The talent needs to be harnessed effectively

With India standing fourth in the net run rate, they needed a good score today against Ireland without losing many wickets to improve the net run rate. However on being put in to bat, India started off in such a disastrous fashion that survival in the tournament gained precedence over all other matters.

The problem with this Indian team has been their inability to get a rousing start. This perhaps compelled a change in the batting order promoting Purnima Rau to the opening slot along with skipper Anju Jain. The move did not click but it is heartening to see that the think tank of the Indian team has finally started acting. I personally endorse this move as a right one though it failed to take off.

Anju Jain was bowled playing to a wrong line. Rau fell due to some indiscreet running between by Chopra. And the consistent Chanderkanta Kaul was the unlucky victim of a leg before decision before opening her account. India, needing a big score to lift their sagging morale, were at a precarious position. It was left to Anjum Chopra and Hemalata Kala to retrieve India from this position with a 92-run fourth wicket partnership.

Chopra likes to play a sheet anchor role and the situation was tailor made for her. She virtually anchored the Indian innings with a patient innings, which was the need of the hour. Her solid knock of 70 and her partnership with Kala virtually pulled India back from the brink. Chopra's knock today was a priceless one as she held the Indian batting together and it appeared as though there was no stopping her as she gained in confidence and went for some good strokes before she fell a victim to her own bad calling.

A quickfire knock from Shastri (23) and some sensible batting by Smitha Harikrishna (34 off 30 balls) helped India to reach a healthy score of 199 for 9. Most of the Indian dismissals were self-inflicted but the batsmen showed resilience to stage a recovery to reach that score.

India's bowling did not measure up to the expected levels as the pacers went for runs. The improper use of the northeasterly breeze also helped speed up the score and the Irish reply was above four runs per over initially. The introduction of spin brought it down and two excellent catches by Deepa Kulkarni helped India get the vital breakthroughs. Chanderkanta Kaul was brilliant in the outfield and effected two run outs.

Yet another blow for the Indians was that Purnima Rau, their main spinner, was reported for her suspect action after the India-New Zealand game. All this has definitely affected the morale and Rau seems to have been psyched out by this. She has churned in unimpressive bowling performances so far in this tournament, except perhaps for the first match against South Africa.

Indian fielding showed a marked improvement but the collection at the bowler's end and backing up needs to be sorted out. The team has the potential to do well but the talent of some players needs to be harnessed effectively. The team's think tank has started "thinking" and hopefully this will bring out some qualitative changes in the performance of the team. I, for one, am keeping my fingers crossed!