We have talked about the batting, the bowling and the fielding earlier and while each aspect plays its part (or not) on the day's showing, it is perhaps time to zero in on what exactly makes this Indian team tick and I think we can narrow it down to our batting.
Following Indian cricket is not an easy thing to do. All of us are usually a little confused about what to expect on a given day.
In this particular India-England ODI series too the confusion is about which Indian team will turn up on that day, will it be a very good team or will it be a team that has seen its best already. But that is also a trait that adds to the thrill and perhaps why millions of us Indians watch every India match.
Being brilliant one day and not figuring at all the next day means we are a team of extremes. What exactly is causing that is difficult to say.
We have talked about the batting, the bowling and the fielding earlier and while each aspect plays its part (or not) on the day's showing, it is perhaps time to zero in on what exactly makes this Indian team tick and I think we can narrow it down to our batting.
Focus on batting
It is our batting that makes or breaks the day. Our bowling is dependent on helpful conditions and on other days any useful bowling contributions are somewhat of a bonus.
I really empathise with the bowlers but that's the way it has become in one-day cricket, what with the shortened boundaries, the extended fielding restrictions and so on. It is almost as if no one can be a good bowler in typical one-day conditions and it is because of this that the focus shifts to the batsmen.
It is only more so with our team as our batting has always been our strength and the onus is thus on the batsmen to come good irrespective of the conditions.
Our batting has to come good at all cost and no condition can be deemed unplayable - except maybe artificially created ones such as batting under lights - and which is why I have repeatedly stressed on batting first in a day-night match.
Even in day matches there is nothing like being able to set a target as chasing one always brings on added pressure.
That brings us to the balance of the team. We may have got away playing just four bowlers in Sunday's game but we can't be sure if that is the way to go. It only goes to show the importance of having one if not two genuine all-rounders in the side.
But until we find one at least, it will always be a case of hit or miss and whatever the team management comes up with on that day, we will have to live with it. After all they are the ones on the spot and under the circumstances they can only take it one match at a time.
As far as spots go, I am of the firm opinion that a specialist is a specialist and in that respect it is perhaps time Rahul took up his specialist spot at slip again. I understand he's trying to stand close to the bowler in order to guide him but he can do that from his position at slip too.
But as for the ball repeatedly going between the wicket-keeper and first slip, whoever is stationed there must have an understanding with the wicket-keeper. It is usually the 'keeper that goes for the ball but it is always better to have talked about it earlier.
Following Indian cricket is not an easy thing to do. All of us are usually a little confused about what to expect on a given day.
