We are prisoners of our own prism. As I reflect on the India-South Africa Test series that fascinated all those who enjoy the subtle, nuanced skills for which the game of cricket is known, many doubts have been removed, though some questions still remain. The first doubt that has been removed by this resolute, skilful and extremely aggravated Indian team is that they deserve to be called the best team in the world. If the dismal surrender in the Centurion Test had almost vindicated those who predicted a whitewash in the series, the subsequent inspiring fight-back was an affirmation of their self-belief and a befitting answer to all the sceptics to shut up.
This Indian team has in the cricketing crucible of the past decade passed many searing tests to have now become so battle-hardened that no amount of pressure breaks them. Now a question, which needs to be raised if we have to earn greater respect worldwide is why did the Indian Board not agree to the UDRS? In the Durban Test, the three LBW decisions that went against South Africa were so awful that even the naked eye could detect them.Imagine, if India were at the receiving end and had lost, what kind of a reaction there would have been in the media? Just remember the Sydney Test, where umpiring errors had outraged us so much that we even threatened to withdraw from the tour.
The reaction of the South African media, especially of their commentators on television, was very balanced and instead of harping on it, they put it in a cricketing perspective and carried on with the game, as it should be.I must add here that the commentary of messers Donald, Pollock, Wessels, Jackman, Haysman and our own Shastri was fair, insightful and enjoyable, complementing the high quality of cricket we witnessed. The series also left me wondering why is Kallis not being talked about in the same breath as Tendulkar? There are two passages of the final Test, which are memorable and underscore the breathtaking skills of these two.
This Indian team has in the cricketing crucible of the past decade passed many searing tests to have now become so battle-hardened that no amount of pressure breaks them. Now a question, which needs to be raised if we have to earn greater respect worldwide is why did the Indian Board not agree to the UDRS? In the Durban Test, the three LBW decisions that went against South Africa were so awful that even the naked eye could detect them.Imagine, if India were at the receiving end and had lost, what kind of a reaction there would have been in the media? Just remember the Sydney Test, where umpiring errors had outraged us so much that we even threatened to withdraw from the tour.
The reaction of the South African media, especially of their commentators on television, was very balanced and instead of harping on it, they put it in a cricketing perspective and carried on with the game, as it should be.I must add here that the commentary of messers Donald, Pollock, Wessels, Jackman, Haysman and our own Shastri was fair, insightful and enjoyable, complementing the high quality of cricket we witnessed. The series also left me wondering why is Kallis not being talked about in the same breath as Tendulkar? There are two passages of the final Test, which are memorable and underscore the breathtaking skills of these two.
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