Sunday 2 March 2008

India wins a big one at the Sydney Cricket Ground

Indian cricket's new youthful face came of age at the Sydney Cricket Ground when they won the 1st final in the Commonwealth Bank Series. The match was special in more ways than one. The Indians lost the toss and saw the Aussies bat first. Something that is daunting in itself but the Indian team did not look down.The bowlers first stymied the Aussie batting Juggernaut by restricting them to measly 239 runs.Measly when you consider the batting might of the Aussies.

The Indian batsmen came out cautiously but positively.The scoreboard was always ticking with the Indian batting master , Sachin Tendulkar in full flow. A lot has been written about his lack of form, his repeated failures in crunch matches, his inability to produce a 100 in his previous 39 matches 0n Aussie soil. Today was a different day. As the sun set over the Sydney Oval, Sachin took the Australian bowlers to task. Not even cramps or a searing 143 kmph beamer from Brett Lee that hit his shoulder could stop Sachin.His batting chart showed shots to all parts of the ground. His 117 not out took India across the line and answered a lot of critics.

The rubber still has two matches to go and India are still the underdogs but now underdogs with the ability to ask questions of the opposition.