Category: Cricket

Virendra Sehwag and Munaf Patel are back as widely speculated. Team India is slowly but surely converging on its final 15 for the World Cup. Mohammed Kaif has reason to feel left out especially given that Suresh Raina has been given an opportunity to prove himself. Barring some failures in the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka, its unlikely that Kaif will get another shot to prove himself. Even if he does it will be too late because the World Cup team will be announced at the same time that the team is announced for the last two ODIs against SL!

It also sounds like Sehwag will bat in the middle order. This is a smart move considering that his “hit and miss” batting style has been one of the main reasons for many of India’s recent failures. It also means that he could well be competing for the all rounder spot with Irfan Pathan! To play Sehwag at the expense of Dinesh Karthick would further weaken India’s fielding and with Munaf likely to play India’s fielding degradation is complete!

There have been some reports about not needing two keepers in the 15. Karthick should be in the team for his batting and brilliant fielding and not just as the second keeper. He has grabbed the spot which has in past been occupied by Raina or Kaif. Karthick’s recent performances have shown that he has what it takes to be a very useful ODI player. His fighting spirit and his ability to be a clean striker of ball, combined with his ability to pitch in as a keeper if need be, gives him a clear edge over Kaif and Raina.

Romesh Powar is likely to miss out on the World Cup spot barring some serious injuries. With Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh sure to make the team and the return of Sehwag as the other spin option, Powar’s chances are very remote. The other spot in question is that of Sri Sreesanth. With Munaf proving to be “flaky” the team management is unlikely to drop Sreesanth. Besides, the 15 for the next two deciding ODIs does not include any other seamers (other than Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar who are sure certainties) who could compete for this spot. In short, it appears that India’s 15 for the World Cup is more or less decided. Two failures from Viru or Uthappa would mean Gautam Gambhir gets this spot. Two failures from Dinesh Karthick could mean Suresh Raina grabs his spot. The rest of the team appears to be a done deal. After a lot of controversies, a series of victories, followed by a string of loses, Team India seems to have arrived at the best it has to offer.

The third ODI was another experiment from both teams. WI and India tried their various team combinations and at the end WI came out on top thanks to a fine show by Lara. This victory underscored the value of Lara’s mere presence to the WI team. Samuels who hasn’t been in the best of form, scored a brilliant innings in the company of his captain. Lara was at his very best. He literally toyed with the Indian bowling. He mastery over spin was commendable. The late cuts, the placements and the big hits were all at display. Lara never looked in trouble and India never looked like pulling off a win except at the very end by which time it was too late.

India’s lack of bowling resources made matters worse. Harbhajan’s absence was strongly felt. Even if he didn’t take wickets his ability to curtail the runs has been a great asset to the team. After the initial mayhem, neither Kumble nor Powar were able to restrict the flow of runs. And with Tendulkar as the fifth bowler India never really resources to put up a fighting bowling performance. It is becoming increasingly clear that Sreesanth is too much of a “loose canon” to be used in ODIs. He is best saved for Test matches and simply lacks the experience to be successful in the shorter version of the game. This match was virtually lost in his first over. Agarkar on the other hand seems to be the best bet to spear head India’s bowling attack. He generates a fair amount of pace even with short seemingly less menacing run up. Most importantly, he appears to use his head while bowling unlike most of his fellow seamers.

Apart from Lara’s brilliance and Samuels fine knock, the other highlight of this match was the batting of Robin Uthappa. Once again, Uthappa showed signs that he has what it takes to open India’s innings at the higest level. The dashing start that was Viru’s trademark is no longer his alone. Uthappa showed that he is capable of similar razzle-dazzle. His performance here is hard to ignore. The fact that he is a right hander and with Ganguly having virtually sealed the other opening spot, Uthappa certainly has the edge over Gambhir for the World Cup team. To make matters worse, Gambhir blew another chance to impress.

