The anguish is understandable. To see India struggle at the T20 World Cup in the West Indies has been a disappointing experience for the fans who had come to believe that India was among the hot favourites to win the title. Well, I still believe India has a chance to do it.
The loss against Australia was an eye-opener. The old failing against the short ball surfaced again and it was certainly embarrassing. The Indian batsmen found the Australian pace too hot to handle. These technical issues will not get sorted out overnight and I don't think this is the best time to discuss it.
I will place my faith in M. S. Dhoni to lead by example. He certainly has felt the pressure in the last two matches and it is time he assumed complete control. His defensive methods have not helped and I would like to see the aggressive Dhoni. He is entitled to have his own tactics but if they don't suit the needs of the team he would have to change his plans.
The pitch at Barbados was expected to be fast. The Indians failed to adapt. It was hard on the boys because the pressure mounted once Chris Gayle played that delightful innings. India's failure was collective. The bowlers, fielders and the batsmen contributed to the two losses with their inconsistency and I will not blame Dhoni alone just because he is the captain.
In cricket, there are times when an individual can make a huge impact by chipping in at the right time. Just as Gayle did for the West Indies! Sadly, India has looked woefully short of confidence in batting where the top order is just not clicking. The poor form of Gautam Gambhir and M. Vijay is worrying because it is very crucial to get a good start in any form of the game.
The Indian bowlers have shone in patches but the batsmen have been a huge let down. The absence of Virender Sehwag is clearly hurting the team. This is the stage for someone like Vijay or Suresh Raina to grab and confirm that they belong to this level. We know they do.
Now that the actions shifts to St. Lucia, I am sure the Indians will breathe freely. The pitches would be familiar and suit the Indian bowlers more than any other team. It is just a matter of backing yourself and I am sure the team will produce a performance befitting its status in international cricket.
