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GANGULY: THE STRENGTH OF TEAM INDIA

The Indian team under Sourav Ganguly has recently put up a strong claim for the No.2 spot in world cricket with a few sterling performances in Australia and Pakistan. However the Indians have a protracted and arduous path ahead of them before they can dethrone the Australians. India has its strengths and weaknesses, which provide an interesting discourse.

The Indians can boast of probably the best batting line up in the world. Team India is a batting powerhouse – dogged Dravid, gracious Ganguly, lively Laxman, scintillating Sehwag, tenacious Tendulkar and youthful Yuvraj – it doesn’t come any better than that. India possesses the ammunition to blight any opposition bowling attack on any track.

The Indians have of late displayed great camaraderie and solidarity and have gelled well together as a team. They have exhibited a resolve to fight, a hunger to succeed and a reluctance to surrender. The Indians have strength of mind, ability to fight against all odds and courage to strike back when the chips are down. The fickle minded, soft-spoken and brittle team of the past is no longer on display.

But, if the Indians entertain any hopes of world supremacy, they will have to find answers to some probing questions. The Indian pace attack still lacks fire and teeth. Irfan Pathan has been impressive, but the others – wayward Balaji, injury-plagued Zaheer, inconsistent Agarkar and flat Nehra – have failed to inspire confidence. And the Indians still don’t have a tear-away fast bowler capable of sending a chill down the batsman’s spine.

The wicket keeper’s slot is another dilemma. Parthiv Patel has done a reasonable job so far, but he is just not the keeper of a world-beating side. The Indians desperately need someone like Gilchrist to lend balance and depth to the team. Rahul Dravid has been India’s answer in ODIs, but for how long? If Patel does not improve his game the Indians need to rope in other youngsters. 

The advent of a foreign coach, physio and trainer has meant the fitness level of players has risen. But the Indians still lack the athleticism, alacrity and agility, which prevents a boundary in the field or pinches an extra run while batting.

But the biggest strength of Indian team is its captain – Sourav Ganguly. He has envisaged a Team India and has executed his plans with impudence and gumption. Ganguly has revolutionized the attitude of Indian cricketers, with his never-say-die spirit and refusal to be intimidated by stronger opposition. He has always looked adversity in the eye, and the Indian team has learned never to give up under his captaincy. Make no mistake about it – Ganguly is the captain who is going to lead Team India to success and glory in the coming years.