'The Bat Continues To Dominate'

It is of course disappointing to lose the Ahmedabad game in the manner wedid. The way the Indians chased a bigger total yesterday, it seems the thirdgame at Rajkot was just a dress rehearsal for the home team.

It has been difficult to bowl at all times on these wickets. We were furtherhandicapped by the ball getting wet because of dew on the grass.

The margin of error for the bowlers has been very little in these games. Itis just not enough for the bowlers to come and try to bowl a perfect line andlength. He needs to be skillful enough to mix it up at all times, try and bowlyorkers or bring about a change in pace. When you look to bowl a perfect line,the batsmen lose little time in adjusting to that line as the track is a perfectally to batting. No wonder the bat has completely dominated the ball in thisone-day series.

Rahul Dravid and Sanjay Bangar put their hands up for India at a criticaltime in Ahmedabad. Both played well and created opportunities. Dravid was luckyon a few occasions but we didn't seize our moments and he was able to build onthose lapses.

Sanjay Bangar played a knock completely out of character. Here is a man who has built his reputation as a stodgy openerand here he was, slamming a half-century in 40-odd balls. We of course didn't help matters by pitching it too up for him.

It would have been prudent to pull back the length against him. Still the two played a winning hand for India.

We started off wonderfully well as Chris Gayle looked in murderous touch. Gayle has played a few smashing innings inthe past but what has been heartening is his consistency on this tour. He has set out to hit a three-figure knock at at all times and it has earned him a renewed respect in the dressing room.

 The same is true for Ramnaresh Sarwan who is beginning to do justice to his outstanding talent.

When we started, I had a total of at least 260-270 in mind but the way Gayle exploded, we were assured of a 300-plustotal quite early in our innings. We were pulled back a little by Harbhajan Singh and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik. Bothbowled a containing spell.

Still a total of 324 was a wonderful effort till it was shown to be inadequate by thehome batsmen.

I wasn't anxious and looking at the stands going by what happened in the three previous games. I know crowds inIndia love their cricket and the men who represent their colours. They must have enjoyed an Indian victory inAhmedabad and would be hoping for the team to continue in the same vein. 

As for us, we have slipped from the high waters of a 2-0 advantage and to the extent the series now stands squared. Ihope the final three games will similarly be exhilirating and free of incidents.

PTI