The massive win against Lanka will have given the team a great deal of confidence, but there is more to deal with against England.

For the tougher battles that lie ahead, Indian bowling will have to be tightened. This has remained the loophole so far. Robin Singh bowled a probing length and line against Sri Lanka to earn a five wicket haul that must bolster his confidence. With Mongia back in the side for the crucial game against England on Saturday, the temptation to drop Robin Singh will be great. This would expose the fifth bowling spot greatly, anarea where the match could hinge on balance.

With Srinath, Prasad, Mohanty, Kumble and Ganguly to back, the attack looks respectable indeed, provided the discipline is maintained with no waywardness. Though Mohanty did not pick many wickets, I think he bowled with great deception in swing and quite superbly. The fact that he was playing his first World Cup game under the pressure to win at any cost, is a major plus in his favour. Robin Singh can only be accommodated if Mongia is still not fit. Personally, I would be tempted to drop Ramesh and play Robin Singh, with Rahul and Saurav to open the innings, and Sachin to come in at number three. It is nice to be spoilt for choice when the team's engine starts to fire on all cylinders.

Consistency over the next four weeks will be the key to India's progress and there is no upward limit to improvement and perfection as continuously underlined by both South Africa and Pakistan. India has the best batting line-up in the world, irrespective of the form of cricket,but it would be too much to expect them to score almost record totals regularly. You still need to bowl well to win any match and meticulous planning for each opposing batsman to bowl at, is the real professional answer.

Bowling to win is habit forming and there is no room for a lax approach now that the Indian team is awake after a sleepy and shaky start.

It is hard not to go back to Taunton, where the Indian team scaled new heights while beating Sri Lanka with great conviction and authority that was missing so far. Moving into top gear, both Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid raced towards new milestones both personal as well as the team's. They savaged the Sri Lankan attack, but with reassuring cultured strokes, caressed through the gaps and later powered over the pavilion tiles. They compliment each other in style and played like men possessed, who chose this the most critical moment of the World Cup for India, and showed why India can depend on them alongside Sachin Tendulkar.

Dravid began as thoughhe was continuing his previous century innings and soon Ganguly matched him stroke for stroke, playing with the utmost elegance, and later overtaking Dravid with awesome timing. The most pleasurable aspect I found in their togetherness was the joy and interest they took in each others fortunes. Effectively, they shut the game for Sri Lanka, and India never really looked back.