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Eye of the tiger

When cricketers tour Australia and the West Indies, only those who put their hearts into their game perform well and succeed. So it was in the past, so it is today. Over the years, things haven't changed for the Indian team either, as was evident from the thrashing they got in the series opener at Adelaide.

I just could not understand the logic behind sending in V V S Laxman at No.3. The reason for sending him early, for the layman may be simple -- he may have shown from in the early innings of the tour; but then, he, in the past, has not done anything extraordinary at the highest level of the game.

Laxman is a talented young man, no doubt, but he required spending time at the crease at Test level to gain the much needed confidence. Moreover, he is experienced, and Australia is not the kind of team against whom you send players like that so high up the order.

We boast of three of the best batsmen in world cricket, so wouldn't it be apt to send them in higher in the order, rather than make poor Laxman a scapegoat?

Tell me, what's the point in Dravid coming in with the score reading a miserable ten for 2, when he could well be sent in at one-drop to control the innings, as he has been doing in the past?

For that matter, even Sachin, rated the best batsman in the world, should come in at his customary position at No.4, followed by Ganguly at five. Is it right to send in Ganguly at No.6, or rather, would it not be more advisable to send Laxman in that position, considering that Ganguly has 2,000-plus Test runs to his credit?

Like some cases in the past, I have a gut feeling that certain players, haunted by the fear of failure, prefer to bat lower in the order when the ball is really old. If it is so, then it is the duty of the tour selection committee to have a word or two with those players, motivate them, instill some confidence in them. If that does not help and the player shows stubbornness, he should be weeded out of the team when India plays at home.

The message should in no uncertain terms be made clear to one and all. There are times, and I can understand that, when a batsman may fail to deliver in a position he is not quite comfortable in. That is acceptable. But should he be tolerated when he is trying to shield himself by dropping down the order? No way. I have no time for batsmen who have such a timid outlook towards the game.]

Sachin is our No. 1 batsman, and it is he who should go out there to show the others the way. Lead from the front, that's what he ought to do. He is too good a bat to drop himself to No.5. Agreed, he was the victim of poor decisions in both essays at the Adelaide Oval. But then, he's the one the Aussies are scared of, and if he starts firing on all cylinders the rest of the batting will take a cue from him and India will surely put on a much better show.

Nevertheless, as I had written in my previous column, it does take time for touring teams to get used to the pace and bounce of Australian wickets. The possible exception, of course, is South Africa, who have similar conditions back home. As such, India, I'm sure, will come good in the next two Tests.

Mind you, there's nothing wrong with our team. They're good, talented outfit, but awfully short of self-belief and motivation. The technique of our batsmen is quite sound, and if they show the right attitude, I see no reason why they cannot take the battle to the enemy camp.

Step No. 1 is to think positive. Taking the Aussies head on is Step No.2, and that will automatically follow from the first. The Aussies, especially their new ball bowlers, are known to soften their targets by employing certain tactics. For instance, they bowl short pitched stuff as soon as the batsman occupies the crease, and then send down fuller length deliveries on or around offstump, tempting the batsman to have a go at it, only to be gobbled up by the slip cordon.

Our batsmen must have the nerve to take on whatever is hurled at them, and show the courage to look the Aussies in the eye while doing so. If they cannot display such an attitude, then, I am afraid, they will find themselves rolled over in the Tests to follow. And that would be a pity indeed.

I cannot conclude without touching upon the aspect of umpiring in Australia, which is not only of poor quality but, if you ask me, downright rude. I wish the Indian Board would show more spunk in this respect and firmly put them in their place. They have done so in the past, in the case of English umpire David Constant, who was promptly removed from the panel after the team lodged a protest with the TCCB. So what's preventing them from doing so now?

In such delicate matters, what the touring team needs is the unflinching support and backing of their Board. It is of vital importance that incompetent and rude umpires are not allowed to officiate in matches, especially those of international consequence.

The time to act is now, else it will be too late. We don't want shaddy umpiring to mar what could possibly develop into an interesting tussle in the Australian summer down Under, do we?

Dilip Vengsarkar