The 'wording' is out even before the first ball has been bowled. According to most cricket pundits, India will thrash New Zealand in the upcoming 2-Test series at home. Well, that may indeed, not be such an unbiased perspective given the track-record of the New Zealand Test side on their recent tours to India. They have not had a single Test win since Bombay in 1988-89 when Richard Hadlee and John Bracewell ran through the Indian line-up.
For India the retirement of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid will leave a huge hole the usually reliable middle order, leaving Sachin Tendulkar to shoulder more responsibility. The series also presents the perfect opportunity for youngsters to show what they're capable of and for India to show their intent in climbing up the ladder in the Test rankings.
New Zealand
The Kiwis lack match-winners in their side. There is no Martin Crowe, Stephen Fleming or Nathan Astle in this line-up, neither is there a Danny Morrison or a Dion Nash. To add to their misery, Daniel Vettori - the only true world-class cricketer in their ranks and probably their best all-rounder since Chris Cairns, has been ruled out of the Test series with an injury.
With such a backdrop and with not a particularly great history to fall back on, what can this present New Zealand side do differently that would change their destiny? They have made a positive statement at the start of the series by confirming that Brendon McCullum would open the innings along with Martin Guptill.
Ross Taylor and the talented Kane Williamson would provide the backbone to the middle-order. Chris Martin who has troubled the famed Indian batting line-up on previous tours will lead the seam attack. Also, they have re-called James Franklin, who, if plays to his potential, could fill the role of that elusive all-rounder.
Probabble XI: Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, BJ Watling, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Kruger van Wyk, James Franklin, Doug Bracewell, Chris Martin, Jeetan Patel, Trent Boult
India
India, on the other hand would want to set their Test record straight and begin the home-season on a winning note. The scars of '0-8' are still afresh.
It would also be a chance for them to build a new team after the retirement of the stalwarts - Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. Cheteshwar Pujara and Subramanium Badrinath would want to grab this opportunity with both their hands and cement a place in the Indian team.
Virat Kohli would certainly get to bat at No.3 and it will be fascinating to see how he copes with the challenges of the position. It will be huge ask to ask the promising right-hander to fill the void Rahul Dravid has left but Kohli whould welcome the opportunity and look to cash in. He is ranked amongst the best batsmen in the world in the shorter formats of the game, but this will be his real test and he would certainly not want his career to go the Yuvraj Singh way.
In the bowling department, much would depend on Zaheer Khan. The experienced left-armer will have his hands full with a relatively inexperienced attack to support him. It would also be Ashwin's first chance to prove his credentials as the country's leading spinner on home soil.
Probable XI: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Subramanium Badrinath, MS Dhoni, R Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav
Quotes
Obviously the youngsters in the side will have to take more responsibility now. It's difficult to replace them straightway. But they have been our motivation and now it's time to live up: Cheteshwar Pujara
We would certainly like to put some good plans in place and be positive about the way we look to play. India is a familiar place for a lot of us, we have played well here and are looking forward to the contest: Ross Taylor
Final Word New Zealand would go into the series with nothing to lose and everything to gain. They would know that they will have to make the most of their limited ability but some times when one doesn't have a legacy to fall back on, when the mind is uncluttered and when there is nothing to fear, even the 'ordinary' can achieve the 'extraordinary'!
No comments:
Post a Comment