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 Ganguly asks batsmen to be positive
 Chennai, Oct 13: Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has only message to his batsmen on the eve of the second cricket Test against Australia, beginning at the Chepauk stadium here tomorrow. Trailing 1-0 in the series, Ganguly was still hopeful of India making a comeback in the series. "We have done it before. We have done it against Australia. So, we can come back and win the series. However, to win a Test match, we have to make runs when we bat. If we bat well and according to our potential, we should be in a position to make enough runs for our bowlers to do well."
Although admitting that there was a problem with the way the batsmen played, especially in the last few months, the skipper did not find anything seriously wrong with them. What has the team management asked them to do -- get back to the basics and play as straight as possible? This was one question that was posed to him. Sourav merely said, "They are all quality batsmen. They don't really have to be told what to do. All they have to do is be positive."
 On the problem posed by the incoming ball to Indian batsmen, especially to Akash Chopra, Rahul Dravid and Sehwag, Ganguly said the question was not whether it was an incoming ball or an outgoing ball. The batsmen had to make runs. "They are such good batsmen. We have to bat well, get some runs on the board and play with confidence." Ganguly hinted that Kaif might be included in the eleven tomorrow, though he said the decision was up to the selectors. He also felt that Yuvraj may be played higher up the order. However, when asked if Laxman would be back at the number three spot where he had scored plenty of runs against Australia, ruled out moving Laxman to the one-drop position. The batting order would not be reshuffled, he added.
 On the condition of the Chepauk pitch, Ganguly said it could offer more bounce and the Indian spinners were bound to do well. However, he did not appear to be in favour of playing three spinners.
On Sachin's absence, the skipper said, "We certainly miss him. However, we are hopeful that he will be available for the next Test."
He declined to comment on the match referee's decision ordering a 65 per cent cut in the match fees of Sehwag for the Bangalore Test.
(R Rangaraj)
Published: Wednesday, October 13, 2004
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