Faulty tactics

JUST when will the Indian team learn the importance of consistency? The pattern for quite some time now has been most depressing. It is all the more disappointing when you realise that it is a team which has the potential, but does not realise it because it lacks self-belief.

The defeat in the final in Zimbabwe and the losses in the first two matches of the tri-series in Sri Lanka have highlighted the inconsistency factor. I know India won four matches in a row in the league in Zimbabwe, but then crashed in the final, playing shockingly mediocre cricket. It has not been any different in Sri Lanka where India put up a dismal show in the opening two matches.

Knowing the Indian team, I would not be surprised if it stages a comeback in the Colombo tournament. It might look out of place for you to read a critical piece like this at that point, but then certain facts cannot change. And one of them is the lack of understanding among some players.

India played two different opponents and it had to make a few changes in its approach when dealing with New Zealand and Sri Lanka. But the attitude shockingly remained indifferent and that is what stood out glaringly. The Indians were unwilling to learn from mistakes.

I fail to understand the constant batting changes that have dominated the Indian team's tactics. Even on the tour of Zimbabwe, the team management brought about certain changes in the batting order which did not help the cause of the side which was playing much below its potential. The team think-tank has again been bitten by the same bug.

I fail to understand why on earth should Sourav Ganguly demote himself in the batting order. The absence of Sachin Tendulkar was reason enough for the team management to ensure that at least Ganguly maintained the strategy of brisk scoring in the first 15 overs. It was not the first time that Tendulkar was missing from the line-up and there was no need for panic.

Having picked Amay Khurasiya to open, where was the need to push Yuveraj Singh to that spot. And then what was the need for Ganguly to opt out of the opener's slot. I am not convinced by the reason given by the team management that the skipper came down the order essentially to counter spin.

Ganguly has won matches for India when opening the innings and I would like to see him bat in that position. The strength of the Indian team lies in its explosive opening pair and in the absence of Tendulkar, the responsibility on Ganguly was bound to increase.

Sri Lanka becomes a formidable side in home conditions and the slow pitches suit their style of play where Jayasuriya, Muralitharan and Dharmasena revel on pitches which help them a lot. There is enough depth in the Indian batting where Sameer Dighe and Harbhajan Singh come in at number eight and nine. There was no reason for Ganguly to worry about tackling the middle overs and in my opinion it was ridiculous for him to shift to the middle order. The Indians have been indulging in some needless exercises on the field in the name of innovations and I don't think this is the best approach during difficult times.

Why cannot the Indians remember the basics when faced with tight situations? What was the need for Virender Sehwag to take on the best bowler in the opposition when all he had to do was continue taking the ones and twos with senior partner Rahul Dravid. This is what stands out so jarringly. We all know he is a talented batsman but then he needs to deliver during crunch situations if he has to make a place for himself.

I understand that the youngsters in the team have a lot to learn. But sadly, the same seems to be true of Dravid. Does he need to be reminded that he is in the team as a specialist batsman? After being reasonably good in Zimbabwe, Dravid was guilty of getting out to an uncharacteristic stroke against New Zealand in the first match. In the next, he ought to have clinched the issue for India. It was a matter of delivering one big blow. I guess, that is what separates a winning team from the other.

India's problems have been related to batting and nothing else. The bowlers have done well but the batsmen have let the side down. Cricketers like Yuveraj, Badani and Sehwag should realise that the team expects them to play with responsibility. They have to show much more commitment and learn to bat according to the demands of the situation.

Another disturbing development in the Indian team has been the total lack of application among the ranks. There are no exceptions as poor selection policies have also acted as a hindrance to the progress of the team. We should adopt the horses for courses policy.

The fitness of the team has also come under a cloud and I am amazed at the manner in which the selectors, the captain and the coach have been so protective when it comes to dealing with Ajit Agarkar. He is too fragile to play hectic international cricket and it is time the selectors reviewed his position in the side. Given the conditions, Agarkar would be quite effective with his ability to reverse swing. But then he has to improve his fitness drastically.

Just as Dighe has to improve his work behind the stumps. The Indian fielding in the last four or five matches has been pathetic. The players have been dropping sitters and have been conceding too many easy runs. In Dighe's case, I know it is tough for him to make up for his lack of ability but then his is in an important position. I know he is a gutsy customer and should be able to raise his game.

The Indian team should learn to play to its strength, which is its batting. There is no point in making frequent changes to the batting order and it is time the team management realises the significance of Ganguly returning to the opener's position. The Indian team has to utilise the first 15 overs. There is no other way out.