The batting took a beating

Before the series began, conventional wisdom had it that India would be hamstrung by their bowling. It hasn8217;t really worked out that wa...

Before the series began, conventional wisdom had it that India would be hamstrung by their bowling. It hasn8217;t really worked out that way; the series 8212; and this Test in particular 8212; has been lost by India8217;s batting. This is not the time for a knee-jerk reaction, to ring in wholesale changes to the team, but a look at the statistics suggest that a couple of players need immediate replacement and the others put on notice. Iconic status and past records no bar. The next Test is a dead match, then come South Africa 8212; who are, if possible, in even greater disarray that India 8212; and finally the tour of Bangladesh. Enough time and opportunity, then, to prepare for the big series of next year, the tour by Pakistan.

Here8217;s how the batting has done so far:

VIRENDER SEHWAG
The lone success, playing by his own unfathomable, irrefutable logic. And thank heavens for that
RUNS: 286
HS: 155
AVGE: 57.20

AAKASH CHOPRA
Stuck in no-man8217;s land, his indecision at the crease merely echoing the selectors8217; indecision with him. To drop him would be cruel, he should have 3 Tests on the trot; to retain him could be an injustice to those in the wings
RUNS: 15
HS: 5
AVGE: 3.75

YUVRAJ SINGH
Not yet opener material. Has had his chance and flubbed it
RUNS: 47
HS: 27
AVGE: 15.66

SACHIN TENDULKAR
Obviously lacking in match practice, should be given the benefit of the doubt
RUNS: 10
HS: 8
AVGE: 5

SOURAV GANGULY
Like his recent captaincy, his batting has been edgy. Under tremendous pressure to keep his place in the side as a batsman but hasn8217;t been able to deliver
RUNS: 59
HS: 45
AVGE: 19.66

RAHUL DRAVID
Is this the Player of the Year? Far less assured than his 2003 avtaar and hopefully the dead Mumbai Test 8212; and the return of the captain 8212; will ease the pressure on him
RUNS: 109
HS: 60
AVGE: 21.80

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VVS LAXMAN
The biggest disappointment, has failed to make a worthwhile contribution in either form of the game since the fifth ODI in Pakistan. Has been anonymous in the six Tests and several ODIs that have followed. His feet hardly move and he doesn8217;t look like getting anywhere close to scoring those magic knocks
RUNS: 53
HS: 31
AVGE: 10.6

THE ALTERNATIVES

OPENERS
Dheeraj Jadhav and Gautam Gambhir have been scoring runs at any given opportunity at the 8216;A8217; level or in Ranji matches and to be thrown in at the deep end will test their temperament. Delhi8217;s Gambhir deserves the first go for he has waited in the wings for far too long.

THE MIDDLE ORDER
The likes of Sridharan Sriram and Hemang Badani are not in the same class as Laxman but have been in better form. Badani is the perennial nearly-man of Indian cricket. Sriram and even Dinesh Mongia have done their chances no harm with their displays at the A level and in county cricket. On form, the pick is Sriram