All in the mind

art...enticingly deceptive
...beyond definitions or restrictions
...a challenge to expand your horizon

As you like it

INDIA :DOWN UNDER

SPORTS >> CRICKET >> INDIA :DOWN UNDER

The definitions have changed…the “ashes” are no more mother of all cricketing battles….The dimensions have evolved….arch-rivals (India&Pakistan..or Australia&Newzealand) clash in one-sided tussles….so where have all the deadly cricketing clashes shifted to?…what does this cricket-crazy nation look forward to in order to sustain its appetite for some grueling on-field action….look no further…just look down-under…

Beginning today is perhaps, the contemporary cricket’s, most fancied duel as India challenges the invincibles in their own backyard….but hang on…is it really what it is projected out to be?.do we really stand a chance or is it the usual ritual of expectations that we garland any of the Indian series with?

A look at some facts before we proceed further. While the aussies ride on a swansong of 14 consecutive test wins, Indians deserve a pat on their back for a drawn series the last time they were here. The aussies ruled supreme in the one-day format again. When the critics wrote them off even prior to the beginning of world-cup, they hit back to claim the cup with ease. Again they drubbed the Indians in the one-day series at home. however, Indians can hold their heads high with the crown of T20 champions restoring the blows we received from neighbours at world cup. Both the teams then drubbed their respective depleted arch rivals comfortably. So is the stage really set for the big one? Is everything so finely balanced,especially in absence of towering McGrath and wily Warne,as it appears to be?is there any scope of self doubt?

Facts will be facts. Ask any Indian fan and his heart will take precedence over all his brain might be trying to suggest. But realistically, how many times have we witnessed our much awed batting line up failing to perform on ground?there is no dearth of talent, probably an overload of it in the present team., but what matters in the end is how efficiently are you able to convert that potential into performance in an alien environment.

It simply boils down to the mind.

Mind games have been on. What Indians need to guard against is the viral of “adopted aggressiveness”. We have suffered at its hand badly in the past. The one incident which comes to mind is the world cup 2003 final fiasco, when we sadly tried to redefine aggressiveness. Only to play to their tune and fall flat on face. (Aggressiveness is not about staring back at batsman after bowling a wide delivery – refer Zaheer Khan’s first over in that mismatch final that set the tone for the match!). So how do we go about it?

The simple solution would be to stick and perform to your strengths. Play your natural game with a dose of confidence. If the aussies are aggressive,it is how their culture has shaped them to be. Aggression demands a perfect timing for its display. And this timing defines how it will be received. Sadly, the Indians have mostly been on the wrong side of the thin line that separates aggressive replies from ridiculous antics. As professionals, Indians should just go for win, give back to the opponents through your performances and skill.

Self-belief, for me is the key.

In the end , I can just hope that we deliver because the truth of life remains that success speaks for itself. the ground is set. The charm of getting up early to watch that pleasing telecast from Australia is any cricket lover’s delight. I’ll be doing that for every day of this series, irrespective of how India is performing and hope that we deliver.

Or put simply, chak de!

trying out

for the first time....just checking this out
Mail at: pulls_gutz@yahoo.co.in