Lights are on but the fuse is fragile

Out-of-form Indian skipper wants to lead from the front n Hussain keen to reverse the result

SANDEEP DWIVEDI

KOLKATA, JANUARY 18: When is it that the nation’s biggest liability becomes its biggest asset? For one — during a cricket match at Eden Gardens. The sea of humanity that gives one a sinking feeling day in and day out suddenly happens to be the hope on which the nation’s cricket stars bank on. Around one lakh raving, ranting and often revolting support system charged by the one lakh volt electric equipment hanging from the gigantic towers the Indians are shown in a different light. The flickering fortunes during the Test series against the visiting English team suddenly seem like a dark alley left far behind. And, on the eve of the one-day series it seems like an illuminated path ahead.

For the visitors, who are used to sedate crowds consisting mostly pensioners and for whom euphoria means a regimental standing ovation amidst a soothing chorus of claps, the cacophony of Eden Gardens is an unknown evil. As for the known one, they like the rest of the world, happen to know that it happens to be a bloke called Sachin Tendulkar. But on the eve of the first ODI of the series, English captain Nasser Hussain presented a bold face. “I would love to play in front of a packed Eden Gardens Stadium than pad up to a one-man audience and his dog at Chemlsworth,” he said. Without doubt the quote of the day.

Incidentally, the other nominees for the ‘word play award’ were the cliched and the usual ‘we are confident’ mumbling burped out by the Indian captain Saurav Ganguly and the coach John Wright.

One could understand Hussain’s fondness for jam-packed venue but he has to understand the plight of the rest of his inexperienced side. The grand total of ODI matches played by Hussain and Co. happens to be less than what Tendulkar and Anil Kumble have played. And statistics show that in the last four years, England have played just 25 one-dayers under light and out of which they have won just seven.

Now compare that to India’s record. Since 1998, India have played 62 one-dayers, won 26 of them and lost 35. So it comes as a huge surprise why the English made such a big hue and cry when the Indian board asked for an additional one-dayers. For a team which is said to be preparing for the 2003 World Cup, where most of the matches will be under lights and India clubbed with them in the same group, this would have been an ideal opportunity to get used to the condition. All they could have done was to say, “Thanks a lot.” And knowing Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya, he would have turned around and said, “The pleasure was all mine.”

After fretting and fuming for days about inadequate practice and their insistence on an early Garden view, they seems to have reconciled to their fate. Hussain said today, “One can never be fully prepared when one plays India in India.” Point taken. Steve Waugh and his ice-vested mates will nod their heads in agreement.

The Indians, on the other hand, could have no complaints on that count. If ever there was a Challenger series scheduled ideally, it was this. The plinth on India’s middle order — Virender Sehwag, Hemang Badani, Dinesh Mongia — all showed terrific touch at Bangalore. Among the bowlers, Sarandeep Singh and Ajit Agarkar too made hay under the lights. The only problem area seems to be the form of skipper Ganguly. But when pointed out during the briefing, Ganguly was quick to retort, “In the last ODI series I played, I scored about 400 runs.”

It seems like a utopian world for the Indians but what we haven’t considered is the ‘what if’ factor. If India lose the toss and the evening dew makes the white ball do tricks, England does have a chance. Playing under pressure has never been India’s forte. And that’s what Hussain is counting on.

And if something of that sort happens, the sea of humanity which India are banking on can suddenly seem claustrophobic. The impromptu paper torches which the Eden crowd lights to celebrate a home win can also be used to ignite the stands. The lights are on for India right now, but the fuse is fragile.

Teams

England: Nasser Hussain (captain), Andrew Caddick, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, James Foster, Ashley Giles, Darren Gough, Mathew Hoggard, Ben Hollioake, Nick Knight, Owais Shah, Jeremy Snape, Graham Thorpe, Marcus Trecothick, Michael Vaughan.

India: Saurav Ganguly (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Hemang Badani, Dinesh Mongia, Anil Kumble, Ajay Ratra, Harbhajan Singh, Sarandeep Singh, Javagal Srinath, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan and Sanjay Bangar.

Umpires: SK Sharma, K Hariharan. 3rd umpire: SN Banderkar. Match referee: Dennis Lindsay (SA)

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