Cricket Zone with Krish Srikkanth

Time to stop the blame game and look ahead

2008-08-13T09:47:00.001+05:30

It is indeed sad that the failure of the middle order has become a subject of finger-pointing exercise; post the defeat of the Indian team against the Sri Lankans in the final test. One cannot forget the fact that cricket is a team game and the failure of a team to win a match cannot and should not be attributed to the failure or success of a couple of individuals.

The performance of the Indian middle-order, especially that of the big four left much to be desired, would be stating the obvious. But to put the blame for the defeat on these men alone would be too simplistic. Cricket is a team game and the team as a whole has to own up responsibility.

What is alarming is the fact that none of these India-Sri Lanka tests stretched beyond the third or fourth day. This definitely isn’t a good sign for both the teams. The Indian camp has reason to be more worried for being at the wrong end in the final test.

One might be tempted to attribute this to the failure of the Indian middle-order. The Indian middle-order, made up of highly experienced and classy individuals who have lorded over some of the best spinners in the world, were ironically done-in by a pair of spinners from within the sub-continent. No doubt, these players are in their twilight years of cricket and time is perhaps ripe to find and groom replacements for some of these great men, but it isn’t going to be easy. We should learn to be patient and be prepared to face some initial set-backs for long-term gains. Fortunately, we have enough talent readily available but the enormous experience and sheer greatness of these men presently donning the Indian middle-order would be hard to replace.

The Indian bowling also needs some revamp. The spinners have been no match for the Sri Lankans and haven’t been consistent. Overall, the Indian bowling remains another weak-link in the side and will need some dressing up.

The Sri Lankans can be proud of beating the Indians in their own game. Never before in the history of cricket have spinners been able to dominate the Indians, as the duo of Murali and Mendis did in this series. Mendis was easily the find of the series and I am sure we are going to hear a lot more about him in the coming years. The Indians haven’t still figured him out completely, notwithstanding claims to the contrary from the Indian camp. His eight wicket haul in the final test bears this out. However, I strongly believe Murali’s presence was largely responsible for his phenomenal success. Fortunately for Mendis, Murali has some more years of cricket left in him. Together, the duo can rock some of the best teams in the world. It would be interesting to see how the Aussies play this duo!

Shocking capitulation

2008-07-28T10:53:00.002+05:30

The manner in which the Indians have lost the first test to the Sri Lankans is absolutely shocking. The abject surrender in just one and a half days of play by a team which is renowned for its prowess in playing quality spin bowling is appalling, to say the least. Some of the best spin bowlers in the world have struggled to make a mark against Indians and it is disturbing that a couple of spinners from the sub-continent have dealt a crushing blow to this reputation and reduced the Indian domination of spin bowling to a myth.

What is even more worrying is the manner in which the Indians lost their wickets. That most wickets fell to close-catching positions (catches at slips, forward short-leg, lbw’s, caught and bowled, etc.) is an indication that all is not well with the Indian batting. It is clear that most batsmen failed to read the balls being hurled at them and ended up messing up their strokes. To think that the Sri Lankans scored 600 runs on the same wicket, with four of their batsmen getting hundreds, is even more disturbing. There was no devil in the wicket and if at all it did, it only existed in the minds of the Indians. The Indian batting line-up was thought to be one of the best in the world, but the inept display we saw today is a cause for serious concern. If the Indians are hoping to make a come-back in this series, there was no indication of that whatsoever in the way the Indians meekly surrendered to the guile of the Sri Lankan spinners.

This is not to take the credit away from the Sri Lankan spinners. Muthiah has proved what made him to be the highest wicket taker in the world, and in Mendis, he has found an able partner to rock the Indian boat. That the duo managed to do this on a “not-very-spinner-friendly track” should be a disconcerting thought for the Indian camp and an indication on what to expect in the series. The onset of Mendis seems to have sharpened the lethality of Muthiah, and unless Indians do some serious soul-searching, the series might well turn out to be a one-sided affair. Sadly, the Indian spinners have turned out to be no match for their Sri Lankan counterparts. The Indian spinners should stop looking for spinner-friendly tracks every time they need to take wickets. It is time for Harbhajan to deliver on unhelpful tracks……If Muthiah can deliver with Mendis, why not Harbhajan with Kumble?

Forget the MCG, bring in Viru for SCG

2007-12-31T09:22:00.001+05:30

The big question when India left for Australia was whether Kumble and Co had it in them to pick 20 wickets. Not much was asked of India's 'famed' batting line-up. The reason was clear. A plethora of runs against Pakistan in familiar conditions gave them a false sense of security. There were no demons in the MCG pitch; nor was the home side's bowling menacing to warrant two sub-200 scores. In fact the wicket was more Indian than Australian and the bounce was true till the end. It was disheartening to see the Indians surrender meekly.

The crushing defeat in the first Test has opened the big debate again on the famous batting line-up's ability to score runs in tougher conditions. It was the bowlers who orchestrated India's Test wins in South Africa and England. The batsmen have consistently failed to deliver when taken out of their comfort zone. Notwithstanding the odd good knock, the bitter truth is there is not enough firepower in our batting to challenge sides such as Australia and South Africa.

The seeds for India's appalling show were sown in the first innings. After the bowlers had managed to keep the Aussies to a reasonable score, the batsmen failed to keep the match alive. The result was on the wall the moment India was set a target of 499. The match was lost on day two. The batsmen would have done well to get some runs on the board and minimise the margin of defeat. The shot selection of the top-order left a lot to be desired.

The approach of Dravid and Jaffer continues to puzzle me. How on earth are runs going to come in Australia if batsmen continue to defend balls that have run written all over them? Scoring areas have to be identified and every opportunity has to be seized. India's strength is scoring off boundaries but they will be tough to come by on these big grounds and against Australia's watertight fielding. They will have to create plan B.

It is important for the visitors to approach the remainder of the series with a positive frame of mind and not delve too much into this defeat. There is no harm in bringing in Virendar Sehwag. It is vital to have one player at the top of the order who can unsettle the attack. If Yuvraj has to be sacrificed it has be to done in the interest of the team. It will be harsh on the southpaw after just one match. But it is important Kumble gets the strategy right before it proves too late. I liked what the Indian skipper said after the match. He insisted the batsmen have to bat more freely and that to me will lift the gloom that seems to have descended on the team.

Patience is wearing thin with India's poor running between the wickets and fielding efforts. The attack can do with all the help they can receive from the fielders. The Aussie intensity even in the fourth innings was admirable. The Indians can take a leaf out of that. It has certainly not been the best of starts but Sydney provides a chance for India to redeem themselves.

The wicket at the SCG has always assisted spin and India should continue with two spinners. Dravid going back to his familiar number three is also important for the team's success. Bring in Sehwag at the top and force the World Champions do some thinking.

Australia prove they are light miles ahead

2007-10-06T11:04:00.000+05:30

The distance is alarming. What looked like a classic match up between the World 50-50 champions and T20 champions is turning out to be anything but. Each of the first three games has proved beyond doubt the difference in class. Superior athleticism has only widened the gulf.

The Aussies have come here with a definite plan and a bruised ego. The strip in Kochi and the one at Hyderabad should have favoured the hosts than anyone else. Though they were not turners by any stretch of imagination there was enough for the tweakers to exploit.

The team looks jaded and disoriented. The body language is negative. The third game was a bigger disappointment. Dhoni and his band should have got a measure of the visitors by now. The bowlers are suffering for lack of discipline. They are either too full or short, the three quarter length that Stuart Clarke and Mitchell Johnson hit is ideal on these wickets and the sooner the Indians resort to that length the better.

The start in Bangalore and Kochi was wasted. The new ball did initial damage but the momentum was not to be sustained. It has a lot to do with the energy levels. The fielders don't swoop on the ball rather they wait for it come to them. Lack of urgency in the field is hitting the team dearly. With any other side in World cricket one can make up with brilliance with the bat or ball but poor running between the wickets, poor throwing and dropped catches all add up sizably against the World champs. Give an inch they end up with a mile.

Coming to the game on Friday, M.S. Dhoni might have been a trifle unlucky with the toss. The wicket looked like losing pace as the day wore. After a good start Australia was pegged back by some good bowling by Harbhajan and Yuvraj Singh. The new rule that insists on the ball to be changed after the 34 th over has not been kind to the men in blue. Runs have been plundered in that phase. The best bowlers must be preserved for that phase.

The ball might be a used one that is cleaned but there is a huge difference between a sphere that is used in practice and one that is used in a match. The hardness will be pronounced and it will come on to the bat better. It is an area captains will have to start putting some thought to. From 166 for three in 34 overs Australia plundered 124 runs in the next 16 at 7.75 per over on a wicket that was getting increasingly difficult to bat on. Once the target went beyond 260 it was always going to be an uphill climb for the Indian's.

Yuvraj is doing justice to his enormous talent finally. He has always played the occasional blinder but the consistency he has brought to his game is refreshing. The team management can look up to him now for runs during crisis consistently. His shot selection has improved considerably and for a player blessed with enormous natural ability, it is only a question of getting into the right frame of mind. Yuvraj is in that 'zone' where nothing much can go wrong. Physically he did not look at his best yet played one of the best knocks in recent times.

The match further showed the importance of a solid top-order. Mathew Hayden makes the difference at the top for his side with his consistency. Matches cannot be won in the Power Play phase but one can set up a solid launch pad. 75 for three at the end of 20 overs was not the ideal start when chasing a big target. The opening overs will have to be counted. The problems are aplenty for Dhoni, The team has to start believing it can beat Australia and for that to happen they have to be more positive on the field.

Just reward for team work

2007-09-26T12:11:00.000+05:30

Hearty congratulations to the Indian team. The indomitable spirit proved decisive in the end. Not having a reputation to live up to was the blessing in disguise. M.S. Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh did not meet expectations in the final yet India pulled it off, thanks to players accepting responsibility and not getting overawed by the big stage.

It was a fearless and modern approach from a bunch of youngsters in a format that is still foreign to many. Both sides played a final which, made it worthy and only a mistake as elementary as one would get to see from the usually cool and collected soul, Misbah-ul-Haq was to be the difference between a nation rejoicing and another left in despair. There was not much to choose from the two sides.

There were many positives India can draw from this campaign. The foremost being the captaincy of Dhoni who remained unruffled throughout the championship. His calming influence was the apex on which, the Indian wave rode. There was no place for individuals. Every win was constructed on the nucleus called 'team effort', it helped shatter myths. No one was indispensable. If there was one player who was unable to deliver, there were two putting their hands up to chip in.

The T20 has caught the imagination of the public and this win will herald a new era. As there were one-day specialists trying to make a mark in the early '90's, there will be a set of players who will train their thoughts and mind entirely to suit the demands of this format. One thing is certain there would be no place here for pretenders.

Dhoni winning the toss was a huge favour he did to his side. The pressure of a World Cup final and add the name of the opponents, it would be an uphill task to chase the most meager of targets for India. Gautham Gambhir who received so much flak for not coming good against quality opposition silenced his critics with a knock that gave his team a chance to fight. His shot selection was sublime and effective at the same time. Rohit Sharma was a revelation; the youngster came good whenever an opportunity presented itself.

The target was never going to be tough if Pakistan resorted to percentage cricket. Sorry that cannot be achieved in a India-Pakistan clash. The pressure gets to you at some point and the mistakes start creeping in. Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik went into a shell and handed over the match to India. Misbah is a player who takes calculated risks and believes in the theory the match is not over until the last ball. It reminded me of the great Javed Miandad who pulled the rug from under our feet on numerous occasions.

R.P. Singh delivered when it mattered and so did Irfan Pathan with his canny slow cutters. The entire pace and power had to be generated by the batsmen as Joginder, and the Pathan siblings provided them with nothing. It was a tactical ploy that worked on a wicket that slowed down a touch towards the end of the Pakistan innings.

A week from now no single player will be remembered, while the whole team would be. The most defining moment would yet be the brutal assault of Yuvraj on a hapless Stuart Broad. The knock made the team believe it can test the best, and it was great to see the team carry the momentum from there. It was no fluke as the best in the business were left on the wayside.

The transition has started. It is up to the selectors to try and help players from this team make a seamless change to the ODI squad. The win has ushered in a new era. Looking back the team was only a stroke away from defeat but they held their nerves. Pakistan threw away an opportunity. Misbah was better off hitting the ball straight and the shot he tried was never going to come off against the pace of Joginder. The man who took them to the doorsteps of glory muffed it with a piece of poor cricket thinking. The pressure of India-Pakistan cricket has made a Mickey out of the best and it was no surprise it even had a cool head thinking otherwise.

