Omission of Harbhajan a colossal blunder by Partab Ramchand

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Event:

India in West Indies 2006

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DateLine: 17th June 2006

 

Is India fated not to win the Test series in the West Indies? The last pair of the home team holds on for 19 deliveries to deny the Indians a win in the first Test. The fourth day’s play in the second Test is rained off when India are all set for the victory thrust and West Indies just about manage to save the game on the final day. My mind goes back to England in 1971 when it certainly was fated that India should win a Test series in that country for the first time. England were in a position to win the first two Tests when rain halted play on both occasions. India, at the receiving end thus far, scored a historic four- wicket victory in the decider to take the series.

 

While it is too early to say that the West Indians, at the receiving end so far, will turn the tables and go on to win the series the portents do not look good at the moment from the Indian viewpoint. For one thing they could still have won the game on the final day when they bowled in excess of 100 overs but could take only six wickets when what was required was the fall of nine batsmen. Not including Harbhajan Singh in the starting eleven was a blunder of the first magnitude. I am not being wise after the event and in fact have been strongly advocating the inclusion of two specialist spinners from the time the series started. I repeated the plea on the eve of the second Test questioning the wisdom of the tour selection committee in dropping him for the first match. It might not be wrong in saying that with Harbhajan in the line up India could well have been two up in the series. With Virender Sehwag among the wickets it is conceivable to think that the wily sardar would have been that much more destructive. As I have said more than once the West Indians are traditionally suspect against top class spin and certainly the present batting line up is even more susceptible. Moreover Kumble and Harbhajan have always bowled well in tandem. Quite often without adequate spin support at the other end Kumble has been ineffective. There is no earthly reason for the tour management to break up a highly successful spin duo when it is clear that the West Indians are finding spin much more of a bother than pace.

 

Under the circumstances one cannot praise Kumble too highly. Bringing all his experience and fighting spirit to the fore he has performed heroically as underlined by his haul of 13 wickets in the two Tests. Given the fact that Kumble’s away record is mediocre he certainly has risen to the occasion. How much more destructive he would be with Harbhajan bowling in tandem with him instead of Sehwag! One can only hope that justice it not to be delayed or denied any further and the Kumble – Harbhajan duo will be back in action for the third Test.

 

I have always wondered what VRV Singh is doing in the touring squad – let alone the playing eleven – and his showing in St Lucia only served to augment this feeling. There was no sting in his bowling and figures of no wicket for 62 off 21 overs clearly underline this. Let the bowling consist of two medium pacers and two spinners – with Sehwag as a back up – and I am convinced that the West Indians will really be on the rack. So far there has been an escape route for the home team. With this balanced bowling line up there will be roadblocks everywhere.

 

The batting lived up to its reputation – and perhaps even enhanced it. When there are three-century makers in the innings there can be no complaining. Sehwag’s return to form was most welcome. I had never doubted his capabilities in running up big scores in quick time as is his wont and this century will no doubt give him confidence to put the none too impressive West Indian bowling to the sword. Md Kaif finally came off age and one is sure that this will not be his only Test hundred. Of the skipper’s knock what can one say except that he has raised the bar so much that unfortunately nothing short of a century it seems will please his legion of admirers. A heartening aspect of the batting was that the runs were scored at a nifty rate giving the bowlers enough time to try, test and tease the West Indian batsmen. This the bowlers did, following up admirably, and if their total dominance could not translate into an emphatic triumph it was not because of the weather alone. Faulty selection too had a part to play.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 CricketArchive)