Going by what is being said and written of late, it would appearthat the Indians have been installed as the favourites for thefive-match Test series against the West Indies
Partab Ramchand02-Apr-2002Going by what is being said and written of late, it would appearthat the Indians have been installed as the favourites for thefive-match Test series against the West Indies. From Ajit Wadekarto Erapalli Prasanna and from Vivian Richards to Andy Roberts,besides critics, commentators and fans, opinions have beenexpressed that clearly indicate this. Well, well, that issomething. Who would have thought that India would be handed thefavourites tag for a series away from the sub-continent?
While it is true that the West Indian team of today is but a pale shadow of their all-conquering squad that ruled world cricket roughly from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, it must not be forgotten that the continuous reverses they have suffered have been away from home. In the Caribbean, they are still a force to reckon with as the recent record illustrates.
A major factor that is being perceived to be in favour of theIndians is the weakness of the opposition. Richards, a formercaptain and coach, has made it clear that the West Indian team’sfortunes are at an all-time low. “The player pool is not as bigas it used to be,” he has lamented.Roberts, a former fast bowling great, has also said that Indiastood a better chance than any other team touring the West Indiesin the last few years. "Cricket in the West Indies is not what itused to be,” Roberts has conceded. However, he also struck acautionary note.”But we are improving in the last few months and we always playwell at home like any other team does. Also, we have someyoungsters who have shown a lot of potential to develop intogreat fast bowlers. They are bowling genuinely fast and I am surethey will do well in this series,” Roberts has said.In India, the optimism is more enthusiastic than guarded. “Thisis India’s best chance to beat the West Indies on their homesoil. If we cannot win now, we will never win,” said Wadekar, wholed India to their only series win in the West Indies, a 1-0victory in five-Test series in 1971.”West Indian cricket is in doldrums. Except for Lara, Hooper andChanderpaul, they do not have any reputed international players,”Wadekar has said. He also cited the lack of quality fast bowlersin the West Indian ranks as a reason for being optimistic aboutIndia’s chances. Another factor in the favour of the Indians,according to Wadekar, is the slowness of the pitches.”The wickets in the West Indies are no longer as fast as theyused to be. As such the West Indies are not able to produceworld-class fast bowlers any more,” according to the 61-year-oldformer left-handed batsman.Prasanna, 62 next month, shares Wadekar’s optimism. “India shouldwin because of the West Indies’ overall weakness,” said theformer Test off-spinner, who is one among three Indian cricketersto have toured the West Indies thrice.”I would give India a 65-35 chance. Matches may go the full fivedays, but India will prevail in the end,” he is quoted to havesaid.While it is true that the West Indian team of today is but a paleshadow of their all-conquering squad that ruled world cricketroughly from the mid-70s to the mid-90s, it must not be forgottenthat the continuous reverses they have suffered have been awayfrom home. In the Caribbean, they are still a force to reckonwith as the recent record illustrates.During the last few years, when the slide has been palpable, theWest Indies have defeated New Zealand, India, England, Zimbabwe andPakistan, have shared a series with Australia and have lost only toSouth Africa 2-1 in a five-match series last year. True, whatever thebatting limitations following the retirement of several stalwarts, theyhad the services of the old firm of Ambrose and Walsh in allthese contests, barring the final one when Walsh had to plough alonely furrow after Ambrose had called it a day.Against India even Walsh will be missing, the world-record holderhaving retired as well. The newer breed of fast bowlers areadmittedly nowhere in the class of their predecessors and this isbeing cited as the chief reason why India have been installed asfavourites. It is worth recalling, however, that the main wreckerwhen the Indians last toured the West Indies five years ago wasneither Walsh nor Ambrose and not even that other experiencedcampaigner and much feared fast bowler Ian Bishop but a rookienamed Franklyn Rose who made his debut in that series.This year too, according to reports, the West Indies have onesurprise weapon in a young fast bowler Adam Sanford. The 25-yearold Leeward Islands speedster has been named in the list of 22probables currently going through the rigorous of a training campunder the watchful eyes of the coach, former West Indian offspinner Roger Harper.In any case, whatever the bowling limitations of the West Indies and admittedly it is difficult to see the inexperienced line-upscythe through an Indian batting order of Das, Dravid, Tendulkar,Laxman, Ganguly and Mongia the batting credentials of the hometeam cannot be just shrugged off.The return of Brian Lara is one positive factor in the WestIndies’ favour. As the recent series in Sri Lanka proved, Larahas lost none of his class or skill and continues to be a fearedopponent. And a batting line-up that has, besides Lara, the likesof Ridley Jacobs, Carl Hooper, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Daren Ganga,Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Wavell Hinds cannot bedismissed lightly.But the most encouraging news from the West Indian viewpoint isthat Gary Sobers is to be closely involved with the team. Thelegendary all-rounder’s inputs, priceless bits of advice and hisvery presence is bound to inspire the young players to greatheights.Ultimately, however, one has to observe India’s record in theCaribbean and wonder how the team could ever be installed asfavourites while the underdogs tag would perhaps be more apt. Inseven Test series’ from 1953 to 1997, India have lost six and wonone. Of 33 Tests, India has won two, lost 14 and drawn 17. It isalso worth pondering over the fact that even in 1997, when theWest Indian decline was clearly marked, they still managed todefeat India. With all this evidence, should India realisticallybe the favourites or the underdogs for the Test series?