Cricket: India Struggle

India managed to beat Bangladesh thanks to fine batting by Dhoni and Karthik. The strategy of sending Dhoni up the order was certainly a Ravi Shastri effect considering that this was never tried in the Chappell days. Dhoni has scored many of his big knocks either opening or at number 3 at the domestic level. So this was a good ploy, that actually worked. 

Mongia’s addition seems to have definitely strengthened the bowling department. Powar despite being expensive, clearly has the ability to take wickets unlike Harbhajan Singh. Zaheer Khan does not seem to have recovered from the belting he received from Bangladesh in the World Cup. India would do well to give him a rest and try RP Singh for the next ODI. At a minimum in his current form, he might break a nose or two! 🙂

In the hot and oppressive weather in Bangladesh, it might be best to focus on spin. This could mean bringing in Piyush Chawla for the next ODI in place of one of the seamers, possibly Sreesanth, since Munaf is a safer bet.

India’s opening combination is still a problem and is unikely to end until Sehwag is given a long rest. Bringing in Uthappa for Sehwag would be a good step, but its unlikely to happen given that both Shastri and Dravid appear to have endless faith in Sehwag.