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It's all in the mindset

The Indians have been beaten comprehensively in round one. I can't help feeling that the major problem was lack of self belief. It was essential that they go into the first match with positive and aggressive intent and catch the Aussies unawares. The Aussies are so used to encountering opposition that believes they are the underdogs, and extremely good at annihilating such lacklustre opposition early on, thereby stamping their domination over the rest of the series.

Which was why the Indians had to get in there scrapping.

It was amply clear however that the Indians had a very defensive approach. Even the start that they got, of 52 for 4, didn't work for them. As soon as the Aussies counter-attacked after lunch, the Indian challenge just fell apart, helped, to a great extent, by the inept handling of the bowling resources available.

>Nobody quite understood why, after lunch, the Indians started with Saurav Ganguly when it was imperative to apply the pressure. Kumble was brought on on only when the partnership had settled. If only they had applied the pressure from just before lunch, with close in fielders surrounding the bat, anything could have happened.

>There was also no particular direction or thinking, when Waugh and Ponting were making merry. It was essential to pack one side and get back to the basics of line and length and wait for the batsmen to err. Instead, runs came easily and from both sides of the wicket.

That the Indians were less than prepared for the first Test was evident from the batting order. Rahul, Sachin and Saurav at 4, 5 and 6 is a recipe for disaster, especially when you have such an unsettled top order. The idea that these three would steady the ship if needed is flawed, because they can't play their natural game if the side loses early wickets.

Moreover, if these three can get in at the top and play well -- which is more than half the battle -- then the lower order also does not come under pressure. The youngsters in the squad then has a better chance at no.six than at no.three.

The entire demeanour and tactics employed by the Indians also showed that they were only thinking of saving the match and at no stage, even before the game started, did they believe that they could win. The captain too went into his shell at the end of the second day, letting Shane Warne settle, get confidence and eventually dominate the Indians.

The most surprising aspect of the Indian capitulation was the way they handled Warne, and that too, on a wicket which was not affording much turn. Rahul Dravid was so circumspect that he allowed Warne to dominate, making matters very difficult for the batsmen to follow. Commonsense dictates that you never attempt to play a defensive shot to a ball spinning in from outside the leg stump -- if you are not looking for runs and LBW is out of the question anyway, then why put bat to ball? You do that, you can only get out -- and that is what happened to Dravid. Moreover, a player of his stature is not expected to open himself up, taking his front foot outside the leg stump to play a defensive shot.

Shane Warne started with a leg stump line as a defensive tactic, and inadvertantly stumbled onto an area of vulnerability of the Indians on or outside the leg stump. They do not play the sweep nor the straight-batted on drive and are in such a negative frame of mind that they are not using their feet either. It is very difficult to accept that an Indian team touring Australia is losing to a spinner, however good he may be. It is absolutely essential to play your normal game and attack Warne from the start.

The opening partnership was a disaster. Gandhi stood exposed to the rising ball. However, nobody should get only one chance, and so he should be persisted with, but it appears that Kanitakar will replace him and bat at number six while Laxman takes his place at the top of the order.

It is important to have a focus and a strategy. The openers have to play out the first fifteen to twenty overs and not give the Aussies early inroads into the middle order.

The Indians are down but hopefully not out. A radical shift in the mental makeup or approach has to be effected . It is not going to be easy. The Aussies are now pretty sure of victory and will be even more dangerous with Warne at his most confident and the introduction of Bret Lee, who is reputed to be the fastest. The MCG wicket too, will afford more bounce.

The Indians have to go into this game with a 'nothing to lose' attitude and play with their natural flair. So far, it appears that they are a collection of individuals trying to do well . While it is important to focus on your individual performances, it is imperative to think as a team and believe that you can win. A task easier said than done -- but then, no one said that at this level, it would be easy.

Arun Lal