An opportune cricketing rant..
It's over finally. And in fitting style. A terrific match which at times seemed like Australia's game for the taking ensured that the trophy for the last edition of the CB series shall decorate Indian shelves.

For the last 2 months or so, one would have had to be a zen-like cricket fan not to have got caught in all the drama surrounding the team's tour. And to have it culminate in such a fine victory provides immense pleasure to this cricket fan. I rejoiced a little during the T20 cup win but kept reminding myself that the format could well have been like a poker game where technique, bowlers' reputations and strategy mattered little. Beating Australia in Australia in Tests still is the coup d'etat that almost happened this summer. The feelings most cricket fans had at the end of that series must have been of the kind that say "denied what was due". This CB series win in a tournament which was dear to Australia in so many ways - Gilly and Hogg's farewell, the last edition - does soothe those thoughts.

Before I lose it all in the euphoria, some thoughts on a tour that has thrown up characters out of nowhere :



Praveen Kumar - Good swing bowling on tracks that assisted quicks. The wrist comes into play just as it does for Ishant before the point of delivery. Got a bagful of wickets, courtesy batsmen underestimating his nip and swing. I doubt if he would be as effective on slower tracks. Would be a good find to the team if he improved his batting and proved himself on other tracks.

Ishant Sharma - Here to stay. If Perth was a revelation, the CB series has given the boy something to shout about. Unarguably India's quickest of the lot and one who needs to be groomed and given adequate rest amidst mad-cap touring.

Rohit Sharma - A post has already been devoted to this man. So not much to say except the experience of playing on and adjusting to different tracks needs to happen. Played a divine and crucial knock in the 1st final.

Dhoni as captain - Reads the game well to a T. Maybe it's just me reading a lot of management books, but has anyone noticed how he backs players that are struggling to take up the job in dire circumstances? It seems to be a symptom of the Chappell coaching era to have youngsters rise to the occasion but Dhoni seems to be putting it into practice so well. If it was Joginder Sharma in the T20 cup, it was Ishant, Praveen Kumar and today, a struggling Pathan who was given the last over, who all performed when it mattered. If anything, it seemed like terrific man management and leadership. Batted in an uncharacteristically subdued way but ended up shepherding the team when it mattered. Keeping has seen some amazing improvement as well. Nothing more one could ask from the man.

Pathan - Struggled as a bowler but scored crucial runs as a lower order bat. In his defense, he's probably had to come up or down the order as the situation demanded and does not know his role in advance. Seems short on pace as a bowler.

Harbhajan - A lot of things could have been avoided if he had kept his mouth shut. Having said that, it's too much of an ask from this character. The saving grace has been that he's walked the talk in the CB series getting crucial strikes when it mattered. Is still a bit of a force in the ODI/T20 game considering batsmen are not that defensive. It's time to look to Piyush for Tests.

Yuvraj - A horrid tour to say the least. Looked unfit and out of sorts throughout on seaming pitches and could well have been replaced by Manoj Tiwary during the first 4-5 games. Has tried to hit his way out of trouble and managed limited success. Another successful sub-continent tour and cries for a Test spot will re-surface.

Uthappa - I'd like to think he never got a fair chance to bat and when he did, it was mighty tough to be a Mohammed Kaif at No. 7. Has played well as an opener in patches, but is far from cementing his place in the side. Needs to find form and quick.

Gambhir - Good find for the team. Got a fighting century at Sydney and timely fifties. Plays the spinners well. Could really win a Test spot if he uses right shot selection and does not throw away his wicket when set.

Sreesanth/Munaf - Blown hot, blown cold. Sree looks a promising bowler but tends to lose it under pressure. All that transcendental meditation is not showing up in the performance. Needs a psychologist.

Munaf will probably go down as the worst batsman and fielder who still kept playing for India. Almost seems as if he's out for a stroll in the park when playing. Needs classroom training.



And now, the main reason I even made this post.



Sachin
Has had yet another year enduring question marks on his place and criticism. It seems futile to think that there is anything left to prove for this man.

His efforts in the Tests are already forgotten conveniently. Saw a tired looking version of the man until the finals. Four gruelling Tests and fitness/rest was definitely a concern. Kept playing gamely till he revealed himself in the finals.

Sydney was a scintillating knock and if anything it put to rest a question that refuses to die down : Does Sachin ever play in the finals or during a must-win India chase ?

I ran this question through my mind 5-6 years ago when it really had to be asked and the answer has never been in doubt since. For starters, the question is symptomatic of people who expect a lone hand from the man in India wins. As has often been the case, his best knocks have been outstanding first innings centuries that obliterated oppositions world-wide leading to bowlers having huge totals to bowl at. Aren't these winning knocks?

As far as chases go, people forget it is a team game. The statement "Sachin never plays in a must-win India chase" is as much a statement of Sachin's poor record when chasing as it is of the other 6-7 batsmen in the team who did not play well during these matches. In fact, a more accurate statement would have been "When Sachin does not play well in India's must-win chases, the rest of the batting order also falters". Now, that is as incriminating of the whole Indian team as it is of Sachin. So there.

In any case, these knocks will serve to silence critics for a short time before the novice sports writer writing for the sensationalist newspaper questions this legend's form without an iota of cricketing knowledge. If there's anything left for Sachin, it is to choose his day and time to say goodbye. There is simply nothing left to be done in a glittering 19 year old career when he has simply been an immense source of joy. And yet, being who he is, he might complain of not having beaten Australia at home in Tests.

Thank you, Sachin Tendulkar. Thank you, India.