By Denzil Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Oct 17: With two consecutive resounding wins for the Indian cricket team against the visiting England team, the thrashing received back in England for the Indians seems to be a thing of the past.
Two very fine victories both in Hyderabad and Delhi clearly show the fighting spirit of the Indians who are not taking anything easily. The visitors have been at the receiving end in both the matches and if one goes by the performances of the young turks in the side, England seemed to be heading for a whitewash.
Captain Cook of England is in a dilemma with no answers readily available for a new look India side. None of the old guard is on duty and it is fresh blood which has been introduced into the side. India captain Dhoni is excited to get a bunch of talented youngsters who are delivering the goods. Ravindra Jadeja, Vinay Kumar, Ashwin, Virhat Kohli and every other youngster is fighting to remain in the side with noteworthy performances. Added to that is the strength which one gets with Raina, Gambhir and the skipper himself contributing immensely.
The selectors should retain the same current side which has served India well for the remaining matches also. They should not dabble and bring back the veterans at least for the time being unless the results take a turn.
But when one looks at the fighting Indian team, it looks like that England is in for more trouble in the remaining matches.
For sure, by the time England find their feet the series will be won and gone in favour of India. India coach Duncan Fletcher will heave a sigh of relief at the solid show put up by his players. No coach on earth likes to be at the losing end and Fletcher will be no different.
The Indian players have shown what home advantage can do for any visiting team. Just like
back in England when India folded like nine pins, it is the turn of the tourists to struggle to survive in India.
There have been celebrations all over the country with the festival of lights in offing. The Indian team has made it far more sweet and memorable with high class batting and bowling
to stop England who had arrived with huge plans. Despite their convincing wins in their practice matches in Hyderabad which England with ease, the two one day matches have shown that India can reign supreme in their own backyard.
Despite the absence of stalwarts like Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag, the Indians have performed creditably against England. This indeed is a great sign for Team India and a warning for all other teams.
Dhoni and his boys were lucky to get a few days off from their non stop cricket and that rest has surely helped the Indian players to a great extent. It is a clear example to prove that non stop cricket can damage the players’ overall ability to stay focused in the game. The captain himself said earlier when his Chennai Super Kings lost in the Champions League Cricket that the loss was a ‘blessing in disguise’ giving him and his Indian players some well deserved rest.
A fresh Dhoni, Raina and Kohli apart from others have clearly shown that the boys are all set to hammer England and stop them from dominating any further.
One hopes that Team India continues the good work and completes a memorable clean sweep.
The young Turks surely need to be congratulated for their show both in Hyderabad and Delhi which bodes well for our team.
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