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What
guru Greg never told India
Before the start of the India-Australia Test series,
Greg Chappell had said that Australia, somewhat short
on experience, would be the underdogs this time. What
he never told us was the unusual game plan he might
be hatching to turn the tables on India.
Chappell’s influence was evident in Australia’s
strong showing in the Bangalore Test. His knowledge
of India’s players, pitches and conditions would
have been invaluable in assisting Ricky Ponting define
batting, bowling and fielding tactics which helped Australia
emerge from the first Test with a decided psychological
advantage even if the match finished in a tame draw.
This is not to undermine the contribution of coach Tim
Nielsen. The dismissals of Sehwag, Tendulkar and Dravid
in both innings suggest that these were well thought
out. The line of attack was clever and consistent, and
the catchers seemed to be in perfect position. Australia’s
batsmen also looked like they had made a deep study
of India’s bowlers - especially Anil Kumble - in
home conditions, and were able to nullify the spin threat
effectively, admirably as Harbhajan bowled. Australia’s
drill had been splendid, as always.
Yet, the most significant aspect of their performance
at Bangalore was the manner in which they approached
this match. For more than 15 years as world champions,
the Aussies have played with a bravado and arrogance
that has left their opponents bloodied and befuddled.
They have believed in a frontal assault with bat and
ball, often scoring at more than four runs an over in
almost every situation.
In Bangalore, however, Australia chose attrition over
aggression, especially while batting. Till the bold,
snap declaration early on the fifth morning when Ponting
made a strong bid to seize a win by putting India’s
batting under pressure, it was all cat and mouse stuff,
compelled somewhat by the slowness of the pitch, but
perhaps ever more by the strategy which aimed at exasperating
the Indian players, already highly vulnerable because
of scrutiny from all quarters and in all departments.
This is where Chappell’s knowledge, not only of
playing conditions, but also the aggressive demands
of the public and the defensive mindset of cricketers
and administrators would have been invaluable. The debate
over the senior pros has spilled over into mindlessness,
and aggravated only by the premature hysteria over Tendulkar’s
impending world record. That took so much attention
away from the task on hand that it led to chaos, which
had to be exploited.
India, by all counts, was vulnerable, but the opening
contest of the series was even more crucial to Australia.
A false start, or misplaced bravado, could have possibly
cost them the Test. Playing circumspectly would have
meant swallowing some pride, but winning the psychological
battle at least. Once that was achieved, Australia could
bare their fangs again, Ponting’s early declaration
on the fifth morning revealed.
Ergo, after just five days in the series, Australia
appears to have overcome their initial apprehensions
and is beginning to look a champion side again. They
have revealed depth and balance, and most of the players
seem to be in very good form. Five top-class batsmen
are followed by three all-rounders, two of whom could
dominate international cricket in the future. Even more
importantly, the bowling which looked weak now looks
capable of taking 20 wickets, with spinners Clarke and
White doing enough for Ponting to trust their ability
for longish spells.
India, on the other hand, struggled through the first
Test, and but for the superb bowling from Zaheer Khan
and Ishant Sharma, there might have been grief to take
away to Mohali for the second Test. Indeed, the tentativeness
of the batsmen, especially in squaring up to Ponting’s
daring declaration on the last day suggests that India
maybe on the backfoot already.
So, while hope remains intact, the psychological grip
has been surrendered, which means Australia could now
even go back to their overly aggressive tactics without
too much compunction, or continue with a mix of attrition
and aggression as in Bangalore. But don’t expect
Greg Chappell to tell us what just yet. [Bueau report]
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