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Greatest challenge in Pak is psychological
The battles within will be more intense than the battles on the field. It will all boil down to the power of the mind, writes Geoffrey Boycott
The battles within will be more intense than the battles on the field. It will all boil down to the power of the mind.
The biggest problem the Indian team faces regarding the forthcoming tour of Pakistan is psychological. Most of the players are wary of their safety in the light of past events. Particularly the bomb that went off in Karachi and just missed maiming or killing the New Zealand players. Plus the recent attempts to assassinate the Pakistan President. Certain senior players just don't want to go. Many have young families and are wealthy beyond most people's dreams, so their view is bound to be, "Why take the risk? Why put ourselves in danger?"
I have no doubt pressure has been brought to bear on the captain and senior individuals. Players can be 'encouraged' to go but if the guys turn up in body but not in spirit, they will play bad cricket. Don't underestimate the power of the mind. To play good cricket, each and every member of the touring party must be fully committed and focused on cricket. It's impossible to bat or bowl well if you feel threatened or are constantly looking around for danger. It doesn't matter whether the danger is real or imagined, so getting the team in the right frame of mind will be vital as to how they play.
The key for India is their batting against the pace attack of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Sami. The pitches should be flat with even bounce and providing the batsman can get through the new ball without losing early wickets, then those pitches we made for big scores.
In the Test matches in Australia, the Indian batsmen had no problems with the pace of Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie because the pitches didn't have bounce. In the one-dayers at Perth and the two finals, the pitches had bounce and all the Indian batsmen struggled. So, if any of the matches give the slightest help to the fast men, then the Indian batsmen can be made to 'dance around' with 'chin music'. The Pakistan spinners shouldn't be a problem. Saqlain has been out of favour and even if he comes back to play, his record shows that he is an excellent one-day bowler and only average Test match bowler. Dinesh Kaneria is a young man learning his trade and his leg-spin shouldn't concern Indian batsmen, providing everyone doesn't become complacent.
India's biggest headache is their bowling. It is a 'pop-gun' attack without Zaheer Khan. Zaheer gives the team a cutting edge that none of the other seamers can match. He is a must-play guy who can lift the whole team. Agarkar may be fit or may break down again. He is not a strong lad and even when fit, his bowling is erratic. You can admire his outswingers and then just as easily, get cross at the rubbish he dishes up. India has relied so heavily on Kumble and Harbhajan. Singh is definitely out and there is a question mark over Kumble's shoulder.
Even if Anil starts the tour, he may break down again. Bearing all this in mind, it will be hard for India to bowl Pakistan out twice. Both teams have good batsmen but India has more class. If those guys can post big totals then even the 'pop gun' attack can put Pakistan under pressure. Playing well under pressure wins more Test matches than ability.
