A team with a future
Ajit Mahadevan - 31 May 2002

The side selected for the third (or really, after the Sabina Park washouts, the first) one-day game against the West Indies at Barbados has the makings of a good team. It may be able to surprise not a few detractors, both in the West Indies and, looking ahead, at the World Cup next year. The reason I feel this is not only because of the team composition but also because of the forthright and tough decisions that have been taken over the past few days by the team management.

India, in matter of fact, are faced with an embarrassment of riches as far as the batting goes. By asking VVS Laxman to sit out the one-day games, the team management has shown real resolve and an ability to take hard decisions. Laxman may have been a star for us throughout the Test series, but the team think-tank believes that Dinesh Mongia, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag are all attacking, aggressive players who have the ability, potential and attitude to win one-day games.

This type of decision bodes well for India. Pushing Sachin Tendulkar down the order to number four is another excellent idea. After all, Sourav Ganguly and Sehwag at the top of the order should be able to provide sufficient fire-power in the first 15 overs, and Tendulkar can guide the team through to a win in the death. I like the fact that the team is thinking courageously and with results in mind. Also, picking Tinu Yohanna ahead of Ashish Nehra is a clear suggestion that India are looking for a containing bowler who can also provide some variation to the attack.

But there are still a few areas of concern that India will need to iron out before South Africa in 2002, and this series in the West Indies is a good arena to fill those lacunae.

If Rahul Dravid is really to be counted as a sustainable option as wicket-keeper in one-dayers, then India have solved one big problem and can boast of possibly the finest batting order in the world - with top-class batting right down to number seven. If not, then we may lose a few matches due to dropped catches or missed stumpings and run-outs. The answer to the question should emerge over the next few one-day games in the West Indies.

India still lack a genuine all-rounder, even of the calibre of Chaminda Vaas or Robin Singh, let alone Abdur Razzaq or Chris Cairns. We need to groom somebody for the one-day game who can take wickets economically and then score a few quick runs. Currently India hinges their hopes on Ajit Agarkar, but if he doesn't deliver, is he valuable enough to be in the team just for his bowling? Again, it is a time for tough decisions - and fervent prayers that someone with the right skill set will emerge.

India still lack truly penetrating bowlers who can induce genuine concern in the minds of the opposing batsmen. Zaheer Khan, Agarkar, Nehra, Javagal Srinath and Harbhajan Singh are all just above average. We still need one out-and-out wicket-taking quick bowler, in the mould of a Shane Bond at the very least. Our local talent needs to be scoured for such a bowler.

The next few one-dayers will be key in shaping the side and giving it the kind of confidence required to erase the bad memories of the Test series and propelling it towards South Africa. I have faith that, given the attitude shown by our team management, this is certainly possible.

The views expressed above are solely those of the guest contributor and are carried as written, with only minor editing for grammar, to preserve the original voice. These contributed columns are solely personal opinion pieces and reflect only the feelings of the guest contributor. Their being published on CricInfo.com does not amount to an endorsement by CricInfo's editorial staff of the opinions expressed.
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