Batsmen put India on top

2007-08-11T12:34:00.000+05:30

Indian batting displayed its true strengths and potential on the second day at the oval as they piled 348 more runs in addition to their overnight score of 316 runs. Indian first innings ended at a mammoth 664 all out but not before the cricket fans were treated to a feast of batting.

In Test cricket, half the match is won if the team batting first piles up a big enough total in the first innings and aims for an overwhelming result of an innings victory over the opposition. The Australians have perfected this art and hence they are the number one side in the world now. It is very special to see the Indians getting into this act and executing it in conditions away from home. Cricket is a funny game and we have seen sides squander, given the best of batting conditions.
Nothing of that sort happened today and the Indians made the best use of the pitch and started from where they left on day 1.

England bowling was found much in wanting and their quality was exposed a great deal by a superlative Indian batting. A tally of over 50 in the extras, wickets for part-timers like Collingwood and Pietersen, and the absence of Sidebottom for a significant part of the day, made the English bowling look pedestrian and ineffective; full marks to the Indian team for taking full advantage of the wayward English bowling and putting up a total that reflected a complete team effort.

Cricket is a team game and it takes all members of a side to contribute one way or the other for writing a success story. Today, the Indian batting was no less than a spotless team effort, with almost all batsmen contributing significantly with the willow, which made the mammoth 600 plus score a reality.

Tendulkar and Laxman started the day's proceedings and the latter's innings had class stamped all over it -studded with 10 glorious hits to the fence. When the best of batsmen in world cricket today is willing to wait and spend a good time in the crease, it is ominous for the opposition. Laxman and Tendulkar built 78 for the fifth wicket before Laxman was dismissed. Tendulkar's hard-working innings was once again left unrewarded as he was dismissed caught in the slips for a well-made 82.

417/6 could have easily become 450 – 460 all out, with the tail-enders meekly surrendering their wickets, but that was not to be. The determination of the lower order to contribute runs to the team’s kitty is what separates a normal team from a great team.

The Indian lower order showed grit and confidence in scoring runs. The final four wickets fell to a substantial addition of 247 runs, but there was more to it than mere statistics. Mahendra Singh Dhoni was in his usual belligerent mood, smashing a quick-fire 92 of just 81 deliveries and his innings was studded with 9 fours and four sixes.

The baton of run scoring changed from the belligerent Dhoni to a determined Kumble. A batsman, after getting a body blow, can easily develop mental block and fade away. It takes a strong character to show determination to fight it out in the middle, and Anil Kumble is not new to this as he had shown us in the West Indies in 2002, when he was hit in the chin while batting and still came back to bowl and claim Brian Lara's wicket. This time it was his batting that made all the difference, for a change!! He has the earned the distinction of being the first Indian to score a century in this series. This knock is perfectly befitting a man who has won many a matches for India in his glorious career, and perhaps, in his final Test in England. Kumble's unbeaten 110 was studded with as many as 16 hits to the fence and one over the ropes as well. Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan and RP Singh also chipped in with decent contributions to help Kumble reach his century and take India to a commanding position in this Test match.

England have only themselves to blame for some bad bowling, ordinary fielding and mediocre behind-the-stumps effort, with byes accounting 33 of the total 54 extras, much to the dismay of Matt Prior. Wicket-keepers in cricket are best judged by the number of byes they concede and England seems to be lacking in that area as well.
Lots to cheer for India on their on-field exploits today and lots to think for the England team management at the end of the second day's play at the Oval. With Kumble scoring a 100, one would fancy his bowling to come good for India. If it does happen, this test might well be remembered for Kumble’s exploits and greatness as a tough cricketer.

Coming to the English batting, if the Indian bowlers can get Michael Vaughan and Kevin Pieterson out early, it will be half the match won. I am looking forward to more positive cricket from the Indians, as do the millions of you fans of Indian cricket out there.

Team India, stay positive and the series is yours

2007-08-08T11:16:00.000+05:30

It is imperative for Team India to keep the momentum going. A closer look at history reveals that India almost immediately hand over the advantage after taking the lead in an away Test series. The latest example was the tour to South Africa where the cricket became suddenly unimaginative after the win in Johannesburg.

The focus should be on continuing the good work. A win can make a team to take it a bit easy, and Rahul Dravid and his men would do well to continue with the positive ways and not get caught in a negative mindset. Sourav Ganguly proved his detractors wrong and there should be no doubt that the visitors will play the same team in the final Test.

Runs are available aplenty at the Oval. The first morning might have something in it for the bowlers but from day two it should become a perfect batting strip. It would take a gutsy captain to bat first on this wicket. Batting second would be a safer option and batting last at the Oval is not a tedious job. I would expect Dravid to take field if he is to win the toss. With the lead already in hand India has a good chance of batting England out of the series.

The form of V.V.S. Laxman and Sourav has provided the cutting edge. It is always important for the middle order to fire at the Old Blighty. Once the second new ball is on life can be difficult even for the batsman who is well settled. Chris Tremelet with his bounce and lift proved what he is capable of and the Indian's should have chalked out a plan for him by now.

The difference between victory and defeat even for the mighty Aussies hinged on Adam Gilchrist's success at seven in the last two tours. In 2001 he had the English bowling at his mercy but in 2005 he was not half his own self and that tilted the balance in the hosts favour. It is important for Dhoni to contribute with Sourav and Laxman. One bad session and things can turn upside down.

The bowling department looked no good on paper but it has exceeded expectations. Zaheer Khan has taken the burden of spearheading the attack brilliantly. Add Sreesanth's inability to deliver Zaheer's work stands taller. The success of Zaheer has a lot to do with the attention he has started to pay at what is happening at the other end. He has learnt to deal differently with each batsman.

Bowling is two-way traffic. There will phases in a match where a bowler will have to get to run-control mode but that is not getting defensive it is just a part of a ploy to get to the batsmen. Zaheer has done just that and add Anil Kumble's ability to mop the tail quickly the duo has more than made up for the lack of consistency on Sreesanth's part.

R.P. Singh has been the surprise element. His deceptive pace and his strong wrist is tailor made for English conditions and his ability to move the ball both ways has left even the best a confused lot. With the top three performing brilliantly, the only change that could possibly happen is R. Bose coming in place

The visitors should approach the game as they would to any other. It has happened in the past, the team has tried defensive ploys when they are trying to defend a hard earned lead. It has cost them dear and this resurgent side that has shown great mental fortitude and losing the grip after gaining the lead could be a thing of the past.

Resurgent India deserved to win Test

2007-08-01T10:43:00.000+05:30

There may have been a bit of a stutter at the end. The rest of the Test was one smooth flow for Team India. Not for a moment did Rahul Dravid and his boys look like the side that was saved by the elements when defeat looked inevitable in the opener at Lord's. The opening partnership between Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik in the first innings swung the game so much in the visitor's favour that it never gave England a chance in the match.

A handy first innings did the hosts in. As it happened at Lord's, it is difficult for a side to wriggle out of a tight corner once the momentum goes to the other side. With a lead of 283, all India needed was one good session with the ball on the fourth day to warp up the Test.

It was good toss to win for Dravid and his spearhead Zaheer Khan responded well. The conditions were loaded in favour of the bowlers but it must be said that it was intelligent bowling that helped to keep England to below 200. The best part of Zaheer's performance was his ability to keep a high percentage of his deliveries in the good length area. With the wicket helping the ball to seam, it was important for the bowlers to bowl in the right areas.

While Sreesanth seemed to get lost in his act of the comedic villain, the emergence of R.P. Singh as a strike force came as a breather. Rahul could ill afford two of his bowlers to be off the radar in the same game. R.P. Singh who is generally taken lightly can be deceptively sharp. His strong and straight wrist that helps the fingers to follow the seam all the way through in his action is his biggest ally. His high arm action helps him generate bounce and also to skid the ball off the surface when he bowls a fullish length.

Both Zaheer and Singh were tough to negotiate as they moved the ball either way. It is not easy for the batsmen when it moves both ways and it leads to doubts creeping in. The conditions were better for batting in the second innings as the wicket had eased out. It needed a strong will and self-belief in the bowlers. They succeeded with style and panache.

Anil Kumble played his usual role of mopping up the tail quickly and his contribution with the bat and his half-century association with V.V.S. Laxman were vital to the plot. It was a win where almost everyone played his part to perfection. What I enjoyed most was the ruthlessness of the Indians. They did not give a chance for England to come back in to the game.

The innings by Michael Vaughan was a class act. It did not get its due as the media trained its thoughts on the Indian win. Until the English skipper was in, there was a good chance of the game to end in a draw. To
India's credit, their shoulders did not droop while Paul Collingwood and Vaughan were making merry. A bit of luck was required on this shirtfront and it arrived in the form of Vaughan's wicket. Once that partnership was broken it was only a matter of time.

As I had said before, the team needed the top guns to click collectively. The top-order contributed handsomely. It was the sixth highest Test match total without a single hundred. Sourav Ganguly came up with a classy knock and proved his detractors, including yours truly, wrong. The seniors in the team whose very presence in the team was being questioned came to the party and the youngsters complemented their efforts well. It was a resurgent side that deserved every inch of this famous win.

No place really for Ganguly

2007-07-19T12:40:00.000+05:30

This Test series will be the litmus test for Team India that left for the United Kingdom sown with self-doubts and still emerged with a degree of respectability after the wins in Ireland. The scenario could have been slightly different had Stephen Harmison and Andrew Flintoff been fit for the Test. With the duo missing out on account of injury, the sides look equal, at least on paper.

With the second half of the summer promising a run feast only Harmison and Flintoff could have troubled the Indian top-order with their disconcerting bounce. If the newfound successful pair of Dinesh Karthik-Wasim Jaffer see off the new ball there should not be too many demands on the seasoned middle order.

The bigger question is about the capability of the Indian attack to take 20 wickets. Zaheer Khan looks to have regained his touch and if there is something in the conditions Sreesanth should also come into play. The third seamer slot looks a bit open but R.P. Singh with his high arm action and straight wrist could well win the race. He has developed the one that comes into the right-hander and looks the best bet to go on to play on hallowed turf.

Anil Kumble will have to bear a bigger burden this time around. Unless the think tank decides to go in with five specialist batsmen, he would be the only spinner and for him to wheel his arm over relentlessly would not be easy on a shoulder that is not getting any younger. A confident start by the bowlers would be handy and there is no reason for them to think they can't get 20 wickets as some pundits have been suggesting.

Not many gave us a chance when we toured England in 1986. It was the persistent line by our seamers that paved the way to fantastic results. It is a question of getting the basics right. All that I have said might look like the most mundane statement by an ex-cricketer. But, believe me, nowhere else in the world is a player rewarded as in England for sticking to the basics.

The reason for India drawing the series in 2002 was the might of the batting. The effort of Sanjay Bangar and Rahul Dravid on the first morning in Leeds was worth its weight in gold and the team started believing they could punch well above their weight. With Sachin Tendulkar among the runs and Dravid always dependable, the task ahead of England bowlers does not look too rosy either. Sachin has not got going in Lord's and that should be motivation enough for him when he goes out to bat, probably for the last time in a Test match there.

Going by tour reports, Yuvraj should be sitting this Test out. My heart goes out to the youngster who is in good form. Personally I would have gone in with Yuvraj ahead of Sourav Ganguly but given the latter's ability with the ball and his record and experience in England, things might have gone in his favour.

It looks as if we have some exciting cricket in front of us and the side that starts better would have the definite advantage. Given the way England batted against West Indies in the recent Test series, they might have their nose in front, but only just.

My XI: Dinesh Karthik, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, V.V.S. Laxman, M.S. Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, S. Sreesanth and R.P. Singh

India has a tough job on hands

2007-06-29T18:30:00.001+05:30

Time has arrived for some serious introspection. With hardly any worthwhile victory in the last few months, Team India takes on South Africa in a must win game. The second match of the summer series will throw further light into where this side is heading. There has been too much talk and very little action and it is time for the side to redeem itself.

The batting that has been India’s saviour on more occasions and its base strength has to look at momentum right from the word go rather than wait for too long as it happened in the first match against Kallis’ men.

