Tendulkar changed India’s fortunes

India took a small step in its road to recovery by clinching the Future Cup against South Africa in Belfast.

It was a rare one-day triumph for the Indians away from home and it came at a time when the disappointment of the World Cup still rankled.
It also will be an ideal preparation for the sterner tests ahead in England where the series is to begin shortly.
The change in India’s fortunes was brought about by a much-maligned star whose class was never in doubt.
Sachin Tendulkar was indirectly blamed for the World Cup fiasco and was left out of the tour to Bangladesh immediately after that.
Though it was claimed that Tendulkar was being rested, there was no doubt in anyoneís mind that the star batsman was dropped.
It was an insult to a batsman who practically had all the records in world cricket.
Tendulkar proved why he is class apart by the way he approached the series. In the opening match, he took his time to get to 99 before being run out.
His innings spanned 143 balls and there were still critics who questioned his ability to bat like a champion batsman.
What was forgotten that the situation demanded that an Indian batsman stay at the wicket as long as possible. 
The conditions were not easy either and they were well exploited by the South African seam bowlers.
Then the Tendulkar of old emerged in the second one-dayer.
The South African bowlers were carted to all parts of the field by a batsman bristling with aggression.
Some of Tendulkar’s leg side shots were pure delight to watch.
The time has come to leave the master batsman alone and let him play the way he wants. Instead of criticising him all the time, one must appreciate the mental strength and fortitude Tendulkar has shown over such a long career.
India must savour it gem not chuck it by the wayside.
Yuvraj Singh also found form which has been eluding him recently. He proved what a good finisher he is by taking India to victory twice.
He also showed resilience and was willing to ride the bad form by staying at the wicket.
Both his match-winning efforts were scratchy at the start but Yuvraj eventually found his touch.
India have found a player for the future in Dinesh Karthik.
The Tamil Nadu player has shown great determination and is a fine fielder too.
Though an aggressive batsman by nature, Karthik has learnt to temper his strokeplay and suit it to the need of the hour. That is a sign of a good player.
Another impressive performer was Piyush Chawla.
His leg spin was crucial to India’s success and he has a bright future ahead of him.
Zaheer Khan is a changed man these days after making his comeback into the Indian side.
He has shouldered the responsibility of leading India’s attack very well.
The South Africans were hoping the get a few answers to their one-day woes after the World Cup debacle.
However, they have gone back with only a few positives.
Vernon Philander is one who is going to be a player for the future.
The Cape Cobras all-rounder will eventually be a replacement for Shaun Pollock.
Thandi Tshabalala did not get the ideal conditions to bowl but he must be persisted with if South Africa are trying to solve their spin bowling problems.
Justin Kemp also had a good outing and proved that he is one of the biggest hitters in the game.
But Kemp will have to do more with the ball if he is to be a permanent fixture in the South African side.
The South Africans still need to sort out their bowling options if they want consistent success.
There is too much of sameness in their attack and more combinations will have to be tried.
A little more aggression with the bat in the middle overs will also have to be addressed.
The South Africans seem to lose momentum in that crucial period and often the score is 20 or 30 less than what it should be.
Still South Africa have plenty of time to sort out the options and come up with a winning combination.
In the bargain, they must never forget that the best must play irrespective of their backgrounds.

By Babu Kalyanpur
babu.kallianpur@tradearabia.net