India going in the right direction

India needs to start winning trophies and could begin by giving England a walloping at Lord's on Saturday. Winning and losing are as infectious as laughter and tears. Walk into the room of a successful outfit and the mood can be felt, for it has a cutting edge as sharp as a satirists wit. Wander into a struggling side and the nervousness can be sensed, with everyone looking over their shoulders like a child in a forest.

Till now these Indians have lacked the ruthlessness required to dominate a competition. Certainly, they have not looked as tough as the battle-hardened bunch of scrappers who lifted the World Cup and much else 20 years ago. They were a bunch of whisky drinkers prepared to swoop punches with anyone - or, at least, that is how they came across. Doubtless, they were really tucked up in their beds with an improving book at sunset.

Sourav Ganguly

Sourav's side is starting to show the aggression needed to lift cups. In keeping with the times, the younger blokes are batting and bowling without fear... a reminder that times have changed. Conventions do not inhibit them for they were raised in a more footloose age. Meanwhile, the old-stagers are also doing their bit. Spurred on by the dash of the new fellows, they are accepting their responsibilities with the captain opening the batting, his deputy taking the webbed gloves and the star turn leaving his preferred position to prop up the middle-order. Clearly, the team is working to a plan with all hands on deck at the critical hour. Now India must press ahead so that the players expect rather than merely hope to win.

In the past the will has not really been there, not even in matches against Pakistan, whose tougher, rougher outlook allows them to crush more timid opponents. Silk is fine material but it is better to take steel into battle. Perhaps. it is a matter of cricketing culture, the fatalism and gentility of the Indian game against the warlike aspect of its neighbour, with its aggressive and maverick ways. Certainly, India itself has plenty of courage for its crack troops are amongst the most respected in the world.

India's batting has been strong ever since Sachin hoved into view, as P.G. Wodehouse used to put it. Now, it is also balanced and deep. It is no use having two or three brilliant batters in these capers because sooner or later the lower orders will be needed. Risks must be taken and that means that wickets will sometimes fall. Tendulkar brings his power to the middle and Dravid's willingness to keep wicket means that, like Gilchrist and Stewart, he is two players rolled into one. Yuvraj and Virender Sehwag are gifted stroke players, and whilst Kaif and Mongia are less familiar, they can fulfill their roles and field superbly. India has a settled order and these fellows should still be around for the World Cup. Rather than playing for their places in Africa, they can concentrate on winning matches.

Adjusting to African pitches will be the problem, though the groundsmen will try hard to produce batting paradises.At least these men have time to focus on the important things.

Ashish Nehra

India's bowling has improved in the last couple of months. Not so long ago I wrote off their chances of prolonged success because the bowling seemed weak. After all, Ajit Agarkar averages over five runs an over yet has still played about 100 matches for his country. Now this pessimism seems a little premature. Not that I am suddenly tipping India to win, but the pacemen are combining accuracy and hostility whilst the spin remains strong.

Ashish Nehra has made a big difference. As a rule, lefties do not do well in 50 over cricket because their angle prevents them keeping a tight enough line. Nehra and Zaheer Khan have moved the ball around at the start and finish of innings and also bowl sufficiently fast to discourage batsmen from taking undue liberties. Even Agarkar has steadied though he still has some brainstorms. Ganguly must have more confidence in this line-up than any previous collection given to him.

Ganguly's position is stronger than at any time in his eventful reign. He manages to provoke extraordinary hostility without trying all that hard. His defenders remain in a minority. Frankly, I enjoy his captaincy, though I do not have to play under or against him, which may help. His young team shows spirit and commitment and the skipper deserves credit for that. He is detested by television moguls, opponents, the Mumbai cricketing mafia, Lancastrians, commentators and most Australians, so he cannot be all bad. Nor did he fall foul of the bookies or dodgy officials. Ganguly may yet have the last laugh, though if he is wise, he will not even start grinning yet because there is a long way to go for India, and many a slip betwixt cup and lip. The signs are promising; India is going in the right direction but is only halfway along the path.

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England look formidable

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