Border Gavaskar Trophy - 3 : Indian Positives

As cricket undergoes a little lull in India, worthwhile to look at arguably India's greatest victory of 2008. A four part special, not to be missed! Part Three:

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Fab four moments

There were many fabulous moments for the seniors in the Indian team. Sachin Tendulkar finally surpassed Brian Lara’s record for the most number of runs in Test cricket and celebrated it in the course of the series with his fortieth Test century against one of his likeable opponents, Australia.

V.V.S. Laxman fans did not have to despair. After all this was his preferred opponent and once against the runs flowed smoothly off his bat and much to the chagrin of the Australians.

For Anil Kumble, this may not have been the most ideal way to go. As much as it was on the cards, his decision to quit after the Delhi Test still came as a shock. But he was doing the right thing for India and while he did not have too many wickets to show in this series, his overall record is something that cannot be surpassed in a hurry. That Amit Mishra has shown an appetite for filling the big man’s boots bodes well for India. But it will be a while before another bowler comes close to touching Kumble’s greatness and selfless service to Indian cricket.

And no discussion on the stalwarts would be over without mentioning Sourav Ganguly who decided to call it a day after the Test series after a turbulent time in and out of the team. To his credit, he made an impressive comeback after the Greg Chappell saga and his performance in this Test series was only a continuation of it and one that left fans wondering, was there really more in the tank that India could have used? His century, his match winning contributions could not have come against a better side because Ganguly precipitated the move to take on the world aggressively and often had Australia pulling their hair out at his antics, albeit for an Indian cause.

Mystery number five continues

Mystery shrouds the one who has been largely transparent right through his years. Simple, technically flawless and uncomplicated, Rahul Dravid was perhaps the easiest to expect consistency from, which explains the popularity and importantly, the respectability he has enjoyed. His talent goes beyond that of those naturally gifted. But lately he has simply not seemed himself since relinquishing the captaincy and it would be most unfortunate to see one of India’s driving forces in cricket over the last decade or two decline without a bang.

Dhoni factor

There was no doubting which captain for India was the more proactive, refreshing one. India’s tide changed when Dhoni led India briefly on the fourth day of the first Test in Bengaluru. Then Dhoni led a more positive, aggressive team in Mohali where India eventually went on to win that match by 320 runs. Delhi proved Anil Kumble’s last Test outing in international cricket as an aggravated finger injury in addition to the shoulder problem forced Kumble to call it a day on his international career. It was also perhaps a pragmatic view given that the captaincy needed a lift and Kumble was aware of it as well. Dhoni was officially captain of India for the fourth and final Test in Nagpur and he showed amply that he was willing to take the game forward aggressively when required and slow it down when it was the need of the hour.

While there is no denying Kumble’s credibility as skipper and ambassador of Indian cricket, that India were on the threshold of change was imminent. It was only further brought to the limelight when the captaincy changed hands briefly during the first Test and then again when Dhoni was put in charge for the second one when Kumble was indisposed through injury. The indicators, the circumstances paved the way of perhaps one of India’s brightest moves that was vindicated with the Border Gavaskar Trophy in India’s hands.

End of Part Three

To read Parts one, Two and Four:

Border Gavaskar Trophy - 1 : End of an Era Begins with a Dawn

Border Gavaskar Trophy 2: Where Australia Lost It

Border Gavaskar Trophy - 4 : Did India Win or Australia Lose?