India’s tour of New Zealand 2009
For the first time an Indian team registered an ODI series win on New Zealand soil. This was made possible by riding largely on the power play of the batters, who were looking in great form throughout the ODI series especially Virender Sehwag. He was 100% with his bat. And this sound as a warning bell for any bowler in the world. He has already put a fear of god in Kiwi bowlers with his tyrannizing batting. So it’s a matter of continuing his natural play and domineering form.
Though India struggled to get a nod in their favorite form of game “the twenry20”, they very well bounced back in the ODI’s. But again the evil called”poor shot selection” rose which cost the match in the last ODI at Auckland (anyway it s fair to give a consolation prize for the opponentsJ). So having won the last ODI the “black caps” hope to take that confidence, that momentum into the test series. Though they played hard cricket the black caps has not been on top of their games. So they might get back to basics and hone those skills and come back hard on the Indians. (This is the reason they left early to Hamilton for having a good practice). On the other hand, Kiwi bowlers are confident and revealed that the bouncy track in Hamilton will be in their favor. Kiwi’s in form pace man Iain O Brien will be the man to watch out for, since he changes the pace and swings lot easier in these conditions. Though Kiwi bowlers have bowled good spells, they were not consistent and disciplined. New Zealand coach Andy Moles too stressed the same point “ we have to show more discipline, more patience, we also have to recognize new opportunities in the game and strep forward. We have to be the best against team like India. No doubt, they will be a great challenge!” These words will boost the Indian players, and bring a confidence in the dressing room; because Indians were humiliated and had a “whitewashed” series, the last time they were here in New Zealand. India have won their first and only Test series here way back in 1968, their first overseas win, in fact. Since then they have returned five more times only to go back confused and humbled.
But India’s main concern is their bowling as Ishant Sharma who was back from injury is yet to show his best in New Zealand and a lack of third arm in the bowling dept. Anyway Balaji and Amit Mishra coming back to side might a difference, provided they get a fair bit of assistance from the surface. So I wish and hope this greatest ever Indian batting line up( as revealed by the God of cricket himself) won’t miss this opportunity and keep their momentum going and seal the series again. As batting giants like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman back on with this already thirsty squad, its time to “swing the bat and sweep the series”.
By
Raghav