Batting against South Africa after one gets his eye in is not a tough task as the attack is one-dimensional. There is not too much of variation and the biggest problem for the batsmen might come against their tight fielding. This is the area where India’s task is cut out. The running between wickets must be hard and the middle overs should be busy. Rotation of strike is of paramount importance and these areas were not concentrated upon.

A target of 243 if the fielding was a little sharper might have made things difficult for Kallis and company but Team India was found short on that account too. The only area where the Indian’s came out with their head held high was the spin bowling department.

Piyush Chawla and Ramesh Powar bowled with craft and assurance. They bought India back with a sustained effort and they were also largely helped by a set of batsmen who refused to use their feet. India should continue with the two slow men, whatever might be the confidence. Their confidence and rhythm should not be fiddled with.

Zaheer Khan and R.P. Singh seem to the only new ball pair Dravid has at his disposal at the moment and might be forced to continue with them. As far the changes or change in the team is concerned I can see M.S. Dhoni coming in for Gautham Gambhir. Dravid should bat at three.

The new members who have been rushed to join the team need not be rushed into the playing XI as it would be expecting to much from them straightaway, they can get acclimatized and probably play the third game. There must be a spring in the step and the ground fielding that was slack should pick itself up then India might have a good chance of making the third game worthy.

Indian's did not show enough spirit

2007-06-27T14:53:00.000+05:30

I was curious to know what was going through Yuvraj Singh's mind when only 12 runs were required of three overs. The first ball he bowled in the 47 th over was swept by Kallis and Zaheer Khan made the most athletic of saves. Yuvraj applauded the effort and broke into an unexplainable giggle. The defeat was clear on the wall yet the Indian's did not seem to mind. Unless this side starts hating to lose it is never going to win.

The body language was negative to say the least and there was an air of 'so what' attitude especially during the business end of the South African innings. The bowling lacked the zip but the target did not offer the bowlers much scope but the intensity was clearly lacking.

Kallis played a knock that one would normally associate with him. Calm, focused and unruffled even when wickets were tumbling around him, it was a captain's knock in every sense of the word. The first two wickets adding close to 100 runs was crucial as it paved easy passage for a target that was made tricky more by the slowness of the wicket rather than any venom in the attack.

The more I see young Piyush Chawla the more I am impressed. Here is a young Turk who does not mind inviting the batsman forward. His googly needs improvement but with experience should learn the craft. These tough games should serve the UP lad well and there is a good chance he can fill into the big boots left vacant by Anil Kumble in the shorter version. Ramesh Powar continues to get better but only early wickets could have done the trick for India and sadly they were unable to do it. The last over finish was only surreal and it was not exactly a close match.

The Indian batting was once again found short of tempo. My mind raced back to a line from a well known cricket writer who said 'ban Sachin when on 90'. His knock might have been based on circumstances but having spent that amount of time he should have accelerated earlier and in hindsight it was clear that the difference between winning and losing was 20 runs.

Rahul Dravid played a typical Rahul Dravid knock, the only difference being the point of acceleration arrived a little early. I am still certain that the skipper should go in at three and continue there for some time. Gambhir does have this knack of pounding lesser attacks and coming a cropper against better sides and it only continued.

The difference also lay in the extra zip the South African seamers were able to extract out of a helpful pitch. Andrew Nel with his height and strong wrist action created the doubt in the batsmen's mind and mixed his length well, using the short ball to good effect.
In the end the superior fielding and agility carried the day carried the day for the Africans but more importantly their rock of Gibraltar was there to see it till the very end. If India were to come back from here to win the series it would be truly odd-defying.

Host's lack of application was appalling

2007-05-28T13:26:00.000+05:30

The gulf in class was clearly evident. And with every passing over it only became apparent that Bangladesh lacked in many parts to make a good Test side. The win even though it came against a weak side would do a world of good to the Indian side's confidence after it found itself at it's lowest ebb after the mauling in the World Cup.

The batsmen found their bearings and it is only good that they had this series before they go on to take tougher opponents in the near future. Dinesh Karthik to me was the biggest discovery. Regular or not he has taken to the task of opening in Test cricket like duck to water. With Wasim Jaffer for company Karthik should establish a fine opening pair.

The top-order will definitely not be short on confidence when they go on take England shortly. There is nothing like runs in the bag that counts. The run rate achieved in the second Test was another huge positive for the side.

With the seamers taking time out regularly with different injuries the mantle of spearheading the attack has fallen on the shoulders of Zaheer Khan. The left armer to his credit looks fit to carry the good job and more importantly has the wickets under his belt for him to look at the ensuing season with optimism. To have returned with a bagful of wickets on a bone dry wicket in oppressive conditions required a big heart and he displayed just that.

R.P. Singh and Anil Kumble as ever played the percentages well and struck to their task. RP was consistent and with his high arm and straight wrist has developed the uncanny knack of making the ball rear off the surface. He should continue in the same vein for his own good.

Ishanth Sharma, was a bit of a let down, I am surprised he did not try the bouncer enough. As to any youngster he could have been overawed by the stage but the youngster with proper guidance should move up the ladder quickly.

Finally the lack of application on part of the hosts was appalling. There was no intent to occupy the crease for a longer duration. The very essence of Test cricket was killed. The second innings is usually where teams try and eradicate the mistakes done in the first but there was no sense of learning on part of the host's.

Barring Mohammed Ashraful, no one else looked like taking the match to the opponents. Ashraful built in the Sehwag mould goes after the bowling from the word go and he did his job to perfection , only if the others had grinded the Indian attack for a longer duration then they would have at least saved some embarrassment.

The match was dead and gone for Bangladesh the moment they asked India to make first use of the track. Dav Whatmore seen as a master tactician was more intent on pleasing the men who count with Indian cricket rather than concentrating with his job on hand.

Team would be served better with Laxman

2007-05-25T11:42:00.000+05:30

It was happy to note a few cricket reporters come to the defence of V.V.S. Laxman and the travails the stylish Hyderabadi has faced in his career. To enjoy one of the better overseas records and averaging better in Test cricket other than Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid from the present squad, Laxman has his reasons to be miffed.

Laxman always had to be the first name to be chopped if the team composition underwent a change. When the team is up against faster and bouncier conditions they always look up to Laxman to deliver while the others feast on the easier wickets. The team management has not treated him fairly and in my opinion he is the third best batsman in the side and should take his rightful place in the playing eleven.

There are far too many problems in the team at the moment. Lack of force with the ball is first on the list. Take Anil Kumble away from this attack, there are hardly any signs India can get 20 wickets against a good side. Rahul and his men could emerge with a win in Dhaka but problems when up against a better batting side is bound to surface.

The first Test proved the inadequacies of the Indian attack beyond doubt. And this is going to be the team's biggest problem. With half the pace attack nursing injuries, it is time we went back to our strength, spin at least when conditions afford Dravid the luxury of playing more than one spinner.

Lack of all rounders has also hit the team hard. The five-bowler theory has its side effects on a lively surface. If the batting crumbles, it could act on the reverse. If Anil is fully fit I would approach the game only with four bowlers as Sourav and Sachin can fill in 12-14 overs per day as part timers. Anyway the fifth bowler is only under bowled and if the team can pack in one more batsman, it can lead to quicker scoring and a more positive approach at the crease.

A series victory is paramount to win the confidence and respect of the fans back home. The team is in short supply of that commodity too and a win would be a shot in the arm. A win over Bangladesh might not be a Herculean achievement but in terms of getting things back on track, there is nothing better than a few wins to have under your belt.

As far as the team composition is concerned I would draft Laxman in place of a bowler, preferably V.R.V. Singh, even if it means the playing XI would have two left arm seamers. The batting order would only undergo a minor change, as I would put Laxman ahead of Sourav.

Whatever be the final team nothing less than a win is acceptable, unless weather intervenes. India should take this one comfortably but whether that would indicate the right standing of the team's form remains to be seen.

My XI (in batting order): Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, M.S. Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Ramesh Powar, Zaheer Khan, R.P. Singh.

India should wrap it up, weather permitting

2007-05-18T13:41:00.000+05:30

As the focus shifts to the longer version, India's problems with their team composition begin. With only one specialist opener in the squad the think tank is back with their perennial problem of whom to make Wasim Jaffer's partner. In an ideal situation Dinesh Karthik should have walked out with Jaffer, but the claims of both V.V.S. Laxman and Yuvraj Singh cannot be discounted.

Given this scenario, unless Rahul Dravid or M.S. Dhoni open the innings the team will have to be content with four bowlers. It is a catch 22 situation no doubt. Senior members cannot be dumped and at the same time it is clearly a case of one step forward and two steps back.

The attack will revolve in the hands of Anil Kumble, Ramesh Powar and the seamers Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel. This is the best combination the team could afford given Sreesanth's injury and it does seem to posses to have the ammunition at least on paper to bag 20 wickets provided a minimum of four days of cricket is permitted by the weather gods.

The climatic conditions in these parts of the World can get cruel to the average cricket buff. When it rains in Bangladesh, it pours and given the grounds poor drain facilities, it would be impossible to get the wicket and the area near by in condition for play quickly. The series itself has not really evoked any interest to be honest and as followers we can only hope at least Test series throws up some good cricket.

Bangladesh have always trained their thoughts on the shorter version and have never really tested the big guns in the traditional format - Except once when they came close to get the better of Pakistan before a resurgent Inzamam-ul-Haq guided his team home.

The Bangladesh batsmen don't posses the temperament for Test cricket - to play out sessions in Test cricket is the key to set up games - and unfortunately they don’t have batsmen who have the technical wisdom to attain that. The bowlers too have been found wanting and an attack that consists primarily of flat left arm spin can never buy 20 wickets in Test cricket.

The Indian's would be itching to get off to a good start and begin the repair work post the World Cup that already received a shot in the arm with the ODI series win. It should be a continuation of the good work, weather permitting.
My XI for the first Test: Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, M.S. Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Ramesh Powar, Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel.

Team India Has A Lucky Escape

2007-05-11T09:23:00.000+05:30

What should been an easy path was made treacherous by a top-order that is yet to shed rustiness. The failure of Sehwag and Gambhir to carry on after getting their eye in almost fuelled in another disaster, but the methodical effort of Dhoni and Karthik saved India a defeat that would have plunged the team into greater self-doubts.

The manner in which Dhoni and Karthik rotated the strike was gleaming. The secret in run chases lies in the ability of the batsmen not to let go of the singles and twos and still ensure the loose balls don't go unpunished. The duo got the act right embedding boundaries in between and looking busy with singles that not only helped rotate the strike but also ensured the bowlers did not get enough at a stretch to a certain batsman.

Dhoni coming in at three was a refreshing change, I have always vouched for Dhoni to bat higher and so many names made the rounds for the number three slot it was a bit of a surprise that his name never did the rounds. Technically Dhoni may not possess all the ingredients to bat higher, but one-day cricket is hardly going to probe the batsman enough. Dhoni has cut the frills and shown in the recent past that he can handle tight situations with composure and it was good to see him guide the team home in Karthik's company in spite of being down with a hamstring pull.

With Karthik improving as a fielder with every game, India's long search for a stable middle-order bat to compliment Yuvraj looks finally over. There is an air of assurance with the way he bats and never looks lost even in a tight situation. His running between the wickets and shot selection were both impressive. The hunger was evident in his eye and that augurs well for Indian cricket.

Though India registered a win, no praise would be less for the manner in which, Bangladesh fought. Their confidence is on a high after their exploits in the World Cup and they set foot believing they can win. If they have done it once there is no reason why they cant do it again and they backed themselves to the hilt and almost pulled off another upset.

Bangladesh's decision to bat on a rain-affected wicket was a brave move and the batsmen played to plan, keeping wickets intact for a late surge. Team India after all the talk of a rejunavated show still moved at a pace that had more questions attached. There was no resolve and the body language of some of the players left a lot to be desired.

It might be a touch early to expect results from the fielding and bowling coach but there was hardly anything on offer as starters. Quickness is going to be an integral part of the one-day game and there are place for slouches. India might have escaped further embarrassment with this five-wicket win but there was not much to give them confidence. The team is not moving with an assurance an aspect one would expect at least against a team like Bangladesh.

The scorecard might not be really reflecting what happened on the field, most of the other internationals teams would have made Team India pay dearly for their lapses.

Grander The Stage, Bigger The Performance

2007-04-30T08:47:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

Rain was the last thing the organizers of the World Cup would have wanted. But the sparkle that the big broad blade of Adam Gilchrist provided took away the gloom of the gun-metal skies that descended as a pale of gloom over the Kensington Oval.

