India have emerged as one of the World Cup favourites
From an Indian viewpoint there was one inescapable conclusion driven home by events in the ICC Champions Trophy
Partab Ramchand
01-Oct-2002
From an Indian viewpoint there was one inescapable conclusion driven
home by events in the ICC Champions Trophy. From being just one of
half a dozen challengers for the title, India have emerged as strong
contenders for the World Cup.
© Reuters |
Nearly 20 years ago, when the Indians were considered near novices in
the intricate art of the one-day game, a team under Kapil Dev pulled
off a remarkable victory over the West Indies in Berbice. This should
have set off warning signals for other teams. But they did not heed
the signal and the whole cricketing world is aware of what happened at
Lord's some three months later.
To my mind, the Indians' showing in Colombo should send out a similar
warning to the other competing sides. Not that the Indians are novices
anymore in the limited overs game but there is this tendency to
believe that however good the side is, it is not a World Cup winning
outfit.
I will readily admit that that I was one of those a bit cynical of
their chances on the eve of the Champions Trophy. The plus point of
the Indian team - the batting - was really strong but with continuing
doubts over the bowling and with the fielding not measuring up to
international standards even though the likes of Yuvraj Singh and
Mohammad Kaif have raised the level considerably, a semifinal spot was
the most I would have bargained for. But by going considerably
further, the Indian team has been able to convert even a skeptic like
me. I now sincerely believe that India has as much a chance of winning
the World Cup as Australia, South Africa, Pakistan or Sri Lanka.
Yes, I know the impressive showing was achieved in sub-continental
conditions whereas the pitches in South Africa could well be awkwardly
pacy and bouncy. I am also aware of India's rather disappointing
record in that country. But there was something very positive and
refreshing about the Indian performance in Sri Lanka that makes me
feel quite optimistic about their chances in the mega event. And one
must not forget that this came hot on the heels of the NatWest triumph
in England, achieved against all odds.
Of course, there are areas to be sorted out and I mentioned the
bowling and fielding as obvious ones. But these are not insurmountable
problems that cannot be tackled and I am confident that Ganguly and
coach John Wright, who I don't think has received enough credit for
the Indians' improved showing of late, are already on the job.
Fortunately there are still over four months before the start of the
World Cup and India has a number of international engagements till
then. Hopefully, this will help in sorting out the grey areas. But in
this context, it is imperative that the selectors and the team
management look ahead instead of looking back. This is with particular
reference to the recall of Javagal Srinath.
Such retrograde steps are not the kind that should be taken at this
juncture. The Indian team is an ideal blend of youth and experience.
In Kaif, Yuvraj, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan the youth is
represented in all its bloom. The experience is provided by Ganguly,
Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman and Kumble. Harbhajan and Agarkar by
themselves represent a combination of youth and experience.
If at all replacements and fringe players are needed, there are any
number of talented youngsters around. There is no need to put the
clock back and recall players who are in their mid-thirties and
already over the hill. Let the rather disastrous experiment with
Srinath in the ICC Champions Trophy be a reminder to selectors in
future to always look ahead and not back.
© CricInfo |
With Sehwag around at the top and with he and Ganguly clicking, No 3
or 4 would seem to be the right spot for Tendulkar, who can then
capitalise on a breezy start or steady the innings in case the Indians
lose an early wicket. Yuvraj and Kaif should stay where they are for
at No 6 and 7 they will be needed to give the scoring a fillip in the
slog overs while Dravid can perform his role admirably in the middle
order.
What Wright, Leipus and company will have to do over the next few
months is to work on the running between wickets and physical fitness
and make the players mentally strong for the World Cup. There is
little doubt that the Indian team is peaking right now and nothing
should be done to cloud the atmosphere. In this regard, it is also
hoped that a quick and permanent solution is found to the contracts
controversy that is still hanging fire.