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Zaheer was pick of Indian bowlers
Full marks to both teams for playing positively. However, there will be a feeling in both camps that they could have done better, writes Allan Border.
It was an entertaining day's cricket. Full marks to both teams for playing aggressively and positively. However, I suppose there will be a feeling in both camps that they could have done better. The Indians would have liked to finish off the Australian innings, especially after they got Martyn, Gilchrist and Warne in quick succession. The Australians on the other hand, will regret the fact that they lost as many as seven wickets.
Zaheer Khan was the pick of the Indian bowlers. He was unlucky to have catches dropped off him. There were also some chances that fell just short of the fielders. He did a fine job on a wicket that has a bit in it for seam bowlers if they keep hitting the right areas. It's an unusual strip by Indian standards, and resembles the tracks that are generally prepared for Test matches in England. It stood up well on the first day, yielding 362 runs for the Australians and seven wickets for the Indians from 90 overs. You couldn't really ask for more from a single day's cricket.
It is always difficult for a team when its captain pulls out on the eve of a big game, but the Indians handled the situation very well. While the Australians were certainly surprised by Sourav Ganguly's withdrawal due to a groin strain, I don't think they would have thought about it that much.
