Spinning your way back is the right way to do it

India had lost the Pataudi trophy and with it lost the crown of the number one test side in the world. The presentation ceremony was over and done with at the Oval, the venue for the fourth and final test. Who knew that it would be the last time the world would be seeing the Tiger take the field? Tiger Pataudi sounded as stoic, as balanced, as to-the-point and as astute as he always did. In an interview he stated the various factors that could possibly be responsible for the drubbing the Indian side received in England. One thing he said that most others would refrain from, (lest the world would say that we are good at making excuses) that he could hardly recall England wickets offering so much assistance to seamers in recent times. But he was the Nawab, the Tiger and he never minced his words. He played four spinners when he was the skipper as he knew that spin was India’s strength. He would ask fielders to throw the ball on the bounce so as to rough it up for the spinners. Tiger would admit all of it openly. And there should be no harm in doing what is the best for the team’s sake, if it is within the laws of the game. “What about the spirit of cricket?” one may ask. Well, the spirit of the game isn’t meant for one side only. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="385" caption="The Tiger"][/caption] The Aussies sledge and call it ‘mental disintegration’. The English ensure they leave enough grass on the tracks for the Indian side (not for Pakistan though, they are weary of their quality quickies). The Lankans are wrongly reprimanded by the ICC for preparing a rank slow turner for the Kangaroos at Galle. When it is perfectly legitimate for a country to leave as much grass as it likes, why is that eyebrows are raised for slow-low-turners in the sub-continent? Isn’t it delightful to witness a classy batter tackling a crafty spinner when the pitch causes the ball to assume the form of a spitting cobra? Why is it wrong for a pitch to start turning from day 1 when it’s alright if a pitch allows seam movement on the fifth day? I, for one, have always felt that the contest between bat and ball should be even for cricket to be exciting. But one mustn’t be shy when it comes to using the home advantage. Especially if you have been treated in a not-so-welcoming manner, don’t be shy of giving it back. India should welcome England with turning tracks. England have arrived 10 days in advance for a 5 ODI series and a solo T20, while the Indian team were playing a test match at Lord’s even before they realized where they were. A few net sessions for a tour of over two months!!! Well, that’s an issue that needs special interrogation altogether. Despite the gulf between the two sides regarding the aforementioned issue, India holds the upper hand over England in the spin department; be it dishing out spin or tackling quality spin. Swann has been a revelation for the Brits. But history is witness to the fact that whichever team has upset India in India, it has done so on the basis of its superior seam attack. So, Swann shouldn’t be a bigger threat than the seamers. India would be breathing easy as Anderson and Broad are not here. They have experience and can reverse swing the ball. Still, even with their services, India would have been favourites. India too is missing most of its key players. That makes the contest more even. It is imperative, that we give the most suitable conditions to our younger lot to thrive. Some would say that it is not the right way forward for grooming the youngsters. Well, that should be done in the domestic circuit and at the grassroots. Winning is the biggest confidence booster for a depleted bunch. Anyway, a five ODI series isn’t a suitable benchmark to judge whether England is ‘the no. 1’ side even in the sub-continent or has India recuperated from the deflating English tour. Nevertheless, winning would do a world of good to those who failed in England and to those who would be keen to make a mark at the highest level. Turning and batting friendly tracks (even if a bit slow and low) are the order of the day.[gallery order="DESC"]