Steve "Iceman" Waugh has become more loquacious of late and his statements exhibit supreme confidence. So he should be what with his team on a roll having registered a record of 15 consecutive Test victories. The achievement has sparked off a debate as to whether the current team is the best ever-Australian side. There have been varying opinions but Waugh's boys must come very close to being the best. What is remarkable about the present side is the versatility and it is no surprise that Steve Waugh is confident of beating India in the forthcoming series. He is aware of what to expect as he is no stranger to India and in fact he made a major impact in this very country in the 1987 Reliance Cup.

Waugh's remarks have evoked strong reactions from his counterpart Ganguly and I for one think that it would have been better for Ganguly to have restrained himself. The Indian captain has a fair bit to think about as the Indians are up against a formidable side. First of all, the Indian captain has to decide on the nature of pitches he would like to play on. It would have been a straight forward choice had Anil Kumble been fit. Kumble's shoulder operation has deprived Ganguly of his strike bowler's services and mind you it is not a minor problem. Kumble is beyond doubt the match winner for the home side as he has proven over a long period of time. He is the only one capable of attacking the Australian batsmen in every manner. The other spinners in the fray barring Venkatapathy Raju do not have the mental strength that Kumble possesses. In fact the think tank along with the selection committee are really going have a tough time when it comes to selecting spinners.

At the moment the Indian pool of players are in a conditioning camp and the time can be utilised in the most purposeful manner. John Wright, the coach of the Indian team, has devised a schedule which ensures that optimum efficiency is achieved in the time available. He is methodical and can be forthright if required and his suggestions are based with an eye on the future. However, he has a tough job on hand and he has to come to a conclusion along with Ganguly with regard to the composition of the team. At least he has the opportunity to assess the probables during the Challenger series and also the opening first class fixture against the Australian side in Nagpur. Though he is not in an enviable position, his biggest advantage is his knowledge about the psychology of the Australians. His priority would be to make the Indian side mentally tough as that will be a very crucial factor.

The batting line up would be in capable hands and in fact there will be a tough competition for one or two of the middle order slots. Laxman should be in the scheme of things mainly due to his ability and he has notched up the maximum number of runs. Dinesh Mongia and Hemang Badani will have to fight it out for a reserve slot. Mongia looks a very good player and his performances in domestic cricket are too good to be ignored. Badani, on the other hand displayed his high calibre in the limited opportunities at the top level but his ordinary string of scores may go against him.

The wicket keeper's slot is once again seemingly up for grabs with Nayan Mongia having been exonerated. His experience and his reputation might be too strong a temptation for the selectors to resist. It would be interesting to see what transpires when the eventual choice is made. It would be unfair and hard on Dahiya in case he is dropped as he has not made any mistake so far. He has shown a lot of improvement since the time he first donned the gloves for the country.

Balaji Rao, the young leg-spinner from Tamil Nadu, is being eyed with more than passing interest as there are limited choices when it comes to wrist spinners. The youngster appears to have impressed Ganguly and the captain may well have his way ultimately. Ganguly seems to have decided that he needs a wrist spinner if at all his side has to bowl the opponents out twice. Raju has been recalled into the fold with Joshi failing to translate his talent into performance. Raju has a big heart and even today many feel that he is by more consistent in his line and length than his rivals. His vast experience might clinch him a place in the side after a reasonably long gap.

The final 14 will be announced in just over a week's time and it will not be an easy task even though they have done a very good job in picking the probables. Then, of course, selecting a team in India is never an easy job at all considering the diverse factors involved. John Wright will be present to give his opinions and his views have to be taken very seriously as he has watched quite a few matches in the Duleep. But the question on everyone's lips will be "Can John get it Wright?"

© Woorkheri Raman