With the series in 2-1 state, the final ODI should now be of special interest. Both teams are likely to field their best combinations. With Tendulkar struggling in the middle order, it might be time to return to the famed Ganguly–Tendulkar opening combination. Pathan is virtually certain to return for this match, while Dhoni, Zaheer and Ganguly all likely to return to the playing 11. Given the importance of this final game to winning the series, India would be inclined to bring back Harbhajan as well. This means that most likely Powar will be forced to sit this one out? Perhaps Raina will given another chance while Dhoni sits out another match? The team management is going to have a hard time deciding on the final combination.

After a long drought of victories, India managed to pull off a win in a high scoring ODI at Nagpur. While the team deserves credit for the win, the margin of victory should be a reminder that team India is still far from overcoming its seemingly endless troubles.

Without Viru, the opening partnership almost automatically improved. Ganguly returned with a welcome bang. Dada’s hunger was back and the desire to excel was most visible. Gambhir was his usual aggressive self. Sachin continues his poor run of form. In fact, India lost momentum when he was at the crease. So much for the strategy to use his services for the middle overs! In hindsight, India could have sent in Dhoni at number 3 considering the situation. Thankfully India did a fine job of the finish with Dravid at his best and Dhoni finally making a solid contribution. The very fact that Dravid decided to come in for the home stretch as opposed to relying on Dinesh Karthick is a clear indication of the captain’s confidence in his own abilities to accelerate at the death. His big hitting was a revelation and matched Dhoni purely from a run rate perspective.

The bowling clearly benefited from the huge target. Tendulkar did well to fill in the fifth bowler slot. Bhajji brought in the much needed wickets while Zaheer Khan more than justified his return. Sreesanth is very much a Test cricket bowler and his tendency to be expensive (as he was in the WI) might justify trying alternatives like RP Singh, Joginder or VRV.

Chanderpaul deserves credit for his superb knock. He almost single-handedly took WI to victory. It appears that he’ll continue to make big scores against India because he hardly appeared to be in trouble against the Indian attack. In hindsight Lara made at least a couple of errors of judgment. Sending in the opposition on a batting beauty proved to be a mistake and coming in to bat so late in the batting order was adding insult to injury. Perhaps Lara was deliberately using this opportunity to give the younger WI batsmen a chance to prove themselves?

Ravi Shastri had said earlier that Rahul Dravid should assert himself more. This comment is more relevant now than ever before. For starters, Dravid should stop being influenced by the likes of Shastri himself. Opening with Viru (as Shastri had suggested at the end of Day 3) on the 4th day of the third Test against SA was a colossal mistake that ultimately caused India the match. Viru’s bad start (which has now become the norm) destroyed India’s chances whatsoever of putting up a big score.

More recently, one of the national selectors, criticized Dravid’s captaincy in the last Test. While the selector might have gone overboard by talking to the press, the sentiments expressed are not without merit. Though 211 is a small total to defend, it does not explain why Sachin and Viru were not used as bowlers on a turning track while Sreesanth and Zaheer leaked boundaries in the midst of their “good” deliveries.

Dravid is easily India’s most dependable batsman. As captain he is continuing to shoulder that responsibility. Dravid fails and the team fails. This has become the norm. Captaining the side and being the main stay for the team is a tall order. It can result in a lot of pressure, leaving little time to focus on getting the best out of the team. Just as Ganguly’s success as captain was shaped by the performances of Dravid, Sachin, and Viru. Dravid has yet to find others in the team who can get the job done with little or no assistance from him.

Unlike Dada who is an impulsive, aggressive and firm skipper, Dravid has shown to be a shrewd, thinking-type captain. Thus far, his approach has failed to inspire his team mates to produce, something Dada did well to do in the first few years of his captaincy. Unlike Dada, Dravid is a far more talented batsman. This means that he can more than likely step up to the plate when required and deliver. But first he should get his team mates to produce the best. Unfortunately, the reverse has been happening. Even after taking over the captain’s job, he has continued to try and lead from the front, so to speak. And when he fails his team mates have followed suit. Its time Dravid reversed roles and focused more on getting the best out of his team mates.

