India looked like a proper cricket team only after the young gun's brilliant throw dismissed Ricky Ponting

Suresh Raina is such a star!

India looked like a proper cricket team only after the young gun's brilliant throw dismissed Ricky Ponting

Regardless of the runs he scores, Suresh Raina is going to be an important member of this Indian side. Always a bright spark in the field, it took a sharp intervention and superbly executed run out from him to change the course of the day. In an inspired moment, he checked the Australian assault. India did not exactly take a rush of wickets, but did make the batsmen work harder.

Of late, ground fielding has not been India's strong point. Some of the fellows are as stiff as grenadier guards on parade. To make matters worse, the hosts also suffered a bout of butterfingers. It is not wise to give Australian batsmen a second chance let alone a third.

As a result, the tourists were in complete command as the second wicket pair piled on the runs. India had bowled too short and had given away too many soft singles to square leg. They looked ripe for the plucking. Ishant Sharma delivered a rash of no-balls and Harbhajan Singh strayed too often to leg. Only the left-arm tweaker Pragyan Ojha had caught the eye.

Naturally, Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting were eager to fill their boots. Runs at the start of the season build confidence. Nor could they expect every opponent to be as charitable or every pitch to be as benign. The groundsman's best intentions were thwarted by the monsoon that ended a few days ago. Still, India need to focus its considerable resources on ensuring Test matches are played on lively decks.

On a roll
Anyhow, the Australian pair were moving along serenely and both seemed capable of reaching three figures. India had fallen disconcertingly quiet. A wicket seemed as far away as the moon. At such times it is vitally important that someone pills a rabbit from a habit. Usually it falls to youth to perform the task as experience is a little set in its ways.

Ricky's so poor
Watson again pushed the ball to leg and called his captain for another quick single. Ponting hesitated. Perhaps, he suffered a lapse in concentration. For a cricketer of his stature, he has been run out an awful lot -- 14 times in Test cricket, more than anyone else including the deluded and decrepit. Perhaps, he lacks judgement. Just as well he is not in the High Court in Lucknow.

Had the shot been directed at any other member of the home side, the Aussies need not have worried. But it went to Raina and he pounced like a cat in an alley. In a flash, he collected the ball and threw the stumps down.

Ponting knew his fate as soon as leather struck wood. It was the encouragement India so desperately needed.
Thereafter, they looked like a proper cricket team. Raina's revival has been fascinating.

India's young cricketers face so many temptations so early in life. Clearly, he is now seeking eternal truth, not present pleasure. Before long Raina, Ishant and chums will form the core of the Indian side. Nothing lasts forever. All the more reason to ensure they think along the right lines.

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