Simpson8217;s contribution vital

Transformation of this Indian cricket team into a maturing unit has been an experience to behold. They have passed the toughest test with...

Transformation of this Indian cricket team into a maturing unit has been an experience to behold. They have passed the toughest test with great distinction in not only beating England, but holding their nerve till the match was won. Their progress to the Super Six was delayed due to self inflicted pains earlier. Today, they completely wiped out such memories and played like a team which just wanted to win. I would like to say that the significance of this victory lies a little beyond the boundary line.

I cannot help but feel that Bobby Simpson has brought a new dimension in strategy and positive thinking, that has seen recent changes for the better. Every player in the team must be given equal importance to extract the best out of them. In keenness to please the star players, the less established members of the team are often neglected blatantly by the media, and people of official status in the Indian system. You can imagine how demoralising a sportsman can become when he is made to feel like anobody.

Simpson is endowed with the shrewdest of cricketing brains, and brought up in a society that spells equality of opportunities 8212; with no axe to grind. He can help India eradicate such a system that has brought no benefits to the game. The pitch at Edgbaston made stroke play difficult. Unless the ball was well pitched up, driving was disastrous. Saurav and Rahul are playing with the broadest of straight bats and make batting look easy. Ramesh8217;s technique on English wickets needs to be sorted out and the World Cup is no place for taking such chances. India has to strengthen the team with players like Robin Singh.

I do not believe that the world8217;s best batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, should have to wait twenty or thirty overs before he is allowed to get his teeth into the opposition. I would be relieved if I were the opposing captain. Sachin should come in at number three or four, depending on the overs bowled already. However, it makes cricketing sense to shield Sachin from the exaggerated movement ofthe white ball in the early overs. Yet at the same time he should be out in the middle for as long as possible. After Saurav8217;s unlucky dismissal, India had to graft for runs. Later, only Jadeja8217;s deft wrist play brought much needed boundaries.

England8217;s batsmen had a few surprises in store for them. Mohanty, given the responsibility of sharing the new ball with Srinath, thoroughly enjoyed his challenge, and bowled with schoolboy exuberance. Srinath bowled with great fire, but without much luck. Both Prasad and he will take solace from the team victory. Cool headed Kumble completely baffled the ambitious Flintoff and Hollioake while Ganguly proved what a handy bowler he is in ideal conditions.

With more players contributing to the success of the team, India is looking the most rejuvenated side of the tournament. Azhar showed imagination in handing over the new ball to Mohanty ahead of the experienced Prasad. He looked to be communicating to all his players 8212; a pat on the back here and there, andfielded superbly to lead by example. Having lost to Pakistan as frequently as they have done recently, India will have to plan ahead and overcome their mental block.