Miandad has interesting tips for India

Media Watch on Dec 23

The former Pakistan coach and one of world’s most resilient player ever, he says in an interview to the Indian Express that ‘’it is (beating Australia in Australia) a tough task no doubt. But by saying that it is the toughest, you have just made it tougher than it is.’’

That is the best tip someone could have given to the Indian side. Javed has very encouraging words for the Indian team as he says that ‘’I personally do not think that it is as tough as it is being made out to be, especially considering the strength and form of the Indian side at the moment.’’

A report in the Times of India had Tendulkar saying that India have got what it takes to win the test series in Australia, but he also cautioned batsmen to be ‘’little more careful with shot selection.’’ He also said that some ‘’mental adjustments’’ were needed on this tour.

In fact, everyone is talking about the strength of the Indian batting, and that includes Australian past greats and current cricketers. They believe that India have it in them to put it across Australia. That is also representative of the cordial manner in which the series will be fought and lack of hostility should certainly help India as much as the absence of Warne and McGrath.

Australia new coach Tim Nielsen believes that ‘’The older players (in Indian team) know how to pace themselves. As you get older it is easier to lay the big games for you know how to play and recover. The same holds good for India’s top players,’’ he says.

If their reflexes manage to judge the Australian pace the same way as they did last time, India should be able to give a tough challenge. Win or lose, the fight must be good.

A genius backs another Genius

(Media Watch one for Dec 21 morning papers)

A headline in Hindustan Times today said ‘’Warne Backs Tendulkar to score heavily’’

Just because he is old does not mean he is finished, said Warne. Well, that is something every Indian knows Mr Warne. We all have tried our best to finish him off (Including this scribe on the blog) but he has survived both verbal and on-field yorkers!

Coming back to Warne, and his line of reasoning: Both Tendulkar’s genius and the fact that Wickets in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide are going to be pretty flat.

If Tendulkar does play two–three special knocks, it will set up India really well. But one of them must come at Melbourne.

Taking Mind games to silly heights, Buchanan's way!

For a start, Buchanan is one of the top class coaches in World Cricket with envious record for Australia against other sides. But then he was coaching Australia! What about other equally capable coaches like Whatmore, whose reputation ended up in muck teaching teams like Bangladesh.

Take away the Australian team from the equation and put any other team, and Buchanan’s proud record will come tumbling down. That is why he never accepted any offer from any other side.

Now he has handed Australia a blueprint to castle Sachin Tendulkar during the Indian tour to Australia, saying in ‘’The Advertiser’’ that the Indian batsman is susceptible to short-pitched bowling early in his innings.

Now, is there any batsman in the world who is not susceptible to short-pitched deliveries! During the bodyline series, even Don Bradman at times felt helpless when faced with a barrage of bouncers. Buchanan feels Tendulkar's footwork has become sluggish, especially early in his innings, making him vulnerable to quicker and shorter bowling followed by the sucker punch of a fuller delivery.

Not that is the standard format for any top class bowler against any top class batsmen. Yorkers soon after the bouncers have been an art perfected by the pace brigades of almost all the countries.

Why repeat the same old things Mr Buchanan, just to keep yourself in news. Let the new Australian coach get on with the Operation Tendulkar!