The demolition act from Gilly was the best ever seen on the big stage, even eclipsing the likes of Clive Lloyd (1975), Viv Richards (1979),and Aravinda de Silva 1996). It was a brutal onslaught with a touch of science. The Lankans, I thought, missed out on devising a plan for Gilchrist, who had a quiet World Cup until the summit clash.

The Islanders did well against Hayden, Ponting and Clarke, but missed out on Gilchrist who just had an extra special day in the office. It was clean hitting, and that most of the runs came straight down the ground was testimony to the batsmen's supreme skill sets. The catch Fernando dropped proved too costly in the final analysis. If 30 runs had been chopped of the final tally, things could have been scripted differently.

The chase was always going to look tough for Sri Lanka who had a mountain to climb from ball one. Add the rain, bad light, interruptions and some sustained bowling made it almost impossible for them to get near the target.

Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara kept their side alive with some imaginative batting but the enormity of the task was always going to get to them at some time, and it’s a pity it happened against some fairly innocuous bowling.

The West Indies bowling in the 80's was so tight that Larry Gomes and Viv always got a few when batsmen went after them thinking a few easy runs were on the anvil. Same with Hogg and Clarke here. The mind set of the batsmen was such they wanted to make up for lost time against them and fell.

The last two finals have been something of a damp squib. They were both dull one-sided affairs. But it was heartening to note the third block of the Asian front throwing up a spunky fight that made the final worthwhile to watch, after all.

Gilchrist richly deserved to leave the World Cup stage with a knock that will be remembered for long. He was in the 'zone' that happens to batsmen once in a few seasons. It happened on the World Cup final, sorrily for Sri Lanka: Gilly had to find that 'zone' on Saturday.

It was a match to remember for Glenn McGrath, who quit the stage with this famous win. He might have not been at his miserly best but finished things in style and deserved every encomium showered on him.

The Cup has gone to the team that had covered every aspect of the game well. No one must grudge the fact they have made the World Cup their own.

Toss could prove vital

2007-04-28T17:24:00.000+05:30

After an elongated rehearsal, the stage for the summit is set. It was not beyond cricket wisdom to predict a Sri Lanka versus Australia final. The former had their game tailor-made for conditions in the Caribbean while the latter, irrespective of the conditions, had the ammunition and wherewithal to steamroll everything that stood in front.

Let all doubts be put to rest, the two best sides from this World Cup have made it to the final and let us hope that the final on Saturday provides the sparks the last two finals sorely failed to provide.

One need not tear one’s hair in picking a choice for the match. World champions Australia start as hands-on favourites, but there are a few things to be considered. The Aussies have this strange habit of going after the bowling even if a few wickets have fallen, this ploy looks great when it comes off but when it fails it can look outrageously shabby.

Sri Lanka must bat first to improve their chances, with Vaas and Murali in their ranks and a slowing wicket on offer, a target in the region of 245-265 will be very competitive and anything above 270 and the odds would certainly shorten on the Lankans. If Ponting has the luck with the coin, the matter could well be over as the combined strength of the Aussies could become too much for Jayawardene's men.

Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga would do their team a great service if they are able to see off the first ten overs without getting separated. If the Lankans have enough wickets in hand the middle overs can become really productive. The bowling of Hogg and Symonds is no great shakes but the problem is the new ball that does the damage and sets it up nicely for bowler No. 4 & 5 to push the overs through quickly.

The mantra for Lanka would be to keep the wickets intact and launch the attack after the first ten overs where the ball loses its sting and shine.

In Vaas and Murali Lanka has the experience with the ball but the others too must be wary of the advantage the likes of Gilchrist and Hayden take when offered the width. The more the bowlers bowl into the body the lesser the chances of boundaries during power play. Tuck the Aussies for space outside the off stump and there are chances of them doing something silly.

All said and done, Australia look the better bet and it would take a special effort from the Islanders and a relatively off-day in the office for the Aussies to stop their hat-trick bid. Remember the toss is very vital, if Lanka win and bat they stay with a chance otherwise the whole of Australia could well start their celebrations a little early.

Stuff Of Dreams

2007-04-27T15:37:00.000+05:30

A phone call with an old mate was just about to end, right alongside Australia's annihilation of South Africa. Just before hanging up my friend quipped: Is this Australian side the greatest ever? To which, I said it could be the best Australian team in terms of success rate but by a far stretch the West Indies side of the late 70's and 80's was the best. Remember, I was having only one-day cricket in mind, bring Test cricket also into the picture and all arguments would be a waste of time. Lloyd's men were the greatest to set foot on turf.

Man to man, the Windies then would have probably won 8-3 against this Aussie side. Let us start with batting. The pair of Hayden and Gilchrist are good but the Barbadian pair of Greenidge and Haynes were far superior. Ponting versus Viv Richards, do I need to say who wins that round? The middle order is one area where this Aussie side might compare well with the Windies.

The fielding standards of all world-beating sides has always been special. But where the West Indians scored was they had specialists for each position. Viv and Clive were omnipresent at the slips and nothing would pass through them, while Gordon and Harper were stunning in the gully region - add the strong arm of the pacemen from the deep; easy runs were only in opponents’ dreams.

The Aussies are an athletic lot, and are also blessed with a fine wicket keeper. Although Dujon to me was technically more compact than Gilchrist behind the stumps, he was not so by much. So, after we have seen the batting and fielding strengths, the West Indians only have a slight edge. The one department that takes them past any side of any era was their bowling prowess. They could simply blow away any opposition, and more importantly, in any conditions.

The pace attack instilled fear in the bravest of hearts. Sometimes, statistics may not provide a true reflector, but having played the pacemen at their peak, I know first hand they were one very tough lot to negate and get away with, leave alone scoring against.

So every connoisseur's fantasy would be a match up between the present Australian side and the West Indies side of the 80's. A dream date it would be, but only in fantasy. If it ever did happen, though, my money would be squarely on the marauding Windies

Some Interesting Views From Amongst You

2007-04-26T19:00:00.000+05:30

As some of you might already know, I'm judging Google's Cricket blogging competition. Here are some interesting entries we have recieved so far:

From The Match Referee:

What are fast and lively wickets going to achieve? They will result in fast bowlers who get results handed to them on a platter, batsman might get slightly better and the breed of twirlers will be fast driven to extinction. Spinners have been our traditional strength and now is not the time to ditch them.

From Dharmagraha:

Successful teams can be classified into two types. One, that win on technical perfection; examples are South Africa under Hansie Cronje and Clive Lloyd’s invincible team. Two, that win on an emotional high supported by excellent individual skills; examples are Dada’s Indian team supported by excellent individual performances by Sachin and you, Imran’s Pakistani team supported by geniuses of Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram, Ranatunga’s Sri Lankan team with Sanath Jayasuriya and Arvinda De Silva. There is also a third variety which has a dangerous combination of both at the highest. That is Australia, both under Steve Waugh and under Ricky Ponting. Logically, a coach should have sat down to classify what is the temperament of the team, find its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and approached you accordingly. I don’t say that Greg Chappell has not done that, but I say, it just doesn’t show.

From Best Of World Cup:

If a game starts taking lives, there is something sickeningly wrong with it. But this is not really about Woolmer. We didn't need someone to die to awaken us to a problem. The signs have always been there, it's just that most of us have found it expedient to ignore them. Commodification has been chipping away at the soul of cricket for years, and now the game is the danger of losing its head.

From Srikchin:

We started preparing the team for World cup 24 months ago, and by the time it kicks of none of the team probables could make it. Those who managed to crawl are down with injuries. Round the clock cricket & rudimentary domestic circuit. Slow pitches, weak opponents and back to back series crowns. Too much of money, too many strategies, too many expectations, too loud applauds and hence too embarrassing desolation.

Bigger The Stage, Bigger The Game

2007-04-26T14:56:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

The line that divides aggression and desperation is a fine one, and it was in full view when South Africa batted their first ten overs. Going into a needle clash without a proper plan cost the Proteas dear. Winning the toss on this wicket was a godsend and South Africa have only themselves to blame for not utilizing the opportunity to bat the World champions out of the game.

Bowlers like McGrath always have a scheme for different batsmen. Kallis and Prince were the two batsmen who should have played the anchor role. Smith left early - falling to adventurism against someone who has seen it all and is a master at varying the length subtlety to set a batsman to a false shot.

Shaun Tait might have ended with more wickets in his kitty, but to McGrath should go the greater credit for strangulating the batsmen and instilling the early pressure from which the South Africans never recovered. The fall of wickets at regular intervals never allowed the South Africans to get to a run rate of any meaning. And having posted only 149 on the board, even the die-hard South African supporters would not have envisaged a win.

With a mere three runs per over to chase, Australia were in no discomfort and the thumping win will have carried them to the final in the right frame of mind. Sri Lanka have also entered the final with a clinical display but the way the Aussies won on Wednesday it would have certainly put the fear of god among the Islanders.

It was pleasure to see the Aussie dressing room, a bunch of confident players who thoroughly know what their job is, much like the West Indian dressing room of the 80’s. South Africa resembled a team wrecked by a storm and resembled a bunch of jokers, moreso even than chokers, on the big stage.

Toss proved vital

2007-04-25T13:45:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

Once Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat, the result was a foregone conclusion. What made it a miserable semifinal was the inability of the Kiwis to challenge the Lankans and the resigned look on Stephen Fleming’s face after the spin of the coin.

New Zealand almost accepted defeat once Lanka made first use of the wicket. The last 15 overs were gift wrapped for the Islanders to run amok with. The body language of the Kiwis left a lot to be desired. The medium pacers lacked the fire-and-air speed on a slow wicket. The Shane Bond phenomenon was brutally exposed. A bowler is expected to have his off days at the office but that Bond failed to fire on D-day put Fleming's plan in disarray. A team cannot afford to go into a crunch game with one strike bowler.

Mahela Jayawardene's knock was an education, and proved yet again that one need not resort to the power game to be successful in the shorter version. He took his time in building his innings and nearly took 40 balls to reach double figures but thereafter paced his innings brilliantly to make up for lost time. He led from the front and the team took pace along with him. What stood out in the innings was his placement and timing. Sanath Jayasuriya's failure was made up by Upul Tharanga who was due for a big one against a strong side. Once the duo of Tharanga and Mahela helped the total go past the 250-run mark the result was hardly in doubt.

With nearly a run to be taken of every ball, the Kiwis needed a strong start but they were hardly given the luxury to free their arms against some tight and imaginative bowling by Malinga and Vaas.

With a steeply increasing asking rate to contend with, the top-order had its task cut out, but Muralitharan coming in after the initial overs had plugged the run flow. It was always going to be a tough ask and the questions he posed was too much for the middle order. The win will give a lot of confidence to the Lankans going in to the final where if they have the luck with the coin, who knows there could be title No. 2 waiting for them.

For many followers, the real final might be today, where the top two sides in the world lock horns. Australia will definitely start as favourites. South Africa, on the other hand, would love to shed off the 'choker' tag. If the Proteas can restrict the Australians to a sub-300 total, we have a great match on our hands.

Sri Lanka Look The Better Side

2007-04-24T18:44:00.000+05:30

Two finely balanced sides lock horns in what is widely expected to be a closely fought encounter. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are two sides that play the percentages well and, more importantly, know their strength and stick their guns to it.

It would need the nerve of a gambler to predict a winner straight out. There is nothing much to choose from between the two sides, but personally I would give the Islanders a few inches more than the Kiwis, and I have my reasons for it.

Both sides were drubbed by Australia, but to their solace, they rested their two key bowlers who could have made a difference, hence the defeat might not have really dented their confidence. But the Lankans go into the match with a better all-round attack, that has more options to throw.

The Sabina Park track has slowed down a fair bit in the last few years and will play lower as the game progresses. And if Sri Lanka were to set a target they would enjoy a definite advantage. The Kiwis will have to display nerves of steel if they are to go through a tough chase.

The Sri Lankan spinners have the knack of pushing the middle overs through very quickly and that is the time in the game where bad habits might creep in for the batsmen, as things might not go their way. It has happened many a time in the past when Murali and Sanath, with their plethora of experience, have stifled the run rate and plotted the downfall of strong batting lineups.

