The Hindu : Team effort will be the key for India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 04, 2003

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Team effort will be the key for India

By Vijay Lokapally

Photos: V. V. Krishnan

Australian skipper Steve Waugh, who is due to retire after the India series, will want to go out with all guns blazing.

BRISBANE DEC. 3. Indian cricket will take a crucial step over the next five days although Australia stands universally acknowledged winner of this contest even before a ball has been bowled. All the talk has revolved round how would fast would Australia crush India — in three days, four or five. None give India a chance to match its mighty opposition.

The impression gathered at the `Gabba' on the eve of the first Test here is that only one team can win this match — Steve Waugh's all-conquering combination, which has been depleted slightly with the absence of Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee. The impression has gained momentum mainly because India fared poorly on its last visit here four years ago, losing all three Tests.

Sourav Ganguly, quite rightly though, would be justified in dismissing memories of that trip and looking ahead with confidence. True, India's overall record overseas has been dismal, and awful in Australia where it has not won a Test since 1981, but then this team approaches the task with a different mindset, and it is certainly not with the defensive mould that laid low many teams in the past.

This is not to suggest that Indian cricket would witness some dramatic changes over the next month when it engages itself in four Tests against a strong Australia but it would only be fair to back the team on the basis of the trust that someone like Sachin Tendulkar has placed in the current lot. And as Rahul Dravid said the other day "we know the opposition, respect them, but have come here to win.''

History, replete with failures here, may not motivate the Indians but the future ought to. This is a team that has the best blend of experience and talent and is, in the opinion of Tendulkar, prepared for the combat. And he has reasons to support his firm belief that India stands as good a chance to win as the home team.

The experience factor shall count a lot on this tour. Tendulkar, Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, V. V. S. Laxman should guide the younger lot where Virender Sehwag is tipped to succeed simply because of his attacking style. The batsmen will have to play their strokes and that is the prime reason for Ganguly pushing Sadagopan Ramesh as opener in place of Akash Chopra. The Tamil Nadu left-hander enjoys the faith of his skipper more than the Delhi batsman, who is known for his solidity.

The Indians have learnt a few lessons from the tour matches preceding this Test. One cannot rule out Deep Dasgupta's inclusion in the eleven.

The batsmen are aware they have to cope with the extra pace and bounce but none is deterred by the hostile reception. Ganguly rubbished media reports giving his team little chance. "We know the conditions better and are here to win'' he declared in his inimitable style.

Sachin Tendulkar is likely to be grilled by the Aussie pacemen as the first Test gets underway at The Gabba on Thursday.

A new theme song has been introduced in the Indian dressing room. There is greater stress on making the individuals work in the interest of the team by not leaving the job to the others. The huddle in the middle has to have a winning tune to enliven the atmosphere and here the seniors have taken the lead to forge a new chapter. They have pledged to show the way with a new wave of accountability.

The Indian pace attack has strengthened the team's belief that it can pull it off. The pitch, hard and grassy, is expected to test every aspect of batsmanship.

The spinners may have a role as the match progresses but the onus shall be on the quick bowlers to deliver. And they are, needless to say, fired up to exploit tracks that suit their style.

Cricket in Australia assumes a different meaning because it demands the most exacting degree of commitment and consistency.

The quicker the visiting batsmen adapt to the lively pitches, with pace and bounce giving sleepless nights, the better. The same applies to the bowlers who must understand that the length they need to strike on Australian pitches varies from the rest of the world. It is about adapting quickly and the Indians claim to have done their homework better this time.

The Aussies are equally focused, no doubt, and far more relaxed. Steve Waugh, the senior statesman of international cricket, would like to sign off on a winning note in his farewell series and there lies the danger for the Indians.

The Australians may like to raise their game and give their captain a nice gift when he says good-bye to the game he served with great distinction.

The Australians would obviously strive to maintain their supremacy. The emphasis on performance at all levels has given Australian cricket an image others would love to emulate. Behind the success lie hours of toil and utilization of talent at the right time. That is the difference between the teams. The Aussies have things in places. The batsmen are keen to have a go in the middle and the attack bristling with confidence with Jason Gillespie thrust with the responsibility of harnessing Brad Williams and the energetic Nathan Bracken.

The Indians sure are in for a grilling period, and have marked their goals. Team effort it has to be. The Aussies have their own battle plans — the demolition job has to be carried out relentlessly.

The audience stands to gain from the quality contest that unfolds at the `Gabba' tomorrow. High intensity action begins when the umpire orders "play.'' The team that plays better cricket, and not necessarily Australia, should emerge the winner. As for India, the players have vowed not to let down its legion of supporters with a promise to write a new chapter in its cricket history. A tough task but, as Tendulkar observed, not beyond reach.

The teams: India (from): Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, S. Ramesh, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, V. V. S. Laxman, Parthiv Patel, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Akash Chopra, Anil Kumble, Irfan Pathan, L. Balaji and Deep Dasgupta.

Australia: Steve Waugh (captain), Justin Langer, Mathew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Simon Katich, Andy Bichel, Stuart MacGill, Jason Gillespie, Brad Williams and Nathan Bracken.

Umpires: Messrs Steve Bucknor and Rudi Koertzen; Third umpire: Mr. Peter Parker; Match Referee: Mr. Mike Procter.

Hours of play (IST): 5.30 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.; 8-10 a.m. to 10.10.; 10.30 a.m. onwards.

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