E-Paper
Gambhir’s captaincy proactive
New Zealand are out of their depth and we all know it by now. The top-order failure and some ordinary bowling are the main reasons why New Zealand have the logo of defeat plastered all over them.
New Zealand are out of their depth and we all know it by now. The top-order failure and some ordinary bowling are the main reasons why New Zealand have the logo of defeat plastered all over them.
They, almost entirely, rely on two or three batsmen. One of them, Jesse Ryder, is missing. The other two, Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor, came and went unnoticed. Zaheer Khan took care of both of them. Zaheer was excellent with the new ball. He got an extra over in his first spell and skipper Gautam Gambhir was spot on in pressing on with the early advantage. The pitch too had enough juice to keep the bowlers interested.
Indeed, all Indian bowlers were impressive. Gambhir allowed the three Vadodara stalwarts — Zaheer, Munaf Patel and Yusuf Pathan — a free run, much to the delight of the local crowd. R. Ashwin might have conceded over five runs an over but his two wickets were also handy. Right through, one thought Gambhir's captaincy was proactive.. Right through, one thought Gambhir's captaincy was proactive.
Gambhir is intent on making up for the lost chances of recent months. His second successive hundred now puts him in the right frame of mind for the World Cup and the tour of South Africa.
New Zealand need thrust and aggression and, no less, the necessary skills. Unfortunately, no one is standing up to the challenge. It's been a disappointing outing for them, as it is for cricket-loving people, who are missing out on a good competition. India look vastly superior even with the juniors in the playing eleven.
TCM
