India has been in international cricket for more than 70 years. But its performance, particularly overseas, has been pathetic. They continue to be lambs for the slaughter when they are engaged in playing on quick wickets against quickies outside their home. To lose bravely is one thing but to sustain humiliating defeat owing to sheer cowardice proves that Indian stars can only twinkle on docile pitches.

The West Indians are currently passing through a very lean and critical phase. They lost the Test by 37 runs and in defeat they looked glorious. They came back at Georgetown to inflict a 10-wicket defeat on Indians who looked like a bunch of novices on a wicket which was responsive to speed. Watching them bat looked as if most of the players were batting without a ‘bat’ in their hands.

Except for ‘much hated’ skipper Sourav Ganguly and to some extent Laxman, no other batsman seemed competent and determined to face the West Indies ‘mediocre pace attack. It was shocking to see Sachin Tendulkar failing again. But there is no cause for worry. He is already on the Don’s milestone of 29. He is sure to get another five to equal Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 34. He is a batsman who has a very mature head on his shoulders. He may not have won many matches for his country but his best is yet to come.

Anil Kumble was sidelined once again. Indeed there was a vacancy for only one spinner. But he would have been a better choice than Harbhajan Singh, who needs to be handled judiciously. He is miles away from what Pransanna and Venkatara-ghavan were. Victory has many fathers and defeat is an orphan. Ganguly should have capitalised on a narrow win. But he could not, and the initiative has been surrendered to the West Indies who will be a force to reckon with in the remaining two Tests. If Ganguly could not motivate a winning army to rise, it would be difficult for him to keep a defeated army in high spirits. What he has to realise is that he is a lone person to uplift the drooping confidence of his players because other officials can offer him no more than lip sympathy.

Coach John Wright has gone on record as saying that poor shot selection was one of the main causes for the defeat. Indeed, many Indian batsmen did make wrong choice of shots. But the question is why did specialist batsmen make injudicious selection of shots? It was mainly because the batsmen did not have faith and confidence in their ability and skill. Self-discipline to pick the right shots is possible only when batsmen have command over their nerves.

Time and time again India has run into self-inflicted problems because of lack of application. To have been dismissed for 102 — their sixth lowest total — on the opening day was shocking. There was nothing devilish in the pitch nor was the bowling hostile. Had the batsmen showed willingness to play with grim determination, they should have totalled much more than what they got. The ship is greater than the crew, it is said. The Indian cricket ship is currently unstable and unsteady. But some individuals are determined to honour individuals for their own mercenary advantages instead of caring for Indian cricket’s health and welfare. What are these ‘Wisden’ awards? What good would come out of these awards? The need of the hour is to translate individuals into a team and unless Indians play as one unit there is no hope of India performing superbly consistently. The Indian Board has huge funds in its kitty. But should it spend thoughtlessly? Why should Jagmohan Dalmiya have sent two officials to England to supervise arrangements made for the Indian team scheduled to tour in June-July? The Board’s new ‘blue-eyed’ boy, who wears the tag of ‘Junior Maharaja’, is expected to be the media manager. He is pleasant and articulate but his superseding some other senior officials is causing concern to many.

• Minita Kumar

Standing against a blue backdrop, Tendulkar flaunts the new Siena in the latest print ad of the car. The body copy of the ad reads, 'Season's Preview. Fashion on Four Wheels. Starting May 17th, the new Fiat Sienna is being unveiled at your nearest showroom from May 17th -20th and you are invited! New Fiat Sienna. Get Noticed!' If something has got noticed, it's not the car, but Tendulkar endorsing two Fiat brands; Palio and Siena.