By Dhiresh, Gaurang, Gullu
July 2 2002

The India ODI team seems to be winning everything, abroad even, consistently even. What are the reasons for this new-found success? An Indian-cricket-fever panel investigates. The batting has an invincible look to it, the pace bowling is hostile and destructive. Under pressure, this Indian ODI team can deliver. What could have caused the sudden turn-around in fortunes? Our ICF panel talks about it.

Dhiresh looks at the changes

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Dhiresh sees a large number of changes that have combined make the team click as it never has before.

• In the last two matches (and also past 2 series) youngsters like Sehwag, Mongia, Yuvraj, and Kaif have contributed greatly. Kudos to the selectors and team management for persisting with them.
• Dravid's experiment as wicketkeeper/batsman is working - again full marks to the leadership and to Dravid.
• Sachin batting at no 4 is ideal for the team regardless of Botham's reservations on this. Full marks to Sachin and the leadership.
• Leadership insisting on youngsters in the team has paid off immensely fielding-wise: players like Kaif, Yuvraj, Agarkar, Mongia, Tendulkar, Sehwag have been outstanding in the field.
• Kudos to the leadership for persisting with Agarkar. For the last 2-3 series he has been a consistent performer (and probably the highest wicket taker), an excellent fielder and also a visible contributor with the bat coming down the order.
• Zaheer and Nehra also are more fit and bowling well.
• Hiring of the SA trainer Adrian le Roux has paid off in terms of fitness. In the past we would have lost the 2nd match against SL purely on being unfit. Again full marks to the leadership for recognizing that.

Gaurang on Dravid as vice-captain

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Gaurang identifies the strengths of Dravid as vice-captain. What some people fail to understand is that not everyone succeeds by being the leader. Some people achieve success by being the enablers or the "wind beneath other's wings".

Dravid fits into the second category. If he is happy in that role who are journos to cast aspersions?

Gullu goes a step further

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Gullu says that until India finds a wicket-keeper who can bat like a regular batsman or a seamer all-rounder (someone like Sourav Ganguly but a regular bowler), Dravid must continue in his current role. Most of the leading one-day teams have at least one of the above to add much-needed depth to batting or bowling.

But he really likes this one-day side: imagine having Jadeja in this line-up at number 6 or 7 (the best one-day finisher India has ever had and a very good fielder).

Dhiresh sums up

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Dravid certainly is proving to be an asset to this team. Full marks to Ganguly and John Wright for persisting with their plan. Dhiresh agrees with Gaurang's point on leaders and followers. Dravid and Sachin are great enablers - ultimate team mates who are doing right for the team.

In the history of successful ventures, most leaders have depended on enablers of the plan. If you have poor enablers, implementation of plan becomes difficult.

Here's hoping the Indian ODI team can carry forward and build upon their new successes!