As expected, days one and two were washed out without a ball being bowled. Considering the number of games affected by rain in Chennai in the last few seasons the BCCI should henceforth consider climatic conditions when awarding games to respective centers.

On October 17 2004, India ended Day 4 in Chennai at 19 for no loss against Australia with Sehwag on 12 and Yuvraj on 7, needing 210 more runs for victory. The Indian cricket team had scored 376 in the first innings and an Indian victory seemed likely. But for the rains that washed away Day 5, the final frontier could have remained unconquered. The ODI against South Africa scheduled at Chennai last week was also swept away by rain.

Besides being unfair to the spectators, it is extremely frustrating, particularly since I had kept the whole weekend free to watch the match! Soon, the BCCI may need its own weatherman or woman!

Anyway, the Indian cricket team has not announced the playing eleven. The million-dollar question on everybody’s lips remains unanswered.

I thank all my readers for the overwhelming response to the last poll, the result of which can still be viewed at the site. Unfortunately, nobody could claim the honors as there were only 4 matches played. I thank Mockingbird for the comment. The behavior of the Kolkata crowd was shameful. My views on the subject are too well know to bear repetition (A national disgrace, What can you say, Time to stick my neck out – see archives).

I do not think Saurav should be in the playing eleven but I would spare him the ignominy of being 12^th. man. We owe the man at least that much. He forged steel into this Indian cricket team and showed them the way to win. He certainly got the best out of the team as captain. The Indian cricket team was then the only one that beat the Aussies. It also came within a whisker of beating them in Australia (Sad commentary – see archives). It is worth pointing out that no team since has come anywhere close to doing that. However critical we are of his current antics, we should not forget his immense contribution to Indian cricket.

The thrashing handed out to the English by Pakistan is totally expected. The Pakistan team at this point is playing the best it has in a decade and will be very tough to beat at home. The team is united, Shoaib is back and Inzamam seems to be getting runs at will. Bob Woolmer has made a huge difference to this team. I think Greg Chappell has the edge tactically and I expect that plans are underway.

The teams know each other well and we will have to innovate successfully to surprise them, if we are to win. Who knows, all the experiments of the last few months may bear fruit. We will need Zaheer Khan at his best for the trip to Pakistan. Agarkar is going to be taken apart there and will not last the tour. Irfan needs better support. Haven’t heard of Nehra for a while. If fit, I would take him to Pakistan. That is a trip for men and the boys will have to watch and learn. R P Singh and Santh hold promise but are not ready to play Pakistan away.

With England touring India in Feb-March, the next few months are going to be extremely interesting.