Goliath Is Around, Where Is Our David?

Chairman of Indian cricket team selectors K Srikkanth says he is ready to place his neck on the chopper board for the team's massive defeat at the hands of the South Africans in the recent Nagpur Test.

Once a ferocious batsman who has stood up to the hostility of fast bowlers and met them on the up and dismissed them with contempt, Srikkanth is not the type to shy away from challenges.

With Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Rohit Sharma out with injuries, he could only pick players from what is left in the hat. Still one can ask question as why India walked into the field with one specialised bowler short.

But the point is, how did India play the game? Did they play as the No.1 team in the world?

Yes, Sehwag and Tendulkar slammed centuries in the first and second innings respectively, but then these tons did not do much to save the team from defeat. Captain Dhoni has finally tasted defeat in a Test match. Srikkanth says winning and losing are part of the game.

Sure, they are the two sides of the coin. But the bother is, how did they lose? Was it a cliff-hanger contest? Could they have avoided it by the skin of their teeth? Or was it a walk in the park for the Proteas?

The disturbing reality for an Indian fan is that it was a canter for the Africans. Steyn picked up 10 wickets, and Amla hit up a double ton to force India follow on.

Were there expectations of what happened when India followed on some years ago against the Australians? But then the architects of that epic U-turn, Dravid and Laxman, were not around this time.

It take more than talent to humble mighty teams. David did not kill Goliath by matching the giant man's strength and physique, but by using his skills and acting on a spirit which spurred him to stand up for his country. He stood up in the battlefield, looked the giant in his eyes and declared, much like a Muhammad Ali, that the day belonged to him.

When will the Indians play like David, and look the Aussies and South Africans in the eye and say cold-blooded that the day belonged to them?

What if in one fine morning we don't see the shadows of players like Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman on a Test match ground? Who will stand up for India, like David who actually came to the battlefield to bring food for his brothers, but couldn't tolerate the taunts of Goliath against his country?

Who will say, enough is enough, today you are destined to be killed?

I wish the Indian management would make the players read why David responded to Goliath's challenges and how. After all, India and Israel are good friends.