The Art of Psychological Warfare

Cricket is not just a game played on the field. It is played off it and in the mind. Psychological warfare has as much a part to play in a team's success as the strategic moves made during the action. The Indians were a bit late in catching up on these kind of pressure tactics, but Sourav Ganguly struck a vital blow for India in hitting back at Steve Waugh in a famous war of words on the eve of the series against Australia earlier this year. How important a role it played in the Indian team's success may remain a subject of debate, but Ganguly did certainly win a tactical point by proving to the Australian captain, a past master in such moves, that whatever his side's strength, he would not win the psychological battle against India.

Perhaps buoyed by the success, on and off the field, against Australia, Ganguly has continued with the psychological warfare against South Africa. Shortly after the Indian team's arrival, the Indian captain has been pretty dismissive of Shaun Pollock and his men. Ganguly has made it clear that the South Africans are no great shakes without Allan Donald.

Cricket is not just a game played on the field. It is played off it and in the mind. Psychological warfare has as much a part to play in a team's success as the strategic moves made during the action. The Indians were a bit late in catching up on these kind of pressure tactics...

"I remember him in Nairobi during the ICC KnockOut tournament last year and he was the same Donald I have known all these years," Ganguly is quoted to have said. But he was rather dismissive of Pollock and Jacques Kallis. "I also feel they are a bit light in the batting," said Ganguly, continuing his tactical off-the-field moves. "I have seen Neil McKenzie and he is not the kind of batsman you would back against spinners," said the Indian captain.

Turning away from individuals, Ganguly then targeted the South African team, which he said was not a patch on the Australians. "They (the Australians) have four bowlers and all of them are match-winners," said Ganguly. "Australia is in a class of its own in world cricket at the moment," he stated firmly.

Ganguly also made it clear that he and the rest of the batsmen were capable of handling everything the South Africans would throw at them. In a way, this may have a morale-boosting effect on his team members in a contest in which the Indians are clearly the underdogs. On the other hand, it could also fire up the South Africans. The bowlers would probably relish reminding the Indian captain that they too can unleash scorching deliveries and fiery bouncers while the batsmen will be keen to show that they can play spin bowling as well as batsmen from any other country. Psychological warfare can turn out to be a double-edged sword.

But then, in contests between India and South Africa, this kind of battle off the field is not exactly new. When the South Africans landed in India for their tour in 1996-97, captain Hansie Cronje and coach Bob Woolmer announced that the team members were mentally and physically strong to adapt and face any challenge. His strategy was aimed at curbing any apprehensions the players might have had of tackling the home team on turning tracks.

Like Cronje and Woolmer, Sachin Tendulkar too tried a similar tactic when the Indians paid a return visit later in the season. On the eve of the first Test, the then Indian captain announced that the South Africans could be defeated. Probably this was done to boost the morale of his players who had to face the prospect of facing up to Donald and company on fast, bouncy tracks. In neither case did the strategy work. Cronje's men came a cropper against the spinners while Tendulkar's team fared badly against pace.

This has obviously not stopped Ganguly from continuing the tradition. After all, what's a little psychological warfare when you have enjoyed some success recently by using this weapon? Overall, however, the war of words ­ if kept within limits - can only add spice to the flavour of a series that holds much promise.