Consistency will be the key for men in blue

India’s strong point is their batting. Except for the last tour to New Zealand, India have won many matches mainly because they could put up totals that put pressure on the opposition.

There is a big debate over whether Sachin Tendulkar should open the innings or go in at No 3 or No 4. Though Sachin has scored heavily as an opener, I feel the wickets in South Africa will not allow the batsmen to go after the bowlers in the initial overs, as they do in India, where a batsman can hit through the line and clear the field.

The best batsman in the team must bat more overs, and I feel if Sachin bats either at No 3 or No 4, considering the kind of start the opening pair gives to India, he will be more useful in that position. The team’s success will depend largely on how they handle his position. That’s the key.

I feel a trifle sorry for Rahul Dravid. He has always performed whenever the team needed him. His performance, over the years, has been exemplary. He has the technique, the courage and, above all, the ability to adapt quickly to different conditions. His position in the batting order, unfortunately, tends to be shuffled around according to the situation. Nonetheless, he will be playing a very crucial role in South Africa. I suppose he will have to keep wickets as well, so as to to get the balance of the team right.

Though the bowling department played its part well in New Zealand, it is a big worry. Srinath and Zaheer are top class performers. But the Nehras and Agarkars will have to perform much better than they have been doing since their debut. It seems they have been doing just about enough to hang in there. Surely they are capable of a much better show.

It would be interesting to see how Kumble performs for, of late, he has been struggling to get wickets. Harbhajan, I feel, could play a very important role by getting wickets in the middle overs.

India’s fielding certainly must improve, for there are more slow movers than agile fielders in the side. In one-day cricket, fielding plays as important a role as batting and bowling.

They will have to hit the stumps to effect run-outs more often than they have been doing.

All in all, India’s chances in this World Cup will depend largely on how they perform in the first few crucial games.