As Sachin Tendulkar's wanderers roll up their sleeves and have another go at the West Indies--or is it the other way around?--they can be certain that the outcome will be given great weight. Their President has spoken and in controlled, mellow tones, he has appealed for their attention.

Raj Singh of Dungarpur firmly believes we are living in a 'result oriented' world. Believe it or not, so must our cricket team. If they do not 'shape up', Raj will have nothing to do with them. As Mohammed Azharuddin and then Sandip Patil learnt, no one sporting the baggy blue cap is indispensable.

It has been said of Raj that he could charm the pants off a raging bull; conveniently we will never know. He also loves to coin catch phrases. Phrases such as 'the team of the nineties'. And he follows the dictates of the heart. As chairman of the Selection Committee (1989), he was so moved by Mohammed Azharuddin's quiet dignity that he pulled him aside and asked him, "Miyaan, captain banoge?" For the next two years, he took the heat and, doubtless, shed many a well-bred tear as his 'team of the nineties' heaved and rocked his dreams.

In September 1996, RSD was elected the President of the BCCI. Things were expected from him. In his first press conference he swayed away, deftly, from controversial issues, chiefly, the removal of Mohammed Azharuddin. Azhar's sacking and then Sandip's was in line with Dungapur's 'accountability' principle. "They were not doing a good enough job. They had to go," he said when I spoke to him yesterday. "I thanked them both for their services. There were a lot of reports in the media about how I ignored Sandip after his dismissal; that I didnot even write him a letter of gratitude. Not true. I will not do something like that. Azhar's, too, was a difficult decision." Difficult since Raj Singh was instrumental in staying the Hyderabadi's execution after the humbling South African tour (1992-93).

At the risk of jeopardizing his social prestige, he spoke fondly of his 'boys', especially of Sachin Tendulkar, although he never refered to the India captain as the "little champion"; Gavaskar's audience must know what I mean.

For someone so experienced with the business of explaining India's overseas disasters, he relied on a cliche. "It's a young side," he muttered. I do not contest that. But why are we losing more games than we are winning? "Obviously the faster wickets are throwing off the young, inexperienced players. But, the way Laxman, Dravid, and Ganguly are shaping up...let's hope they go on to become regular middle- order players for India." 'Middle-order'? Haven't all three been coerced into opening? "We must adapt, make the best of a difficult situation. We have been trying, but, unfortunately, we haven't been able to come up with a good set of openers. I personally would not like to see middle-order players open. But, look, these young guys have done a good job."

He created this inescapable impression that Sachin Tendulkar's title is more secure than one imagines. "Tendulkar is more involved than Azhar was towards the end of his captaincy and being younger, he has tremendous amount of enthusiasm. I am confident he will pull India to greater heights. We must give him time." An opportunity, perhaps, to lead at home, Raj? "Yes, why not? Azhar got a chance to lead against England at home and he never looked back." Didn't look back until he escorted his team to England, that is.

The President doesn't subscribe to the "tigers at home" theory but he admitted that foreign help is needed to vitalize Indian wickets: "We have already drawn up a plan and invited foreign experts to interact with Indian authorities to produce wickets which have a little more bounce. Once our boys start playing on world-class tracks right here at home, they will have the confidence and the skills to take on the best teams in their own backyards. Then, once and for all, we will put an end to this rumor that we are good only in India."

Eerily, the most important people in Indian cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammed Azharuddin, Jagmohan Dalmiya and Raj Singh share a common belief. They do not see the benefits of a foreign coach. "Dennis Lillee and Frank Tyson--they were not invited by the Board, mind you--have made major contributions. But we do not need foreign coaches. After all, coaches in India have been producing talented players for decades," Raj Singh stressed.

He shrugged off Srinath's injury with a chuckle. "A player can be injured in his first game or an injury may not occur after 35 Internationals. I am not saying the schedule they had to stick to this year was light. But from next year onwards, we will plan a lighter workload. Next year's calendar is far more easy-paced.

"You must realize that we have not played the West Indies in West Indies for the last eight or nine years. If we had turned down this offer, we would not have been able to play for another nine to ten years--in the West Indies. That is why we are looking for younger players who will perhaps be more athletic and mentally and physically tougher to take on the onslaught of this high-frequency cricket calendar."

Raj Singh defended the decision to supplement India's slim fast bowling resources with a spinner. "Noel David certainly seems promising. The selectors weighed things fully before arriving at his selection and I stand by their decision."

He deflected predictions of the current series but it is evident he does not believe this will be a pride-restoration exercise for India. "West Indies in West Indies is a strong team. But, given the breaks-- and any team, whether it is strong or weak, needs those breaks-- and on a wicket which is receptive to spin bowling, they will do well. In this (First Test) match, even after being 150/5, we went on to make 300+ runs. That is very good.

"It is more important to me to know that every player gave everything. If you lose after that, then it doesn't matter. It is how you lose--or win for that matter--that is really important."

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