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Predictable pattern unfolds for Indians
Indian cricket has a seasonal touch, and depending on whether it is Tests or ODIs, we are enraged, by not winning abroad, writes Amrit Mathur.
Indian cricket has a seasonal touch, and depending on whether it is Tests or one-dayers, a predictable pattern unfolds.
As we are currently in the middle of the one-day season, cricket discussion is dominated by choking in finals, Dravid's keeping, Sachin's record in crunch matches and a team selection policy that picks seven batsmen. When Tests are played we are engaged, and enraged, by not winning abroad and the failure to find reliable openers. Some of these questions have no answers, others have been answered a million times. Why do we choke? Well, nobody knows.
Several innovative theories are up in the air but, bottom line, there is no sensible explanation. Sourav has repeatedly expressed his views on the seven-batsman formula but the debate will continue to rage on till India find another captain or coach or discover another Kapil Dev.
Dravid's keeping is an issue each time he lets through a bye or fumbles with a return from the deep. Initially Shaheed Dravid Singh put his hand up for Bharat Mata (given I-will-do-anything-for-the-team attitude) but now has put both hands up to surrender this role to young Karthik. While there is reason to debate tactical, strategic and selection matters, the unending speculation surrounding Sachin is pointless. Debates about his place in the game (ahead, behind, alongside Lara or Hayden or someone else) can only be inconclusive because comparisons just don't work. Cricket has light meters, D/L, umpires wired with microphones and speed guns but no instrument that correctly measures the ability of players. And, anyway, why launch frenzied investigations into Sachin's record. Much better to just delight in his wonderful skills and enjoy the batting .
The onset of Test matches breeds different sawaals but here, at least, the concerns are relevant. People used to be agonise over our dismal record abroad but with recent wins in Australia and Pakistan this has lost intensity. What still troubles cricket followers though is the failure to find two openers.
Earlier we rued the absence of fast bowlers but that changed with improved supply, in fact a glut exists now with five quicks jostling for two slots in the eleven. But the perennial shortage of skilled openers remains.
