can we do it in nz??

india are on yet another tour of new zealand. a country that they have always struggled to do well in. after the first two 20-20's the signs look inauspicious. teams from the subcontinent have always struggled in a country that is rugby crazy (the first 20-20 was played in a rugby stadium). dhoni is a captain who rarely complains (atleast so far), so he just suggested it was a challenge to play in a rugby stadium.

the plush green pastures and beautiful landscape is more suitable for a holiday rather than a long, hard cricket tour. the unpredictable weather often makes things very uncomfortable for most of our players, especially for a bunch of boys who come from a hot n sweaty country, where conditions are no where close to what one experiences in new zealand.

the constant travelling could also effect the players. consider this, the team will reach napier, the venue of the first odi, the evening before the match, because of a shortage of hotel rooms. many visiting team complain of hectic schedules when touring india, but it is highly unlikely that they reach the venue on the eve of a match.

on the positive side new zealand is not even remotely cricket crazy. chances are that a majority of spectators in the stands will be indian immigrants. the indians will be able to take a walk in the park virtually unnoticed. hopefully the fact that they have a limited amount of pressure on them should help.

its time for this new look indian team to dig their heels into the ground and prove themselves to the world. can they do it? well they have got a rude shock in the form of two losses. on the other hand, they had no practice matches and the 20-20 matches would have given them a feel of things.

they have a fearless and tough leader who seems to be able to last the distance. one hopes that ishant's injury is not serious. the bowling will be in trouble without the young mans pace and heart. this team has more potential than most teams that have toured this pituresque country. a billion fingers are crossed. it will be tough, and we could call it india's final frontier. with a little bit of faith n lots of adaapting, this team will definitely go the distance.

all the best to the men in blue!