When a team struggles like India has been doing over the last two seasons, it is very easy to get excited by a comprehensive win like the one India registered against England at Kochi in the second ODI. There is plenty of scope for the players to get satisfied by the effort, but the victory will also test their hunger – are they are willing to work harder andimprovefurther or will they rest on their laurels and go back to their unassuming ways again? India’s attitude from here onwards may well decide the course of the series.
In spite of the radiant performance at Kochi, there are still a lot of issues in the Indian team that need to be resolved. First and foremost, the top four of the Indian batting must come up with bigger scores, not leaving the lower order to rescue them game after game. Ajinkya Rahane and Gautam Gambhir got starts in the opening ODI but failed at Kochi. They must give India a proper opening start at Ranchi; the home side haven’t got one in a long time. While Gambhir continues to exist on borrowed time, Rahane must make the most of his opportunities in the remaining games. If he fails, he will have only himself to blame.
India’s permanent number three, Virat Kohli’s run of low scores have continued in this series. He has got starts, but unlike last season hasn’t been able to capitalise on the same. Considering the benchmark he has set for himself, the Delhi batsman would be disappointed with his efforts in recent times. He would be keen to put up a much-improved showing for sure in the remaining games. Yuvraj Singh has looked exceedingly good in both the knocks he has played so far in the innings. The left-hander was unlucky to have been dismissed after getting a start in the 2nd ODI. He would be hoping for some luck along with some pluck.
The key factor behind India’s win at Kochi was the performance of number five, six and seven. Suresh Raina and M S Dhoni have often rescued India from dire straits in the past, and they did the same on Tuesday as well. The left-hander has notched up half-centuries in both matches of the series so far, but he would do well to not give his wicket away after crossing his fifty. As for Dhoni, he only seems to be getting better with every game. In the slog overs, he is near impossible to stop. India were also lucky to have Ravindra Jadeja deliver to potential at Kochi.
Ranchi being the Indian skipper’s home ground, Dhoni would be even more keen for his side to put up a winning performance. In the process, if the Indian captain can come up with an individually brilliant effort, it would be the perfect icing on the cake. The win at Kochi has given India some hope. They must now look to build on the momentum.
--By A Cricket Analyst
