Jumbo hits a ton but Dravid dithers

Aug 11, 2007 Cricket

The sun shone brightly on Indian cricket, as the entire team combined to mercilessly grind the English bowling attack to dust. There was a century and lots of half centuries galore, as well as the fact that all eleven players managed double digit scores.

The icing on the cake was provided by Anil “Jumbo” Kumble, who put in the shade all our batting stalwarts to become India’s only centurion on this tour !! The manner in which he got there was also hilarious, getting a nick and squirting the ball between the wicket keeper’s legs !! As Ian Chappell commented, Kumble left the umpire in no doubt that he’d got an edge, and proceeded to celebrate as the others in the dressing room also joined in.

The only sore point in the whole day’s play was Dravid’s stubbornness in announcing the declaration. Why wait to get all out with the score at 663 ?? For the life of me, I can’t understand what grand plan was playing at the back of his mind. If it was about landmarks, fine.. India got to 600, Kumble got his ton, then we moved on to 650, and still no declaration… I guess he forgot the primary purpose is to win matches, and a total exceeding 600 had anyway put the match beyond England’s reach. Plus, bowlers need overs in hand if they are to bowl the opposition out twice.

Declaring with 9 wickets down would’ve left the English team more psychologically demoralized, as well as given our bowlers more overs to bowl at a tired batting line up. Though we got Strauss out, I still feel another five overs in hand would’ve put England well and truly on the back foot !