Robin’s charges frivolous

If he was unaware of the rules of the tournament, all he needed to do was ask the school children who consume the biscuits he models for. Why even their sisters, mothers or grandmothers would have told him the format of the World Cup. (That very biscuit company came up with booklet after booklet about the World Cup for the past year.)

This is not to bat for the team management or even absolve it of its follies. But if Robin Singh really wanted to make a contribution to the betterment of Indian cricket he must reveal what sort of planning took place — if at all — for every match.

Did the cricket manager plot the dismissal of every opponent? Did he come armed with video tapes of all the opponents? Did the skipper and the cricket manager work out strategies? Was there any attempt by the duo to talk to the Indian players and hone on their assets? Was the team doctor an asset or a liability?

ROBIN’S BATMAN

It is good that Robin has praised the efforts of Bobby Simpson. Others too believe that he was the main source of strength in the back room. But his scope was limited and he did not have the freehand that would have helped the team better.

Robin Singh would have done a service if he had spoken of these things. Instead, he talks of bowling only 31 overs and finishing with eight wickets.

It needs to be pointed out that Robin was given his full quota of overs against Sri Lanka only because India were defending a total of 373-5. Would he have got the full 10 overs if the team was defending 200? Perhaps Robin himself can answer that better.

Come on Robin, You should have done your homework before setting out for the World Cup. In any case, India lost to South Africa and Zimbabwe in the first two matches. That is the stage of the tournament when every team wants to just notch up victories, not wonder which points they are to carry into the Super Six.

Yes, Indian cricket needs a total overhaul of the system. But that should come from the pouring of a logical brain. You goofed, Robin!