Planning apart, it’s the day’s performance that counts. One cannot afford to relax. Fielding is one area which worries me. Taking the field in cold weather is tough, but our boys must learn to save those vital 10-15 runs. I find that many of them don’t walk in with the bowler, so the anticipation becomes difficult and they lose the important second or two as the ball is struck. I have spoken to them and told them to crouch and move in as the bowler runs up to bowl.
It’s not going to be easy to go after the bowlers in England—the ball will move a lot. It won’t be easy to hit it on the rise, and so the onus will be on specialist batsmen—Sachin, Saurav, Rahul, Azhar, Jadeja—to get as many runs on the board as possible. Ramesh should get a look-in if anybody isn’t in form. Srinath and Prasad should pick early wickets to put the batting side on the defensive. Agarkar and Robin Singh will be the change bowlers followed by Ganguly, Tendulkar and Kumble.
We have an experienced side with players who have played 200 one-day internationals, they are capable of working out a strategy on the day of the match. We have good chances of qualifying for the Super Six. Then, hopefully, the semis and the final. No predictions, all the teams are evenly balanced, so you cannot pick a winner straightaway.
(Patel is manager of the Indian team for the World Cup)
