Sport | Cricket
India should thank fielders for T20 win
Gambhir, who had a rough time in the Tests, came good and it bodes well for the tri-series that begins shortly.
- Special to Gulf News
- Published: 00:00 February 4, 2012
India lifted their game and by winning the second of the two Twenty20 matches against Australia, also lifted the spirits of their diehard supporters.
The win was all the more remarkable as it came on the back of some excellent fielding which has not always been India's strong point.
The inclusion of younger, more athletic players does invariably lift the fielding standards even if it may not do much for bowling or batting. The younger lot in the Indian team are, without exception, outstanding fielders.
What was also important was that Dhoni had the right fielders in the right positions and that meant that runs were converted into runouts.
Having Jadeja at backward point to the leg spinner meant that the ball that was cut was going towards his throwing arm, his left.
The Australian batsmen, thinking there was a single or more for the taking, took off and realised too late that they were in trouble.
Jadeja also needs to be commended for keeping his cool and throwing to the correct end.
Brilliant saves
There were some brilliant saves from Raina, Kohli and Rohit Sharma too and the catch that Gambhir took to get rid of the dangerous Warner should be shown to youngsters to learn how to run backwards keeping the eyes focused on the ball.
That wicket was the spur that the Indians needed and they never let up afterwards. Shaun Marsh's misery continued with him getting out for another duck and only Aaron Finch, along with the man of the match from the previous game, Matthew Wade, posed any danger.
Australia, in line with their thinking of keeping an eye on the Twenty20 World Cup later in the year, made three changes ensuring that everybody in their squad got a chance to play.
India retained the same combination much to the chagrin of those who felt the attack needed freshening up.
Praveen Kumar showed what India had missed in the Tests by getting the ball to move impressively both ways and causing the batsmen problems.
Excellent fielding
Rahul Sharma bowled well and though his economy was more than seven runs an over, some of those were streaky boundaries off thick edges. It was the fielding that made the difference with four runouts.
India were hardly under pressure with an asking rate of less than seven an over and they got off to a brisk start with Sehwag and Gambhir playing some crisp shots.
Kohli made sure there was another good partnership and then Dhoni finally saw the writing on the wall and promoted himself, staying until the winning run was hit.
Gambhir, who had a rough time in the Tests, came good and it bodes well for the tri-series that begins shortly.
It was a morale boosting win and it should give belief back to a team which seemed to have had lost it completely halfway through the Test series.
— Professional Management Group
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