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ShareThis is surely the truest form of cricket as it puts to test not only a player's skill but also his mental toughness. That's precisely why a cricketer is rated for his exploits in the Test arena and not for what he achieves in the one-day version or in T20 for that matter. And, that's why Sachin is rated as the best batsman India have ever produced.
Rahul Dravid, though, is passing through a very rough time. He is a great batsman but his bad phase has gone on for a long time now. He needs a break. He can play a few first class games, recapture his form and then can come back into the Test fold. It's up to him when to quit.
This particular contest in Chennai had all the ingredients of a great Test match. I have seen and played in many, but this Test was out of the top drawer, to say the least.
Every session in Test cricket is vital: this was amply evident as fortunes fluctuated time and again. The wicket offered turn and bounce and that made every run count. That's the reason why I give full marks to Andrew Strauss. Here is a player who cannot be rated among the most attractive but he put up a magnificent show, the kind of effort that he and his team would be proud of, and the like of which he may not be able to reproduce again in his career.
When all seemed lost for India at the start of the fourth innings, only one player could have given his team the kind of momentum it needed to chase the huge target of 387.
And rise to the occasion Viru Sehwag did, batting as he alone knows. The nature of the wicket or the situation of the match doesn't seem to affect him. He simply plays the way he knows best, and that's why when he gets out he doesn't present a very pleasant picture.
Partnerships play a very important role while chasing huge targets and India did well to forge a few. Sachin's presence at the crease right till the very end was the need of the hour and very crucial from the team's point of view.
He guided Yuvraj in the process of re-establishing himself at the highest level, and that will stand Indian cricket in good stead, for Yuvi is a man of exceptional talent.
What I expect of him now is to be consistent. That's all that matters at this level.
Hats off to the England team as well. They played terrific cricket throughout and dominated the first four days only to lose out in the end. Well played, India!
