How can one forget these words. This statement was from one of the very few players who epitomized the ever-dying Gentleman part of Cricket, Anil Kumble. Many know that this legend lets the ball do all the talking. But when he speaks, the world takes notice. He stood up for Indian cricket in what was considered to be one of the most tension filled controversy that the cricket field has ever seen. In my personal view, that tour unearthed a lot of interesting finds and made India a more grittier side to face on the cricket field.
That tour (2007-08) down under was an eye opener for many a players & it was for the world to see, who managed the heat much better. A landmark tour, which changed the way Indians looked
But the world witnessed something really special in that tour. The first time in a couple of decades that Australia were given a true fight in their own backyard. The world could see the Australians wilting under the pressure of their opposition. India was rising much faster against the liking of the Aussies. The tour games as usual didn't have much of a significance with respect to their performance. The only player who reaped its benefits was V.Sehwag, who scored 113 of 70 odd balls in the 1st game. India were going through a cusp during that season. Though they were considered to be the favorites to win that world cup(2007), they were kicked out of the World cup in the first stage. The world never gave India the chance to come back in the near future. A few months later, a completely new look, young Indian team took the world by storm by claiming the 1st ever T20 world cup under M.S.Dhoni. The Indian team which toured Australia had a mix of both the youth and the experienced. It was considered to be the last time that the Fab 4 (S.Tendulkar, S.Ganguly, R.Dravid & VVS.Laxman) toured Australia. Little did they realize that it would have been the most action packed summer down under in their cricketing careers.
The series began with the 1st test played on the boxing day, it was all the way Australia's game. Matthew Hayden's century sealed the game for Australia & the game was done & dusted in 4 games. The only highlight for India was Sachin's innings of 62. As the media always when India tours Australia - "India are down & Under". It was rather a bad ending for the year 2007. India just hoped that New year got them better luck, as the 2nd test was scheduled on the second day of the new year. The luck was no different. But due some appalling decisions by the Umpires, in what seemed to be an Indian victory was snatched away from their hands. Aussies were reeling at 137/6, and they went on to make a massive 463. Thanks to A.Symonds for taking advantage of the umpiring err and making 162. India's reply was even more fascinating with usual suspect Sachin scoring 154. With India leading by 69, Hussey & Ponting made centuries to take the Aus score to 401 and declared then. With over 200 runs to get in the final day of the test, India were looking for a draw. But wickets fell on a slider of pitch at SCG. With Kumble & Laxman showing some much needed match saving grit, it was down to the last 2 overs, with 3 wickets on hand. No one could imagine a bowler such as M.Clarke could turn the match on its head by taking 3 wickets in 5 balls to gift Australia one of the most thrilling test encounters. More than the thrilling nature of the game, it became even more famous for the monkey gate between Harbhajan & Symmonds. The temperatures reached maddening heights, creating a huge uproar in either camps. It was considered a black day in cricket. This created more tension between the teams.
A comeback after such shocking defeats & a ploy of personal vendetta was nearly impossible for the Indians. But the Indians pulled themselves up and come back strongly to win the 3rd test match, with Irfan Pathan being a revelation in that test. Indians were praised for the way they made a comeback in this test. This test which lasted for 4 days dint see a century, but saw mediocre totals in all the 4 innings, making it a well contested match, especially after all the heat in the previous games. Ishant Sharma was a sparkling find in that tour, teasing R.Ponting and making him his bunny. It was a refreshing sight to see an Indian quick garner such response from the Australian team & media.
The final test was intriguingly poised, it was for India to win the final test and stage one of the most remarkable comeback in a series in Australia. With over 1300 runs scored in the test and sparkling batting performances, the test could just go one way, heading to a draw. Sachin yet again proved his worth as the world's best batsmen with another 150. The series score line had said Australia won 2-1, but it was much closely contested than the score line suggested. The characters of the players were assessed. The precision of the umpires were accused. The diplomacy of the match referee was tested. In all together, it would be safe to say that 'Cricket - A gentleman's game' was put under trial.
India reaped valuable benefits from that series & changed the way Indian cricket was looked at. Men of that series for me were Ishant Sharma who was a huge find in such conditions. He could swing the ball either ways. His precision was spot on and showed great temperament. The second man was Sachin Tendulkar. He was in the peak of his purple patch and he continued that into the ODI series with 4 scores of above 90. The 2007-08 series gave the rest of the world hope that Australia could be beaten in their own backyard, with some precise cricket. The tag of 'Invincibles' took a beating after the young India troubled the Aussies with some astonishing batting, bowling & fielding display. Sachin was no more the mainstay of the team. Under Dhoni, Indian cricket became a more of team effort. This in turn relieved sachin off the pressure and play his best cricket in his life from that point.
Its interesting to see that only 7 players who toured Australia the last time, are touring even now. Apart from that, this is a completely new look young indian team. This team lacks the experience in their bowling department, but the spirit of these youngsters look very promising. The temperament will be tested, in a never easy aussie condition. Both the teams are pretty much in a similar situation. But Australia in a more desperate one. Indians are still reeling from the shocking defeats in the hands of England. And Australia's current for has taken a beating while playing against South Africa & New zealand. The media is harsh on the Aussies, terming their current form as the lowest of lows. With a bit of internal pressures & selection stresses, it can be said that Cricket Australia is slowly stepping on the panic button. The Simon Katich & Ricky Ponting issues are stalling the process of rebuilding the new team Australia. For the first time, I could see a bit of India in Australia with they way they are treating a legend like Ponting.
India on the other hand seems a more settled unit, but the niggles of 2 of the most important pacemen for India, Zaheer Khan & Ishant Sharma has once again raised the questions of fitness. The bowling line up is studded with first timers. The warm up games also dint show much promise apart from the performance of R.Ashwin. The batting is a bit undoubted at this moment.
The want is there from the Indian camp to make a statement. Australia feel no different, especially with an inexperienced-lethal bowling attack & dying phase of a legend, M.Clarke and his troops will be ready to create the right amount of friction to derail the Indian summer down under. Like Dravid said "We are back like a few creaking terminators, older & wiser" , this for all probability can be the last time that the middle order Indian legends tour down under. They would want to make it count, and this could be the best opportunity for them to create an everlasting mark, by scaling crickets biggest & toughest peak, a victory down under.
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