For starters, it might make sense for Dravid to seed the number 3 spot to VVS in Test matches. Likewise in ODIs he should consider dropping down the order (which he appears to be doing) in most matches. Its time Dravid made some tough calls especially related to fading stars in the team. Viru has had his chances. Dravid should no longer stick his neck out for him. Its time Viru is shown the door (no matter how badly backed by Gavaskar, Shastri, Shrikanth and other former players). Gambhir, Uthappa, Karthik, Dhoni are all worthy alternatives to take his ODI spot. It might make sense to rest Sachin for the next several games and perhaps bring him back for a couple of games before the world cup. Dada has returned to the Test side no doubt. He could still be on the ODI team for the World Cup without having to play these forthcoming matches. Dada doesn’t have to prove anything, does he? 🙂

The next several games leading up to the World Cup will set the stage for a defining phase in Dravid’s career as captain. He has tasted a continuous string of ODI successes, followed by a stretch of ODI failures. Apart from experimenting with a slew of youngsters (Raina, Yuvraj, Kaif, Dhoni, Karthik, Pathan, Gambhir, Uthappa), Dravid has had to contend with fading superstars like Viru and Sachin, and returning stars like Dada and Zaheer. Last but not the least, he has had to work with Chappell whose tumultuous rein has produced way too much controversy.

The time has come for Dravid to use his vast cricketing experience and make up his own mind, try not to be overly influenced by the Shastris and Shrikanths from the commentary box, identify the key players who can do the job for him in the World Cup and pick his own team so to speak. The next set of ODIs will be his last chance to unearth some new talent or finalize on existing players. If he ends up making the wrong calls, Dada might just return as captain after the World Cup.

p.s: A friend of mine compares Dravid’s elevation to captaincy as a case of the best software engineer being promoted to a Manager! This is a little too harsh at the moment considering that Dravid has had his fair share of success as captain. But if Dravid’s failures continue to mount, his captaincy could be a basket case for such studies and analogies!

For the next few ODI games before the world cup the following team might be the way to go:

Uthappa, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Dravid, Karthik, Pathan, Bhajji, Agarkar, Sreesanth, Zaheer; Mongia, Kumble, Raina, RP Singh (VRV or any one of the fully fit seamers).

• Viru — Dropped for poor performance.
• Sachin — Rested until say the last couple of matches before the World Cup.
• Dada — He has nothing to prove. He can still be in the world cup team without playing these matches.
• VVS — He can bat only at number 3, and his fielding can add to the fielding liability list (Kumble, Dravid, Munaf, Dada).
• Raina: Great fielder, capable batsmen who hit a rough patch. It helps to have a left hander in the ranks.
• Kaif: With Dravd in the team, its very hard to justify his presence lower in the order.
• Mongia: County experience, all round capability, decent record.
• Powar: No room for more than two spinners
• Munaf: Good, But unfit, unreliable.
• Pathan: He is still the best bet to fill the all rounder slot.

Yes, its official. The Aussies have completely decimated England. Strauss must be glad he wasn’t captain for this tour. Freddie must be wondering what to say next. Meanwhile, the Aussie’s celebrate a well deserved series victory. Gotta hand it to them, these guys are world beaters, no doubt.

Meanwhile, don’t miss Boycott’s recent comments about the MBE — hilarious!

After three days and each team having played one innings, the match is very interestingly poised with still two days to go. India did well on day 3 to wrap up the SA innings with a 41 run lead. Batting last on this wicket against Kumble is going to be a tough challenge. But to make an interesting final days play, India will have to put some runs on the board. A 250+ target on the last day should make for a nail-biting finish.

Open with Sehwag? God, No!

