When in fault, blame the umpires

8220;The indiscipline displayed in the last two Tests by India gives little hope of a comeback for them,8221; reports Michael Vlismas in The Mail. The Star8217;s correspondent Grant Winter reports that the Indians had no business to harass umpire Derek Fraser, who took time in awarding the goal by Indian forward Lakshman Prabhakaran following a goalmouth melee. 8220;It so nearly turned ugly,8221; Winter writes.

The Prabhakaran goal controversy came up in the third Test which India lost 1-4, while the Indian bench saw red after mid-fielder Baljit Singh Saini was reprimanded by umpire Fraser for 8220;time wasting8221; in the second Test. 8220;The Indian bench was seen arguing over this issue even after the South Africans had completed their victory lap,8221; reports The Mail.

In stark contrast is the view of the Indian camp which has complained of 8220;poor umpiring, obvious bias,8221; even 8220;cheating8221;. Even Friday8217;s report on fourth Test that ended in a draw, talks of poor umpiring.

The Indians have made a written complaint about umpiring to the organisers, and have called for neutral umpires.

It is difficult to ascertain facts given such conflicting reports, but the Indian camp seems justified in filing complaints with the organisers or even the world body, FIH.

However, incidents of indicipline on the turf, if indeed true, show the Indians in poor light. After all, it is not the first time that umpiring decisions have done India in, in major tournaments.

Umpiring has marred two India-Pakistan Test series in the 80s, which has forced the two countries to opt for neutral umpires after the revival of the series recently.

Need for neutral umpires in hockey needs to be debated further, but for the Asian Games champions, there are other more pressing issues like preparations for the Sydney Olympics. Two consecutive losses against a side, which is struggling to find its place in world hockey after its reinstatement less than a decade ago, is bad news for Indian hockey.

The Test series against South Africa, followed by twin four-nation tournaments in Australia are important assignments in India8217;s build-up to Sydney. And, the Indians seem to be slipping. They are no doubt missing several key players on this South African sojourn.

With just four goals in four matches 8212; scored by Gagan Ajit Singh, Samir Dad, Prabhakaran and Kamal Horo 8212; the Indians are still struggling to find answers to their poor strike rate.

While forward Baljit Singh Dhillon and defender Dilip Tirkey 8212; both are injured 8212; would have given a fillip to India8217;s campaign, the presence of forwards Dhanraj Pillay, Sabu Varkey and Mukesh Kumar would have galvanised the team. Goalkeepers Edward Alloysius and Jude Menezes are not a patch on Ashish Ballal and AB Subbaiah.

India needs these stars of Bangkok Asian Games to get their preparations for Sydney back on the rails.