India vs Sri Lanka - Encounters of another kind

With the mass attraction and mega entertainment of the one day internationals out of the way, India have less than three days to train eyes on the forthcoming three match Test series against Sri Lanka. Yet again, an off field battle consumes time and limelight almost overshadowing the imperatives on the field.

Even as India fought their way back from 1-2 against South Africa to square the series at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, grapevine was firmly entrenched in the VIP boxes about the impending elections. As predicted, power changed hands but the early signs signal smoke and can fire be far behind? Sharad Pawar grabbed the reins decisively from Ranbir Singh Mahendra and thereby, put a lid to the immense influence of Jagmohan Dalmiya. Speculation runs rife with positioning of various influential cricketing names within the new set up with some even suggesting heads were rolling without prior notice.

But to bring the focus back to the game, the Test series against Sri Lanka has failed to evoke the interests among the masses for some very predictable reasons. Inevitably the imbroglio surrounding the elections was a matter pending settlement. Weather conditions, the tight scheduling of seemingly back to back series, and a less than inspiring opposition must all account for the late arrival of interest in team India. The unpredictable weather at Chennai, venue of the first Test, is keeping every one guessing. With cyclone warning issued for the southern and eastern coasts, that the game will see the light of day remains a matter of conjecture. Most recently, about 15,000 fans headed for the stadium in a hopeless venture against the forces of nature only for the one day international match against South Africa to be abandoned earlier than most would have expected, though not anticipated.

That apart, Sri Lanka came to India ranked the second best team in the world, riding high on home success. However, with Rahul Dravid taking over the mantle and a more harmonious relationship between skipper and coach Greg Chappell prevailing within the dressing room, the conducive atmosphere allowed for some creative role playing. Against a five pronged pace attack, the Indians found the going easy. The spinners, Muttiah Muralitharan and Upul Chandana, were practically rendered helpless. For India though, with time came confidence, as did the results. With many of the Sri Lankan top order failing to fire, India gave Sri Lanka a 6-1 drubbing to leave fans gung-ho.

But make no mistake. The series is not without its dramas and no doubt, will evolve some of its own. Sri Lanka had already jumped the gun, dropping their most prolific run scorer against India, Sanath Jayasuriya citing poor form and a bad shoulder. But the more interesting news yet again belongs to the home side. Sourav Ganguly has been brought back into the Test side citing his utility value as an all-rounder. Wonder how that escaped Team India while experimenting ever so often during the on going series against Sri Lanka and South Africa to find the perfect balance of multi-dimensional men?

Raucous fans and poor response to the sale of tickets may have prompted the decision ahead of the one day clash against South Africa at the Eden Gardens, but how much necessarily it benefits the team as a whole and how Ganguly will fit in the general scheme of things is a matter of fascination and caution. It certainly did not buy the team any support against a more than merry South Africa! Ganguly has done much in the past but the future is an open road. If he can make small adjustments and knock around a few runs like he did in the domestic series, perhaps he could stand the test of time. Without the added role of captaincy, retaining his place, should he feature in the final eleven, will take on the extra pressure with Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif battling each other for a permanent Test spot.

Ganguly will have to do all the running. With support increasingly waning and with the media and the administrators, while putting up a façade of garnering respect for India’s most successful captain, are en-cashing on the mockery that has become Ganguly’s debacle, this inclusion also had little time for him to breathe. With three selectors, all reportedly Ganguly supporters, sacked with immediate effect, the writing is rather clear on the wall. It’s time for Ganguly to let the fire in him filter through his batting and onto the field. The Sri Lankans have traditionally been bread and butter with Ganguly’s fascination for going over the top against the spinners. It is a test for him but not that great or foreboding, neither are these bouncy tracks nor are the fast medium bowlers McGraths. It will require some patient, judicious batting, if Ganguly can put mind to matter from past memory. A failure here could signal the end with a full stop.

There is no doubting politics will yet again dominate through the series, with keen eyes watching every move for the new ‘Pawar play’. There is no doubt that Ganguly’s inclusion or non-inclusion in the final eleven will create stir and his every innings will come under scrutiny, to test the endurance of the most ardent fan of Indian cricket. The last time India played a Test series, the win against Zimbabwe gave them a win away from home after nineteen years. But there is no doubt that people will remember the Ganguly-Chappell spat more than they will India’s achievements albeit against a lowly, battered team.

If India can perform outstandingly under Rahul Dravid’s assertiveness as a skipper against a side they have already demoralized psychologically two weeks ago and more significantly, outshine any potential political melee and also, provide the fans with enough excitement to sustain interest in a largely predictable series, kudos to them!

In association with indiancricket.net Author: Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

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