Foolhardy Ways

I would have thought it hurts India when it is not winning Tests abroad. Butif it was so, they would have picked five bowlers for this Test. They have takentwo steps backwards from the days in Pakistan when the five-bowler theory washeralded with much fanfare. Now against a weaker bowling attack, they havechosen to strengthen their batting at the cost of bowling. It doesn't makesense.

Irfan Pathan was reintroduced but he is jaded. Both Munaf Patel and V.R.V.Singh were okay but a judgment must wait since they have just embarked on anarduous journey.

I saw merit in Virender Sehwag's effort but Anil Kumble was, well just Kumble.He is a strong individual, a tough cricketer, mentally and physically. He bowled70 overs in this Test which is not too unusual from a cricketer who came out tobowl with a broken jaw in Antigua the last time he pitched in for his team in2002.

Still, India is on the rise and these issues are minor when you look at thetravails which have engulfed the home team. I am not too critical of the battingfor the trinity of Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul aregood enough to make most international sides. They are only inconsistent which,I guess, still does not help the situation.

It would be easy to judge the West Indian batsmen harshly on their techniquesince so many batsmen have been given out lbw in this series. Sometimes thebatsmen have not appeared in the same league while confronting Kumble and atother times, the Indian medium-pacers too have looked in business.

But I maintain these guys have made runs against all-comers. These were themen who showed their worth while chasing down 418 runs against Australia notvery long ago. I would not call them short of class.

Bowling, in contrast, is in a trough and over 1,100 runs conceded in twoinnings makes any argument in its defence pointless. I fear the West Indiescould end up having a new attack in every Test that is played in this series.

It takes time to build combinations and it cannot be produced at the drop ofa hat. The West Indies would stumble from one set to another in desperation andwould be lucky if anything worthwhile is thrown up. The number of players triedin the West Indies cricket set up in recent years is no laughing matter.

The Indian batsmen must lick their lips in anticipation at least for St.Kitts as Sabina Park in Jamaica interests bowlers. It brings me back to myoriginal argument that India does not need an extra batsman. The Dhonis, Pathansand Kumbles are handy presence low in the order. If it means sacrificing a V.V.S.Laxman or a Yuvraj Singh to respond to the team's call, so be it. We all haveheard about horses for courses.

I have no doubt India would not carry with their foolhardy ways in the nextTest. Three centuries in the game in St. Lucia is reason enough for them toshift attention to the area which is holding up their charge.

Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Kaif played fine hands but the one from Sehwag wassumptuous. The batting aficionados must have loved what Sehwag and Lara producedat the start and end of this Test.

Lara stamped his presence on the game with a decisive innings. He saved theday for his team and it made sense for him to come at the number three spot. Thebest batsman of the team must take the one-drop position for it is pivotal andprepares the pitch for the rest.

If your best man is lower in the order, the ones preceding him can tend torelax. It even works if the best man was to fail at the number three spot. Theones who follow him would then respond to the responsibility.

PTI