| Good beginning for Chappell-Dravid combine
The introduction of the new rules — grandiosely named Power Play and Super Subs — was an ostensible attempt to rid one-day cricket of the sameness that has plagued it.
In winning their first ODI in India, the pair of captain Rahul Dravid and coach Greg Chappell executed a philosophy that unites them. This method of thinking, with its accent on breaking the stereotype, posits a counter to the trajectory the abridged format has traced.
"The problem in world cricket these days is everyone knows a lot," said Chappell. "There are a number of things we have thought of — some of them will be used, some of them not." Dravid, at press conferences, refuses to "divulge issues related to team composition and strategy," saying he did not want the opposition to gain any edge.
In a cricketing age where every move, every twitch is electronically recorded and deconstructed — unnecessarily increasing complexity, thinks one school of experts — Dravid's move is the ultimate double bluff. The perception of threat often overwhelms the real thing.
The first ODI at the VCA Stadium here on Tuesday was, on the surface, formulaic. Team A wins the toss and piles on the runs. Subjected to the eye-popping pressure of the enormity of the target, the thrift of bowlers and the energy of fielders, Team B cracks. Yet within these larger defining parameters, nuggets of nuanced thought stood out.
Pinch-hitters' paradise
Pinch-hitters find their mooring in the sub-continent. Tracks that rob bowlers of seam movement and drain them of a couple of yards of pace are forgiving to a cavalier swing of the bat unbound to technique.
The difference was the choice of the man. Irfan Pathan — who earlier had a dry run as opener in the Challengers — is no muscleman Joe trying to dent the cricket ball. He has the brain and the incipient conditions of an all-rounder.
Being left-handed, he adds more variables to the mix. Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu was forced to consider both the timing of his Power Plays and the moment of introduction of Muttiah Muralitharan.
An iota of uncertainty is often all it takes to turn a match. Pathan's promotion also meant M.S. Dhoni was saved for the slog — an area of recent concern. Dravid re-acquainted himself with the finisher's role, a part he played with aplomb when the big gloves were his.
Thus in one move, roles were re-defined, responsibility was offered and accepted. Sachin Tendulkar enjoyed a different role too, a throwback to his younger pacemen-charging days. Dravid spoke of how India needed to force the play more.
Astute captaincy
His captaincy reflected that desire — delaying Power Play and bringing Harbhajan on was inspired; the introduction and prompt removal of Virender Sehwag's off-spin was a master stroke; the use of Super Sub Murali Kartik also was imaginative.
While captaincy can be made to look better (or worse) in hindsight, all these moves combined cricketing principles and refreshing thought. They were the consequences of an accurate reading of the track, the understanding of the possibilities of the change of pace, and the ability to abstain from too much of a good thing.
Disparate elements congeal under the binding unity of success. And success is a house of cards — properly built, it can resist concrete blocks, but one card askew can bring it all down. The victory under Dravid and Chappell has promising signs. Nothing more, however, should be read into it than just a good beginning. A different spin of the coin would have set tongues wagging.
"I'm sure the criticism will continue," Chappell had said before the match, "so will the experimentation."  | 
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