The Hindu : Off field events overshadow India's preparations

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 22, 2002

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Off field events overshadow India's preparations

The controversy over the signing of contracts in the days leading up to the crucial third Test at Leeds would have been the last thing the Indian players would have wanted ahead of a crucial duel.

India trails England 0-1, and with two matches remaining, it has to square the series at Leeds, if it has any hopes of repeating the winning feat of Kapil Dev's men in '86.

I feel sorry for the Indian cricketers. The recent events off the field would have surely affected their preparations mentally. Yet, they need to stay focussed.

After the bold stand taken by them, the pressure to perform on the players is bound to be even more. They should take it up as a challenge, and turn in an inspired performance.

In the process, they can prove a point to themselves as well as the rest of the world, that despite all the distractions, they can still play good, competitive cricket. They have to put mind over matter.

In fact, I feel there is an additional incentive for the players to come out firing. The off the field events have the potential to unite the team as one.

As we saw in the second Test, there is nothing to fear about the English attack, which is as mediocre as most bowling line-ups in world cricket. Yet, the return of the experienced Andrew Caddick might strengthen the bowling slightly.

The Headingley wicket has over the years aided seam bowling, the conditions have favoured swing, and the pacemen may pose some questions to the batsmen. The Indian batsmen have to realise that application is the key.

After Shiv Sundar Das and Sadagopan Ramesh provided some stability for India at the very top of the order for a couple of years, we are once again witnessing musical chairs when it comes to the opening slots.

It is only fair that Shiv Sundar Das, who produced a double century in the tour game before the third Test, should receive the nod. The team also has the option of asking Sanjay Bangar to open the innings, and also make use of him as an additional paceman. But then, his bowling is no more than ordinary, and the wiser move would be to go in for Das, who appears to have regained form rather dramatically.

Then there is the big question regarding the bowling. Will Ajit Agarkar be able to keep his place in the side? On previous occasions, his batting had let him down, and now, when he is stroking the ball well, his bowling has been wayward. The team management has to tell him firmly that his primary job is to bowl with discipline.

With Leeds likely to favour pacemen, it would be prudent for the team management to once again pick one spinner, and Harbhajan Singh is my man for the job, given his ability to flight and buy his wickets.

It doesn't reflect well on the team's bowling depth though that despite the none-too-impressive performances in the first two Tests, the side still does not have too many options.

www.krishsrikkanth.com

BY K SRIKKANTH

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