Colombo (Sri Lanka) - Trying to accurately judge the limited-overs form of teams in the immediate post World Cup era is about as shaky as a three-wheeler ride through the colourful maze of streets in this city. While the directions may be correct the navigation can be decidedly unpredictable.

And for those who have experienced the joys of travel by three wheeler transport, the India side now competing in the Aiwa Cup series the journey is not as competitive as the critics would like. If there were a star rating of five to one, India would, on the evidence of their first two games in Sri Lanka, be battling to persuade the examiners of granting even half a star.

Of course it is early days in the new season which prepares to ring in the changes of the millennium, yet India have gone backward since the World Cup. They are a shadow of the side which competed so well with South Africa at Hove and a paler one at that to the team which dished out such humiliation to Sri Lanka at Taunton a tad more than three months ago. Sachin Tendulkar, whether again burdened by the captaincy or a side which has become tired and bored with the routine of playing in yet another slog series and the selectors introducing little new material, is hard to fathom. Like a dilapidated three wheeler chugging along in the same gear and with an engine in need of repair, India seem to be bereft of ideas. Their selectors have retained the tired and rusty instead of embarking on a bold rebuilding plan.

Their next Test series is against New Zealand at home and early next year they meet South Africa: unless there is a serious rethink they are going to be under prepared for the more important Test challenges and you cannot build Test success around limited-overs planning. India, with off-field rumblings of corruption in some areas of administration are falling into the old trap, whatever Tendulkar's plea to the critics to be patient. There is no new talent because the selectors are not looking beyond the perimeter of the current top three-squad system. and here those responsible for running the affairs of the team and invoking selection policy are at fault. India are looking for answers but they are seeking in the wrong areas.

If you are bold and adventurous and decide to take the scenic route you could have a fun ride in the three wheeler as it ducks the potholes and negotiates a patch of road inhabited by just about every creaking ancient vehicle of which you can think. So while India take a couple of days off and indulge in a serious rethink, the Sri Lankans seem to at least know where they are heading.

Not only have Sri Lanka started to climb the ladder of international respectability again, there is a new competitive spirit in the side, as evidenced by their fielding in the three matches they have played so far. At last Trevor Chappell's fielding strategies having some effect, coach Dav Whatmore's coaching methods have reintroduced the responsibility as well as discipline factors of the 1995/96 years

And the team's refurbishment policies of Sidath Wettimuny and his co-selectors has, to an extent, worked as the rotation plan creak into gear with, as promised, minor modification to team selection, policy. It is known Wettimuny did not take too kindly to criticism of the slow batting rate when Sri Lanka beat India under lights at the Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday night as Marvan Atapattu ground out an undefeated 71.

Depending on your point of view the tactic, or ploy, either unnecessarily slowed the run rate or ensured it earned Sri Lanka a valuable victory. In a 12-month period when LOI victories have been in short supply, making sure of winning the game was the more obvious option. Sure at 173 for three and 10 overs in hand it was not the run rate which was a problem: for a team which has a recent history of crumpling as rapidly as any three wheeler when it slams into a brick wall, it was an understandable approach. Just as Sri Lanka have rediscovered their stomach for a fight India have remained in their corner, cautious and uncertain and in need of a game plan to earn the respect of other sides. It is all very well to have the so-called world's most complete batsman but what is the use if you do not have a side which can build around his success with skilled players there is a problem?

As it is Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid have complimenting styles and class to give India a solid top-order only without a bowling attack and aggressive fielding to match they are going to head for Singapore and then the series against the Kiwis still looking for a solution to lift them out of the rut of indecision and uncertainty. The only way they can turn this around and regenerate interest is to win their two remaining games in Colombo. After last night they have a long way to go to match either the highly professional Australians and the remotivated Sri Lanka in a series designed to launch their 'new look' side. The first match hiccup apart, so far it has gone pretty well for Jayasuriya and The Management team.