Batsmen will call the shots

After the extraordinary Test series cricket lovers really cannot complain about a lack of excitement. What is more, we are not done yet. The five one day Internationals, beginning with the one in Bangalore on Sunday, should be as keenly contested as the last two historic Tests, and I am sure they will generate considerable amount of interest.

Having miraculously come from behind to win the Test series, the Indians would be raring to go. Their confidence has sky rocketed and they would be hoping to give the World champion team a good run for its money. Confidence can work wonders in the field.

From the Indian point of view, Sachin will be a key factor but given the form V.V.S. Laxman, Rahul Dravid and the youngster Hemang Badani are in, the responsibility will sit lightly on Sachin. But much will depend on the start given by Sachin and going by his current form, India will have little cause for worry.

What we lack is a genuine all-rounder. But I believe the Indian team management should be a little more enterprising, take some risk and pick Sunil Joshi who can bowl economical spells and contribute with the bat down the order. The Australians, on the other hand, are struggling with their batting, which seems to be their major worry. Ricky Ponting has not been doing well.

But limited overs cricket is a different game and it remains to be seen if Ponting is able to sort things out in the middle. Yet, a lot will depend on how well Steve and Mark Waugh, and one day specialists Michael Bevan and Andrew Symonds do with the bat.

But the Australians cannot be taken lightly. They are thorough professionals. They possess more all-rounders than us.

On paper, the Indian batting seems to be better while Australia looks to be ahead on the bowling and fielding front.

That is some sort of balance and makes for an interesting series. But, all things considered, I think it will be a batsmen dominated one day series.

By K. SRIKKANTH

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Section  : Sport
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