I’m shocked by India’s opening indecision

It is crucial for an under-fire bowling side to bowl on one side of the stumps and set the field accordingly. Kumble and Harbhajan bowled poorly, and they could have done much better, for there was certainly some turn in the pitch.

I remember being criticized for a statement I was supposed to have made two years ago, about there being Irfan Pathan in every street in Pakistan. I never said anything of the sort; I’d actually stated that it wasn’t easy to become an all-time great overnight. Irfan is talented and will surely go places but it is important he has good support at the other end.

I have to say that I am shocked with the happenings in the Indian camp on the first morning of the match. I fail to understand how a team can be indecisive about the crucial opening slot till the very beginning of a series as significant as this.

The Indian team had spent over a week in Pakistan prior to the first Test, during which they played a practice match giving all the leading batsmen a workout. They must have had a meeting on the evening before as well; what was discussed during the practice match and the pre-Test meeting? It does appear that certain things weren’t discussed!

I am not too happy with Rahul Dravid opening the innings. Opening is a specialist’s job, and India cannot afford to expose the pillar of their side in an unfamiliar role. I remember insisting on opening the batting on several occasions during my playing career, only for my captains to turn me down on the grounds that the team would suffer if I were to fall early.

India will be under pressure on Day 3, though they have an impressive batting line-up and have reached fifty plus with no wickets down. One gets the feeling that Pakistan’s only chance of winning this match is to prevent the Indians from avoiding the follow-on. (PMG)