The New Zealand batting has also blown hot and cold through the World Cup; none barring Scott Styris have shown the kind of consistency one would normally associate with a World Cup aspirant. On the contrary the Kiwis strength is their medium pace and would like to exploit whatever early life the wicket would provide and try and keep the target to manageable proportions.

Both sides would be strengthened immensely by the return of their strike bowlers (Bond and Oram for NZ, Murali and Vaas for SL) and would hope the rest would have done more good than harm. The contest at least on paper promises a seat edge thriller but Sri Lanka go in with a small advantage because of their balance. The Lankans have also batted the end overs slightly better.

Stephen Fleming and his boys would have to restrict their opponents to a sub-250 score otherwise it could well turn out to be another so near yet so far story for the Kiwis.

Players Should Be Given A Free Hand

2007-04-23T15:51:00.000+05:30

Reading the morning paper, I stumbled across a few stories that were eye openers of sorts. In India there has always been a curb on cricketers talking to the press. Hence, when the players divulge information on sensitive topics, it becomes hot news. Whereas in most of the other Test playing nations there is no hold on players in expressing their opinions to the media.

Ricky Ponting, Mathew Hayden, Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis have all used the last few days to play mind games with their opponents in the build up to the semi-finals. To me what is more important is what the players do while on the field of play, and everything else is immaterial. As long as there are no degrading statements, or hitting below the belt, things should be fine.

I have not really been able to see the logic in players being directed to talk or write in the media. Is it really going to help? For example, if Harbhajan wants to talk freely about an impending encounter he can’t, while a player in the opposing rank can. And as some one who has played the game at the highest level, I can assure you it can play on the mind of the players and give the others a mental edge before a crucial game.

Kallis has said the Australian all-win record does not count for anything, while Hayden has stated the Proteas fear the sight of the Aussies. I can also assure you that it helps to build an aggressive attitude. I have heard many Australian players comment freely on their colleagues, and the best part is the player commented also takes it in the right spirit. This can help strengthen the value of unity.

During the Test series in India in 2001, Glenn McGrath said the best captain he has ever played under was Mark Taylor. Remember, Steve Waugh was at the helm and was not offended by the statement. He tried, instead, to find out what he was lacking that Taylor possessed.

Players expressing their views to the press should be allowed everything in regard to the game can be discussed freely and let me assure you the team performance or mental frame is not going to go down because of that. The results in the middle are more important than a few sound bytes passed on to television crews or newspapers. Barking at the wrong tree is not going to give us the desired results, in stead let us try and locate the real problem areas.

Lara's exit has left the game poorer

2007-04-22T16:23:00.000+05:30

Well, did the greatest modern-day entertainer need to ask that question at the end of it all?

A glittering career that spanned nearly 18 years and provided a reason for many fans to pay at the gates with glee. One of the few batsmen who put the prime requirement of the general follower in front of him rather than play the boring numbers game. The legend of Brian Charles Lara will live forever even though the pocket sized Trinidadian was part of the weakest West Indian side.

The final match for Lara was certainly not scripted by the gods. How else would one explain the heartbreak for the legend who had to endure another so close yet too far theory? The run out was always on the cards and that was fitting as no bowler deserved to break the defence of Lara. The dismissal took me back to Sydney in the early 90's when Lara scripted his first hundred. A dazzling knock of 277 (Lara's first hundred) had to terminate when he was run out and the legendary Sir Gary Sobers remarked 'that was fitting' as no bowler deserved his wicket.

The sojourn that started then continued to marvel across the globe. And to have accumulated such huge quantum of runs without for once leaving his natural style behind spoke vastly of the West Indian way of life.

Coming to the match, it was a pity that such a good contest had to be an inconsequential affair. The match provided the sparks from two sides who never came close to playing to their potential. The difference was made by the openers.

Chris Gayle came to form at last and too bad it did not happen slightly earlier. It could have made a significant difference to the host's chances. Michael Vaughan also did best and ensured he would keep the captaincy for some time to come.

All said and done both England and West Indies should have no complaints. The four sides that deserved to be in the last four have taken their rightful places and it is time for us to sit back and enjoy some of the most stirring action after two days of break

This Selection Is Not The Way Forward

2007-04-21T17:58:00.000+05:30

The selection committee has wasted another golden opportunity. The talk of infusing fresh blood into the team after the World Cup has not materialized into something concrete, and Indian cricket continues to tread a dangerous path. The selection of the senior team, as with so many times in the past, has been fuelled by confusion and, more, by 'compromise'.

After all the big talk on youngsters replacing the tried and tested, only Bengal lad Manoj Tiwary finds a place. What happens to other youngsters who have proved themselves in the Ranji Trophy and A tours? What more should a bowler like R. Bose of Bengal do to claim a stake?

Two batsmen who will feel extremely disappointed are S. Badrinath of Tamil Nadu and Mumbai's Rohit Sharma. Remember the chairman of the selection committee stating that the 80 made by Badri in the Zal Irani Cup was one of the best domestic knock played on a difficult wicket? And add the runs he made against the likes of Shaun Tait and Clarke on the faster and bouncier wickets in Australia. Rohit, with his recent exploits, gave enough proof that he was a decent limited overs prospect. The signals that are sent to such players are not very healthy.

When performances in the Ranji Trophy and A tours are not going to be looked at with interest, one can lose faith in the system and unless the selectors start giving preference to players who toil and perform in the domestic scene, things can go haywire.

Some of the so-called recalls are only going hamper the progress route. Dinesh Mongia and R.P. Singh have been given enough chances to cement their place in the side but they have not done that, and no one else can be faulted for that. And Ramesh Powar making it only to the Test squad was highly amusing as he had looked the best bowler in the ODI's whenever he had been given a chance.

A tour to Bangladesh was the ideal platform to groom some of the youngsters. The kids would have got a fair idea of international cricket and readied them for the tougher assignments ahead. The upcoming season is one of the toughest Team India would have in a long time and with the majority of the side ageing and on the wane, this would have been the ideal time for a shake up and for the rebuilding process to start but sadly and as always another chance to put things in the right perspective and turn a new leaf has gone a-begging. Save your prayers for Indian cricket.

With the news of the Indian selection dominating the headlines, a small matter called the World Cup was conveniently forgotten. Australia's annihilation of their Trans Tasman rivals would have filled fear in all sides. If this is what the Aussies can do to a side that was widely expected to run them close…!

The Australian batting looks too good at the moment, and the bowlers seem to be hitting the straps well and getting into a good rhythm at the right time. It would take a Herculean effort from the remaining sides to stop the Aussies from claiming their hat-trick. It would take an extremely brave heart to put the money against the reigning champions.

Lara's Magic Will Be Missed

2007-04-20T14:20:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

West Indies redeemed some of their lost pride. It was not the most clinical performance, yet effective enough to dispose of a side that has proved to be very tricky at times. With nothing in stake in terms of progress in the tournament I personally expected the hosts to be a lot more positive with their batting.

Chris Gayle's failure at the top continues to be the biggest undoing for the West Indians. Now, Brian Lara having hung up his boots for good, the onus will be on the trio of Sarwan, Chanderpaul and Gayle to take their side to the next level. If there was a singular contributor to the West Indies’ dismal performance in this World Cup it was the lack of runs from Gayle's blade.

The news obviously did not hinge around the 99-run win for Lara and his men, but the legend's decision to quit all forms of the game. It is not going to take a great cricketing brain to say the Trinidadian had at least two more seasons as a Test batsman. But this is not the time to talk about what would have happened if Lara had continued. The great batsman has left followers some rich footage to feast on.

His contributions have been great, but to me three things stand out. The first thing that comes to my memory is the unbeaten 153 against Australia at home, where he carried the team home in the company of Ambrose, and later Walsh, in what was later described as one of the greatest Test innings ever played.

The 700-odd runs he scored in Sri Lanka against Muralitharan who was at the peak of his prowess, then; other batsmen found his magic as tough as nuclear physics. That, to me, was one of the best exhibitions of stroke play against quality spin. They way Lara used his feet to counter flight was an education.

The last, but not least, was his endurance and his engrossment with tall scores. For a man who was small-built, the time he spent at the crease was simply amazing and here is one cricketer who fully deserves all the records he holds. Engaged in constant comparison with Sachin Tendulkar throughout his career, I feel Lara stood an inch tall over the Mumbaikar because of his ability to dominate attacks.

The call to quit is probably an emotional one after former greats of West Indies cricket and the media did not take the host’s ouster from the World Cup lightly. But let us all understand he has achieved enough to call it quits on his own terms. However grainy the tapes get, Brian Charles Lara will always remain green in the mind’s eye of both the connoisseur as well as the casual follower.

Moving over to the World Cup: Australia face another challenge in the form of New Zealand today. The world champs have peaked well and playing Sri Lanka and the Kiwis at the fag end of the super eight will actually work to their advantage as they would exactly know what to do against them if they have to meet them in the summit clash.

World Cup Becomes A Drab Affair

2007-04-19T15:26:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

Another fracas that had little or no meaning. Sri Lanka had brownie points at stake. That they won the game in an emphatic fashion underlined the seriousness with which they approached the battle, but what they gained, in the end, apart from a bloated net run rate, is anybody's guess.

Full marks to Ireland and Bangladesh for making the super eights. But they were clearly exposed when it came to sustaining their momentum. It clearly rendered many games extraneous. Take Bangladesh's win over South Africa and I reland’s own fifteen minutes of fame against Bangladesh out of it, and the games hardly provided the thrills a mega event should throw. The World Cup has become a bit of a drag.

This particular match, which was completed in record time, had its moments to offer. Kumar Sangakkara's acrobatic one-hander after he had moved the wrong side was a rare gem, while Maharoof, who seemed incapable of putting a fingernail wrong yesterday, effected one of the most athletic run-outs in recent history. These two efforts will form the most enduring images of the ninth World Cup.

Sri Lanka were simply unbeatable. Ireland, on the last bend of their dream run, were blown away like a sapling uprooted by a tycoon. The difference was stark and it was not good advertisement for the game.

Another match today, one of but academic interest to the remainder of the tournament - Brian Lara's match No. 298 and 299 gives him opportunities to leave on a high. With the hosts out of the tourney, much interest will revolve around the impending retirement of their captain who will at least expect his team to get their act together. Well, there is nothing wrong in leaving the stage with pride.

Far away from the Caribbean islands, there is news to be noted. The Indian selectors will sit down for one of their most intriguing meetings yet to pick the squad to tour Bangladesh. I can only hope the five-member committee does not overdo the 'youth' factor. There is nothing wrong in blooding youth but there must be a right mix of youth and experience.

There will be a lot more to talk on that subject once the team is announced. Anyway, is there much more to say about the World Cup? A tournament that has no meaning till the semi-finals begin.

England Dig Their Own Grave

2007-04-18T13:59:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

Anyone backing the English to win was going to be doing it at their own peril. Yours truly had predicted a tough run chase for either side in a high pressure game, but a target of 155 is not going to bother even the minnows, leave alone the might of the South African batting line up. More than a month after the event started we have on our hands four teams that have qualified for the knockouts and, to be honest, there should be no complaints. The teams that have progressed fully deserve their final four places.

England wasted a golden opportunity. The wicket on offer was true, and anything less than 250 was going to be a sacrilege. The copy book approach just won't work in one-day cricket; it is a waste of time in the modern era. There is nothing wrong in sticking to the basics but timely innovations are the need of the hour to survive in the shorter version. The lack of aggression was appalling and England’s over-dependence on a few batsmen only added to their misery.

Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff hold the key with the bat and Freddie's failure with the bat has upset the balance of the side hard. KP has been the bulwark of the side, and it was not his fault he failed in a crunch game. The law of averages had to catch up with him and to England's misfortune, it had to happen when they were in within striking distance of a semifinal slot. The failure of the openers and Michael Vaughan in particular spelt doom. The side lacked direction and looked wearied.

The body language of the England side left a lot to be desired. There was no aggression and coupled with it was a sense of resignation, right from the start. Unless they do something quickly about the way they approach over-specific cricket, nothing much would change. It is time they start giving importance to the shorter version too to become a force to reckon with otherwise the gulf would be for everyone to see.

Sri Lanka gets another chance to boost their NRR and the top-order will be looking at some useful batting practice when they take on Ireland today. But the manner in which the Irish have competed indicates that they should not be taken lightly. With even the semifinal pairings more or less decided, fans can watch the remaining four games in the super eights without damage to their fingernails.

