Wasted opportunities by Ponting
The recently concluded test series between Australia and India would haunt Ricky Ponting for many years and it is not because of the fact that he lost the series because the way in which it was lost. The bitter truth is that in a game one team has to lose but in the case of Ricky Ponting he lost series when he had all the options available from a 0-0 drawn series to a 2-0 win in Aussies favour. Ricky Ponting got 4 opportunities in the series and he squandered each one of those:-
Ponting wasted 3 opportunities in first test at Mohali:- In the first test India were cruising at 354 for 5 with Sachin Tendulkar at the crease looking towards a century and Team India towards a imposing total. Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal triggered a collapse which saw them losing the last 5 wickets for 51 wickets thanks to some loose strokes by skipper M S Dhoni and Suresh Raina. Aussies gained a lead and put themselves in a situation from where they had the option of either going for a draw or forcing a win.
Ponting got his second opportunity when Australia raced to 87 for no loss thanks to Shane Watson's onslaught who scored 56 of 59 deliveries and put Australia well in control of the game. Shane Wat sons dismissal triggered a collapse and Aussies collapsed to 192 all out thereby wasting a second opportunity.
Ricky Ponting got yet another opportunity when he had Indians reeling at 8 for 124 chasing 216. Aussies had 92 runs to defend and had only to dismiss Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha to close out the match. Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha lasted 25 overs to give a one wicket win for India and one must say that even a team like Zimbabwe or any team with part time bowlers would have easily defended 92 runs when the opposition have had only 2 wickets in hand to get those runs. Ricky Ponting in all probability played with a fear that Laxman may take away the match from them much in the same manner he had taken the third test away from Sri Lanka the match preceding to that one and that is what exactly happened and Laxman took advantage of Ponting's nerves and carved a magical victory from the jaws of defeat. The fact that India are the number one team in the world seemed to have made his mindset defensive. Also the fact that he has never won a test in India was playing in his mind and India took full advantage of that.
Ponting wasted a great opportunity in second test at Bangalore:- In the second test at Bangalore Sachin Tendulkar had the Aussie bowlers in control after having carved a brilliant 214 and was looking towards a possible triple century in tests. Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal at 486 for 5 led to collapse in which India lost their last 5 wickets for 9 runs to be all out for 495 for a slim 17 run lead. Australia had a great chance to put the match out of India's hands by putting up a decent target to chase on the Bangalore wicket which has had a reputation of being a graveyard for batsmen on the final day. Australian batsmen crumbled in their second innings and India led by Cheteshwar Pujara and Sachin Tendulkar finished of the match in a hurry.
One must say that Ricky Ponting is lucky to be retained as captain because he lost the series when he was presented with as many as 4 opportunities. In Australia the highest level of efficiency is expected of players, skippers and coaches but in the case Aussie selectors seem to be adopting a lenient approach.
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