India go for another dance with chance

By John Cheeran
India return to battlefield in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
They should win against the West Indies to stay alive in the Champions Trophy.
Except for a few, Indian players are veterans of the international circuit and that makes them philosophers when they sit together and stare at victory or in many cases, defeat.
For them, it is just another match. Up to a point that approach has its own merits.
Reputations have been ripped apart in this Champions Trophy. World champions Australia were beaten by the defending champions the West Indies.
India outclassed Ashes heroes England. Sri Lanka, the team that walloped West Indies in their last qualifier and enjoyed a winning streak, was outmaneuvered by a faithful Pakistan.
Such results have kept the semifinal spots up for grabs so far in both groups. So what surprise, Rahul Dravid and Greg Chappell, have planned for West Indies?
It is high time India set their one-day record straight against West Indies. They lost in the Caribbean and they again lost in Kuala Lumpur. West Indies now have a quality pace attack and India’s illustrious top order should better get their act together.
I hope Dravid has time to pay attention to the fact that West Indies have beaten world champions twice in a span of few weeks. That alone should make Brian Lara and company dangerous opponents.
Over the years, West Indies batsmen have improved their skills against spinners and Dravid will have to win the toss and field first to make better use of Harbhajan Singh and Ramesh Powar. In dewy conditions spinners tend to struggle to grip the ball.
Despite giving due reverence to factors such as pitch, dew and toss, the first lesson in limited overs cricket should not be forgotten either.
Batsmen win these dances with chances.