India vs West Indies 2013: 5 things under focus in the 1st Test at Kolkata
Cricket, in Sachin Tendulkar‘s 199th Test match, is only a sideshow. And by no means is Tendulkar left happy about it. But there’s still a Test match to be played, and there are 21 other players who will have their roles to perform in Kolkata tomorrow.
Memories from the series 2 years ago, which gave many a memorable moments, may be too hard to remember in all this hoopla surrounding Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement, but India, despite winning their last series against West Indies 2-0 at home, would do good by taking them seriously, for they are not here just to make up numbers and be party to the great retirement show.
“As far as dedicating a victory is concerned, first and foremost we need to focus on cricket and look to win the series. Once we’ve won the series, we can decide who to dedicate it to.”
MS Dhoni has, as always, been clear and focussed to do the job at hand.
As India face West Indies in the 1st Test tomorrow, here’s a look at 5 things that will be under focus in this Test:
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Eden Gardens is geared up to watch Sachin Tendulkar
Without a doubt, the first thing on everyone’s lips tomorrow morning will be, “Who’s batting first?”.
Having played 12 Tests in Eden Gardens, Tendulkar averages 47.88 at the ground, and incidentally, his highest score at the ground (176), came against West Indies in 2002.
With all the focus on the retirement preparations of India’s best batsman, he would be under tremendous pressure to score, if nothing else, at least a fifty. He’s 163 runs short of 16000 runs in Tests, and India would be hoping he gets there.
Last time around, his 94 at Wankhede left a bitter taste in the mouth, when everyone was waiting with bated breath for his hundred. This time around, anything from the Master’s bat is going to be cheered wildly by the crowd. It’s the last series, the penultimate Test. There’s no Sachin Tendulkar for India after November 18. India is going to be glued to their seats to watch this man.