Silver linings to Port Elizabeth's storm clouds

The second Test was a crucial one for the Indian team. It was thus bound to generate a lot of interest, and I for one was keenly looking out for how the team would come through the ordeal.

The Indian team really seems to have little faith in their collective ability; with a positive frame of mind, the stars in the batting line-up would have had no problems handling the pace attack of South Africa. Even if a series victory would be asking for too much, it is certain that the current Indian side has more than enough talent to give their opponents a run for their money.

It was to be expected that the wicket would suit the fast bowlers, like most pitches in South Africa. The Indian team management yet again got their team selection wrong by not picking a third seamer instead of one of the spinners, or perhaps even as a fifth bowler. My personal view has always been that a side can win a Test only if they can bowl out the opposition twice. This, of course, will not happen unless the required bowling strength is present, as has been proven amply by history.

The other thread of logic that can be applied here is that if six batsmen are unable to accumulate enough runs for a strong total, it is highly unlikely that a seventh batsman will be able to contribute substantially enough to do so. The team management needs to be talked to for their policy of adhering to such illogical paths of action, and they have to be made accountable for their deeds as well.

After winning the toss, asking South Africa to bat first with just two fast bowlers was a brave decision. Sourav Ganguly's captaincy in other aspects also was impressive. A dropped catch off Herschelle Gibbs' blade was, in my opinion, the turning point; Javagal Srinath may have bowled with even more fire had this catch been taken, and South Africa probably would not have been able to post as large a total as they did.

The Indian team really seems to have little faith in their collective ability; with a positive frame of mind, the stars in the batting line-up would have had no problems handling the pace attack of South Africa. Even if a series victory would be asking for too much, it is certain that the current Indian side has more than enough talent to give their opponents a run for their money.

The second innings probably justifies this statement. I was very impressed with Deep Dasgupta's performance in this match. I encountered him at the National Cricket Academy and have always felt that he had the potential to be a good wicket-keeper batsman. I am glad that he is proving me right on this tour.

The drawn result of the Test might have been due largely to the weather conditions, but enough plus points surfaced in the match for the Indians to take heart ahead of the final game. Srinath and Harbhajan Singh have clearly emerged as our strike bowlers, and with one more wicket-taking speedster to support then, the Indian attack will be a force to reckon with. The batting also looks to be settling down well, with Dasgupta doing a promising job as opener.

Finally, a word on the controversy currently swirling in South Africa. Whatever events might have transpired on the field during the last five days, Match Referee Mike Denness undoubtedly outshone them all through his action of banning and penalising six Indian cricketers. The decision, in my opinion, was unfair and one-sided; even within the timeframe of just the second Test, different standards were blatantly applied to Indian and South African players. The judgement has stirred up a hornets' nest, and it will be interesting to wait and watch for the actions that the ICC will take.