As cricket undergoes a little lull in India, worthwhile to look at arguably India’s greatest victory of 2008. A four part special, not to be missed! Part Four:
Australia throw the book at India
Many of the Australian players who played in the inaugural IPL felt that the nature of the tournament had thawed some of the souring relations from India’s tour down under. But it seems the Australians are not willing to bury the hatchet any time soon, especially when they can kill two birds with one stone. The timing of the release of their autobiographical books must be commended. The attempt, intentional or otherwise, to unsettle the Indians while also hoping to raise their personal fortunes from perpetuating the damaging incidents of the tour was certainly viewed as shrewd but also, as a lame attempt to try and keep defending themselves and continue to point fingers when really, they should have stuck to their task and do what was the need of the hour.
India’s win undermined by waning Australia?
While Indian fans were going gaga over their team’s victory over Australia, there were sections of the media that dubbed this more as Australia’s loss due to their waning experience than India’s hard fought and well fought victory. While it is true that Australia have lost some of the world’s leading players in Shane Warne, Glen McGrath and even Adam Gilchrist, Australia suffered on this tour largely because their batting never quite aligned themselves in cohesive effort enough to surpass India’s first innings totals
That was, for the better part, a result of a lack of good, wicket taking spinner in the ranks as also the fact that their fast bowlers were not entirely feeling on par for the course. Australia’s fielding at the best of times seemed defeated and their skipper himself was perhaps left feeling that this was one battle they were once again receiving more than they had bargained for. To undermine India’s win in that context would be simplifying the reasons for Australia’s defeat. More than outplayed, Australia were out thought and while that puts considerable pressure on Ponting, one would have to admit that the Australian skipper was not at his wittiest best on this tour and let down by a team that failed to live up to their designated roles.
Whatever else India do against England, it will be very hard to erase this stupendous victory as 2008 wraps up a dramatic year for cricket in India, that also included the IPL initiation and the ICL escalation amongst cricketing circles.
End of Part Four and Article
To catch Parts One, Two and Three,
Border Gavaskar Trophy - 1 : End of an Era Begins with a Dawn
