The promise showed by the players in the practice matches receeded and India came back to their usual self in the first test match at Lord’s. The batsmen faltered and so did the bowlers and it was a matter a divine intervention or providence that could have saved the team. And contrary to the past wherein the Weather Gods failed to intevene ( as in the match against South Africa) and change the destiny of Indian cricket team, the first test at Lord’s was a different script.

It so appears that once Indian cricket team undertakes a tour of South Africa, Australia, England or New Zealand, a strange and insecure feeling grips the team and clings to the team till they return to their homeland! This feeling makes even the ‘greats’ appear vulnerable and has affected the performance of the team in foreign countries on several ocassions!

For a change things appeared a bit different for the Indian team on this tour of England. The team (it is believed) has the necessary ingredients in the form of a proper balance in the batting and bowling department to some extent. And to some extent the team lived up to this expectation in the practice matches that it played on the English soil. One could take some heart from Sachin’s effortless batting as he appeared to be back in his elements.

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