Resting Key Bowlers An Ill-Advised Move

2007-04-17T15:29:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

One cannot call it complacency. But resting two of your main bowlers for a match that represents a lot more than an increase in the points table shows a lack of vision from the Sri Lankan team management. Lasith Malinga, one of their new-found hopes, was injured. His non-inclusion was mandatory. With their strike prowess already down, Lanka should have played their best bowlers in order to put some doubts in the Aussie camp.

Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas are no greenhorns. The Australian batsmen have encountered the duo in possibly every cricketing condition and themselves are no mystery to them. Why rest them? What did Sri Lanka gain by doing this? Consider this carefully - a target of 227 could have been tricky had Jayawardene been given the experienced duo.

There was a tremendous psychological advantage to be gained, had the Lankans pulled the rug from under the Aussie feet. Imagine the Indian team of 1983 upstaging the then mighty West Indies. We approached the match fully aware of the fact that if we could do it once (Manchester, in the opening game) we could repeat the act. Sri Lanka had such an opportunity (if they are to meet Australia again in the tournament) but muffed it by not playing the right men.

The tale itself did not alter much from the original script. What really stood out was the positive Aussie attitude. No, I am never going to grow tired of repeating this. They are the only side who look at the power play as a period for grabbing wickets. With some very good fielding as backup to create pressure, the wickets go down in clusters and partnerships are never allowed to prosper.

Frankly speaking, there are no great shakes about this Australian bowling. But the discipline and never say die spirit gives it a bloated look. Ponting deserves all the credit for making the team believe that there is a wicket around the corner every time. The target was never going to challenge the strong batting lineup especially with the main strike bowlers cooling their heels.

South Africa have only themselves to blame for finding themselves in this quandary. They should not have let this opportunity go to such an extent and if England are to have one good day today, it is almost certain to be pack up time for the Proteas who somehow manage to play their worst cricket during the World Cup.

Both sides are beset with similar problems. The openers have failed to get going and the skippers are not among the runs. Sides generally lift themselves when the men at the helm strike and sadly that has not been the case with Graeme Smith and Michael Vaughan. Australia run away from the rest of the sides because nine times out of ten their openers give the innings the impetus and sadly England and South Africa have been found wanting in this regard.

The team that bats first will have a definite advantage. It is a high pressure game, and the side chasing will have a lot to contend with. My instinct says the team that musters more during the power play will emerge victorious.

Bangladesh Pays The Price For Complacency

2007-04-16T14:07:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

The division between approaching a match with confidence and a slight dose of overconfidence is a thin line, and Bangladesh paid a heavy price for setting foot on the field armoured with the latter. If there is one area that Dav Whatmore has to work on with his boys, it is their ability to handle the new ball when conditions are in favour of the bowlers.

To begin with, Bangladesh found the newly attached 'favourites' tag too hot to handle. One could sense the new found Asian hope putting pressure on themselves. The last 10 overs of the Irish innings were the part of the match where Bangladesh lost the plot. If they had restricted the target to less than 225, the pressure of a climbing asking rate would have never been felt.

There was a touch of complacency in the way Bangladesh played the match and it reflected in the fielding. They wasted far too many opportunities and let the Irish get away. The knock by Porterfield was worth its weight in gold. The opener saw off the difficult phase with a gutsy display when the conditions had a lot on offer to the fast men. Runs flowed after the 150-run mark was reached and the 93 runs that came in the final 11.3 overs proved to be the decisive factor in the final analysis.

The chase was never on. Less than five runs per over does not require slam bang cricket but batsmen like Ashraful of whom a lot was expected continued to be reckless with their selection of shots. The intent was clearly missing, The rule book does not say all the runs have to be acquired in boundaries. The singles and twos were conveniently forgotten. Ireland fully deserve their place in the ICC ODI table. Beating two test-playing nations is not an easy task for a country that has not met opposition of this quality before.

The match today looks to be the dress rehearsal for the final. The Aussies must be wary of the fact the Grenada wicket is slightly on the slower side and anything above 250 to chase on a strip that is slowing down, the world champs will have their hands full.

This match may not have much consequence in relation to the semifinal line up. But if the Lankans are to emerge victorious today they would carry an enormous amount of psychological advantage in to the knock outs. The islanders also have a decent track record against the Australians in crunch games and there has been enough indications lately to believe they would give Ponting and his men a run for their money.

Toss gives Kiwis unfair advantage

2007-04-15T14:34:00.000+05:30

It was not a good advertisement for one-day cricket. Never has the toss proved more decisive. It was unfair to an extent that one team enjoyed the best of conditions while the other played 'catch up'. Even in this context of the match, though, South Africa had only themselves to blame as at least 25 runs were up for grabs and that could have tilted the balance in their favour.

The slow wicket hardly was a platform that would help stroke play but what went wrong in the power play for South Africa was their inability to rotate the strike and look busy. Gunmetal skies and Shane Bond were the ingredients that undid the Proteas, and it was a pity such a high profile game had to be decided by the spin of the coin.

With the momentum shift heavily with the Kiwis and so much catching up to do for the South Africans even part time trundlers like McMillan were able to stifle up the run rate and instill pressure on the batsmen in the slog overs.

The New Zealand fielding was also top notch. That added to the allure. Stephen Fleming did have the variety in the attack to pose problems for the batsmen and did not allow them to get settled to one type. Off-spinner Patel showed a lot of heart, and rose brilliantly to the occasion and to me he will hold the key along with Vettori if New Zealand goes on to do well in the tournament from here.

When targets are less than 200, it gives a huge psychological advantage for the side chasing and all the Kiwis had to do was bat put the quota to get to the target and they did with their customary efficiency. South Africa did not display their usually athletic fielding and paid the price.

Graeme Smith was found short on the spin department, for example if there was a high pedigree spinner like Murali in their ranks the script could have been altered। The lack of variety is going to hit the South Africans hard whenever the wickets get slow and low.

The evening today will be a major irritation for fans across the sub-continent. Who would have thought an impending India-Pakistan clash would have been substituted by a Ireland-Bangladesh tie? The giants have only their own selves to blame. The two minnows earned the right by playing good cricket in the first round. And even though the clash has been ridiculed by many, I will have to admit the match will throw some good cricket as every level of the game has its own charms to offer.

Kudos To The Aussie Attitude

2007-04-14T16:04:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

It was not a mere nine-wicket victory; it was a statement, and a very powerful one at that. The Aussie attitude was at its glowing best. Ricky Ponting could have well decided to bat on winning the toss and it would have helped his top-order to bloat their career averages and in turn set some new records, but they wanted to prove something else: The distance in class between the two sides. They did that with ruthless precision and took another huge step towards a hat-trick of titles.

The Australian fielding stood out in a clash that was expected to be one-way traffic right from the start. The intensity was high and they never took the pedal off the gas. The manner in which Mike Hussey and Andrew Symonds ran their singles and twos was testimony to their positive approach.

The half-day cricket that was available was another example on why Australia has gone ahead of the other sides in world cricket. They are playing a brand of cricket that others can only hope to catch up with. Unless they are caught chasing on a slow wicket I don't see them being beaten in this World Cup.

The match today between New Zealand and South Africa presents a contest of a different nature and much closer game is on the cards. The semifinal pairing might get altered with the result of this game. South Africa will start as favourites as they bat deeper and better.

Both sides play with a similar style and much depends on their razo- sharp fielding to keep the opposing batsmen from breaking free. New Zealand were found wanting on a few areas when they came across a tougher opponent in Sri Lanka. They have some areas to cover and the sooner they do that, the better for them.

It is another opportunity for Graeme Smith and his men to put off the Bangladesh debacle as a bad dream. These two sides to me come close to match Australia in athleticism and fitness and both sides must be there in the semis along with Lanka to provide the toughest possible fight for the world Champions. Anything less, and the defending champs look like running away with it.

Kiwis Pay The Price For Defensive Cricket

2007-04-13T13:52:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

Cricket is a game that is a battle with your own self. The opponent is a mere convenience. New Zealand, hardly tested in this tournament until they met Sri Lanka found it out the hard way that things can go awry if a team is taken out of its comfort zone. With runs hard to come by in the initial stages, the Kiwis just could not come to terms on a wicket that played better as the day wore.

Scott Styris seems to enjoy the Lankan attack, especially in the World Cup, a second successive ton against the islanders in the premier event could only delay the inevitable. No fault to him as he was caught in a catch-22 situation. Wickets fell around him and he had to resort to picking singles even after he was well set.

The damage for the Kiwis was done by the rest of the top-order. The shot selection left a lot to be desired and their over defensive tactic after a couple of early wickets helped Sri Lanka claim the upper hand. Hats of to Chaminda Vaas to have bowled line first up to set the initial trap. With the keeper standing up, things were made really difficult for the batsmen.

Murali is a master in keeping the pressure and once he did his job in the middle overs, the opponents were never going to post a total that was going to challenge Lanka who would have taken lunch fully aware that the entire target needed was 47-48 overs of staying in the middle. Nothing summed up the innings better than the maiden over bowled by Dilshan in the 46 ^th over.

Sanath has had a great World Cup thus far, and his form continues. He showed his class by going after the inexperienced bowlers. The Lankan batting looks different when he gets going. Kumara Sangakkara played himself to some form and that is a very good sign for Lanka in the coming matches.

Stephen Fleming's captaincy was too defensive at times, and bringing Mark Gillespie against the wind was a huge tactical blunder that proved very costly. Both sides are sure to be a part of the semifinal line up and this win would have served the Lankans a huge psychological advantage.

The match up today will be another mismatch. Another opportunity for the World Champions to look at new records – not that they are not eyeing them even when they are up against stronger opponents.

Interesting Duel On The Cards

2007-04-12T14:52:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

A match that had little consequence literally might have allowed England to harbour some false hopes. They did everything conceivable to hand over the match to Bangladesh who would have thoroughly rued the fact of not adding another 30 runs to their tally.

Bangladesh defended the small target with the heart of an oak tree, but having got caught in seaming conditions earlier, they were not be blamed. Their opponents had the better of the conditions after their luck with the toss.

The Bangladesh spin attack seems to have understood the nuances of over-specific cricket better than most. They bowl the right trajectory to keep the scoring to the bare minimum. They would have been better served if their top order had held on to their nerves and played out the new ball rather than go for runs.

The English continue to play drab cricket and are just not cut out for one-dayers. The over-dependence on Kevin Pietersen is growing with each passing day and the Flintoff's patchy form with the bat has hit their balance hard. With South Africa to contend with in the next game, they have their task cut out and if they are to put it past the Proteas, it would only ridicule the system.

The New Zealand-Sri Lanka game presents these two sides an ideal opportunity for both think-tanks to check where they actually stand. With semi-final spots almost assured, both the sides can afford to play some aggressive cricket. Lasith Malinga's absence will help the Kiwis no end, as he has a good track record against them.

It will be a question of who bats better. Given the strength of their attacks, the side batting first will run up a definite advantage and the spinners are certain to play a major part on a wicket that is expected to play slow and low as the game progresses.

And in Mahela Jayawardene and Stephen Fleming, the sides are led by two astute captains who have had a great part to play in their team's progress. One more encounter that would enliven a World Cup that is dragging itself along at the moment.

Lara’s Call To Field Baffling

2007-04-11T13:13:00.000+05:30

Strange, the most astute of cricket minds stop working at the most critical moments. Brian Lara's captaincy continues to be adamant. He has been hell bent on proving his own theory rather than think on what will help his side to win.

With the batting form the top-order has been before this match, the decision to chase against a strong fielding side was fool hardy. Bowling is not the host's strong point either so to insert the Proteas was a long way off from logic.

Lara had his best chance to rattle a score in excess of 270 and put the pressure on the visitors as the match held as much significance for them after the loss to Bangladesh, hence the chase would have not been that comfy.

There were too many glaring mistakes on the field. The timing of the third power play allowed the opponents too many free hits that took the game away from the West Indians. Stretching the power play to the 44 ^th over was not the solution. If wickets had been taken at regular intervals it could have been a different tale. But when there was nothing much the bowling could do, the power play should have been utilized before the batsmen had shifted to top gear.

The rampage from the 39^th over onwards showed West Indies in poor light. The body language had a sign of resignation throughout that period and there was a stage when the hosts just wanted to finish the quota and get back to the hut, there was no intensity or purpose.

