Sachin Tendulkar (should be) batting at #5 so that some of the early pressure is off him and he can afford to play grave-digger for a while if the pressure is still on.When you think about it, it is not that bad an option. Here are some reasons why I believe that playing at #5 may be the way to go:
- Obviously he suffers now because he is usually batting with Dravid and, lately, seems inclined to follow Dravid's lead on how to play the bowling. Most of the time Dravid is defensive and Tendulkar joins him in the same rut. Dravid knows hows to get out of it, Sachin does not. An Arjun-Abhimanyu case, for want of a better analogy.
- By playing at #5 Chappell-Dravid will have their alternating accelerator-anchor lineup in Tests, too. (Jaffer-Sehwag-Dravid-Yuvraj-Tendulkar-Dhoni). (If Laxman/Kaif come into the team, I'd play them at #6 for now. The tail wags long enough these days for them to feel secure about playing their own game).
- If the need is for quick runs, Sachin has the ODI experience to shift it into high gear from the start. If there is a collapse, he can revert to his anchor-role, and not get booed for it, because the situation demands a little stickiness.
- I think he needs a little jolt. A "demotion" in the batting order may be the catalyst needed to jump-start him for the next 5 years.
Personally, I think the second innings of the Bombay Test is going to be one for the ages. Premonition or hope,we shall find out in a few hours.
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I read a very pertinent statistic today - that in the test matches since Chappell became India's coach, Laxman has played 9 tests, and 9 innings, has 2 centuries, 2 50s and was once out for a duck. He also has the second highest average in this timespan (about 65) and second only to Dravid's 70+
My hunch is that if Dravid can prevail upon Sachin to come in at no 5, the order will be - Sehwag, Jaffer, Laxman, Dravid, Sachin, Yuvraj, Dhoni, and the "tail". And it will work very well indeed.
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