India should wrap up the series 2-0

Erapalli Prasanna

June 12, 2001

It was a very good feeling to see India win in Bulawayo because it is such a long time since we won outside the subcontinent and the victory should really encourage our boys to do even better in the days ahead. In my opinion however India should have dominated this game right through but they made the job appear more difficult than it actually was.

The Zimbabweans batted first after winning the toss, perhaps because they were slightly apprehensive about taking on Harbhajan Singh in the fourth innings after his remarkable performance against the Aussies. As it turned out, the wicket played easier and easier as the match progressed although I don't think Heath Streak's decision made any difference to the final result.

Zimbabwe lost the game on the first day itself because of some below par batting. The way they approached the task at hand didn't give the impression that they were an international side. It seemed that most of them, including Andy Flower, were in the one-day mood. When they realised their folly in the second innings, it was a bit too late. On the evidence of their showing here, I don't think this Zimbabwean side can really give India a run for their money.

But they played much better in the second innings and in the process the limitations of the Indian attack on a good wicket were exposed. Ashish Nehra was very impressive but he was also very lucky not to be pulled up a third time immediately after being warned twice. The umpires were a bit lenient and allowed him to bowl longer than he should have. If Nehra is not guided quickly about what angle to approach the wicket from, he may not be shown such consideration the next time.

Harbhajan Singh with his fastish off breaks lent good support to the pacemen to dictate terms in the first innings. He wasn't very effective on the third day, but he maintained a good length because of his tall build. Andy Flower and co. seemed aware of his ball which straightens out and they handled him very well. Whenever Harbhajan bowled a drifter, Flower swept him away to square midwicket. I also think Harbhajan was bowling a bit too quick in the air for a pitch like this.

The Indian fielding was a revelation and it's quite obvious that all the fielding drills they were put through in the last few months have made them more agile and alert. Some of the catches that Ramesh and Das took were a very encouraging sign in this regard. The Indian top order appeared a little overconfident in the first innings but I must also give credit to the Zimbabwean bowlers who bowled extremely well on a softish wicket which was offering a fair amount of assistance to the seamers. Zimbabwe seem to be having some injury problems before the next Test. I do not know if pace bowler Travis Friend is fit or not but he was the most promising player I saw when they toured India last year.

The emergence of Shiv Sunder Das was the most positive sign for India and he looks a very compact player but I would still like to reserve judgement until he plays in more challenging conditions. He is one of the few players from the NCA to have shown tremendous promise and I'm very happy for him. The win against Australia was a tremendous turning point, giving the team immense self-belief that the losing streak overseas could be halted and I believe India will wrap up the series 2-0 in Harare. But there are bigger battles ahead against Sri Lanka and South Africa.

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