Two 90's from the 90's
This week 2 players who made their marks in the 90's came up with very different 90's of their own. We are talking India's religion here, Cricket.
Though the 2 players I am talking about are markedly different, as different as left and right, they also have similarities. One is an old general making his last stand at a frontier, the other is a wounded soldier trying to reprise his youth. One is a burly, slumbering giant, the other recaptured the agility of his hands and eyes once more. One is a Pakistan legend and its captain, the other is former India captain, the most successful in history yet.
They have similarities too. As captains, both have led with the sheer weight of their personalities. One is one of the all time best Test batsment and certainly one of the best in this age, the other is a modern one-day batting great. Both generally bat in the lower middle order in tests although the Indian does love to start at the top in one-dayers. Together, they took the entire subcontinent to the halcyon days of their batting.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, or Inzi bhai to team-mates and Saurav Ganguly, or Dada to his boys have murdered attacks on their days. This week, Inzi made a remarkable last stand in South Africa. Forced to bat at No. 8, he not so much as sheferded the tail, he milked it, he milked the time they afforded him. He batted with 4 from his tail and yet, he saved the best for the last wicket after 3 small but useful stands. At 9 for 191, you almost thought South Africa had got away with the sin of a first innings 124 after winning the toss. But Inzi played 4-5 balls every over, attacked, defended and rotated it, and then rotated it some more till the Springboks didnt know up from down. Asif, Inzi's protectee, finally gave way when Inzi was on 92, the best hundred he never got.
Saurav returned to the pyjama cricket after a long hiatus, it was only a 15 months but you know how many matches that translates to in this commercial age. He attacked and attacked some more, on a pitch his eyes would have lit up seeing. The timing was back, the walk down to the medium pacers was on display. The majestic drive through cover with the extension of hands was in full flow. He set up a 300-plus total along with new partner in crime Gautam Gambhir and together, they gave India a great opening partnership in a long time. His entry into the team marked the exit of that talisman of Indian opening for years now, Virender Sehwag. Will he be back?
Though the 2 players I am talking about are markedly different, as different as left and right, they also have similarities. One is an old general making his last stand at a frontier, the other is a wounded soldier trying to reprise his youth. One is a burly, slumbering giant, the other recaptured the agility of his hands and eyes once more. One is a Pakistan legend and its captain, the other is former India captain, the most successful in history yet.
They have similarities too. As captains, both have led with the sheer weight of their personalities. One is one of the all time best Test batsment and certainly one of the best in this age, the other is a modern one-day batting great. Both generally bat in the lower middle order in tests although the Indian does love to start at the top in one-dayers. Together, they took the entire subcontinent to the halcyon days of their batting.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, or Inzi bhai to team-mates and Saurav Ganguly, or Dada to his boys have murdered attacks on their days. This week, Inzi made a remarkable last stand in South Africa. Forced to bat at No. 8, he not so much as sheferded the tail, he milked it, he milked the time they afforded him. He batted with 4 from his tail and yet, he saved the best for the last wicket after 3 small but useful stands. At 9 for 191, you almost thought South Africa had got away with the sin of a first innings 124 after winning the toss. But Inzi played 4-5 balls every over, attacked, defended and rotated it, and then rotated it some more till the Springboks didnt know up from down. Asif, Inzi's protectee, finally gave way when Inzi was on 92, the best hundred he never got.
Saurav returned to the pyjama cricket after a long hiatus, it was only a 15 months but you know how many matches that translates to in this commercial age. He attacked and attacked some more, on a pitch his eyes would have lit up seeing. The timing was back, the walk down to the medium pacers was on display. The majestic drive through cover with the extension of hands was in full flow. He set up a 300-plus total along with new partner in crime Gautam Gambhir and together, they gave India a great opening partnership in a long time. His entry into the team marked the exit of that talisman of Indian opening for years now, Virender Sehwag. Will he be back?
posted by Amit at 2:24 PM
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