Skipper's decision will win him fans

Only a few months ago, not too many Australians wanted Michael Clarke as the captain of their nation's cricket team. He was thought of being a little too posh, someone who was more a fashion-conscious type who dated beautiful models and poster girls.

He wasn't the archetypal Aussie who liked his beer and his mates more than anything else and so wasn't thought of as one of the boys. But, with his bold declaration when he could have well gone on to a world record score of 400-plus, he will definitely change many a perception about him.

There was still an hour to go for the tea interval when he decided that Australia had had enough and went into the dressing room to a standing ovation from the crowd. There were still three hours and two days play left when he declared the innings closed.

Whether he has done the right thing or whether he could have batted longer, only time will tell, but by showing that a personal milestone did not matter, he has definitely won a few fans now.

Miandad's intentions

In 1982-83, Imran Khan declared when Javed Miandad was batting on 280. Miandad had announced his intentions of getting to the world record score of 365, held then by Sir Garry Sobers.

Pakistan were already 2-0 up by then and that was the fourth Test of the series. So, India had no chance of making a comeback. Yet, Imran declared and then helped shoot India out again in the second innings so that Pakistan won with a day to spare, which made Miandad even more furious.

His argument was that opportunities to get a world record don't come every day, and since Pakistan were already up in the series, Imran could have delayed the declaration until Miandad got his record. Unfortunately, whenever a player, especially a batsman, gets a mark, there are many who accuse him of playing for self and not for team. Clarke obviously did not want that and so he called a halt even when he looked fit enough to carry on.

The manner in which India replied in the second innings does indicate that the pitch is getting better for batting and, if the batsmen show some discipline and determination, then they could well do the impossible and save an innings defeat.

Gambhir is batting beautifully and is looking very determined to make up for his earlier failures. Again, only yesterday, people were asking for his head, but now after his effort, they will understand that one cannot write off a proven player after a couple of failures.

Elusive century

Tendulkar has come in to bat in a much better situation than in the first three innings and, with the pitch playing easy, the stage could well be set for the mark that Indian cricket-lovers are waiting for. Hopefully, he will then carry on and play a Clarke-like innings and save the embarrassment of an innings defeat.

The pitch also gives a great chance for Laxman and Kohli to come good and, if they do, then India can go into the next Test with loads of confidence.

— ProfessionalManagement Group