Looking ahead

India’s prospects of progressing past the Super 8s in the World Cup look bleak. Sri Lanka look to be a formidable opponent and India’s out-cricket is not up to scratch.

Irrespective of how much India progresses in this World Cup – there are some pressing questions that will need answers immediately following this campaign.

Right off the bat, let me say this – Chappell must stay on as coach.

I know that I am contradicting myself, but there is a reason for this. Two reasons actually...

1. India has not been actively pursuing various options for the coaching role. Post the World Cup and post the tragedy that befell Bob Woolmer, I have my reservations on how many people will volunteer for the job- whatever the remuneration.
2. More importantly, Chappell should complete what he started. He needs to, and we need him to.

In the post World Cup scenario, depending on how deep India goes, the general levels of interest will either be heightened or lowered. If the expectations are low, we have a clean slate to work with. If the expectations are high, there will be a greater buy in from the skeptics (myself included) on the direction that we want to go.

(For the record, let me state that I would rather India not win tomorrow. Not because it heightens the hype, but because it vindicates everything that is wrong with Indian cricket.

We are a team cobbled up together with no plan or purpose. A team that is right off the charts in “brand” recognition not one that will form the bedrock of our future, and definitely not one that is playing good cricket).

India has two hectic seasons ahead, starting with the tour to Bangladesh in the middle of May and culminating with the away tour to Sri Lanka in 2008.

Crib as much as I may about the workload on the players this entails, there is a silver lining to this very dark cloud.

Between now and the end of the Australia tour mid February next year, India plays around 13 tests and 30 odd ODIs ( not counting the 20/20 thrash fest).

This gives us those many opportunities to get answers for the following

Test Cricket

1. Identify and establish players who will replace the greatest middle order India has ever had thus far.

Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly and VVS Laxman will not be around for more than a couple of seasons – 4 if we want to stretch it ( although given the demands of the game, 4 seasons will be really stretching it).

It is therefore imperative for us to start identifying and grooming those prospects who will take over the middle order slots in the not so distant future.

2. Identify a leg spinner to take over the mantle from Kumble

Anil Kumble will retire from International cricket in the next two years. He knows it, we know it. And when he does retire, he will leave a hole bigger than the middle order combined.

It is necessary therefore, to at least start exploring the various options available on hand.

It is also necessary for us to put a succession plan in place.

3. Get a bowling coach pronto

Never in India’s history have we sat on such a huge pool of fast bowling talents. Consider these names –

Zaheer Khan, S.Sreesanth, Ajit Agarkar, Munaf Patel, Irfan Pathan, L.Balaji, Ranadeb Bose, Ashish Nehra, VRV Singh, R.P Singh, Y. Mahesh, Abid Nabi, Ishant Sharma amongst others.

Some established India hands, others waiting in the wings – all of whom needing direction.

We will be doing ourselves a disservice if we deny these fine young players the services of a bowling coach.

4. Identify a left arm spinning option

India’s bug bear when batting; its weak link while bowling.

5. Define Goals after every series/every season

What are we? Where are we? What are our stated goals? How close are we to our stated goals? Where are the gaps? How do we fill these gaps?

With the batsmen, we need to throw them in the deep end at the earliest. With the bowlers, we will need to tread with caution- especially the spinners.

Throw them in too early, and they may wilt. Throw them in too late, and they will be jaded. The trick will lie in identifying, grooming and nurturing our long term spin options. Ditto the pace bowlers.

One Day Cricket

1. Define the contours of our cricket team

Before the World Cup, we lurched from one philosophy to another without quite getting the balance right. The 30 odd games that are lined up will give us 30 unique opportunities to define the team philosophy.

2. A new man at the helm of affairs

Rahul Dravid, even if he holds aloft the World Cup, must go as ODI captain.

I will vote for Md.Kaif, but I may be in a majority of 1.

3. Identify and groom the players based on team philosophy

One Day cricket allows for greater latitude with team selection because it imposes no restrictions on skills. Bits and pieces players are more the norm than specialists.

Given this, and having identified the team philosophy, it is incumbent on us to identify and groom players- with clear understanding of their role in the team.

Since the number of games played this season are significant, there is actually an opportunity for us to create a pool of 20 odd players who, depending on what they bring to the plate, can be rotated in an out of the team to grant them more exposure.

4. Define Goals after every series/every season

What are we? Where are we? What are our stated goals? How close are we to our stated goals? Where are the gaps? How do we fill these gaps?

India can also explore the “A” tour concept with greater rigor to create a wider pool – and to assess the talent on hand.

If India is eliminated from the World Cup today, we have between now and May 10^th to introspect and identify our shortcomings, and plan for the future.

If we procrastinate, these questions will come and bite us hard. Real hard. And could potentially set us back a few years.

I sincerely believe that we are on the cusp of cricketing greatness. Whether we remain a mediocre team given to a few spectacular victories or a great team whose hallmark is the consistency and high levels with which they play the game, is entirely in our hands.

Here are my two cents … Chime in with yours!