Barbados brings back memories of ‘Collapso’ series

Though Dravid’s survey was more academic than anything else,he would have found it difficult to not experience a sense of nostalgia. After all,it was at this very ground that he walked out to bat 14 years ago with India requiring a meagre 120 to win in their fourth innings. But an inspired spell of bowling from Ian Bishop and a wearing wicket had ensured that it wasn’t to be-though the veteran had top-scored with 78 in the first innings. Five years later,the Indian batting floundered once again,and ended up handing the West Indies a 10-wicket win. Eight times the Indians have landed in Barbados for a Test match,and seven times they have been rendered a hammering— two innings defeats and two losses by 10 wickets,including the one in 2002.

However,the Indian outfit that will take on the hosts in the second Test on Tuesday,is one which,despite the many high-profile absentees,is ranked No.1 in the world. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men have already achieved one first,by winning the opening Test of the series in the Caribbean at Sabina Park. India have never won more than one Test during a series in the Caribbean though. And another bogey that they will have to overcome is the lapse in intensity they suffered after making a winning start in a series over the last few years.

The Indian skipper,however,is confident of rewriting history over the next five days with his young team. “We will try to do something which has not been achieved,by winning at the Kensington Oval. And start something which has not been started,” said Dhoni.

While a number of pitches around the Caribbean have slowed down over time,the Kensington Oval still retains the sheen it’s renowned for and is once again expected to provide bounce and pace for the fast bowlers in general.

Dhoni did hint at opting for a three pacers strategy for the second Test. But the fitness of Munaf Patel might well have a final say on that front. Munaf bowled five overs during practice on Sunday,bowling at full tilt. But the team management were still not fully confident of whether he will take the field on Tuesday or not,and are expected to assess his fitness at the end of their practice session on Monday. Most chances are that he will play,providing firepower to the bowling combo of Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar,who were instrumental in India’s win in Jamaica. And the one man they will be desperate to get rid of in the West Indies will be Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

The veteran left-hander will not only equal Brian Lara’s record for most Tests played at the Kensington Oval — 15 — but he has also been the scourge for India on this ground,scoring centuries in both of India’s previous Tests here.

The Indian batsmen,on the other hand have averaged a mere 23.80 here. And having soaked in the new surrounds of Kensington Oval,Dravid,fresh from his 32nd Test century in the first Test,will be looking forward to correct those statistics.

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