Can India read the lessons in their defeat?

It took South Africa a further 14 months to get their team back into some sort of competitive shape. The Australians and New Zealanders had long moved on. The Aussies were back as World Champions and the Kiwis at least made the Super Sixes.

What is worrying is that India are in the process of falling into a similar trap as South Africa as they prepare for their Australia tour. Just how much disruption to India’s cause came through the lengthy absences of Saurav Ganguly, which forced a split in captaincy identity and thinking as well as team strategies, has not really been debated.

One look at the touring squad for Australia and the problems which emerged during the TVS series became more identifiable.

India have not learnt from their 2001 South African tour experience. Ganguly’s shrewd leadership and handling of his bowlers is one thing, but India are going to continue in blowing off a foot if they drop catches.

Despite restricting Australia to 235 at Eden Gardens, the dropped catches were just to culpable to the cause; it was as if the buttered naan was too slippery to handle and the bowlers were left to feel bereft of team effort. It is the sort of disruptive factor which cannot be allowed if the team is to perform at any level in Australia.

John Wright and Ganguly have put together a formidable and professional structure. Yet while the side may have been a little short of match practice with only the New Zealand Test series to sharpen their talents for the TVS Triangular. Not all was well; there were too many basic errors for anyone to feel comfortable about the team’s progress.

Fo one thing they looked pretty woeful during the Tests against the Kiwis, and there were times when, even during the limited overs series, the type of pitches used was seriously questioned.

Surely it is time for the Indian management as well as the board members (or they more interested in position, power and politics than the game?) to take a look at how the Australians worked through that 2001/02 defeat. They had a year to correct it before defending the World Cup and look where they are.

Sure India made the World Cup and eventually the TVS Series final, but they are heading for Australia with serious psychological problems and the Aussies, sprig of wattle in hand, will be just as ruthless Down Under as they were on the sub-continent.