In the context of Indian cricket, our heroes ``promised'' the nation they would return with the World Cup. Sadly, the ``commitment'' part was left behind in the hype of commercial appointments. Are we then surprised that the nation of nearly a hundred million is left in the lurch?

To be fair to our cricketers, too many corporate houses ``promised'' far too much to the Cup aspirants, which raised the expectations sky high. Not to be left behind, even our caretaker government announced unprecedented financial rewards ``if'' India won. Now, as we say, there is many a slip between the lip and the sip. That's exactly where our cricketing demi-gods are finding themselves. Having forgotten their priorities, they are presently in a vacuum of their own creation, with few sympathisers.

And one man -- Mohammed Azharuddin -- is having to take all theblame for India's poor performance. Although I was never a great fan of Azhar's leadership qualities, I find it hard to accept Azhar being targetted alone. Admittedly, his poor form with the bat has not helped his cause.

But for an ex-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to suggest that Azhar should be ``sacked'' straightaway is a bit too much to swallow. This ex-president of BCCI has been a horrendous feature of the administrative side for more than four decades. And like a leech, still continues to throw his weight around in a most unscrupulous manner.

Incidentally, Madan Lal, a national selector, was issued a show-cause notice for airing his personal views on a TV show. What sort of cricket culture is this ? Two different interpretations for two officials of the BCCI?

Madan, at least, has played international cricket whereas the ex-president has only played with the careers of promising cricketers. If Madan and Azhar can be hauled up for their inadvertent rules, why can't thesame stipulation also apply to this person?

I was a bit surprised the selection committee took it lying. On second thoughts, the chairman of selectors was seldom known for his bold and courageous stands. Against this background, we asked: Why do Indian cricketers lack killer instinct?

Do you blame Ajit Wadekar to be toothless? He has to continue as chairman of selectors for the full term. Do you blame Azhar for being non-assertive? He'll find plenty of exit doors in a jiffy.

And what about Anshuman Gaekwad who seems to have learnt a few tricks of the trade from Baroda mate Lele?

All these factors combine disastrously well to kill the true potential of the expression of Indian cricket.

Even from this distance, I can feel the undercurrents in the Indian dressing room. The stifling effect of the men behind the scene will never allow Indian cricket to flourish against the likes of Pakistan, Australia or South Africa.

Tendulkar will always remain an exception from such onslaughts, from the maliciousofficial machinery. But others, including Ganguly and Dravid, will remain bogged down. Perhaps somewhere down the line, there is a secret desire to go for captaincy, which will be up for grabs anyway. Nobody in the Indian team wants to believe that we are only fragile threads, but what a tapestry we make. We must remember the only disability in life is bad attitude. So, before you can hope to win, you have to believe you are worthy.