Due for dentures

Former India captain Ajit Wadekar hits the nail on the head when he explains bowlers’ mixed-up priorities. ‘‘They are playing like machines. With so many matches — with Tests and ODIs overlapping — they seem to have forgotten the difference between the two versions of the game.’’ And, as an afterthought, adds: ‘‘Actually, tell me, do they even have the time to sit together and come up with a game plan?’’

The lack of a plan was noticeable in the second session on the final day at St John’s and St Lucia when the West Indies batsmen dropped anchor. ‘‘What matters is the killer instinct and the intelligence, which the pacers have lacked so far. Individually, Sreesanth or Munaf, both are fine. But they should be made to understand that you’ve got to make the batsmen play, and to do that, you have got to bowl straight if you want to dismiss the opposition. Sadly, that’s been missing,’’ says former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad.

So, have the Indian bowlers hit a new low mid-way through the West Indian tour? Not quite, in case one takes stock of India’s recent record in delivering the knockout punch. The final day folly in the West Indies was just par for the course. Traditionally, the Indians have the worst record when it comes to getting a team out in the second innings. Recent records have reconfirmed the fact. In the last eight Tests that India have played — three away in Pakistan, three at home against England and two in the West Indies — Rahul Dravid’s bowlers have needed at an average, 108 overs to dismiss their rivals. So it doesn’t come as a surprise when India found 90 overs too few twice in the last two Tests.

Former India offie Erapalli Prasanna goes to the extent of saying that had ‘‘the team management got the bowling combination right, India would have been 2-0 up in the series.’’ Prasanna gives his take on the ideal combination. ‘‘Not playing Harbhajan was the main reason behind the last Test’s failure. Harbhajan’s experience and, most importantly, his nature of playing attacking cricket would have been the West Indies’ biggest threat. Contrary to popular belief that part-time bowlers like Sehwag lack the temperament to win matches outright, Sehwag was impressive, although he understandably lacks the killer instinct.’’

Former India coach Madan Lal seconds it. ‘‘The mindset of a batsman facing Harbhajan is different to the one when he faces a part-timer like Sehwag. Though Sehwag bowled well, you certainly need a regular bowler,’’ he says.

With K Shriniwas Rao
(Inputs from Nadim Siraj and GS Vivek)