Better communication neededTest cricket is alive in India but not quite kicking. And, if I may borrow a medical terminology, it (Test cricket) could well be brain dead. Now, that is a serious problem which the BCCI must look into most seriously. We all know no patient wants to live like a vegetable. The same applies to Test cricket. I am working on the post-mortem report of the just concluded first Test in Mohali.There were many conflicting conclusions from the `honourably' drawn Test which didn't help a loyal follower of Test cricket as yours truly. First and foremost: Why was the start delayed by 45 minutes on the first day? Someone in the PCA has to own up such a lousy lapse. Hopefully, the match referee's report will put the culprit on the mat. It is all very well to get excellent certificates of merit for the venue (from the visitors mainly!). But one silly mistake probably cost India a Test win. Of course, I am being wise after the event and it is that particular incident I am referring to.Even well before the Test got underway, the PCA was complaining about financial losses. A Test win for the country was the least priority. If international cricket is only to cater for financial gains, then I am afraid our administrators must make way for all business communities of the world. I was surprised both Kapil Dev and Tendulkar were mute observers in this unpardonable episode.Perhaps, the two giants of Indian cricket were busy coming to terms with themselves with their fresh assignments. After all, how many people speak the same language even when they do speak the same language? Human nature is never more Sphinx like than when when it is expressing itself. I do realise that nine-tenths of the wisdom is being wise in time. This is a crucial phase for both the coach and the captain of the Indian team. They must remember that the defeats and victories of those at the top aren't always defeats and victories for those at the bottom. Kapil Dev's gestures from the pavilion and Tendulkar turning hisback to them was all in poor taste. Better communication must prevail, the sooner the better.After the stalemate, the entire Indian team resembled a youth who stabbed his toe while running to see his sweetheart. The lad was too big to cry and far too badly hurt to laugh. However, it was reasonably clear that both India and New Zealand are woefully short of Test cricket. In case of the Black Caps it can be safely said that when they attacked they went for the kill as they did by destroying India for a paltry 83 in the first innings. And when the visitors defended, there was a method in their approach.Indians are favourites to win on home soil. But their collective effort appeared to have far too much of `self' attached to it. Also, from an Indian angle, not a nice feeling to know that Indian bowlers and fielders are not very happy doing the job longer than 50 overs. Hence, two different statements from the coach and the captain. One suggesting the ship in the harbour is safe. And the other saying thatis not what ships are built for.The desire for safety stands against every great and noble cause. However, life shrinks and expands in proportion to one's courage to come back with vengeance.Alas, there wasn't enough grit in the combined attack (all from Karnataka) of M/s Srinath and Kumble. For some inexplicable reasons Sunil Joshi was underbowled and Bharadwaj played ahead of Harbhajan. The three debutants MSK Prasad, Gandhi, Bharadwaj - are all off-shoots of one-day cricket. So hitching their wagon to stars may be a cumbersome exercise.
