The Times of India

Title : The answer for India is to do little things better

Author : Ravi Shastri
Location :
Article Date : 08/11/2014

England have made India pay for the win at Lords. Their demolition of India has been swift in the last
couple of weeks. India lost it in themind more than in their technique. The play-safe defensive selection
at Southampton has come back to haunt them big time. What's worse is as I write this piece the Indians
will be watching the heavens open with rain coming down like never before this summer.
And it was on the cards.
This defeat can't just be put to difficult conditions on the first morning. There wasn't a Stuart Broad in
the second innings. Nor excessive spin. Forget the defence of it being a young team. You wouldn't
expect such surrender in one session even from an associated ICC member.
Harsh words but I am sure MS Dhoni wouldn't be sugar coating it either to his teammates. You went
early to England, showed promising returns in first two Tests and then changed your stripes.
The answer is not an overhaul. It's to do little things in a better way . Some techniques need
reorientations. Laws of physics are not subjected to human whims. Show an angled bat; don't cover the
swing; have no footwork and you would have similar results every time.
England learnt the Lords lessons well. They have been fuller in length in the last two Tests. Some of the
techniques have been laid bare.
The key is to believe you can do it. Results follow belief.
All troubles go away if you can stand your ground. Give it time. Soak in it. Don't bolt.
Tides do turn. Air does blow the other way. That's nature.
Your mind is your vehicle.
Clear its filters.
Stand outside the crease if you must. Take a middle stump guard if you have to.
For starters, tell yourself you would be caught anywhere but in slips. Be friends with your off-stump. It
would tell you which balls to shoulder arms to; which balls to play .
I wouldn't lose hope on this team one bit even though they have looked like India B in the last couple of
weeks. I wouldn't wipe clean the shows against South Africa and New Zealand this year.
Faith can move mountains.
It's as true for fans, media and selectors as for cricketers themselves. The win of in the Lord's Test needs
a better memorial.TCM
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