About Cricket in India

With "Team India" thrown out of the race for World Cup 2007, time has come to sit down, think and take and implement some hard steps.
We need no proof to say that we are not the best "team" in the world.
We have lots of players with good individual records ( mostly supported by performace in subcontinent and against weaker teams). But rarely does the world cricket is afraid of India as a "team". It is not respected as a great "team".
Our great record holding batsmen, play well against cheap bowling attack, and on wickets which are good to bat. With a wicket to wicket bowling attack, they are clueless on how to score big. They are known as masters against spinners. But don't have answer to most of international spinners. They get easily bogged down by novice opponents, by fan expectations, become nervous as they always have something to lose.
Our bowlers never fire consistently and are easily unsettled by a thrashing batsman. They fire only against those who have not played them even once. They lack novelty.
Fielding,.. just doing forced practice won't help. Players do not understand its importance from heart. They are lazy and unfit.
Our slow pitches have stopped producing world class spinners, the paceman fire once in a while.
And many more problems .....
What needs to be done?

• Official squad should play international matches mostly on foreign pitches. They need to learn how to perform in unfamiliar conditions and show spirit when majority crowd is supporting opposition.
• We should have other young squad for playing international ties on Indian pitches.
• The above two squads should play each other regularly.
• Star and consistent performers should get chance to play on foreign soil.
• Modeling should not be allowed for players who are member of international squad. It is an attractive profession after retiring from the sport with head held high. They will be real role models by then.
• Senior champion players like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, VVS Laxaman should be given chance to play international ties on rotation basis. e.g Maximum of 2 of above players can be in playing eleven for a particular match. This way India will continue to get benefit of their experience and at the same time we are able to groom younger players to take responsibility. It will also help lengthen the career of senior players which each one getting adequate rest.
• We have already experienced from 2007 tours of Bangladesh , England & T-20 South Africa world cup, that we don't need regular coach. A specialist coach for fielding & bowling is OK , in addition to a team manager ( who is Ex-Cricketer).