Interesting to see India struggle against spin

It was surprising to see the Indian batting line-up collapse in such a dramatic fashion, writes Allan Border.

It was interesting to see an Indian team struggle against spin. I suppose they are playing so much international cricket, most of it on flat tracks, that they are not getting enough opportunities to play domestic cricket on their traditional turning surfaces. The lack of match-practice against spin probably went against them in the first game of the Tri-series.

I must admit that it was surprising to see the much-vaunted Indian batting line-up collapse in such a dramatic fashion. The wet conditions and moisture prompted Ganguly to bowl first after winning the toss, but subsequent events proved that it would have been a better idea to bat first, as the wicket assisted the spinners as the game went on.

India missed Harbhajan as well as Tendulkar, especially after the way the latter bowled in the recent Asia Cup. Although the pressure on him to deliver as a batsman has reduced after the emergence of the other stars, his presence in the eleven would have made a huge difference, at the top of the batting order, and as a spinner in the middle overs.

Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik bowled quite splendidly after Sami, Shabbir and the 'loose cannon' Shoaib Akhtar had gone for many. An interesting game of cricket for me is one in which there is an even contest between bat and ball.

When the bowlers have a say in the proceedings, the batsmen have to put some more thought into their batting. In the past few months, we have witnessed some massive scores, particularly on the sub-continent, where the batsmen have made merry on featherbeds. be a good game.

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