India must plan for strategic game against Namibia

Krish Srikkanth

February 23, 2003

After their comprehensive win against Zimbabwe, the morale in the Indian camp must be very high indeed. Few really doubted the talent and ability of this Indian team, and the only worry stemmed from the poor performances they put together in their first two games in the World Cup.

Whatever the performance, though, it was quite shocking to hear about the reaction of the Indian public after the team's loss to Australia. The nature of the defeat apparently spurred emotion to spill over violently onto the streets, and I sincerely hope that the fans stay calm and wish the very best for Sourav Ganguly and his team.

But the defeat against Australia did have its uses, namely in sending the Indian think-tank back to the drawing board. Consequently, the body language during their tie against Zimbabwe spoke volumes, and there was a lot of communication between the players on the field. They certainly looked like they were, for a change, enjoying their cricket.

Given the success of the changes brought about at Harare, then, it is important that Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag continue as openers. The blazing start they provided at Harare made a world of difference. What I like in particular about Sehwag is that he plays his natural game, no matter what the situation is. Even on New Zealand's damp and seaming tracks, he strode out and played his strokes, which made him the most successful batsman in the one-day series.

Indeed, it is important that each member of the team plays to his strength, and the proof of that strategy's validity lies in Sehwag's recent success as opener, and it has helped to have an opening batsman who can go out and hammer the bowling into submission.

If India are to bat first against minnows Namibia, their fans are definitely in for a run-feast. On the other hand, if India are to win the toss, they should definitely choose to bowl first. With one eye on the weather and another on the net run-rate situation, India should treat the game against Namibia as more than just a stroll in the park.

I would also like to see some shuffling of the middle order, depending on the situation of the game. One-day cricket has always been about innovation and outsmarting the opposition, so I was quite disappointed to see Dinesh Mongia get bogged down at number three against Zimbabwe. Mongia consumed too many deliveries without being able to rotate the strike, slowing the momentum considerably. India must be most careful about this aspect of their game, and it may be worthwhile to think about sending young Yuvraj Singh at number three, for he is a natural, free-flowing and attacking batsman.

Javagal Srinath's bowling has also been a feature of India's change of fortunes at the World Cup. It always helps to have someone who can take early wickets, and in that context, it may not be a bad idea to give Ajit Agarkar a go in the game against Namibia, for India must strike the right balance ahead of the crucial games against England and Pakistan. I don't expect Namibia to put up any big resistance, but India should watch out for the rain and plan their strategy accordingly.

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