Writing on Wall: Swim or sink

The situation grew from bad to better when the Bermudians were taken care of, and all skipper Rahul Dravid and his men should be worried about is the attack line. That is one section of the team that looks rather weak, and permutations and combinations are the only way out.

A chase could still see Indian top-order batsmen, seemingly in good nick manage the show well. Ganguly has been in fine nick and he could provide the launching pad. Sehwag’s return to form is a good omen and the rest have been in form, but the riddle remains in the picking of Anil Kumble or Harbhajan Singh.

The Queen’s Park pitch seems to have grown timid along the days and Harbhajan looks a possibility under the circumstances, especially in view of Sri Lanka having a number of southpaws in their ranks.

Also, another series of statistics help: in World Cups, in 1999 and 2003 India have had the advantage and the recent home series is something to look up to. But the Lankans still relish their semi-final triumph in 1996, a humiliation.

The Indians invariably go into their shell if there are early shocks and the likes of Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan, not to speak of Lasith Malinga, would relish such a prospect.

Sanath Jayasuriya has made it very clear that “past is past” and this World Cup is a new ball game!

The mood is reflective of the game, a sort of final for India. Nobody wants to follow the Pakistanis back home. There is too much at stake. So what if the Munaf Patels and the Ajit Agarkars haven’t been able to deliver as promised? So what if the first match was a washout, a humiliation?

There is always the tomorrow and India have done it before. Fans who are here put up a brave face and there will be no shortage of enthusiasm.