By: K. Gautam
One of the definitions for ‘boomerang’ is “a miscalculation that recoils on its maker.”
Preparing a pitch that had pace and bounce to suit themselves really backfired with a huge thud on South Africa, with the Indian bowlers taking full advantage of the conditions. It was a boomerang, big time! It was also a double whammy for South Africa, who not only lost, but were also bundled out of the competition.
Recovery
India recovered from being 33/3 and 61/4 to post a reasonable total of 153/5. It is heartening to see a newcomer like Rohit Sharma playing well under pressure. Though he struggled to get some deliveries away towards the end, he kept the scoreboard ticking with frequent boundaries. His six of the last delivery of the innings helped India get past the 150 mark. He remained unbeaten on 50 of 40 deliveries (4X7, 2X6). MS Dhoni played his best innings of the competition with a fighting 45 of 33 (4X4, 1X6). The Indian innings was pegged back by some disciplined bowling by South Africa with Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini bowling excellent opening spells.
Fiery bowling
The Indian bowling didn’t start off on a bright note, with Sreesanth spraying the ball for four wides in his first over, and conceding 11 runs. RP Singh set the ball rolling with the wicket of Herschelle Gibbs of his first ball, dismissing him LBW. After that came a brilliant catch by Dinesh Karthik standing at third slip sending back Graeme Smith. Karthik who normally drops dollies clung onto a catch diving to his left. Sreesanth redeemed himself by catching AB de Villiers plumb LBW, followed by a brilliant flick by man of the match Rohit Sharma, running out the dangerous Justin Kemp. This was followed by a beauty by RP Singh which clean bowled Shaun Pollock, bowling round the wicket.
SA, 34/5 never fully recovered after that. Mark Boucher (36) and A Morkel (36) tried their best to resurrect the innings, but they probably were caught in a quandary, not knowing whether to go for victory or go for the 126 required to qualify for the semis. It looked like they were just going for the score required to qualify, once the required rate was well over 12.5. Sreesanth struck the death blow by knocking off Boucher in the 17th over, and South Africa had lost their way completely. With Harbhajan enjoying bounce off the wicket, which suited his ‘doosras’ to perfection and RP Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Sreesanth hardly giving anything to hit, even 126 was becoming difficult to get. South Africa ended with 116/9 leaving the South African supporters wonder, what went wrong. Was it another classic case of SA choking at the inopportune moment?
Surprise Semi-finalists
India and Pakistan, whom experts gave little chance, find themselves facing Australia and New Zealand respectively in the semi-finals. England, South Africa, and West Indies who have had a heavy dose of 20/20 cricket over the past 2 years and definite favorites, have been bundled out.
India should continue with their attacking and persevering cricket against Australia. They don’t have anything to lose.
Hope Yuvraj Singh who missed the game against SA because of a strained back, and Piyush Chawla recover on time for the semis.
You've gotta be kiddin me by saying Karthik who usually drops dollies clung on to the catch. I don't think you'll ever be able to substantiate this, maybe once which every cricketer does. I mean, the guy has clung on to a blinder of a catch, and your statement is just another of the Indian media's.
ReplyDeleteI respect your views. I have gone by what I have seen in the test matches and one-dayers in the recent England series. As Karthik has been a keeper all these years, it is always difficult to all of a sudden take catches in the outfield.
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