Having put 350 plus on the board and gotten rid of three batsmen before the 15^th over the script was clear. Even though there was an attempt to make a match of it the task was well beyond them. Chris Gayle and Lara had to fire and sadly that did not happen and West Indies had to exit another World Cup without making the knockouts.

The match today is crucial to England and if the reports of a slow wicket are true Bangladesh would certainly fancy their chances. The advantage the Asian team has is they can approach the match with no holds barred. They have already exceeded expectations in this tournament and anything from now would only be an added bonus.

England should be wary of a spin attack that is proving to be adept at controlling the run rate well. If England are to chase a score in excess of 240, they would have their hands full. The two totally different styles is bound to throw a interesting duel.

Litmus Test For West Indies

2007-04-10T13:59:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

The batting depth in the Kiwi ranks continues to wriggle them out of tight corners. A team with lesser might down the order might have suffered an Irish embarrassment. Three teams are clearly breaking free from the rest, and no laptops or plasma television sets for guessing which they are.

Stephen Fleming has under his command a bunch of cricketers who know their role to a fault. No frills, just plain tight cricket that cover the percentages well. The bowling is coming across well, and the form of Shane Bond augurs well for their chances and gives them the cutting edge.

Not depending too much on individual brilliance has always been New Zealand’s strength, if there has been any, and it could well help them turn the corner this time around. Peter Fulton played a matured innings and the few irritating rain breaks notwithstanding, the Kiwis ran up a total that I thought was a concrete proof of their batting might. The body language and ground fielding complimented the bowling well. These guys firmly deserve the top spot they enjoy at the moment.

The match to be played today bears more significance than any other in the tournament thus far. West Indies will back themselves if the wicket is to be on the slower side. South Africa have always struggled chasing on wickets where the ball does not allow them to hit through the line. Playing with hard hands is not the solution on these tracks; there were too many soft dismissals against Bangladesh that will rankle them for a long time.

The Proteas, though, are a tough bunch and should put the reversal behind them quickly and look ahead. The hosts on the other hand are fully aware that they are on a tight rope and things can’t get worse from here. Chris Gayle has to fire to give his side the impetus. Brian Lara would not like his ODI swansong to be a whimper. If Lara bats at three it would solve a lot of problems for the hosts who need the steadying hand of their skipper.

The hosts stand a bright chance if they are to bat first and post a competitive total. If they are to bat second the chances diminish slightly if one has to go by recent records. It would be sad to see the hosts fade early. Let Lara and his men come out smiling at the end of the day, and believe me, the World Cup will have enlightened further.

Aussie Domination Continues

2007-04-09T14:01:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

The World Champions displayed champions’ stuff, but should not forget the help meted out to them by the men in the middle. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden were gone for all money by the second over. The latter was plumb in front to Anderson, while the former was struck in front by Mahmood.

Billy Bowden should never forget he has a job on hand, his innovative signals and humour are all well appreciated but unless they are laden with the right decisions the original plot is lost. A player's stature should never come in the way of an umpire’s call. A classic example is Shane Warne bagging a sizeable number of wickets by putting pressure on the umpires.

I have always held Abdul Qadir a better exponent of leg-spin than Warne. In the 80's the straighter one from the spinners never met with the approval for a LBW shout. Umpires started changing their view only from the mid-90's on this subject. Without taking a iota away from Warne, let us be honest in admitting that his standing as a player put that extra pressure on the umpires and their changed perception helped him add a lot more to his kitty.

Coming back to the match: Australia cannot be blamed for the umpire’s mistakes. It is only to their credit they made it count. England, for their part, displayed better resolve but sadly it was not enough. No team in the world can expect to be consistent if the openers continue to be consistently inconsistent. The biggest bugbear for the English has been the appalling show by Ed Joyce and Michael Vaughan.

The top-order takes time to rebuild the innings, and valuable time is lost. Promoting Andrew Flintoff as opener might have been a far shot. Then again, it might have worked. His form with the bat has been his biggest problem. With the field restrictions in place and the ball coming on to the bat, Flintoff could have turned a corner and it would have solved two problems for England in one shot. Another batsman would have also added to the depth.

The Aussie juggernaut continues to roll. It seems to have answers to every question posed. It is going to take something extraordinary from either New Zealand or Sri Lanka to stop the men from Down Under from clinching their third successive World Cup। At the moment, no other side apart from the above mentioned two seem to have the wherewithal, or the ammunition, or the game plan, to come anywhere near upsetting the Aussie applecart.

In other matters of note, the Google cricket blogging contest is still wide open, moreso than this tournament if comparisons are to be drawn. Remember to send in your entries soon. I will be thrilled to keep pace with your posts!

World Cup Gets An Open Look

2007-04-08T14:31:00.000+05:30

It is nice to be proved wrong a few times, especially when your prediction
leaves you mug-faced, yet lights up a world Cup. Bangladesh continued their
giant killing run thanks some much disciplined cricket at the outset. The
key to the minnows’ (can we continue with that term?) success was continuing to
be positive with the bat in spite of wickets falling around them.

Mohd. Ashraful played an innings that was innovative and also laced with
risks but that is the advantage one carries when you are not expected to come
first. His shot selection was exemplary. It looks great when it comes,
and draws some serious flak when it fails, but it was his day, and it turned
out well. The square drive he played was reminiscent of a GRV in his pomp
and majesty.

The slow nature of the wicket helped the cause for Bangladesh. The wicket
was anyway on the slower side and Graeme Smith should have batted first to
make the best of the conditions. Bowling in the slog has been the Proteas’
problem area and the sameness in the attack is not helping them either.
Batsmen get used to it, and if a team can preserve wickets, the last 10 can be a
good hunt.

The Bangla bowlers must be given credit for bowling stump to stump and
holding a tight leash that set the trap. The fielding standards helped a
disciplined attack look better and the two run-outs were special. It was a
win for self-belief and covering the percentages well. The bottom half has
opened up well and the final spot could be anybody's and it is good for the
event that looked going one-way till yesterday.

Team India would have been ideal in the present conditions. The wickets are
slowing down and spinners would have had a large part to play. In the
present scenario Sri Lanka have their brightest chance and look the likeliest
team to upset the Aussie applecart.

The match today has more stakes to it after the upset yesterday. If the
Aussies are to encounter a run chase on slow wicket, Monty Panesar and Paul
Collingwood could be a handful. The English batting is also showing signs of
improvement -- and I am not going to make predictions here! If England can pull
it off it would give the tournament the much needed fillip.

A total in excess of 250, if England were to bat first, would make interesting
viewing. I wouldn't mind getting up weary-eyed on Monday morning. Take my word, it’ll be worth it.

A Worthwhile Exercise

2007-04-07T17:03:00.000+05:30

It was worthwhile. It was also an excuse to bump into some old pals and renew memories. As far as the main agenda items ere concerned, it did go on well. The key task areas were identified and all the main points were touched upon. Emphasis was laid on promotion of junior cricket and selection of junior teams.

The job of a selector from now (I hope) should be a paid job, and they can only be held accountable when they are compensated for their time and effort. The zonal system could be done away with, but that has been a concept for a long time and it might take some time for the BCCI to eradicate that procedure.

The revamp of the Ranji Trophy was highly commendable. The format from now could be that the top 10 teams play the elite on a round robin format, and the remaining teams could be divided in to three zones and the top team from each zone go on to progress to the top tier for the ensuing season and the bottom three from the elite slip to the lower rung. This can throw up some tight competition and produce some better and importantly well-prepared cricketers. The wickets would hold the key, though; the condition of wickets will have to be made truer so performance correctly reflects the players standing.

The A-tour concept was mooted mainly because younger players can do away with their fear when they encounter bouncier tracks and bowler-friendly conditions, and they feel at home when the travel with the senior side.

The NCA has been identified as the supply source - not it was not doing it earlier - the role only gets bigger now. Each zone will have a facility that would measure to the standards set by the NCA and work will also start on each association having their own indoor facility.

I stuck to my stand on an 'Indian' coach and was happy to see my good friend and opening partner Ravi Shastri appointed as the cricket manager for the tour of Bangladesh. I am sure it is the first of the many good moves the BCCI is going to take. A review meeting has been proposed every three months and the board is considering it.

Only when I came back out of the meeting did I realize there is to be a match on between South African and Bangladesh. The Proteas are far ahead on paper, and should wallop the next best Asian hope. It is a game of glorious uncertainties but this match looks not to fall in to that trap.

Meeting Should Provide The Answers

2007-04-06T13:34:00.000+05:30

A touch nervy for a start. By the time this column appears on the world wide web or in print, the BCCI meeting that involves some of the greatest to have graced the game would be well and truly on its way.

The focal point of discussion will be on the appointment of a new coach. I am certainly on for an Indian coaching Team India. The reasons are too obvious to be stated and I have written or said a lot on that already, and I don't believe I need to dwell on those points anymore.

There will also be a lot of talk on the resurrection of the first class system in the country. Believe me, there is good talent that is available, but the wickets on which our first class cricket is played does not prepare these young players for the sterner tests which international cricket throws up.

When I was the chairman of the pitch committee, I made an honest attempt to make the pitches, at least those of the major venues, livelier. But it was not an easy task, given the way our surfaces are made out. It was to be a long drawn process. I felt we lost track somewhere.

Here are my views, in short form, on the matter: domestic cricket should be treated better by the media. I hear the players are going to be given a substantial hike, which is as it should be. Better and truer wickets, along with the above said, will make the domestic scene worthwhile.

Unless there is a good reservoir, the team is going to face crisis regularly. And for that to happen, all points have to fall in place quickly. I am not trying to please anyone when I say thanks to the BCCI for having the faith in former cricketers to address one of the biggest crises to have hit Indian cricket.

Well, there is going to be no cricket at the World Cup for two days, and the meeting could not have been timed better. We can keep our focus solely on the meeting. But one thing is getting clear in the Caribbean: Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa (not in that order) are breaking free from the other sides and are sure to make the knockouts.

Any other team making it to the next stage is as likely as snowfall in my city.

England Light Up The World Cup

2007-04-05T15:09:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

It was only along expected lines. The partnership could not have continued, with so many glaring differences. With Greg Chappell's resignation comes an end to a very eventful and, of late, unsavoury chapter in Indian cricket.

Till the very end, the Indian coach did not agree that he was a part of the bunch that failed at the World Cup and only continued to play the blame game. If the attitude of the players was not up to the mark, he should have made a point about that before the World Cup and not after the debacle in the West Indies.

The rift and the so-called divide between the seniors and juniors could have been averted (if at all there was one). Chappell should have addressed these problems, or reported it to the BCCI as and when it happened. Using things to his convenience after a bad result does not talk highly of a person who did almost everything as a player and captain right, except instruct his younger brother to bowl underarm to ensure victory at all costs.

It was a mixed bag as far results are concerned in the last 22 months, but the team at the moment is an insecure lot and for the boys to regroup might take some time. But the advantage is the next assignment is against Bangladesh, where the team has all the chance to get back to their best. The season that follows is one of the most grueling and it is not only going to test the skill of the players but also the mental tenacity of the lot.

There were other small matters that surrounded the world of cricket when England played Sri Lanka at St. Peter's. England, for once, played to potential and if they had won it would have really opened up this World Cup and made things a lot more interesting.

England's biggest Achilles’ heel has been its openers. Michael Vaughn is hardly the inspiring figure he used to be. Joyce is nervy. The duo's failure at the top is costing them dearly. Their body language is also not very positive and the bowling that looked good was only aiming to be restrictive, rather than look at wickets. This, to me, made the difference between the two sides.

England also left the task undone for too long. The middle overs ticked by without much scoring being done and if not for the heroic effort from Ravi Bopara, Sri Lanka would have won comfortably. England though can take a lot of positives from this show and approach the upcoming games with assurance. Ravi Bopara's success is a shot in the arm for the English who might well have envisaged a back door entry to the final four when he was at the crease.

Cricket At Its Boring Best

2007-04-04T12:48:00.000+05:30

The chaff is on its final stretch, he top four clearly visible. If this World Cup has no more upsets in store, then Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka should take their rightful spots in the semifinals. The difference in class between the above mentioned teams and the rest in the super eights is as clear as crystal.

Ireland tried their best and came second-best, by a long distance. Most of the games in the second stage are becoming a big yawn, and a futile exercise. South Africa must watch out for the number of runs that leak in the final ten. They have to get tighter, or higher-ranked sides might just trample over them.

