If the Aussies had won all the games so far in the series, the way India did on their tour to Sri Lanka and in their ODI series in New Zealand, with only one ODI to go, they would have smelled the blood, they would have gone in for the kill. They seemed to take a special delight in crushing the opposition and not even leave them room to whimper for mercy. It may go against the grain to say so, but one notes with some relief that this crowing mercilessness is not part of the Indian team.

If the Aussies were 4 – 0 up as the Indians were with the Sri Lankans with one more match to go or had won all the matches with one ODI to go as with on the tour to New Zealand, they would have pulled out all the stops and come with all guns blazing, to try and grind their opponents into the dust.

One can call it sour grapes if one so wishes, but here is some evidence that Indians are more gracious winners. Even at the peak of their prowess, you could never call the Aussies gracious or generous winners; while they had everyone’s admiration, even tinged somewhat with envy; they rarely had the affection of anyone save their home fans.

Yes this Indian team is aggressive, it is hungry for victory and it looks to dominate its opponents. Make no mistake this is not a team that passes up a chance at victory; simply that that is a team that is not looking to humiliate their opponent; merely win and win emphatically and with stellar performances.

Take a look for instance, at the experience of Coach Gary Kirsten, who said, “It’s been incredible. I have had 14 months with the team and we have won six series in a row now. I am very excited about that in terms of what we have been able to achieve and I think this team can only get better. We are going to come unstuck every now and again, we going to make mistakes. We showed that in the two T20 games, we made a few mental errors and it cost us. Even with the skill, you still need to think what you need to do. But this team has got great potential. There are a lot of young players as well, so for the next four to five years, it has got great potential. I have certainly enjoyed the last 14 months.” Puts it in a nutshell, doesn’t it!

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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