Stock rising

It’s not just the Sensex which can be unpredictable in a turbulent market.

A commodity called Indian cricket, too, has its highs and lows, with the win at Nottingham coming at the right time – even though three wickets were lost chasing a paltry total.

It was just some time back, the Men In Blue almost lost the first Test at Lord’s before rain came to India’s rescue in a big way with nine wickets down. This has been a very wet summer in England, and even the second Test seemed like written off because rains were going to be a menace.

Not only was the weather kind, the conditions were extremely conducive for the Indian medium fast bowlers to succeed, with Zaheer Khan showing the fire is there in his belly. I have always believed this handsome man has it in him to do the damage, especially when conditions are useful. And the way he did it on Monday was worth raving about.

Going back to less than ten days, it was the same Indian bowlers and the famous Indian batting line-up – Sachin, Sourav, Rahul and VVS – who had flopped. But if the second Test has to be discussed in a stock market sense, there were plenty of blue chips for Team India, though Zaheer was the hottest pick.

The record books says that the last time India won a series in England was two decades back. The third Test starts at the Oval on August 9, and I am sure Rahul and his boys should go in with the same positive mindset. I don’t see the Oval wicket being very different, but when you have an Indian battling line-up like this -- class and composure – they can score big again and let the medium pacers take over then.

There may be some who would probably advocate a defence strategy for the Indian team, but I am not one of those who believe in that. This English side has no quality bowler, and someone like Sidebottom is not going to be a menace.

Having said that, I do think a Test series win in England will make some cricket fans forget the agony the team underwent in the World Cup. And last but not the least, is anyone still talking of a foreign coach for Team India?

No.