Conquer doubts, inhibitions

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><img align="left" src="/photo/572421.cms" alt="/photo/572421.cms" border="0" /><br />By the time the One-day series ends, later this week, there won''t be any nails left to chew on either in India or in Pakistan.<br /><br />India somehow need to hang on to the first match in Lahore to not only keep the contest alive but also to keep their fighting spirits intact for the three Tests to follow.<br /><br />It won''t be easy.The first three games may have been exciting and quite close too; but the balance has discreetly yet almost irrevocably tilted towards Pakistan.<br /><br />Their fast bowling, spearheaded by the three Ss, is far superior to India''s. Shabbir Ahmad and Mohammed Sami have single-handedly turned a couple of matches in their favour.<br /><br />Sooner or later, Shoaib Akhtar will also hit the right notes. He has bowled fast and aggressively till now but without much luck. And every time he has been hit he has taken another step forward: towards the boundary line to extend his run-up. <br /></div> <div align="center" style="position:relative; left: -2"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" align="center" border="1" width="69.4%"> <colgroup> <col width="100.0%" /> </colgroup> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" e5eef7=""> <div class="Normal"><span style="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">JUDGEMENT DAY FOR </span><span style="" color:="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">MEN IN BLUE</span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/572216.cms"><img align="left" src="/photo/572422.cms" alt="/photo/572422.cms" border="0" /></a><a href="/articleshow/572216.cms">/articleshow/572216.cms</a><a href="/articleshow/572274.cms">High noon for Sourav''s men</a></span><br />For the last 10 days, Pakistanis have done almost everything (apart from losing, that is) to make the Indian cricket team feel at home. They don''t need to bother anymore. Indian fans from all over the world are descending into Lahore as the historic city prepares for a double bonanza this week. There will be enough Indians to back Sourav’s boys. <br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/572274.cms">Read</a></span> <br /><span style="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">STRENGTHS</span><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold=""></span><br /><span style="" color:="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">India: </span><span style="" font-size:="">Batting lineup.</span><br /><span style="" color:="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">Pakistan:</span><span style="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold=""> </span><span style="" font-size:="">High-scoring in slog overs. Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammed Sami improving</span><br /><span style="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">WEAKNESSES</span><br /><span style="" color:="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">India: </span><span style="" font-size:="">No fifth bowler. No big hitters</span><br /><span style="" color:="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">Pakistan:</span><span style="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold=""> </span><span style="" font-size:="">Poor fielding</span><span style="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">. </span><span style="" font-size:="">May wilt under pressure</span><br /><br /><span style="" color:="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">AYAZ MEMON SPEAKING</span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/572270.cms">Go for broke, guys!</a></span><br />India have to go for broke for sure, but should Sourav Ganguly resort to drastic change in strategy?<br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/572270.cms">Read</a></span> <br /><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">EXPERTSPEAK | </span><span style="" color:="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">ANIL KUMBLE</span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/571176.cms">Don’t count Indians out</a></span><br />It is a do-or-die situation for the Indian team in the Samsung Cup after Pakistan moved ahead with a four-wicket victory at Peshawar. <span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/571176.cms">Read</a></span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><img align="left" src="/photo/572423.cms" alt="/photo/572423.cms" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Cartoon by Ajit Ninan</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Related stories</span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/572258.cms">Conquer doubts, inhibitions</a></span><br /> <span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/572242.cms">Women here love burqas and Irfan</a></span><br /> <span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/572094.cms">Thousands of Indian fans cross border</a></span><br /> <span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/571982.cms">Ganguly, Miandad get friendly</a></span><br /> <span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/571632.cms">Sami outpaces Akhtar</a></span><br /> <span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/570488.cms">Indians venture out, finally</a></span><br /><span style="" color:="" font-size:="" font-weight:="" bold="">PHOTO FEATURES</span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/572216.cms"><img align="left" src="/photo/572424.cms" alt="/photo/572424.cms" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/572216.cms">Taking guard</a></span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/571933.cms"><#img src="/photo/572424.cms" alt="/photo/572424.cms" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/571933.cms">Hot bods</a></span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/571896.cms"><#img src="/photo/572424.cms" alt="/photo/572424.cms" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman=""><a href="/articleshow/571896.cms">Cricket fans</a></span><br /></div> </td> </tr> </table></div> <div class="Normal"><br />India, on the other hand, don''t have the same kind of pace (or fitness) to fight with. Their best chance, therefore, lies with their batsmen; unfortunately, this could also be their main problem.<br /><br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">Their Big Five (Sachin, Sehwag, Sourav, Dravid and Laxman) may have a formidable reputation but it seems more suited to Tests. Are they really the Big Five in One-dayers too? Let''s have a look.<br /><br />The opening pair seems to be nicely balanced: big-hitting Sehwag with a calmer Tendulkar. But wouldn''t they be more effective if they go after the bowling in tandem? Aren''t quick starts and big partnerships critical for success in the subcontinent?<br /><br />The problem magnifies at Number Three. Two batsmen continuously vie for this position: Laxman and Dravid. The former is a shaky starter and needs time to adjust and unveil his array of strokes. <br /><br />More importantly, he''s also grappling with doubts. Does he attack or does he play the anchor role? How many batsmen do you need really to steady the innings?<br /><br />Dravid, on the other hand, may have improved as a One-day batsman. But look at the last two matches and you will see that he still struggles to keep pace with the run-rate. He seems more fluent when runs are on the board, or when he''s batting out the final overs.<br /><br />But then, Ganguly doesn''t want to bat too high in certain conditions. He''s also not as effective as he used to be at the top of the order. That makes three players either submerged in self-doubt or not batting at the right position. <br /><br />Add Kaif''s string of low scores and you don''t really have a bustling batting line-up. One-day cricket is all about getting runs at the rate of your heartbeat. Can the Big Five help our hearts beat faster?</div> </div>