Travails of the Indian team
Looks like the West Indies tour at the start of the season did a world of bad to this Indian team whose fortunes have gone down hill ever since returning from the Caribbean with a rare test series victory but a thumping 1-4 defeat in the ODIs. It appears somebody cast a voodoo or something on the team. The defeats in Malaysia and in the Champions Trophy were bearable but it is the way in which they have lost the first 2 ODIs in South Africa that has bothered us fans very much. Looking back, our record in the past bilateral series against South Africa has been anything but abject bad. So, it should really come as no surprise that we are having a nightmarish tour thus far. But I guess the reason for our disappointment stems from the fact that these humbling losses come after a very good season when we broke the record for consecutive matches won when batting second.
The debacle in the first game, no matter how humiliating it was, was understandable, given that it was the first game of the series. We are not used to playing on such bouncy pitches against a pace attack which boasts of names like Ntini and Pollock. The abject manner in which we went down without a fight in the second game is probably what fuelled the growing dissatisfaction to the tipping point levels. The injuries haven’t helped India either. We are already without one of our important middle-order bats, Yuvraj and now we have lost Dravid till the test series begins. Add Munaf Patel to that list and our cup of woes is full to the brim. But I do feel that all hope is not lost yet.
Looking forward to the next 2 games (well, its hard to even do that, with our batting mainstay Dravid out for the next 2 games), what I read in Cricinfo a while ago was what exactly I had in my mind too and what could be the ready-made solution to the batting order woes - have Sachin play in the middle order. Jaffer and Sehwag can open and Sachin can come in at number 4, so that it gives the batting order some sort of stability. That is definitely a good alternative at this moment. Sachin looked comfortable in the first ODI but got out cheaply in the second. But if there is someone in the current team (now that Dravid is gone) who can bat on these kinds of pitches, then it is him. And for heaven’s sake, the team management has to get rid of the genius idea of having Dinesh Karthik play as a pure batsman. The bowling department looks decent (except for the last 10 overs in the last game) even though I cant understand what is Agarkar still doing there. Looks like Sreesanth will start in place of Agarkar and that is definitely a welcome decision.
If VVS too can make it to the starting lineup for the 3rd ODI, I guess we would be in much better shape and can look forward to some credible performance from the Indians and even may be a miracle (I mean, winning the game). Having said all this, I believe that the one man who can make all the difference in the world - Sehwag - needs to fire. If he fires big time, India wins. It is as simple as that. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
The debacle in the first game, no matter how humiliating it was, was understandable, given that it was the first game of the series. We are not used to playing on such bouncy pitches against a pace attack which boasts of names like Ntini and Pollock. The abject manner in which we went down without a fight in the second game is probably what fuelled the growing dissatisfaction to the tipping point levels. The injuries haven’t helped India either. We are already without one of our important middle-order bats, Yuvraj and now we have lost Dravid till the test series begins. Add Munaf Patel to that list and our cup of woes is full to the brim. But I do feel that all hope is not lost yet.
Looking forward to the next 2 games (well, its hard to even do that, with our batting mainstay Dravid out for the next 2 games), what I read in Cricinfo a while ago was what exactly I had in my mind too and what could be the ready-made solution to the batting order woes - have Sachin play in the middle order. Jaffer and Sehwag can open and Sachin can come in at number 4, so that it gives the batting order some sort of stability. That is definitely a good alternative at this moment. Sachin looked comfortable in the first ODI but got out cheaply in the second. But if there is someone in the current team (now that Dravid is gone) who can bat on these kinds of pitches, then it is him. And for heaven’s sake, the team management has to get rid of the genius idea of having Dinesh Karthik play as a pure batsman. The bowling department looks decent (except for the last 10 overs in the last game) even though I cant understand what is Agarkar still doing there. Looks like Sreesanth will start in place of Agarkar and that is definitely a welcome decision.
If VVS too can make it to the starting lineup for the 3rd ODI, I guess we would be in much better shape and can look forward to some credible performance from the Indians and even may be a miracle (I mean, winning the game). Having said all this, I believe that the one man who can make all the difference in the world - Sehwag - needs to fire. If he fires big time, India wins. It is as simple as that. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
posted by Filbert at 2:47 PM
2 Comments:
Filbert,
I visited ur blog hoping to see some nice things on it. Least did I expected that u have dedicated the latest blog entry to wretched performance of Indian team.
I see that you r still optimistic of the Indian team. But no matter what happens Indian team will be looser. I have never been a big fan of SACHIN TENDULKAR. No matter where he bats openeing, 1 down, 2 down etc.. he is not gonna score. Pls accept that fact. There is no point in eulogising him again & again. Just get Kenya or Bangladesh centuries will flow from his bat and that of other Indian batsmen. Instead watch Ashes or write abt Lara's exploits. That will be worth while to read!
Dei Deepak, this was written before the disaster called the 3rd ODI defeat happened. I know you have never been a fan of Sachin but just do not forget the fact that he scored a big century against the WI not too many innings ago. About Lara's exploits - I dont see them turning into victories (same complaint that was said against Sachin) and so I am least concerned about them. Sachin will answer critics like you. Wait & watch.
Post a Comment
<< Home