Indians still to learn the art of sledging

We will be squaring off against a very good Delhi team on Friday. The Daredevils have very good bowlers in the form of Mohammed Asif and Glenn McGrath.

It will be important for us to get off to a good start. We have to make sure that this duo does not make any inroads into our batting when we bat. Even when we bowl, it will be crucial to get as many dot balls going as possible. Virender Sehwag is in great form and it will be crucial for us to start off well with the ball as well.

The Harbhajan Singh-Sreesanth issue has been dealt with, and the former has been banned for 11 games. All players at this level know the limits they have to stay within, and once they go beyond these limits, they will be fined. Harbhajan Singh is a match-winner and he must know that there is no greater high than playing well for one's team. However, if he gets on the wrong side of the law, he will not be able to do that.

One of the reasons why the Indians run foul with authorities is because there is very little sledging in first-class cricket in India. It's when these youngsters get into the international level that they see and hear what the other teams are saying and some of them try it, but without the expertise of their foreign counterparts. I have said this in the past: sledging is an art, and our players must learn it well before practicing it. Otherwise bans and fines will always be handed out to them.