The New Nation - Internet Edition

In the ongoing SC Bank Tri-Series ODI Finals (Best of the 3) India - Dhoni & Co - have won the 1st game by a 6 wicket margin.

Ponting-boys batting first made 239 for 8 wickets in their allotted 50 over. Australia felt the heat losing 3 wkts in the early 6 over. However, Hayden and Symonds 100+ partnership helped the WC champion to reach just 239/8 giving Indian a winning target of 240 - considered challenging but not that hard to reach.

At the start it seemed to be really tough for Dhoni-boys as they also lost 3 quick wickets. However, Tendulkar with junior Rohit (Sharma) made a near winning partnership. Sachin scored an unbeaten 117 while Rohit made 66 before leaving the ground. It was then really easy for the Indians to reach the winning mark.

It was a good game. But to me, it appears the Australians now suffer from over- confidence as if they do not need to play good Cricket - victory is somehow guaranteed for them.

On the same plane the India press (commentators) seemed to be over reactive. They have over blown-up the first win. It would be wiser for them to realise that they need to play two more games and win atleast one out of the two games to bag the honour.

However, we would expect that they play this gentlemans game in good spirit and soul so that that no more Harbhajon-Symonds-Hayden tragedy occurs in the next games, that kills the game when it is too tender.

Sachin, please, keep it up atleast upto 2011.

Abu Musa Miah

Lalbagh, Dhaka