GOODBYE PUNTER!

By Dr.V.V. Giri

India hopped over the Kangaroos today at Ahmedabad and eliminated them from the World Cup. Now it is curtain for the Aussies.

In a pulsating match, India prevailed over the Aussies in the war of nerves and beat them by 5 wickets. The Yuvaraja of Indian cricket in the company of Gambir and Raina, steered India safely home in a chase of 261 runs.

Earlier, the impetus was given by Sachin who played a marvelous innings of 53 in a quick time. Gambir and Virat steadied the innings well with decent partnership. Yuvraj joined Gambir and these two literally pulled the match away from the Aussies.

A sudden madness of poor running between the wickets caused Gambir’s wicket. Both batsmen ran like possessed men trying to get out thrice. Dhoni followed Gambir and suddenly India looked like crashing down.

In came Raina and to every one’s disbelief, he batted very comfortably, handled the short pitched deliveries tactfully and moved the score board smoothly. That was the turning point of the match. Until then the pendulum was swinging either way.

Raina and Yuvraj displayed real character and displayed one of the best chasing to reach home without further debacle.  As on today, whatever the man with the Golden arm, Yuvraj Singh touches turns gold. Nothing can go wrong for him and as expected he was adjudged the “Man of the Match.

Earlier, the Punter, Ricky Ponting batted like a champion and scored a fluent century in a tricky wicket which was turning square from ball one. It is sad to see Ponting’s innings go in vain as the Oz bowlers let him down in the second half.

India should be grateful to Ashwin who once again opened the bowling and kept the Oz guessing. Full credit must be given to him for bowling almost all his quota of overs during the power plays creditably when the medium pacers like Munaf, Nehra and Sreesanth were struggling.

Yuvraj was again among the wickets, grabbing two more vital wickets. But once again the pick of the bowler was Zach. What a World Cup he is having. We saw the ball dancing to his tune and mesmerizing the opponents.

I must tell it was a pleasant shock for me to see the standard of Indian fielding. I have never seen such good performance in recent times and today it was special as usual coming from Raina, Ashwin, Kohli and Yuvraj.

It is a sad exit for the 3 time champions Australia. One bad match in the quarter finals and they are out of 2011 World Cup. ICC has to be blamed for such a format.

Anyway that’s cricket, the game of glorious ‘uncertainties’.

Well done Aussies, Good bye Punter.