The Sigh Of Victory

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In the end, it was nail-biting and more exciting than any one-dayer in recent times that India has playedand won in recent memory. Some might be reminded of Nero's fiddling when Rome burnt, but let's face it, forpeople suffering from Gujarat fatigue, their voices hoarse with calling for Narendra Modi's resignation, thiselusve victory abroad -- first victory in the Caribbean in 26 years -- couldn't have come at a better time.

Though for a while it seemed the cause was lost when West Indies seemed to be cruising towards the total of313 required to win the test. But in the end, the pressure proved too much despite valiant efforts from Lara,Sarwan, Gayle and an unbeaten 67 from Chandrapaul.

It was a battle of nerves on the tense fifth and final day of the second cricket Test as Sourav Gangulyregistered his fourth overseas win as captain, when India took a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series at the endof the final day’s play at Port of Spain after West Indies faltered in their chase of 313 runs and were outfor 275 in their second innings.

Incidentally, this is the third time India won on the West Indian soil and all three have been on this veryvenue, the Queen's Park Oval. India won here in 1971 beating West Indies by four wickets in a series that sawthe emergence of the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, and five years later they did it again, managing to overhaul atarget of 404.

See-Saw Battle

West Indies, who resumed at their overnight 131 for two, looked in total command so long as Brian Lara andskipper Carl Hooper were at the crease.

Lara had added only seven runs to his overnight score batting with a mixture of abundant caution and a hintof nervousness, he ended up edging a quick one from Ashish Nehra to Dravid at slip. West Indies were 157/3.

Two overs later Nehra struck again as Hooper pulled a short one from him straight to the hands of ShivSunder Das at square leg. Hooper by then had played at least two handsome strokes on but was clearly crampedfor room when he attempted the pull. 164/4

The Indians were scenting victory and the captain Ganguly, desperate for that elusive win outside thesubcontinent, was animation personified, cheering and boosting his bowlers.

It was time for Chris Gayle, who had gone off the field after making 20 on Monday, to return to the pitch.Chanderpaul was his usual self, and Indian supporters were praying for this 'sticky substance to be removed.Somehow.

Gayle batted well for his 52 (in 176 balls with 8 fours) as the hopes of Indians slumped. Till the firstball from Zaheer Khan's new spell went straight to Harbhajan at point. Windies were 237/5

It was time for the stumper Junior Murray who had not troubled the statisticians in his two knocks in thisseries. He did manage to work one ball away to fine leg for a single this time before getting too adventurousand taking off for a single without looking to Chanderpaul for confirmation.

Ratra was quick to throw to Das and end of Mr. Murray. 238/6.

Merv Dillon was clean bowled by a quick, straight one from Javagal Srinath. First ball. 238/7.

Enter, Marlon Black. who managed to see off 24 balls before Srinath banged one in a touch short, and hegloved the ball awkwardly and obligingly to Das at forward short leg. It was 254/8.

Gloom was writ all over Chanderpaul as he brought up his half century and survived a close caught-behindappeal off the very last ball before tea from Harbhajan. Windies still needed 50 runs for victory.

But Chanderpaul was still around.

The fourth ball after tea took the inside edge of Adam Sanford's bat and knocked the leg stump back. It was263/9.

But Chanderpaul was still around.

And the tension rose with each ball. The ninth wicket had fallen in the 104th. over and the last took aslong as the 116th. The crowd cheered lustily. Indian supporters remembered all the defeats their team hadgrabbed from the jaws of vicotry.

But finally Cameron Cuffy could not restrain himself anymore. He cut Zaheer Khan to Bangar at gully with 37runs left to win.

But Chanderpaul was still around.

After the dubious decision in the last innings, he fought bravely and was unbeaten on a valiant 67 (162balls, 5 fours) when the match ended.

West Indies were all out for 275. India had won the match by 37 runs.

One could almost hear a collective national sigh of relief and unbelievable triumph which should be specialfor the captain for the knock played by him under trying conditions and of course for V.V.S. Laxman, the manof the match.