Looking Ahead : A spotlight on 2nd ODI of the Samsung Cup

A Preview on the 2nd One Dayer of the Samsung Cup by Venkat

     With the Karachi ODI being done and dusted, the cricket bandwagon now shifts to Rawalpindi on Tuesday, the 16th of March. After the Karachi ODI ending in a position where India find themselves "too close for comfort" yet relieved, they will approach the 2nd ODI with a degree of calmness, but will remain positive of the outcome. With the hype and hoopla of the "Historic" game at Karachi gone by, the Indians have to just bury the past and look ahead for the rest of the games with the same attitude as what they did at Karachi. So what next at Rawalpindi ?

     There is no need for tamper with the batting order, except that Hemang Badani will find himself a bit unlucky by making way for VVS Laxman, who is expected to be fit in time. The start that Sehwag and Sachin gave is good enough to indicate the erratic nature of the much "talked" about the Pakistani bowling attack. But, its too early to write the Shoaibs and the Samis off ! The moment the Indians feel a bit complacent and take these workhorses lightly, all they will succeed in doing is allow the bowling to get on top of them ! Since it is incidentally the home ground of Shoaib Akhtar, he'll be pumped up as no one else....so dear Indian batsmen, watch out for the Rawalpindi Express and if possible, pull its chains early !

     India's fielding unit is definitely a better one than the Pakistani one. I regard Kaif as one of the best in the World, for his versatility and ability to field all over the ground and Yuvraj...for his ability to keep the score in check with the magnificent dives and acrobatic stuff that he uses to good effect for the team's cause. If anything, India needs to improve in the out fielding department, where their throws have been nothing short of poor and also need to possess the ability to cut the batsmen's runs from two to one.

     With the match being a day night affair, its important to win the toss for India and bat first, since the dew becomes a potent factor in Pakistan. Once the lights are on, there is a possibility of some movement for the quickies and its important for the bowlers to make full use of it ! Besides, the heat and the luminosity of the lights could make difficult conditions for the batters at night !

     Bowling, is something that an Indian fan would least like to talk about. The Karachi ODI exposed the ability of the Indians to control or dominate the middle overs - from 15 to 35. They gave away too many runs in that period and that nearly cost them the match. I guess, the bowling line up is good, but needs to be disciplined. Their counterparts conceded as many as 38 (wides and no-balls) and India must be disciplined enough to concede only at least 1/3rd of it in the whole innings. India also did not exploit the reverse swing available at Karachi due to the late-evening breeze. All these small things should be taken care of Ganguly and Co, if they wish to come any close to win the Samsung Cup.

     Yes, India won the first match. But, one must remember that there are 4 more to go and the Pakistanis aren't as bad a side that they'd give up rather too soon ! Its important to keep the winning tempo going, but at the same time remember NOT TO RELAX and not afford COMPLACENCY, which unfortunately has been a non-playing member of the Indian side wherever it goes. It is also important for the Men-in-Blue to concentrate hard and maintain the intensity of the Karachi ODI, so that they have their hands firm on the Samsung Cup !