To follow-on or not
There has been this interesting debate going on in the media upon the conclusion of the India-England Test Series. Should Rahul Dravid have enforced follow-on with a 319 run first innings lead?
At an hindsight, every body becomes a expert. People talk about being aggressive, bringing the opposition to the knees etc., and enforce the follow-on. I have a different take on this though. In fact, I stand by the decision of the captain in this regard.
More often than not, these decisions are instinctive (and at times decided in the team meetings!) in nature. The way Indian bowlers bowled in the first innings, one must admit, wasn't very encouraging. They, especially the seamers, were just spraying the balls around and in most cases the English batsmen got themselves out rather than the bowlers getting the wicket. Even the great Anil Kumble wasn't a big threat in the first innings. The fielders did drop few catches too. Taking all these into account, it is fair on Dravid's part to think that the Indian bowlers may not be able to finish off the England's 2nd Innings quickly. In fact, the Indian bowlers were unable to finish off the English 2nd innings in 110 overs on the last day is a proof too.
In all due credits, I stand by Rahul Dravid. Congratulations to him and the team for this wonderful series victory. Wishing the team many more such victories in future.
At an hindsight, every body becomes a expert. People talk about being aggressive, bringing the opposition to the knees etc., and enforce the follow-on. I have a different take on this though. In fact, I stand by the decision of the captain in this regard.
More often than not, these decisions are instinctive (and at times decided in the team meetings!) in nature. The way Indian bowlers bowled in the first innings, one must admit, wasn't very encouraging. They, especially the seamers, were just spraying the balls around and in most cases the English batsmen got themselves out rather than the bowlers getting the wicket. Even the great Anil Kumble wasn't a big threat in the first innings. The fielders did drop few catches too. Taking all these into account, it is fair on Dravid's part to think that the Indian bowlers may not be able to finish off the England's 2nd Innings quickly. In fact, the Indian bowlers were unable to finish off the English 2nd innings in 110 overs on the last day is a proof too.
In all due credits, I stand by Rahul Dravid. Congratulations to him and the team for this wonderful series victory. Wishing the team many more such victories in future.
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