From Nasser Hussain
The Oval is one of India’s favourite venues. Their batsmen like to bat here. The last time they played here, Anil Kumble scored a hundred. It can also reverse swing here a little bit and spin a bit as well, so India have reasons to put up a good show here.
It’s not that India are at the bottom of the pile in the test rankings for any major cause for panic or dejection. India are only a few points behind leaders England. This is the time for them to regroup. India must use the Oval Test as a launch pad for the future. With the right inspiration from the seniors, the team should go all out and do the little things right without taking on undue pressure. Correct attitude and body language will allow players to play freely and give the fans something to cheer about, whether you win or lose.
India could use Day 2 of the Edbaston Test as a symbol of a bad day in the field as nothing went right for them on that day. Although they lost the test, their performance improved after that day. Yet, despite the fact that he dropped some easy catches, I cannot but admire the attitude of Rahul Dravid, who was visibly upset with his fielding. Test cricket and his own contribution to his side mean so much to him. The Indian players must get inspired by the Dravids and the Tendulkars and the Dhonis and the Sehwags and show they care for their country and the fans who have turned up in large numbers in support.
India’s bowling will struggle if Praveen Kumar is injured. I would go for Munaf Patel over RP Singh in Kumar’s place, as Munaf has played Test cricket recently in the West Indies. I am an advocate for this ‘next in line’ system as every player and those in waiting know what is expected of them when the opportunity comes. England brought in Ravi Bopara in place of Jonathan Trott at Edgbaston for the same reason.
Among the positives, in Dhoni and Fletcher India have one of the best captain-coach combinations in world cricket. I have known Fletcher closely. He is a top guy and will be working hard behind the scenes to inspire the lads to fight back for their lost ground. He will be looking for the next bunch of characters who will propel India forward in test cricket in the coming years.
Dhoni is India’s best ever captain and his record speaks for itself.
He has his own calm style of captaincy and he leads by example. He enjoys the confidence of his team and the players know what is expected of them once they are on the field.
I have never seen him over-react when the chips are down, and I don’t recommend it, but a reprimand from him once in a while may work for India especially when the fielding is shoddy and the body language poor.
The important thing is that he has played himself back into form at Edgbaston. The last thing India need is an out of form captain.