Oz sports psychologist backs India to fightback

Psychologist Dr Sandy Gordon, who worked with the Indian team in 2002, 2003 and 2005 has asked MS Dhoni's men "to go back to the basics" after losing the first two Tests of the ongoing series against Australia.

India were in a similar situation at the start of the third Test here at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) in 2007-08 after defeats in the Sydney and Melbourne Tests.

"They have done it before (bounced back from two-nil down). There is no reason why they can't do it again. They need to do some reflecting on what has gone wrong. That can be done through leadership that has credibility -- players in the side that are looked up to. They are the ones who need to look at resurrecting the situation," the Perth-based Gordon told MiD DAY yesterday.

"In my time with the Indian team, I realised that there are players with enormous skill -- who enjoy success -- and enjoy the limelight too. They love to reap the rewards. But they realise that it takes a lot of hardwork to attain all those things. They realise there's a huge responsibility on their shoulders because India is a cricket-loving nation," he said.

Gordon felt it was important for India to go back to the basics: "This is a side of champion players -- Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and all these guys are legends of the game. I think they need to go back to the basics and forget about the results so far."

Gordon, who had also worked with Australia's 1999 World Cup-winning side, said his countrymen were hungry for success. "They haven't had the best of times in recent years. This is a rejuvenated Australian side. I think they will go to any extent to win the series. There's a lot of pride on the line for both teams," he signed off.

Gordon said he'd be glad to visit the Indian side if called up: "I really miss working with the boys. They are a great bunch of guys."