Friday, November 18, 2005

INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA


After the euphoria came the fall at Hyderabad. Of course, it is too early to predict the eventual winner.

The toss provided the break the visitors needed. Yuvraj and others made sure that the match did not go away from the home team. But such recovery is a rare occurrence.

The day and night encounter at Bangalore might also make the toss a crucial factor with the dew in the night. The lack of a specialist fifth bowler was felt at Hyderabad. Taking on Gambhir as a super-sub in place of Murali Kartik was a panic reaction. It was also strange for Dravid to opt for Yuvraj when R.P.Singh had three overs in his quota.

Harbhajan was fined for his gesture at Ashwell Prince although no one noticed the reactions of Andre Nel. I have always felt that Indians are at the receiving end while their opponents are let off for showing their 'emotions'.

I am convinced that Sachin did not nick the ball from Pollock into the gloves of Boucher. The South African 'keeper did not appear to claim the catch. That is a dubious one for the umpire Hariharan.

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