The fault is in the focus

Sometimes crises are constructed around the opposition’s brilliance, often disasters are the sum of a team’s dismal performances. India’s troubles in the second Test are down to their own weaknesses, Pakistan’s resurgence — and the tourists’ premature strategy. John Wright’s great contribution to this team’s cause has been to instill in his boys the sense that small gameplans are pieced together to register stunning achievements. Today, instead of focusing on the big picture, the team apeared to be guessing the batting line-up in Rawalpindi.

Reason? On Tuesday, Sourav Ganguly said Yuvraj Singh would play the third Test at Pindi. Those sentiments found amplified resonance — in the media and in the cricketing world — and, with no clarification from the team management, what was swirling outside could have found its way into the dressing room. The obvious casualty in such a scenario is Aakash Chopra. Those who claim to know the ins and outs of Indian cricket were whispering that his exit from the team was imminent — not for any lapses committed by him but to recompense Yuvraj for his first innings century.The effect on Chopra was for all to see, but the absurdity of this Wednesday collapse was highlighted in the panic-fuelled domino effect, stabilised only by the partnership between Virender Sehwag and Parthiv Patel. Now comes news that Ganguly has iterated that no decision has been taken on the Rawalpindi squad. It’s too late, the horse has bolted.