When India played South Africa in Nagpur, it turned out to be quite the show the world was waiting for. It was always going to be an evenly contested battle. It was always going to be the biggest league game of the tournament. It was a battle of two of the hot favourites to win the cup. It was a finely cut piece of the greatest sporting spectacle on earth that the fans savoured till the very last minute. From the perspective of a cricket fan, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the game. From an Indian perspective, however, I felt miserable and disappointed as the match ended.
The match began with downright dominance of the Indian openers in Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. Sehwag flashed his bat in the air so often that it seemed like a law of the land to do that each time a ball was bowled at you. He flew ferociously in the African skies conquering a bowler after another. At the other end, of course, was the man my words can never suffice for - a man who has achieved so much that the more you talk about him the more incapable do you find yourself to describe his genius. And as it happens often lately, while Sehwag was gambling at one end, Sachin was playing shots that could not be better timed, better placed, and more adored. Sachin looked in sublime form and looked like a man on a mission. He knew exactly what he was doing and when he pushed one straight passed the bowler and then checked his stance like he was learning the straight drive, I knew that day was going to be special. And when he hooked Dale Steyn over deep midwicket for a six, it looked as if he was reminding the world, in his own wonderful manner of course, of what he is and what he has been - Sachin Tendulkar. After Sehwag's departure, Sachin carried the innings in remarkable style, advising Gautam Gambhir every now and then as he initially struggled and later went on to score a fine 69 of 75. These were a couple of hours of unmatchable perfection that had every South African effort look dull as Sachin registered his 48th ODI hundred and 99th international hundred with all the charisma and greatness that he had scored the previous 98 with.
This, however, was the situation till Sachin was on the ground. Soon, as the batting powerplay was taken, started a collapse never seen, never imagined. From 267/1 in the 40th over, India were reduced to a shameful 296/10 in 48.4 overs. It was a shock, an aweful, unwise display of the fancy Indian middle order. Dhoni was stranded at the other end as Dale Steyn came back rather viciously after Tendulkar's dismissal, taking a 5-wicket hall. He was fast, accurate, and too much to handle for the Indian tail. India lost 9 wickets for 29 runs and this to me was the greatest turning point of the match.
The South African batting looked strong enough to chase 297 in Nagpur where chasing is relatively easier than on some other venues. Against a toothless, indisciplined Indian bowling the Africans were always going to be the favourites to chase anything under 300. Zaheer Khan, however, looked in good rhythm, and bowled pretty well throughout the match. Harbhajan, finally got some flight on the ball, occasionally came around the wicket and finally managed to impress in the tournament. India's woes were, however, to bear the burden of talentless bowlers like Nehra and Munaf who were treated like school-kids by the Africans. I really doubt if either of them really belong to this level of cricket. They lack talent, they lack pace, they lack accuracy. They have nothing that would qualify as an attribute of a good seamer. Moreover, they lack energy and fitness too. It's amazing how a country that has produced so many great batsmen and a few excellent spinners, fails completely to produce one genuine fast bowler. Nehra and Munaf are neither fast nor bowlers. Munaf is Right Arm Straight and Nehra is Left Arm Haywire. That's all. Any team can milk them at will and India will without much of a choice have to play them and pay for them in the tournament.
The African run-chase was fuelled by will and a hope that was broaden by the kind of attack India staged against them. They started slow and steady and the match was always in the balance. When Jack Kallis was run-out after an inspiring 69, I guess, India had a wonderful chance of capitalizing on the situation since the asking rate had gone high up then. The part-timers in Yuvraj and Pathan had bowled decently and right when it went to the final few overs, India missed fast bowlers. They needed just one of them to bowl in tandem with Zaheer Khan - who was bowling beautifully - but couldn't find him. As a result, it came down to getting 17 from 2 overs. Zaheer Khan bowled a fantastic second-last over and gave away just 4 runs. Dhoni had to choose between Harbhajan and Nehra. If I were him, I'd blindly choose Harbhajan. Not that I'm saying it now, but I believe some kind of spin on the ball is better than a straight ball right in the slog. India might have still lost it had Harbhajan bowled the last over but would have certainly had a better chance. Nehra bowled three lousy deliveries - the second one being the worst ball of the world cup so far - and South Africa scored 14 off 3 balls when 13 were required from 6.
