One day they play like they are the 'Masters of the Universe' and then follow it up like 'Lambs to Slaughter'. This is team India at the T-20 World Cup. But looking at the body language of Dhoni's boys, it seems all over for this team. Correct me if I am wrong, but there is something seriously wrong somewhere. I am not sure what it is, but some strain is on.
Virendar Sehwag has a jinx with T-20 World Cup. He was benched in favor of Rohit Sharma and Robin Uthappa during the famous final in 2007. And now he misses his second successive Cup due to injury. Praveen Kumar who could run out Smith from the deep during the South Africa match didn't bowl at death when Yusuf Pathan was bleeding runs. 1-0-3-0 are PK's bowling figures. Was he unfit only to bowl? And then he suddenly gets injured and we have very little information about the type or extent of injury except those vague words 'Side Strain'.
As replacement, we have Umesh Yadav who was not even in the first 30 probables list. This is surprising because a more experienced campaigner like R. P. Singh or even Ishant Sharma would have been a better choice. Poor Yadav still doesn't have the necessary papers to fly to the Caribbean! ICC has yet to clear his selection too.
Strange are the ways of our Selectors. Looking at the way Spinners have done so far and the absolutely lackluster show of Raveendra Jadeja, it would have been better to fly in Amit Mishra or Pragyan Ojha. Spinners will dictate terms during later parts of this event. But the question is, will India make it thus far?
I have my doubts. Gautham Gambhir is never the same batsman when a certain Marauder named Virendar Sehwag isn't around. This has been established time and again. Short pitched bowling is Suresh Raina's shortcoming and will remain so for some time. Murali Vijay is woefully short of technique to handle moving and raising balls. Yuveraj Singh is yet to come to terms with his relegation to the seniors list!
Zaheer Khan looks half the bowler he usually is and quarter the fielder. Rohit Sharma had a good day against Aussies, but I suspect his utility when it comes to winning matches. Jadeja is demoralized and Pathan looks more like a bowler who can slog for exactly one over. Bhajji has done well as Opening bowler and Ashish Nehra has surprised everyone so far. Overall team India look as if something is missing in spite of Dhoni's assertion 'We are enjoying our Cricket'!
So it looks as if we have one more ICC event that will pass off into history without much to remember when it comes to an end. So I believe we have to concentrate on 'Test Cricket' because the return of the likes of Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman and Sachin adds weight to the team. People are free to enjoy their own opinions. I don't by any means want to demean the achievement of 'Youngistan' brigade. But I sincerely believe 'Old is Gold'! We are the No. 1 Test Team and have all chances of retaining that tag when the 'Men' come back! No wonder BCCI has asked Australia to accommodate 2 Tests instead of a heap of ODI matches. Thank goodness for some sense!
If Youngistan still manage to go on to reach next stage, I will be as pleased as any other Indian. But as of now, the chances look bleak; as bleak as those of Pakistan!
Thank you, I was expecting more caustic reaction from you. On the day Aussies were far superior in every aspect got accept and respect it. Are you telling that this tournament is fixed and Indians are not SUPPOSED to play to their potential?
ReplyDeleteNo I am not prone to knee jerk reaction. I had from the beginning expected India to do badly here. Our policy of youth has an inherent fault in it. We get carried away too soon. Australia are by far the best team in this T-20 WC by a few miles. They have once again exposed the chinks in the Armour of Youngistan. This is all I have to say.
ReplyDeleteGo back to my earlier posts and you can see I have expressed my doubts about the selection of team. I am still upset with Sachin's decision to stay away and Viru's injury. Those 2 would have made a world of difference and definitely Amit Mishra or Pragyan Ojha or even Murali Karthik should have been there in place of Chawla.
Sehwag is a different player when he plays for India. IPL is peanuts for him. He excels when he plays for India. So sad we are missing him! I hate the word fixing. But selectors have fixed this team even before the matches started. Umesh Yadav's selection could be the last nail in the coffin for this episode!
indians are nervous while chasing a big target.they think batting is all the cricket.
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