08 April,2009 05:03 PM IST | | PTI
Team India messed up with the timing of its declaration in the drawn third Test against New Zealand, feels former Kiwi coach Martin Crowe, who has urged the side to be more careful with weather forecasts during future tours.
India's late declaration in the third Test meant that the side won the series 1-0 instead of 2-0.
"As predicted, India should never have messed with the Wellington Weather Gods. Even in hindsight there was no need to gamble by batting on and on. They had plenty of runs and only needed plenty of playing time. In the end they ran out by about 30 minutes. Anyway that's India's miss," Crowe said.
"They are at the height of their powers with a few years to come so India no matter where they tour will always be contenders for the world crown. They just need to take more notice of weather forecasts," Crowe wrote in his column for 'Cricketnirvana'.
Unlike many, Crowe feels the pitches for the Test series were the best that New Zealand has produced in a while.
"Looking back on the tour, it was colourful and entertaining. Despite the weather showing an inconsistent nature at times, the pitches were very good, probably the best ever produced in this country," he said. "Batsmen prospered in the main with India's vaunted line up rarely tested," he added.
Crowe lauded the Indian batting line-up particularly openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.
"Virender Sehwag may have missed out on a big one in the Tests but he thrived in the ODIs and continues to show why he is the most feared in world cricket today.
"Gautam Gambhir was a magician during the Tests 445 runs at 89, batting just 5 minutes inside 1000 minutes in total. He grew an extra leg with his heroics and enabled India to always be in charge through the series. Most admirably, he proved he can adjust to pressure situations as he did in Napier," Crowe said.
Crowe said the senior trio of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS laxman also proved their worth. DTL were outstanding. Dravid 314 runs at 62, Tendulkar 344 at 68 and Laxman 295 at 73, were as great as their reputations demanded.
"They were consistently superb and the only blemish was that Dravid didn't post another ton. He deserved too, as he was efficient and the perfect foil for the other more aggressive stroke makers. DTL may never bat in NZ again but the way they batted throughout will be remembered forever," he said.
On Tendulkar, Crowe said India were lucky to have a batsman, who is the only one in the world capable of matching Sir Don Bradman's greatness.
"(Mahendra Singh) Dhoni and his men will go on to great things while Sachin Tendulkar continues to play. They are lucky to have the only man who can match Don Bradman as the greatest batsman of all time," he said.
"While Sachin Tendulkar walks out to bat as a proud Indian, his team will continue to be revered by all who watch and feared by all who oppose him," he added.