South Africa won. India lost. South Africa had held their nerves till the very end in this classic of a cricket match. As teams stand now, South Africa are the only team in Group 'B' to have qualified for the next round. India are most probably in too and have a match on their hands. If they can beat the West Indies - who gave the victory away foolishly to England today - they'd be through for sure. India have a lot of questions to answer before they (hopefully) play the knockouts. I hope the nail-biters against England and South Africa would teach India quick and vital lessons about life in world cup cricket, and hopefully they will make the most of it. For now, India will have to deal with another unfortunate climax to a spectacular hundred by the great Sachin Tendulkar.
This, however, was the situation till Sachin was on the ground. Soon, as the batting powerplay was taken, started a collapse never seen, never imagined. From 267/1 in the 40th over, India were reduced to a shameful 296/10 in 48.4 overs. It was a shock, an aweful, unwise display of the fancy Indian middle order. Dhoni was stranded at the other end as Dale Steyn came back rather viciously after Tendulkar's dismissal, taking a 5-wicket hall. He was fast, accurate, and too much to handle for the Indian tail. India lost 9 wickets for 29 runs and this to me was the greatest turning point of the match.
The South African batting looked strong enough to chase 297 in Nagpur where chasing is relatively easier than on some other venues. Against a toothless, indisciplined Indian bowling the Africans were always going to be the favourites to chase anything under 300. Zaheer Khan, however, looked in good rhythm, and bowled pretty well throughout the match. Harbhajan, finally got some flight on the ball, occasionally came around the wicket and finally managed to impress in the tournament. India's woes were, however, to bear the burden of talentless bowlers like Nehra and Munaf who were treated like school-kids by the Africans. I really doubt if either of them really belong to this level of cricket. They lack talent, they lack pace, they lack accuracy. They have nothing that would qualify as an attribute of a good seamer. Moreover, they lack energy and fitness too. It's amazing how a country that has produced so many great batsmen and a few excellent spinners, fails completely to produce one genuine fast bowler. Nehra and Munaf are neither fast nor bowlers. Munaf is Right Arm Straight and Nehra is Left Arm Haywire. That's all. Any team can milk them at will and India will without much of a choice have to play them and pay for them in the tournament.
The African run-chase was fuelled by will and a hope that was broaden by the kind of attack India staged against them. They started slow and steady and the match was always in the balance. When Jack Kallis was run-out after an inspiring 69, I guess, India had a wonderful chance of capitalizing on the situation since the asking rate had gone high up then. The part-timers in Yuvraj and Pathan had bowled decently and right when it went to the final few overs, India missed fast bowlers. They needed just one of them to bowl in tandem with Zaheer Khan - who was bowling beautifully - but couldn't find him. As a result, it came down to getting 17 from 2 overs. Zaheer Khan bowled a fantastic second-last over and gave away just 4 runs. Dhoni had to choose between Harbhajan and Nehra. If I were him, I'd blindly choose Harbhajan. Not that I'm saying it now, but I believe some kind of spin on the ball is better than a straight ball right in the slog. India might have still lost it had Harbhajan bowled the last over but would have certainly had a better chance. Nehra bowled three lousy deliveries - the second one being the worst ball of the world cup so far - and South Africa scored 14 off 3 balls when 13 were required from 6.
South Africa won. India lost. South Africa had held their nerves till the very end in this classic of a cricket match. As teams stand now, South Africa are the only team in Group 'B' to have qualified for the next round. India are most probably in too and have a match on their hands. If they can beat the West Indies - who gave the victory away foolishly to England today - they'd be through for sure. India have a lot of questions to answer before they (hopefully) play the knockouts. I hope the nail-biters against England and South Africa would teach India quick and vital lessons about life in world cup cricket, and hopefully they will make the most of it. For now, India will have to deal with another unfortunate climax to a spectacular hundred by the great Sachin Tendulkar.
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