Tomorrow is another day

10th January 2008 could well prove to be a Red Letter Day for India in more ways than one.

Mr Ratan Tata, a businessman par excellence, would have his long cherished dream fulfilled, when Tata Motors unveils the most eagerly awaited and hotly debated car in recent times, at the Auto Expo 2008 in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Now if you consider the Indian captain Anil Kumble, as someone who can talk about the spirit of the game with full conviction, look no further than Mr Ratan Tata when it comes to playing the corporate game, both in letter and the spirit of it. One Lakh Rupees (USD 2600) car was his brainchild and if successful, could change the face of auto industry for ever. The world is watching you with bated breath, Mr Tata.

Some few thousand miles to the west of Delhi, the birthplace of cricket brings more good news for the Tatas. The iconic brands of Jaguar and Land Rover, put on the block by Ford Motors, would have a new owner. And as with cricket, their new home will be India. For years, the Indian automobile industry has been accused of playing well on the home turf alone. Come tomorrow, this perception is all set to undergo a major change.

Down under, India also begins the tour match against ACT Invitational XI. Perhaps no other practice match in recent times has attracted so much attention. For cricket fans though, it would be something of a welcome change. After days of 'courtroom drama' and backroom lobbying, the spotlight returns where it should have always been in first place. The Indian team gets a chance to redeem themselves, for, inspite of all the jingoism that the players, the board and the fans have displayed so far, the fact remains that Indian batsmen were unable to defend the fort, even for couple of sessions on the final day at SCG. I hope while gloating in their false sense of victory, this fact is not lost upon them.

The team also need to address some concerns, which are primarily a result of their own making. There are more than couple of spots in the team, up for grabs. If the umpires, who are normally the more 'protected of species' when it comes to appraisals, have been booted out, there is no reason why Jaffer and Yuvraj should continue to be in the team. Although I am no fan of having a makeshift opener, time has come for Dinesh Karthik to open the innings along with Sehwag. Considering the bouncy nature of Perth wicket, it won't do any harm to have a look in at Pankaj Singh and Irfan Pathan in the two day match.

These are difficult times for team India. They have arm twisted BCCI and eventually the ICC in having their way. They need to back it with some serious performance on the field now, more than ever before.

For inspiration, they have one person to look up to - Ratan Tata, who was ridiculed and scoffed at, when he first spoke of the 'One Lakh' car few years ago.

Tomorrow, he will be in a different league of his own!