Kochi: Bob Marley' Redemption Song is perhaps the most appropriate one to have come out of the Caribbean in the present context. It reflects on the West Indies seeking salvation after the mauling in the Test series to rediscover a bit of music in their unique brand of cricket.
As the visitors regroup and shift focus to the three-match ODI series that gets under way at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi on Thursday the tour takes on a whole new dimension. The home side are clearly on a roll after seeing off visiting English and Australian teams to take the no. 1 ranking.
India rejected the common thinking of giving up a chase when the target is beyond 300 runs when they pipped a visiting Australia, just a few weeks ago. On two occasions they ran down scores of over 350 and such ferocity calls for a higher level of countenance from any visiting unit.
Skipper M.S. Dhoni has given a clear indication that India will shuffle its batting order depending on circumstances. Yuvraj Singh failing to find runs against Australia could mean anyone good with the bat is capable of filling into the No. 4 and 5 slots.
Meanwhile, it was the tourists' affinity to the shorter format that was tossed up for a think. West Indies skipper Dwayne Bravo said it is a format they feel more 'comfortable and confident' playing and Dhoni has labeled the opposition's ODI unit a lot different. “They play expressive cricket, which really suits this format,“ said Dhoni.
The symbol of Malayali cricket fans' admiration and adulation for a legend, the Sachin Tendulkar pavilion was unveiled in the VIP section of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at 10.30 am on Wednesday by Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the presence of a pack of over 500 roaring fans.
Dhoni etched his initials on a giant cricket bat and among the first visitors were former West Indies batsman Richie Richardson.
The memorabilia that are displayed at the pavilion include Sachin's 10 number jer sey carrying his signa ture, which was brought by the Indian team on Tuesday, photos that depict the memorable moments in Sachin's cricket life, a few Sachin paintings, fifty one red balls that reminds one of Sachin's 51 Test cen turies and 49 white balls that bring memories of Sachin's 49 one day cen turies.
Kochi is the first stadi um one to have a hall of fame in Sachin's name in 2000 sq ft area in the VVIP box.
The Sachin Pavilion is etched in the VIP box in 50 feet length. It's also chipped “God's Own Country salutes God of Cricket.'
THE ONUS IS ON BOWLERS TO DELIVER: BRAVO
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From tea shop debates to post-match discussions the impression of cricket in India is that of a batsman's game. Hence for West Indies ODI captain Dwayne Bravo the mantra for success in India is straight and simple -bowl better to win.
“I think the team that bowls better is going to win the series and it is up to our bowlers to deliver,“ said Bravo, predicting the maverick Sunil Narine and the fast bowling unit to come good.
Indian skipper M S Dhoni, who shares the dressing room with his West Indian counterpart for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL, has cautioned his players to stay focused and not take the opponents lightly.
“They have good all-rounders. There is also depth in their squad. They can play with more than five bowlers and still bat till the 8th or 9th man,“ said Dhoni.
