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The tide may well have turned
Tuesday's game will be etched in memory for a long time and I feel this was just the shot in the arm that Indians needed, writes Arun Lal.
What a match! Sri Lanka once again demonstrated that they are such a force on home turf. It's been a while since a match has gone to the last ball and it was such a privilege to have been commentating on it.
Those last tense moments, when you saw the glint in the eyes of a street smart, wily Sehwag, who you could tell was enjoying every moment. The fire in the eyes of a spaced out Zaheer Khan, who was obviously struggling with his injury. And of course, the intense viciousness in the demeanour of captain Ganguly, who could smell a meal after not having eaten for days. It is these moments that really make everything before and after really worthwhile.
The one exception to this euphoria would be Pakistan, who were left wondering and ruing the fact that they let slip the bonus point.
Sri Lanka were a depleted lot but Jayasuriya played what must rank as one of the best ODI innings that I have witnessed. It was one of supreme control and was so cerebral in its intent that I was left in complete awe of this great cricketer. He has once again announced his return amongst the top in the game.
If only he could have carried his bat and won the day.
The Indians would really be proud that they showed resolve and professionalism and fought till the end.Once again they showed that if you can hang in there, most matches are played and won in the last 10 overs.
When the dust settles it will be evident that there is still much to do before the finals. The famed batting is still not coming good. Tendulkar was obviously trying to find the magic of old when he was cut short. Sehwag and Ganguly were scratchy and lucky but fought hard and would now be feeling the better for it.
Dravid, the backbone of late, is the worry. Yuvraj is a treat to watch but it is high time that Kaif got a few. The Indians will probably have Rohan Gavaskar to replace Laxman by the time the finals come, to strengthen the batting in place of Parthiv Patel.
It was good that both Kumble and Harbhajan played, although they only got one wicket between them. It is evident that they are bowling too quick in the air. Sehwag proved that you can be far more effective bowling slow on these slow turning tracks.
Irfan Pathan continues to impress. I have been waiting to see him have an off day but he just keeps putting the ball in the desired area no matter what the match situation. He also has an obvious capability with the bat and Baroda his home state, should be told to play him at number five the entire season. I am convinced that he is the potential all rounder that we have been missing since the mighty Kapil Dev.
Finally I must acknowledge that enigma called Sourav Ganguly. He continues to confound his critics in the way he responds to certain situations.
He is extremely intuitive and has an uncanny knack of finding the path to victory. He was at his brilliant best and I know it is high praise, but I do not think anybody else could have won India the match.
This game will be etched in memory for a long time and I feel that this was just the shot in the arm that the Indians needed and the tide may have turned in their favour.
