Old problems continue to haunt India

The time has come for us to accept a harsh reality. That we are grossly inadequate against fast bowling on pitches with some juice in them.

Quite a few people have commented about the lack of application on the part of the Indian batsmen. However, one firmly believes that the repeated Indian capitulations in countries like Australia and South Africa is more due to a distinct lack of ability.

Let us not fool ourselves any longer, carried away by the shocking hype, especially in the electronic media, that makes heroes out of mediocre cricketers.

And let us not be misled by the averages too, since figures alone can be completely misleading. Runs made on the flat tracks of home do not count for much when it comes to assessing a batsman.

Just where are the quality players of fast bowling like Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Viswanath and Mohinder Amarnath, who seldom wilted under the pressure. Take away Sachin Tendulkar from this Indian line-up and all you would see is a gaping hole.

Unless a miracle unfolds the Indians are likely to lose the Port Elizabeth Test and with it the series. Another failed campaign away from home, yet it won't be surprising if we go back to the same players.

Indeed, we keep losing abroad yet persist with the familiar but uninspiring names. Unless India dares to bring about the much- needed changes, things are unlikely to improve. In fact, they could turn worse.

There was nothing surprising about the Indian collapse in the first innings at Port Elizabeth. To make matters worse, the team- management has shown no clarity in thinking.

Where was the great need for Deep Dasgupta to open, if Rahul Dravid was to come in at No. 3? The Karnataka batsman is currently low on confidence, and it would have been in India's interest if he had come in at No. 6.

True, V.V.S. Laxman made runs down the order, yet the team could have backed him to go one drop, since he appeared in good nick even if a big score had eluded him at that slot. Old problems continue to haunt the Indian team. The lack of partnerships being one of them. The Indians appear to have forgotten that Test matches are won and lost on partnerships and not in the pursuit of individual glory, that has only resulted in ridiculously wrong shot-selection by some key players in this series.

The South African approach was in stark contrast. Jacques Kallis appeared to be struggling against Harbhajan Singh's off-spin in the second innings, yet he battled on, putting a price on his wicket.

The Indian plight would have been worse - they might have lost the match by now - but for Laxman's brave innings and his face- saving stand with Anil Kumble. At least, they displayed some character.

However, the folly of playing Kumble as the second spinner in these conditions, was evident in the South African second innings too, where he was rather sparingly used.

With only the inconsistent Ajit Agarkar for support, Javagal Srinath turned in a heroic performance, operating with both fire and intelligence, shouldering the burden almost single- handedly.

This simple man, rather unfairly criticised on occasions, has seldom been found wanting in commitment and has repeatedly silenced the doubters. The Indian side can certainly do with more Srinaths in its ranks.

by K.SRIKKANTH

www.krishsrikkanth.com

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Srinath's South African haul
Next     : Kambli and Jaffer steal the thunder