Some of the best tactical changes made by a captain of a cricket team.
Presenting - One of India's greatest captains, Saurav Ganguly and his 3 tactical master strokes in one game that changed Indian cricket's future.
India and England were playing in a 4 match test series in 2002 in England. At the start of the third test in Headingley, India were trailing 1-0. Headingley is known for its overcast and seaming friendly conditions, conditions that have traditionally favored the English team and have always troubled the touring Indian sides. Everyone was expecting India to relinquish the series there and then. But Ganguly made some unorthodox tactical decisions which ultimately handed India their largest victory ever outside the sub-continent.
1. Choosing to bat first in overcast conditions
Damp skies and a moist pitch conducive for movement off the pitch. For most captains, it would be a no brainer to choose to bowl and give his fast bowlers the opportunity to knock down some early wickets and seize control. Ganguly however knew that with his limited fast bowling reserves, they might let England slip away to a nicer second day batting track without losing too many wickets and then India would just be left to catch up with the opposition. India had to take control early on to prevent a series defeat and so he decided to bat first and put runs on the board.
Ganguly trusted his batsmen and they rightfully delivered for him. Rahul Dravid played out the English seamers in that crucial morning period by religiously refusing to touch any ball that was not in his zone. In tough batting conditions, he scored 148 runs which is regarded as one of his finest innings to date. Tendulkar and Ganguly then piled on the misery to help India get to a mammoth first innings total.
2. Continuing to bat in fading light
On the second day afternoon, India were comfortably placed with Ganguly and Tendulkar forging a solid partnership. The light was fading and the umpires asked the Indian players whether they wanted to bat or not. The England bowlers had taken the third new ball but they were tired after having bowled for almost two days. Not in a mood to waste time, Ganguly decided that they will bat. It was then that Ganguly and Tendulkar decided to rip apart the English bowling attack. In the first 11 overs with the new ball, both smashed 96 runs. It was raining 4's and 6's at Headingley. Indian batsmen had never batted with such authority outside the sub-continent. In no time, India raced to 600 with Tendulkar scoring 193 and Ganguly scoring 128 runs.
3. Picking 2 spinners and leaving out a seamer
Going with just 2 seamers on a pitch that assists fast bowlers looks like a foolish decision. Ganguly on the other hand believed that India's strength lied in their spinners and it is they who can win this match for India. He picked both Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble who went on to take a combined 11 wickets in the test match with Kumble getting 7 of them to bowl England out twice in successive innings and completing India's victory by an innings and 46 runs.
Ganguly has always been known as an aggressive captain and his knack of taking bold decisions was one of the main catalysts of the change that was brought into Indian cricket in the new millennium. Indian team was transformed from being mere push overs to ones who were not afraid to take control of the proceedings even when they were playing outside the comforts of their home. Ganguly was really India 's skipper of the new millennium.
India and England were playing in a 4 match test series in 2002 in England. At the start of the third test in Headingley, India were trailing 1-0. Headingley is known for its overcast and seaming friendly conditions, conditions that have traditionally favored the English team and have always troubled the touring Indian sides. Everyone was expecting India to relinquish the series there and then. But Ganguly made some unorthodox tactical decisions which ultimately handed India their largest victory ever outside the sub-continent.
1. Choosing to bat first in overcast conditions
Damp skies and a moist pitch conducive for movement off the pitch. For most captains, it would be a no brainer to choose to bowl and give his fast bowlers the opportunity to knock down some early wickets and seize control. Ganguly however knew that with his limited fast bowling reserves, they might let England slip away to a nicer second day batting track without losing too many wickets and then India would just be left to catch up with the opposition. India had to take control early on to prevent a series defeat and so he decided to bat first and put runs on the board.
Ganguly trusted his batsmen and they rightfully delivered for him. Rahul Dravid played out the English seamers in that crucial morning period by religiously refusing to touch any ball that was not in his zone. In tough batting conditions, he scored 148 runs which is regarded as one of his finest innings to date. Tendulkar and Ganguly then piled on the misery to help India get to a mammoth first innings total.
2. Continuing to bat in fading light
On the second day afternoon, India were comfortably placed with Ganguly and Tendulkar forging a solid partnership. The light was fading and the umpires asked the Indian players whether they wanted to bat or not. The England bowlers had taken the third new ball but they were tired after having bowled for almost two days. Not in a mood to waste time, Ganguly decided that they will bat. It was then that Ganguly and Tendulkar decided to rip apart the English bowling attack. In the first 11 overs with the new ball, both smashed 96 runs. It was raining 4's and 6's at Headingley. Indian batsmen had never batted with such authority outside the sub-continent. In no time, India raced to 600 with Tendulkar scoring 193 and Ganguly scoring 128 runs.
3. Picking 2 spinners and leaving out a seamer
Going with just 2 seamers on a pitch that assists fast bowlers looks like a foolish decision. Ganguly on the other hand believed that India's strength lied in their spinners and it is they who can win this match for India. He picked both Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble who went on to take a combined 11 wickets in the test match with Kumble getting 7 of them to bowl England out twice in successive innings and completing India's victory by an innings and 46 runs.
Ganguly has always been known as an aggressive captain and his knack of taking bold decisions was one of the main catalysts of the change that was brought into Indian cricket in the new millennium. Indian team was transformed from being mere push overs to ones who were not afraid to take control of the proceedings even when they were playing outside the comforts of their home. Ganguly was really India 's skipper of the new millennium.
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