By Ashis Ray, IANS
Trent Bridge : Greg Chappell may no longer be India's cricket coach. But his legacy burns bright.
A year and a half ago against England at home, Wasim Jaffer was recalled into the Test side. Then, six months ago at Cape Town, Dinesh Karthik was asked to open the innings with him.
The 147 run first wicket stand between them in the present Test match – their third century association in seven innings – augurs well for Indian cricket. If they can maintain the progress they have shown, they hold out the promise of a durable opening partnership – essential to success at the highest level.
Jaffer, of the Bombay school of batsmanship, has a casual air about him, before he suddenly awakens to put at rest any doubts. His double century at Antigua last year followed by his hundred at Cape Town in January are instances of this.
On the current tour too, his form in the practice matches preceding the Tests was uninspiring. But the healthy threat posed by Karthik to his status of the more established opener appears to have propelled him to put his head down.
Karthik's development under Chappell was most conspicuous. He did not play a single Test or ODI in the West Indies last year, but soaked in every ounce of expertise the knowledgeable Australian had to offer.
Anyone observing him closely on that trip would have appreciated the noticeable improvement in his batting potential. It was, therefore, no surprise that when he got his break in South Africa, he was an immediate success in both forms of the game.
Both are fortunate to have a captain whose shining example is determination juxtaposed with talent.
As for tactical brilliance on the field, Rahul Dravid, like most skippers, is evolving. The decision to insert England in this match could have been offset by a damp outfield. He was acutely aware of this and had a towel tucked into his trousers to keep the leather dry.
He, perhaps, missed a trick in not introducing Anil Kumble when England was 47 for three. But he compensated this by entrusting the attack to him and Zaheer Khan – obviously, the two most experienced bowlers and likely to take wickets – on the second morning. They predictably polished off the tail.
Before start of play on day three, Dravid asked for the heavy roller.
Again, his judgement was proved right. Under a bright sun, the moisture that may have been extracted evaporated – it perceptibly changed into a lighter colour – and, thereby, slightly nullified the movement of the ball.
In the longer term, this measure could open up the rough patches.
But the Indian run machine must be disappointed that he didn't drop his wrists a bit more when pushing at Monty Panesar.
Yet, the critical phase when England took the second new ball passed without incident, thanks to the brilliance of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. While the former has indicated from his innings in the one-dayers at Belfast that he is back at his best, the Bengal left-hander's fluency, arguably, stole the thunder from his more distinguished partner on the third morning.
Trent Bridge is Ganguly's happiest hunting ground in Tests, where he averaged over 80 before this game. He has simply sustained this streak.
While "hawk-eye's" view was unfavourable to the umpire, Tendulkar paid the penalty of padding up, rather than using his bat.
Ganguly, too, was unfortunate after elegantly negotiating the swing and spin. And V.V.S. Laxman, after a hesitant start, was his old self.
In short, the famous four in India's middle order, who had failed at Lord's, were largely back in business.
India has so far made the best their providential escape in the first Test. With the weather seeming to take a turn for the better, it's hard not to visualise an Indian victory.