Indian cricket is bereft of education

Indian cricket is bereft of education
Bishan Singh Bedi

Once on a tour of England, the Aussies were introduced to the queen. Her Majesty remarked to the barely out of teens Ian Craig, ``I understand this is your first trip to England.''

To which the young and honest Australian replied, ``Yes, Your Majesty. And unless my batting improves, it will be my last!''

We have seen them all -- the good, the bad and the ugly. Let us not overplay our modern technology and pull down the human element. One thing is reasonably clear -- that `neutrality' does not necessarily guarantee a fool-proof cushion. In my book, there are still far too many non-cricketers on the ICC panel of umpires, and who are always overbearing and far too eager to make their presence felt.

Even so, we were never thought to question the verdict of the umpire. So, I'm rather pleased that both Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev didn't add fuel to the fire. But the sight of Tendulkar ducking into a harmless delivery from McGrath must have disturbed even Sir Donald Bradman. When India couldn't chase 120 atBarbados, Tendulkar had many sympathisers. I can't imagine, it was the same story in Adelaide -- Tendulkar has to pull up his socks and crack the whip on the others. There is simply no room left for self-pity.

The Aussie gameplan is pure revenge as the wounds from the last Indian trip are pretty fresh. Unless the weather intervenes, that man Lele and his prophecy will see Indian cricket plummet to an all-time low on the eve of the new millennium.

I was amused to read Indian coach procuring copies of Psychology of Cricket for his team. When I got Sir Richard Hadlee's Rhythm and Swing with compliments from the author -- 16 copies in all -- way back in 1990, the cricketing Bible of sorts was neatly shoved at the bottom of all kit bags. Imbibing intellectual lessons for seniors can never be on when it is not mandatory for the under-16 and under-19 National tournaments to be confined to schools and colleges.

One of my biggest complaints with Indian cricket is that it is bereft of education. Thehuge gap between our domestic cricket and the one being played in Australia is a glaring episode to be recorded and action replayed over and over again till the Indian officialdom wakes up from its slumber. What Tendulkar and his team lack is an extra gift of perception; an ability to see and assess the curve, length and pace of the ball earlier than their more committed hosts.

For a while it seems the Indians can soldier on. But at the pinch, they lack the experience to cope with sustained pressure. Ian Craig managed to pick himself and went on to captain Australia. ``Ian who?'' may well be the query of the Indian tourists.