It is surprising to hear the likes of Shastri continuing to plug for Sehwag, suggesting that he should be asked to open in the second innings so India can get runs on the board quickly! When was the last time Viru accomplished this when most needed? The man is so hopelessly out of form and low on confidence. He barely managed 40 runs in the first innings despite being sent in when the ball was old and the bowlers had tired out. It would be a really bad move to ask him to open again. He can serve the team better lower in the order at the present juncture. Karthik and Jaffer have clicked as a pair and at least for this Test India should persist with the same opening pair.

Huh? Paul Harris four-for…?

Its preposterous to say the least that Paul Harris walked away with 4 Indian wickets in the first innings. Paul Harris is no Sharne Warne. Its unpardonable for the likes of Tendulkar and Sehwag to get out to a slow newbie left armer. The second innings will be another opportunity for Indian batsmen to grab some useful runs against the spinner.

Team Management: The Good and The Bad

Opening with Karthik was a master stroke. Credit should go to the youngster for being so versatile. The man is a good wicket-keeper, an excellent fielder and a versatile batsman. In short, he deserves kudos for his talent and sheer spirit. (He deserves a place in ODI playing 11 in my opinion). If he had failed, the team management would have certainly received a lot of flak for experimenting.

Giving Jaffer another chance was a great move that has already paid off. Its unfortunate that Gambhir had to miss out, but the gamble to persist with Jaffer has proved to be the right one. On flip side, the team management would do well to re-assess its over-arching faith in Viru’s opening abilities. The man badly needs to go the Pathan way and play some domestic cricket to regain his old form. His failures since the last World Cup have continued but he is still within the “scheme of things”. It makes no sense. Its time to call on Karthik, Uthappa, Gambhir, Pujara and the like.

First it was Damien Martyn, then McGrath and Warne and now Langer. Is Hayden listening? 🙂
The best part about Aussie cricket is that there are plenty of new comers waiting to replace these stars. Warne and McGrath (particularly Warne) are likely to be missed the most. The Aussie bowling will certainly go through an adjustment phase. Its interesting to see how Aussie cricket works. A bunch of old timers criticize the team for being “too old”, Captain Ponting steps up and rubbishes those allegations, then the team of old guys thrash Eng and regain the Ashes and then a whole bunch of so-called “old guys” head for the exit and turn in their retirements. A true “win-win” for all parties involved.

Unlike in India where there is so much of glamor and accompanying endorsements that come with success in the game, the Aussies are much more rooted in reality. They play as long as they can justify their presence in the team and if they are having fun. If either of these were not the case you can bet an Aussie Test player will quit. This is not new and has been the case with Aussie cricket for a long time.

Can’t remember the last time since Sunil Gavaskar that an Indian cricketer quit the Test scene in style while still in the playing 11. Can you?

Any guesses on which Indian cricketer might quit in style? (My guess: Rahul Dravid).

There was a recent new report that Sharad Pawar would not contest the next BCCI elections for President. That certainly came as a surprise given that his predecessor and arch-rival Jagmohan Dalmiya had held the post for so long. Pawar’s recent announcement to go for the “gold” i.e., the ICC top job certainly sheds light on his moves. Given the voting pattern of countries Pawar is going to be hard to beat in elections for the post of ICC President (he already has the support of India, Pak, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and most likely the WI).

Lets face it. The Australian cricket Test team is the best in the world. At present, they are unbeatable. Any team playing Australia at home is likely to face a similar fate as England. So why single out the English team for criticism? The same English team did a lot better in India and Pak for instance.

The last Ashes was a different story, because things fell into place for England while Australia was struggling. Its a different story today. All the Aussie batsmen and bowlers are in top form. Besides, of course they have the home advantage.

The best hope is for opposing teams to wait until Warne and McGrath are out of the way with their impending retirements. The Aussie bowling attack will have to go through an adjustment phase, though they have plenty of bench strength in Stuart Clark, Watson, Johnson, and Bracken etc. That would be a time when it is possible to at least put up a fight against the Aussie team. Until then, the best teams can do is try and avoid a whitewash. England for sure seem to be certain of one at this point, not because England is any worse than other teams. Its just that England is presently in the Aussie firing line and the Aussies are just too good!