Problems galore before selectors

Through the tour of South Africa, Sachin Tendulkar, who took over from Azharuddin last summer, kept insisting his was a young team which was still on the learning curve. The plea continued into the West Indies. South Africa saw Dravid establishing himself as the player on whom the side could depend on. West Indies saw Dodda Ganesh put into practice some of the lessons he picked up in South Africa and come out a yard or two quicker, and wiser, too. Abey Kuruvilla has been more than useful.

The side has often been in sight of victory on both tours. Yet, they have always failed at the doorstep. The problem, it is now clear, lies in the mind. Call it attitude, call it lack application or whatever else, the moot point is, this team has shown itself to be incapable of translating commanding situations into meaningful victories. The opponent has often been down on the mat waiting for the count, the wicket has held no terrors, and yet the Indian side has not been able to deliver the final punch.

Whether be it the Test in Johannesburg or the tri-series final in Durban or the Barbados test or St. Vincent. Victories in any of these could have changed the fate of the series.

On the face of things, Tendulkar might seem to be in control of the side. But, “Is he ?” Time and again he has hinted that his instructions have not been carried out; whether they were to hang around or to hit out.

His stoic defence of the youthful side fell apart as he criticised the players’ lack of application and their attitude. That is worrisome, for Tendulkar’s despondency can be the most difficult hurdle to surmount for this side.

In a day or two, the selectors will confer over the telephone with the team management, in Bermuda, where India will play two one-dayers, to decide on the team for the Independence Cup.

They will have to grapple with a string of problems, which include reports of a flare-up between Navjot Sidhu and the coach, Madan Lal; Azhar’s poor streak with the bat; Ajay Jadeja’s flashes of brilliance juxtaposed with gifting away of his wicket at crucial stages; the choice between the old-faithful Nayan Mongia, whose slightest of smiles tend to be misinterpreted and brilliant performances forgotten in a hurry, and Saba Karim.

Even as writers are busy scripting Azhar’s cricketing obituary focussing on the problems he is creating for his captain and the Board — what with his insisting on having his wife around, even when other players’ wives have been asked to leave — the selectors will be faced with the dilemma of whether or not to persist with the former captain on Indian wickets.

Sidhu’s shows and no-shows have unfortunately become a matter of not just concern but also ridicule, leading to unpleasant exchanges within the side.

Will the selectors show heart to blood an youngster or two to open the innings ? Maybe, Wasim Jaffer can get a look-in against rivals, who do not seem formidable. Pakistan are without their leading bowlers and New Zealand, do not have Simon Doull.

A place or two in the middle-order, an opener and maybe an all-rounder — following failures from Jadeja and Robin Singh, of late — could be what the selectors are looking for. For the next few days, the likes of Jaffer, and even Ajay Sharma, will keep their fingers crossed.

The selectors may make minor surgeries, but the all-important question is, can this Indian team get over its attitude problem and apply itself better. As in the case of all problems with Indian cricket, everyone looks upto to Tendulkar to overcome them.