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Optimistic Gaekwad looks to Kotla for win

Contrary to the thoughts running a cross the minds of India's fans after the home side's defeat against Pakistan in the first cricket Test in Madras, Anshuman Gaekwad exudes optimism that the team would come back in the recknoning in the second match to be played at the Ferozshah Kotla in New Delhi from February 4.

After a strenuous net session at the Palam ground under the shadow of a large number of security personnel, the Indian coach said a 'hairline' gap led to India's defeat by a narrow margin of 12 runs in the Madras Test. ''We have to bridge the gap with an improved performance which the team is capable of. The difference between the two sides was marginal,'' he said.

India's mainstay in batting, Sachin Tendulkar, was conspicuous by his absence at the nets. However, Gaekwad dispelled any fears about the star's injury problems.

Sachin had managed to score an epochal century (136) despite a severe back sprain in the first Test and had coasted India to a winning position. As the Man of the Match, he could not even venture out during the award ceremony at the end of the match, and doubts were raised about the batsman's fitness in the minds of his millions of fans.

''Sachin is in fine fettle. He is resting,'' Gaekwad said.

The Wasim Akram-led Pakistani team had its net session in the nearby Harbaksh Stadium in Delhi Cantonment, again virtually out of bounds even for mediapersons.

Gaekwad dismissed the notion that Azharuddin and his men were psychologically on the backfoot after going 0-1 down in the two-Test series. He felt that the opponent's bowling clinched the issue for them in the final analysis though India had gained the upper hand in the intial stages of the match.

''We did not bat the way we should have in the first innings to let slip away the initiative. Our top order order batsmen should stay at the wicket and fetch more runs,'' he said.

Both the Indian and Pakistani teams arrived in the capital late last night and were whisked into the Taj Palace Hotel where elaborate security arrangements have been made.

Meanhile, the Kotla ground has been spruced up for the crucial tie. Round-the-clock vigil is being maintained in and around the stadium by a good number of policemen, especially after last month's unsavoury incident in which some Shiv Sena activists extensively damaged the pitch.

The track has since been relaid and was inspected by Kapil Dev, who chairs the BCCI's pitches committee, along with former Indian star Madan Lal who is also one of the national selectors now. Curator Radhey Shyam predicts that the pitch might turn out to be a slow turner.