After trying out four partners in five games (Mongia, Jadeja, Somasunder and Ganguly), it seemed Tendulkar had found the most viable option in Saurav Ganguly. Admittedly, they batted at too ponderous pace in that forgettable match at Jaipur, but there was enough solidity there to evoke optimism. A little word with Ganguly would have done the job because, with the confidence of a fixed batting position, he would have batted more freely anyway.

But almost immediately after that rare successs at the top, India's selectors recalled Navjot Sidhu. Now, Sidhu has been India's most consistent one-day batsman whenever he has been available to play! But where does he now bat? By picking him, the selectors had obviously recognised their need for his presence. So, he obviously has to get a game. But if he bats at the top of the order, he causes the break up of a partnersip (Ganguly-Tendulkar) with a lot of potential. If he bats at number three, where he has achieved some success, it will mean Rahul Dravid goes down to number five.

This is, in fact, the order that Tendulkar has himself indicated he prefers. A left-right combination at the top, with himself and Ganguly, two vastly experienced hands in Sidhu and Azharuddin to follow and two very busy young batsman at number five and six in Dravid and Jadeja. Mongia and Joshi are expected to provide valuable runs and, as we saw at Bangalore, Srinath and Kumble can win the odd match with the bat.

A fairytale side? I'm not so sure. He is certainly a very good side, but it needs to address two or three vital issues. For a start, what is the message going out to Rahul Dravid? He had been asked to bat at number three to provide stability at the top in the event of the early loss of a wicket. Invariably, there was one, and Dravid did what was expected of him.

And while time and again coming to the rescue, Dravid was wonderful to watch. He got his runs fairly quickly and, in fact, provided the basis for the rest of the batsmen to play their natural game. His presence at number three was one of the most encouraging things to happen in recent months. Now, he will have to bat at five, where the requirements are different. A couple of failures on occasions when he comes in at the death as he will when batting so low in the order - and insecurity will be bred in yet another brilliant batsman.

India also need to re-assess the role played by Tendulkar as opener, in the context of the depth available in the batting particularly in Indian conditions, where the ball doesn't seam too much. In the recent times, Tendulkar has given the impression that he needs to carry the batting on his shoulders. This feeling is apparent in the almost exaggerated caution that sometimes creeps into his batting. But by picking six batsman, he has provided the side with enough insurance to cover the loss of a couple of early wickets. It is a luxury that he needs to use to give his side the brisk start it has lacked in recent times - in other words, he needs to revert to his usual attacking self.

Tendulkar's approach would be understandable if India were to play only five batsmen with Mongia at number six, batting ahead of five bowlers. But India are not very keen to do so and most of the time, prefer to go in with six batsmen and five bowlers. In which case, they need to play to their strengths a little more. With one bowler less and the possibility that one of the four regulars may have an off-day, India need more runs on the board. That is the obvious game plan and for it to succeed, we need a greater urgency at the top. That initiative can only come from Tendulkar.

Actually, by getting on with things at the top of the order, Tendulkar will be giving a little vote of confidence to the batsmen who follow him. ``I'm taking the chances,'' he will be saying, ``because if I get out early, you can get the runs we need.'' As things stand, he is starting off cautiously - and in the end, not lasting long enough to make the cautious start worth the while. And in any event, a slow start by Tendulkar makes a batsman at number six redundant.

And one fact is indubitable - India have, in recent times, found itself in winning positions when Tendulkar has fired at the top of the order; not once when, as captain, he has tried to play the long innings and the side has got off to slow starts.

We could do with a bit of innovation sometimes. Lateral thinking, I believe it's called.