- seals the series for India at the Eden!
OK.. So that, is how it is done! With calculated, merciless dominance. Impressed, would be too little a word and astounded would make it a dream. I saw our team, take on a moderate score and tear it apart. To say that, there was not an instance, where there was a chance that Srilanka could win, speaks everything!!! 315 runs, by far - a decent score and phew!!! It was easy! Or, it was made to look easy by the brilliant performance of Gambhir and Kohli. I am pleasantly surprised at the class displayed by Kohli. Gambhir is an established senior, but, Kohli is still finding his bearings and it was so relieving to see a talented individual make himself count.
Starting with a commendable opening bowling and finishing with such finesse, it just left me feeling fulfilled. Completely! Looking at them bat away with a calm, composed and collective way, oh man, it takes some doing to forget this match! And the bowling, was it not a refresher to see the score board not jump as multiples of 10? It was a breath of fresh air, to see Zack and Ashish perform the way they did, with the new ball! It is not often that Indian fast bowlers get their due share of respect, but this match, they looked every bit like feisty lions unleashed on the ground, hunting their prey! And the fielding was appreciable, if not laudable! It was abominable in this series and this match, it was better. But, it was batting that stood out – the planned attack just left me breathless. The running between the wickets was absolutely brilliant. The shots that left the bat of the two were superb. And I could not take the smile off my face, through out the innings.
It was such a sweet gesture by Gambhir to share his man of the match with Kohli. I thought, it would have been better to give it to Kohli, for if not for his positive play when he walked in, perhaps the runrate would have climbed a notch higher! But, more than that, because this is his maiden century on a historic ground and he is the youngster who is still making it big, it would have boosted his confidence and it would have made him happy! Perhaps! Awards are rewards for your performance and sometimes, it need not be for the best individual in the team, but for the most deserved and rare talent and Kohli deserved it and his performance, to stand out when India is still batting Sehwag, Sachin, Gambhir, Yuvi, Dhoni – would be difficult to stand out. So, let me just say that Kohli deserved the share of limelight and this is not taking away anything form Gambhirs brilliance. Just my way of seeing things!!!
Congratulations team India, superb performance.
We lead the series 3-1. it could have been 2-2 (Srilanka did brilliantly when chasing 414 and it was India vs Australia, all over again, but, let me not crib when it is team India!!)…. Wrap it up in Delhi and lets celebrate New Year together!!!
On a side note, I was quite surprised with the post-match talks of Kohli and Sehwag. Kohli, when asked if it was his dream to score a century at Eden Gardens, I was pleasantly surprised with his response – “It is a dream come true – to make a one day century for India at international level”. Man, do I read too much or is it safe to tuck this warm feeling away and let time decide what I need to do with this fuzzy feeling? And Gambhir – what humility?? There it is guys, the camaraderie, by a great cricketer in the making!
1 comment:
Gambhir definitely deserved the MOM because he finished the game.
How often do you see a collapse after two great knocks? More often than not.
An award should never be given to a player who has performed beyond his expectations, but to the best performer.
Yes, he started the show and played exceptionally well but he didn't deserve a MOM.
Gambhir giving the award to Kohli was the best scene to encourage young lad. Without him(Kohli) his innings would not have been complete. Well played Delhi duo.
The same thing should have been done by Tendulkar & Ganguly when they posted their highest individual scores. Dravid involved in two 300+ partnerships never got the appreciation he deserved.
Good to see Indian Cricketers perform as a team.
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