Tendulkar’s presence will not make any difference

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Looks like, the Indian team peaked too early for the forthcoming World-Cup. Just before they landed in NZ, they were rated third in the world ranking for ODIs, just a fraction of a point above the Sri Lanka. Ofcourse, the top two teams – Australia and South Africa – are well ahead of all other teams with unquestionable tally of points. No doubt, the Indians had little bit of hiccups when the young West Indies team thrashed them in ODI series, and that too at home, prior to this tour of New Zealand which is still on.

With the series already dead, even if Sachin gets fit enough to play in the remaining games. That brings into focus another question: What happened to those two Tests India even when Sachin played?

The main culprit for such a pathetic performance is of course swinging and seaming tracks, specially prepared for the Indian batting line-up. The Indian seamers did bowl well in both types of the game spearheaded by that lion hearted pacer called Zaheer Khan. What they needed badly was few more runs on the board to get the opposition out. Even if the Indian batsmen gather some courage and play with positive attitude, this one-sided series so far, can be made interesting in the remaining matches. They have been there for nearly more than a month. Isn’t that enough to get acclimatized with those conditions by now if they call themselves professionals.

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Certainly, this Kiwi batting is not formidable or invincible. They can crack if India apply some pressure, try hard to play all the 50 overs and field like the opposition if not better.

Yes, this has to be accompanied by proper planning and strategy that seem to be totally lacking in the Indian dressing room so far. More than all these things, the self-belief in lacking. Have that feeling cultivated that you are much superior to these black caps. Or otherwise, wait for the law of averages to work on Indian team having lost all the five games in a row.

The team for the World Cup is now selected. There were hardly any surprises. No selection committee can afford to take any chances with the experimentation at this juncture. It’s too late now. The BCCI and it’s President and almost the entire India with its MPs are backing the Indian players in their confrontation with the ICC in the Endorsement policy. Rightly so as it’s only Indian players who are getting affected.

One thing is certain. ICC just can’t afford to play the World Cup without the Indian team, as most of the sponsors of Indian origin will shy off quietly, slowly, steadily but certainly.

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So, what’s ailing Indian cricket. Why can’t they focus more in the middle?