"Do you still want our autographs?"

TRINIDAD, March 28: It was Tuesday noon when Indian team lined up outside the
hotel for departure to airport on way back to home when a fan approached them
for autographs and the grim reality hit them in the guts.

"Don't tell me you still need our autographs," said Mahinder Singh Dhoni with a
sigh, reflecting on the disastrous campaign which the team had in the 2007 World
Cup.

"You cricketers are heroes and would remain heroes," said the eager fan in
earnest, and ironically, it deflated Dhoni further "We are down, don't break us
even more."

Dhoni was reflecting on the disappointment India's campaign must have had on
millions of team's followers.

Near to Dhoni was his good made Irfan Pathan who sported a different profile
from the one with which he came to the West Indies late February. Pathan now has
his head completely shaved and such a barren profile was an indication that the
left-arm medium-pacer was willing to resume his career from the scratch.

Somewhere down the corridor was Ajit Agarkar who made a telling poignant remark:
"It's the first time when we really are in no hurry to go back home. Usually, we
look forward to a tour finishing quickly so that we could return home. But this
is different."

Virender Sehwag, phlegmatic at best of times, was at hand encouraging his
team-mates to take the matter on chin. He was encouraging everyone to hold their
ground and face any situation which might confront them in India.

Elsewhere skipper Rahul Dravid was looking extremely relaxed, a person who
perhaps has come to terms with India's debacle. A pragmatic, positive man at the
best of times, Dravid it seems has lost little time in regaining his poise.

Coach Greg Chappell appeared with his wife Gill, the Indian board's blazer,
flung carelessly across his forearm. A kind of symbiotic relation which many
believe wouldn't work for very long.

Harbhajan Singh was his pesky self but clearly disappointed at how things have
shaped up. He looked up at heavens and wondered what the Gods next have in store
for them.

As bus began to move, one could spot Sourav Ganguly, plugged on to songs on his
Ipod. It was as if he was preparing himself for the music his fellow cricketers,
or he, could face from the selectors back home.

The team would reach London together and then break up in flights which would
take them to their respective destinations.


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