thus spake Ottis Gibson - India plays WI at Indore today

There are two matches to go – India is leading 2-1 and could clinch the ODI series at Indore today.  The scoreline does not exactly portray the intensity of the matches – the difference is not so much.  In the first match, India scraped with a last wicket partnership and in the second saw a record score by no.10; the third was lost – the main guns, Virender Sehwag, Gambhir and Raina are yet to make an attempt and constantly there has been run-riot in the end overs – both a great source of worry.

Today,  Umesh Yadav is rested and Irfan Pathan (remember the allrounder most trusted by Greg Chappel) is making a comeback – what role will be thrust upon him and whether he would somehow sneak to the Aussie tour all remains to be seen.  Down under the Test Series could be enthralling, if we keep aside the unnecessary hype of Sachin’s evasive 100^th ton – silently there is a clash of no. 3 – both ex-captains and charmed performers.  Rahul Dravid is riding a crust after impressive performance in England Tests following up with the scores at home – Ricky Ponting has had a lean run – 22 months without a century and people braying for his blood, though he has some more left in him.    Dravid has stated that he wanted Ponting to do well in SA.  Whether it is slump in form, or age – things are inevitable but when it will happen and whether people can leave at their peak is always a Q

At the land of Holkar, Indians play after their first defeat in 12 home ODIs – one dayer is a game of day’s performance and past records are mostly irrelevant but they do add a measure of confidence and some amount of hype.   The present bunch of West Indies under Darren Sammy are not great on paper but are enthusiastic lot and can snatch things by creating opportunities.  India has followed a pattern of bowling first, but failing to wipe the tail, leaking lot of runs in the death.  Their batsmen have failed save Rohit Sharma and a century by Virat Kohli.   Manoj Tiwary or Ajankya Rahane are unlikely to get a chance and India might still persist with Parthiv Patel opening !

It was refreshing to see Sunil Naraine bowl carom balls and perhaps he might trouble the top order also today…  The words of WI coach Ottis Gibson is good to be read :  "It's difficult to say I am satisfied when you are losing. But we have shown a lot of spirit and created opportunities to win."

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.