Failure of top-order still a worrying factor

At the conclusion of the third day in Bulawayo, India still held the upper hand - Zimbabwe was ahead by 158 runs with three wickets in hand - but then this can be a funny game, especially when it comes to chasing targets.

One does feel the Indians do not really pounce on the opposition like the Australians - the Kolkata Test was an exception - or the South Africans do from a position of ascendancy.

The failure of the top-order has been a major problem with the Indians abroad, and this invariably has put pressure on the rest of the batting. It was no different this time.

In fact, India had a wonderful chance to put the Test way beyond Zimbabwe's reach with a 450-plus score, but the opportunity was frittered away. And even the 145-run lead was only because of some spirited batting from Sameer Dighe and Harbhajan Singh down the order.

And on the field, we have the habit of letting things drift away, providing a glimmer of hope to the opposition when it should have been blown away. This is an area the Indians have to work on, and here, the mental aspect is the key. There have to be sparks of inspiration now and then, and half chances have to be converted.

Andy Flower has loads of mental strength and that is why he is among the leading batsmen of the world, shouldering the burden time and again for a team, short of quality players. He has a particular liking for the Indian bowling too.

The left-hander's first innings effort might have been chancy, but his character was very much on view in the second essay. It indeed was an accomplished innings from the experienced campaigner.

Andy's brother Grant, another senior batsman, applied himself very well too, as the Indians underwent some frustrating moments even when they had a clear look at the tail.

There was less assistance for the bowlers in terms of seam movement on the third day, however, the Indians could have certainly been more innovative. It was surprising why skipper Sourav Ganguly, who can be useful under these conditions, did not bring himself on until late in the innings.

The partnerships should not be allowed to develop and Sourav has the habit of picking up a wicket or two whenever he comes on. Among others, Srinath, who appeared out of sorts in the first innings, came up with a much better display in the second, providing the initial breakthroughs, and Ashish Nehra revealed a willingness to work hard for his wickets - however, he was reminded of the dangers of running on to the pitch in a rather harsh manner.

In the Indian batting, Sachin Tendulkar once again adjusted himself quickly to the differing conditions, holding fort even as wickets fell at the other end. It finally took a brilliant catch by Stuart Carlisle in the slip cordon to terminate his determined innings.

A word about the determination of Dighe and Harbhajan. Dighe's fighting ways were on view again, and he does seem to have commitment. Harbhajan's innings was a revelation, and the `Sardar' is growing in confidence in all aspects of the game.

They were the heroes in the dramatic Chennai Test against Australia and once again they delivered for India. The sting in the tail is good news for Indian cricket, but then it can be argued that things should never be allowed to reach that point. The specialist batsmen have to do the job. And not all of them are doing that at the moment.

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