Men in Blue in West Indies

by Wasimul Haque

June 21, 2006

Mud slinging is a bad habit. While Indian cricket team landed in West Indies then Coach Guru Graig passed a comment that West Indies have lost the art of winning. It seems the same thing should be applied for the Indian team. India failed to wrap up the first two tests in spite of the complete authority. To suffocate at the most critical moment is an old habit of the Indian team. After the first and second test Indian fans were dejected. All were passing their opinions that the team selection was poor. Harbhajan should be included in the team, India should go with five bowlers, and luck was with West Indies. These opinions won’t change the score line. Both the teams have chance to unlock the door.

Coach Graig Chappel’s failure as a strategist is the talking point. India opted for six batsmen in the first test, this was a defensive mode. Harbhajan Singh despite getting more than 200 test wickets was not selected in the final eleven. Virender Sehwag was only option remained for Dravid. Had Bhajji played in the first test India would have won the test comfortably.
There is an old saying that wise men are those who learn quickly from their early mistakes. Indian team management is not ready to learn lesson from their early mistakes and the same mistake was committed once again. Kumble was the only spinner in the team. Bhajji could not be selected because of his groin injury. Ramesh Powar was the option, but team management had no faith on him in test cricket. It seems he is just there for warming the bench

What was VRV Singh playing? Sehwag a part-timer has bowled more over than VRV Singh. Poor team selection deprived India from going 2-0 up in the series.

What would be the approach of the team management in the third test? It is difficult to predict. India has been playing superbly in the test cricket. It goes without saying that Indian outplayed the Caribbean in all departments of the game.

At the outset India is firm favourite in the last two test matches. If weather, and to some extent luck, is kind enough to India, then India still has a great chance to clinch the series. But West Indies can upset any team. Brian Lara has the quality to change the match from any situation. He scored hundred at the most crucial times in the second test which could be done by a player of the caliber of Lara. As die-hard Indian fans we hope that India win the remaining two test matches. We should not forget that cricket is a great game of uncertainty.

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