing in the two innings, surrendered tamely to the Indians at Nagpur. Sourav Ganguly and his men now march into Delhi, hoping to complete the series whitewash in the most thumping manner imaginable. Will Andy and his team-members rise from the ashes to thwart India? Log onto Cricinfo.com for the complete low-down.

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Anil Kumble
Man of the Match
© AFP

Who made the highest score for a wicket-keeper in Test cricket?

Previous Question

Who is the only Zimbabwean Test cricketer to have represented two countries?

Answer:John Traicos



"The ball kept low at times, though I never felt troubled during the entire innings. We were in a good position, and I never felt the need to go for big shots." Sachin Tendulkar, on his Nagpur century

"Dravid seems to get a little overawed when (Sachin) Tendulkar is at the other end and his open admiration for the latter sometimes makes him forget that he too is a wonderful player." Sunil Gavaskar



"Deep Dasgupta really needs to be replaced. He may be a handy bat, but he is atrocious behind the stumps. I think the team needs a wicket-keeper first and then a batsman." Niddy


Sanjay Bangar joins Pankaj Roy in scoring his maiden Test hundred in his second innings, albeit in his second Test. Roy scored his first century against England at Mumbai in 1951.

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