Centurion, Day 1, Close
Friday, November 23, 2001

Full marks to the players, who have been seen in much better light than the administrators. While the administrators could be faulted on various counts, the players from both sides have done themselves credit by the way they have carried on after a row that rocked the foundations of the game.

Harbhajan showed yet again what a dangerous lower-order batsman he can be. He has a good hand and a good eye, and combines them to good effect. But for his unfortunate run-out, he could have been a bigger menace. His partnership with Anil Kumble gave the tail some sting.

Kumble later found an old ally in Javagal Srinath to put up some late resistance and in the process made sure that India were not bowled out in the day. Kumble has always been a fighter, whether batting or bowling. His motivation is to show his team-mates the stuff he is made of. He prides himself on being a real tough nut to crack, especially against fast bowlers. Most of his batting heroics have come against teams with strong pace attacks.

Srinath was like Kumble at the start of his career, but the physical blows he received while batting have dented his confidence. One gets the feeling that he is now a reluctant batsman - a reason why he has slipped down the order. But today it was the Srinath of old.

With Deep Dasgupta showing his versatility - now scoring runs at No. 6 after his successful stint as an opener in the previous game - India have not embarrassed themselves too much.

I must confess that the players have approached this match more earnestly than I thought they would. It should make for an interesting second day. The pitch gave the fast bowlers some encouragement, but the frequent use of the slower ball by Shaun Pollock, Nantie Hayward & Co suggested that there is something in it for the spinners as well.

Sanjay Manjrekar, mainstay of the Indian batting in the late '80s and early '90s, was talking to H Natarajan.

More Sanjay Manjrekar
Das and Laxman throw it away again
No-one's taking this game seriously

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