The Hindu : India's experiments to continue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2003

Sport

Sport - World Cup

India's experiments to continue

By Vijay Lokapally

DYNAMIC DUO: Sachin Tendulkar strikes a happy pose along with Virender Sehwag at the picturesque Boland Park, Paarl on Tuesday. India plays the Netherlands in its first World Cup match. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan

PAARL FEB. 11. The high priests of Indian cricket predict an epic victory for the team at this World Cup.

Various factors come into consideration when such a sweeping statement is made even before the team has played a match. True, you can never make predictions in this game, but then the high priests have strong reasons to back India in South Africa.

Sourav Ganguly carries with him the wishes of a billion people, or more perhaps, and the expectations of many, many more. The Indian fans just cannot accept the fact that there are other teams, better qualified, more consistent, and more committed.

India is most inconsistent but also most unpredictable. It has the potential to end up with the Cup more than a month from now. It also has the notorious weakness to fall to the weakest team.

A lot has been said of India's chances at this Cup. The desire to win is infectious in this team of some enormously gifted players but then it would all boil down to how fast, and how effectively, the team strikes a rhythm. The advent of a sports psychologist, backed by an efficient team of trainer and physiotherapist, and a coach as professional as any, adds to the team's strength. Plus the established talent of Ganguly and his men should give the jitters to the opposition.

It is time players like Ajit Agarkar and Mohammad Kaif delivered on the big stage. Kaif just cannot bask in the glory of the Natwest Trophy for long. The World Cup is the biggest stage for a cricketer and the Indian camp has a few highly motivated individuals keen to leave their mark on the competition.

In Ganguly's view, there is no room for individual distinction. So, these individuals will have to come good collectively to enable their skipper achieve a long-cherished dream. It is an arduous task but not beyond reach.

The key area for India to exploit will be the nature of pitches. They are, from the matches seen at the Newlands and the Goodyear Park, ideally suited to the Indian style. The bounce was encouraging and the pace just enough to enable the strokeplayers get on with the job. And batting remains India's strength.

It is not the time to discuss the merits of some recent experiments in the team. The best available have been picked, with the exception of Dinesh Mongia, who came in for V.V.S. Laxman, and now it is for the players to justify their selection. The administrators have extended all possible facilities to the players and the preparation has been thorough, even if a little hectic.

"I think we're very well prepared,'' said Rahul Dravid. There is no doubt that the Indian cricketers look jaded, especially the bowlers, but then there is little sense in complaining at this stage. The moment of recognition has arrived and it is for the likes of Ashish Nehra, Mongia and Agarkar to come good when the team wants them most.

The Indians, by the way, are not yet through with their experiments. Sachin Tendulkar is keen to open with Ganguly on Wednesday, rekindling the strong association between the two. The argument in favour of Tendulkar opening against Holland is his record against Australia. The India skipper is also keen to have Tendulkar as his partner. "He has a fabulous record against Australia and we're keen to exploit that,'' said Ganguly.

But nothing is certain. The arrangement of Tendulkar opening the innings will be for the first two matches. "He'll revert to the number three slot after the match against Australia,'' Ganguly told The Hindu.

This statement could still change tomorrow because much depends on the state of the pitch at the Boland Park here. The flexibility factor could play the deciding role. Ganguly announced, "we've a settled batting order,'' at the beginning of the media conference but departed on a cautious note, suggesting further innovations.

The team, according to Ganguly, is convinced that Tendulkar should open the innings but not against Holland. As for the master, he is too happy to be back playing his favourite role, slamming the ball around.

Ganguly hinted amply when he said, "we've to keep in mind the record of certain individuals against certain teams. We need to be flexible but then we'll take it as the tournament progresses.''

The experiments with the batting order have not affected the team. Dravid was quite forthcoming when he said, "I don't think you should read much into the changes in the batting order. It shall depend on the situation and we're going to be flexible about the whole thing. There's nothing wrong with having a flexible batting order.''

Personally, Dravid noted he was quite charged up to play his role as a wicketkeeper-batsman. "I'm just looking forward to doing a good job,'' he promised.

The dilemma facing Ganguly reflects on the state of the team. How to accommodate Tendulkar. The best batsman in the team does not have a designated position. Doesn't matter because he is a team man. And in the interest of the team he shall bat at the position slotted for him.

At the end of the day, there were apprehensions regarding changes in the batting order and Tendulkar, knowing this team management, might end up batting at number three or four against Holland and also against Australia.

The Dutch have no such worries. As their skipper, Roland Lefebvre, said, "we're happy to be here. It's a learning process for us and having watched the Indians on the television, we're excited to take them on. Every match'll be a big match for us.''

His statement reflected the nature of the competition where Holland would do well to pick up a few vital lessons.

The Indians have decided to explore the option of playing two spinners. The 12 announced did not include Sanjay Bangar, Ashish Nehra and Parthiv Patel. The line-up was in keeping with the stand adopted by coach John Wright who insisted selections had to be prompted by a "positive and confident attitude. We've to have an optimistic environment. "Well, this Indian team is motivated, and on paper, well-equipped to last the distance.''

The aim is to help each other in playing to the best of our abilities,'' said Ganguly. Does it matter then at what position Tendulkar bats?

The teams (from):

India: Sourav Ganguly (Capt.), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Dinesh Mongia, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Ajit Agarkar, Javagal Srinath, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble.

Holland: Roland Lefebvre (Capt.), Luuk van Troost, Daan van Bunge, Jacob Jan Esmeijer, Ruud Nijman, Jan Feiko Kloppenburg, Tim de Leede, Henk Mol, Reinout Scholte, Nick Statham, Adeel Raja, Klaas van Noortwijk, Edgar Schiferli, Bas Zuiderent and Jeroen Smits.

Umpires: Daryl Harper and Peter Willey; Third umpire: Mohammed Nadeem Ghauri; Fourth umpire: R. D'Mello; Match Referee: Denis Lindsay.

Hours of play (IST): 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; 5.45 p.m. onwards.

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