T-20 Match Win Over Australia Has Come As A Shot In Arm For India

Will Any Newspaper In India Dare Criticise BCCI?

India’s confidence had been totally shattered after the defeat in all the four test matches in the Gavaskar-Border Trophy cricket test series played earlier to the T-20 matches. All the four defeats were heavy shattering defeats. There was a huge clamour in the Internet media for dropping the aged players who did not perform well. Newspapers could not write like this as most of the newspaper editors received complimentary passes from the BCCI and local cricket associations for their staff and families for every cricket match being played in India. How can you expect the newspaper editors to criticise the policies of BCCI?

Everybody Expected The Aussies To Wrap Up The T-20 Series As Well

After India’s defeat in the first of the two T-20 matches played at Sydney, cricket fans and many writers in the Internet started demanding for the scalp of Captain M S Dhoni, forgetting that it was the very Dhoni who had won the world cup for India around a year before. Everybody expected India to lose the Melbourne match which was the second and final T-20 match. Everybody knew that Australia will win the T-20 series with a score of 2-0 over India. Australia entered this match knowing fully well that its victory was already in its pockets. India was looking forward to another traumatic experience of facing an ignominious defeat.

A Pleasant Surprise For India

But alas, what a pleasant surprise for India! India managed to win this second match, thereby drawing the series. Fans went ecstatic. Whole of India burst crackers to celebrate the victory. Even when Australia was bowled out for 131, nobody gave any serious chances for India. But while watching the match in TV, I thought that there was a glimmer of hope for India in this match as hitting 132 was not too difficult for the Indian players provided they put their heads down and started playing every ball on its merit without panicking or resigning to their fates.

Gautam Gambhir Completes Half Century

This was what Sehwag and Gambhir tried to do when the Indian innings started. They put on a partnership of more than 30 runs which counted a lot in the T-20 brand of cricket. After Sehwag was out, Kohli gave company to Gambhir. Finally Gambhir and Dhoni, who promoted himself in the batting order, finished the match without much murmur. In the process, Gautam Gambhir completed his well deserved half century. Hitting a half century in a T-20 match that too under pressure is great. Gambhir and Dhoni put down their heads and played coolly, which was a sensible strategy against the Australians.

A Side That Can Win The World Cup Can Win The Triangular Series As Well!

This victory has come at a crucial moment for India. With the confidence gained, India can look forward to playing some splendid cricket in the triangular one day series against Australia and Sri Lanka. India should remember that it is the world champion in one day cricket and should play confidently. Winning this triangular series is easier than winning the tough World Cup competition, which they did around an year back.