Indians Need To Think Aggressively

There should be no changes to either side for thesecond Test in Chennai. Under-performed players must be given a chance atredemption and neither team needs to start blooding new players. Form may haveeluded the classic Indian batsmen but we all know how easily that changes withsome good old-fashioned intensity and attitude.

Back-to-back Tests are physiologically unsafe,especially for the bowlers, but are a thing of the future because touring teamswish to shorten tours so dramatically. This time the bowlers of both teams knowthat there is a seven-day break before Nagpur, so continued effort shouldsustain.

I'm hopeful of greater impact and bowling time for theIndian quicks and the team's part-time options. Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwagand Saurav Ganguly, if fit enough, should be rotated cleverly. Not just to easethe burden on Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble, but for good effect.

Coupled with their reasonable ability, they need to beaggressive in their thinking for short bursts. Ganguly was quite stereotype inhis roster last week and only he will know why. Sometimes it can be a sign ofbeing pre-occupied, worrying about others or maybe the brisk first day byAustralia was too much for him.

Adam Gilchrist on the other hand was full of beans anddirections. He was not afraid to play ugly defensive cricket at times butquickly pounced when the jugular was exposed as well. His cast was exceptionalin performing for him though the toss was his biggest masterstroke.

Many unknowns for this Test go back into the meltingpot. What would a contest between these two be without excessive speculation anddebate?

Will (Shane) Warney and Kumble discover some bounce, sotheir accuracy can be truly rewarded? Possible batting lineup changes for India,tactical changes to look out for as bowlers possibly admit they were wrong inthe first instance.

New plans, new body language and positive thoughts fora new day as players convince their own brains that they can do it. One week ofmassive effort and a break can be had. It is all worth the strain to go 2-0 upor to claw back to 1-1 for India, surely.

Simon Katich was unsung, yet steadied such a big shipexpertly for a novice. Triple figures would be appropriate next time he getsclose. Damien Martyn and Darren Lehmann now locked in a private battle need toforget all that and put the team's plight first, in order to relax and playgreat.

I'm sure they will not forget, but India did not gethurt by one of the best opening pairs around and they better not expect that tohappen often either.

Parthiv Patel demonstrated to me that he has beenworking hard and effectively on his wicketkeeping. He was consistently muchlower and totally focused on the ball when keeping over the stumps than everbefore.

Swinging backlifts and strokes can easily distract akeeper but that is where the skill comes in and Partiv has already improved.Lower order batting was fantastic and makes the top order failures even morepuzzling. Both sides have plenty to improve upon which makes this game socolourful.

The standard of the pitch can be improved upon butreports are suggesting typical conditions favouring batsmen early and tweakerslater. Things can certainly happen quickly towards the end of these matches sothe early ascendancy is paramount. I wish for conditions which play equally forthe first innings of both teams and then do what they like on the late Day Fourand the entire Fifth.

In such a unique sport lasting 30 hours it is at theend that you need to be as fresh as the start. These teams should not bepracticing wastefully in the lead-up and having little mental capacity left whenthey might need it the most.

A nail-biting draw or a close shave win could ignite acampaign or be a death knell. Players do not want to be guilty of peaking tooearly in a five-dayer.

I have never heard the Australians dob in an oppositionsledger before and certainly don't approve, but it is a sign the Harbhajan is init for real that's for sure. He might not enjoy the end results but he iswilling to put himself on the line in the hope of ruffling some feathers.

It did not pay off for him but only because he lackedhis colleagues willingness to do the same. No team will beat Australia nicely,it will have to be tough and uncompromising as the champs will fight back fromanywhere, so get used to it. Skill needs to be produced while the needle is onand only Harbhajan was up to it.

The whole of Australia is once again riveted to thisseries through television, radio, internet and newspapers. I am sure the playershave another topsy-turvy affair for us starting Thursday that will stun us all.I would rather be in Australia's shoes right now, India must get out of theirshoe cupboards and play from the kitchen with plenty of heat. Can't wait.

PTI