When results are a foregone conclusion, add heavily priced tickets and little amusement, and your grounds are nearly empty. Television viewing has also dwindled; a difficult time zone to accommodate in the sub-continent has had its part to play.

The scheduling of matches in the super eight has left a lot to be desired. Only a handful of matches have produced good contests. The one that involved South Africa and Sri Lanka was worthy. Same way today's game between Sri Lanka and England holds promise. Sri Lanka, though, seems to have hit the straps better than England. The slower nature of the wickets give added advantage to the Islanders.

It is going to be a difficult match to predict, as the two sides play with a style that is totally distinct from each other. The Lankans rely on instinct and spin, while England try to grow on discipline and hinge on pace. The fans have been devoid of quality stuff, so the best we can hope for is a keenly contested match.

India might have been ousted but continue to hit the headlines. It was good to see Sachin Tendulkar come out in the open and voice his displeasure. No player, whatever be his stature, would ever like his attitude questioned. And to someone who has done so much for Indian cricket for more than 17 years, it would have been difficult to digest.

The blame game has definitely gone past the point of no return, as I mentioned earlier. I don't see a cordial atmosphere in the dressing room if Greg Chappell continues to be the Indian coach. It is time to move on and appoint someone who will understand the players better.

This Blame Game Must Stop

2007-04-03T13:27:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

If the reports that suggest a row between the senior players and coach Greg Chappell hold truth, then Indian cricket finds itself in its messiest state in a long time. What I have been unable to fathom is the regular leak of content to the media, especially if it is a report from Greg Chappell. Every one except the intended recipients seems to have the news much in advance.

The 'seniors' have been in the news for the wrong reasons. Let us get this right; to me there are four seniors in the side: Sachin, Dravid, Kumble and Sourav. The first two will not stop the growth of youngsters in the side because there is no threat to their place in the team (at least till the World Cup) and they are players who have proved beyond doubt that they belong and never need to feel insecure.

Kumble, for all I know, is not the kind of player who is going to sabotage a youngster's career. Cast your mind back to February 2001. Kumble braving an injured arm helping a young Harbhajan before the grueling series against Australia is still a vivid memory, and for a player who has always put the team interest first, these things would be last on the list. Sourav has just made his return and he is not to resort to such tactics. So which senior player is Chappell talking about? Harbhajan and Sehwag are two experienced campaigners and if Chappell felt they were acting against the interest of the team, he should have pulled them up personally and had a chat with them instead of going public with his views.

There is a forum that has been given to him to submit his report, and Chappell using his 'friends' in the media to get the news out before it could be discussed in the appropriate forum does not speak highly of his methods. Right from the moment he took over the reins of Indian cricket, he has resorted to his policy of divide and rule. It worked with the ouster of Sourav and he is trying his hand again now.

Another area where Chappell has been found wanting is not understanding his role within Indian cricket. He is not the messiah who is here to clean up the system. He is a paid professional whose job was to ensure the Indian team more victories. Sadly, that never happened. Instead he has played the blame game from day one. There is no denying the fact the coach and captain must be given the side they want. The squad that played the Champions Trophy or the one that travelled to the World Cup was the best India had at that point of time, so there are no excuses. Backing guys like Suresh Raina or a under performing Kaif was not based on logic.

The damage has already been done and there is no point brooding over it. Things can get only better for Team India from this point. Let the BCCI use this as an opportunity to usher in a fresh start. Axing the captain or a major portion of the team is only going to make things worse. Let sanity prevail and selection in the future be based on merit rather than emotion.

Greg Chappell's failure is another reminder on how great players need not make it big as a coach. 7110 Test runs at an average of above 53 did not ensure success as a coach. A proven failure as coach at levels, be it South Australia or the Indian team, I feel he is just not cut out for the job.

He is the one who harped on the 'perform or perish' mantra and it is time Chappell understood he has not performed. The time has come. It is time for the board to look at a new coach who will understand the Indian psyche better and keep the side as one fighting unit, rather than let infighting grow to such an extent it paralyses performance.

The rift between the players and the coach has gone past the point of no return. There is no point in continuing with a coach who does not see the larger picture and work cordially with the players.

Sanath Constructs Another Masterpiece

2007-04-02T15:30:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

The chasm between the top-sides and the also-rans is getting mightier by the minute. Sri Lanka proved beyond doubt they are a side not to be taken lightly. No doubt the match revolved around the trailblazing blade of Sanath Jayasuriya and later his crafty bowling skills. But the others chipped in as well and the Lankans performing as a team augurs well for a side that has always been seen as a proverbial under achiever away from home.

The knock from Sanath was an eye-opener. The daggers came out right after the 2003 World Cup and when he visited India a few seasons back he was written off as a spent shell. The way he has picked himself in the last two years and amassed runs is reflective of his combative nature and extraordinary self belief.

Sachin Tendulkar who has been under the scanner after the world Cup debacle, can pick a few important points from Jayasuriya. Naturally attacking batsmen should never resort to defensive cricket, I tried it a few times and came only second best, not for a moment am I comparing myself with Sachin but the crux of the matter is stroke makers should play their natural game and Sachin if he has to leave the game with his head held high must continue to attack. Adam Gilchrist another annihilator of attacks does not hold himself back in the twilight of his career so why should Sachin?

Jayasuriya's owes his success to his eye sight. A good eye is the lead up to picking the length early and bat speed and hand-eye co-ordination is only a by product. Great attacking batsmen, be it past or present, have possessed a great eye and Sanath has that in abundance and he is a glowing example on how one can go mug faced when writing of a legend.

The match as such was only a good mismatch, though my prediction came right, it once again exposed the limitations in the Caribbean ranks. Sri Lanka proved a far superior side man to man and had the answers to represent every situation. They played the percentage game better and as I had said earlier every player in the side understands his role correctly and that is the secret of their success.

The West Indian approach left a lot to be desired. Chasing a target in excess of 300 requires a bold approach and the hosts did not make an attempt go after the attack and take the fight to the opposition. It was another game that was robbed of its competitive flavor and the writing was clear after Brian Lara left in the eleventh over.

image courtesy cricinfo.com

The tournament goes on promising a good game of cricket but hardly delivering it. Followers of the game can hope for another miracle today. Bangladesh can take a lot out of their win in the warm up game against the Kiwis and go full throttle. The Kiwis for their part have peaked well and prove to be more than a handful for the other Asian hope.

Aussie Attitude Commendable

2007-04-01T14:25:00.000+05:30

The tale went perfectly to script. The Australian's continue to stamp their authority displaying the same intensity irrespective of their opponents ranking. This has been the hallmark of Ponting and his men, what ever be the strength of the side they are up against they don't give an inch and the game with Bangladesh only furthered the proof.

With a truncated game, Bangladesh might have an envisaged an upset and rightly so. A lesser team need not keep the momentum going for a long duration and all they had to do was have one good hour in the middle, but sadly Australia did not allow them a minute.

It is also time we took our focus away from the batting of the World champions who have bludgeoned every attack thus far and concentrate and pay deserving credit to their bowlers, especially to one certain Glen McGrath. Bowling in the corridor with great acumen and discipline he created havoc and Adam Gilchrist standing up to the wicket did only compound the batsmen's misery. They were caught in a web on whether to attack or defend.

The batting of Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden would have sent a shiver down anyone's spine and that Bangladesh was reduced to mere spectators in that onslaught was not their fault. Bigger attacks have been reduced to shreds.

Getting to today's fixture between Sri Lanka and West Indies, my money would be on Lanka।They have the necessary ammunition as far their bowling goes. The all-rounder’s in T. Dilshan, Vass and Maharoof give them the cutting edge. The batting might be their weak link but the hosts do not have enough to expose the chink.

The visitors have a team that is shaping up nicely and do not depend on individual brilliance like the hosts। There is an overt concern when Chris Gayle or Brain Lara fail, no such problems for Jayawardene if Jayasuriya is to fail. They still have other areas where they can cover up and play the percentage well.

There is no doubt the match will throw a much weightier contest than what we saw yesterday। The result could hinge on who is to chase as the team batting first have not had it easy in the first 10 overs and the wicket sort of eases in the second half. All said this could be one of the keenly contested games we have all been waiting for.

all images courtesy cricinfo.com

India Continues To Dominate Headlines

2007-03-31T11:54:00.000+05:30

As all good things must come to an end, so should Anil Kumble's ODI career. The strike rate may not truly reflect the yeomen service he did when in coloured clothing but he will be well and truly missed. Anil was just coming in to the Indian team when I was at the twilight of my career as a player and I had the opportunity to travel with him, if I remember right, only once, to Sharjah for the Australasia Cup.

The thing that stuck me from day one was his fierce commitment. His intent was unmistakable even during the early days, though not in full grasp of his craft then he would make up by his never say die attitude. To me he was the embodiment of a foot soldier, always putting his hands up when the team needed him most. His batting his Test cricket was or rather is fighting proof of his fine qualities.

His heroic show in the West Indies in 2002 will remain a part of Indian cricket folklore. With a jaw heavily strapped, he continued to bowl and that to me was the most defining moment of his long and distinguished career thus far. Anil the human was no different from Anil the bowler. The aggression was the only ingredient that went amiss. He struck to the basics as he does on the field has always been courteous and was always willing to help, be it his friends on the field or off it.

Now that he has wished to hang his boots from the maddening world of one-day cricket, he can spend more time with the goodwill causes he is involved with, his kids and more importantly his new found passion: photography. What this decision of Anil also means is an extended test career and Team India could not have hoped for it better in the longer version.

Then there were other things that dominated the headlines and Ian Chappell's call for Sachin Tendulkar's retirement was the biggest apart from the one that hinged around Kumble. Ian is one of the cricketer's I respect and admire. He has always comes across as a very honest bloke who speaks his mind but retirement to me is always a personal thing and it is the player concerned who will be in the best position to take a call. No one will know Sachin's body and reflex batter than him.

My cricketing acumen might be spoofed when I say Sachin has at least two more seasons of top flight cricket left in him but that is the truth. His boyish enthusiasm and his liking towards being in the thick of things has not diminished a wee bit, the only concern has been the way he has deserted his natural flamboyance. He has taken too much on his shoulders for long, it is time he gives him the freedom to play his natural and attacking game and believe me he has something more to offer Indian cricket.

Sachin with his experience would be the father figure to guide the team out of the mess they are in at the moment. His experience would come in handy. For a player who has achieved so much on the cricket field, it is imperative for him to leave on a high.

Then there was some cricket after all at the World Cup। England won a cricket match but lacked the intensity. If the eternal bridesmaid of World Cup cricket have to take a leap they have to be more assertive like the Aussies। They have a slim outside chance to make the knockouts but for that to happen they have to be more aggressive otherwise the script would not be any different much like the previous eight editions.

all images courtesy cricinfo.com

Windies Are Losing The Plot

2007-03-30T11:39:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

By the look of things so far in the super eight, New Zealand might emerge the only side that can seriously stretch the World Champions. The Kiwi juggernaut rolled almost flawlessly against the hosts, who are making things extremely hard for themselves by playing some outdated cricket.

In hindsight, it was a good toss to lose for Brian Charles Lara. There was no pressure of a target yet they played like there were bound by some invisible chain. Stroke makers look like horror stories when they don't play their natural game. There was no sense in a player like Chris Gayle prodding around; he is never going to win matches for West Indies by making an obdurate hundred batting out the full quota.

There are batsmen in the side with specific tasks. They must adhere to that. The problem with the West Indian line up is the role for each player is not clearly defined. Lara looked good in the knock against Australia, but there was a sense of 'wicket protection' in his knock against New Zealand. The Caribbean players should resort to their natural and attacking cricket. Then they will have a better chance of surviving in the tournament.

It was not a pleasant sight for me, personally, to actually see the hosts capitulate. Let me admit it: I was brought up admiring the likes of Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards and Gordon Greenidge, and to see such a dynasty crumble like this is not good for world cricket.

Stephen Fleming, who is leading a well-tuned unit, is actually doing a fine job as a skipper. The batting order, which has often been wayward, has a semblance of solidity to it now. Fielding has always been their strength, but the biggest bonus for them is the form and rhythm of Shane Bond who with almost a magic touch gets the breakthrough when Fleming throws the ball to him.

The Kiwis really look set for bigger things in this World Cup. It is time they shed their 'also ran' tag and reached the summit. It would be a fitting tribute to a well-knit team.

It is also going to ask a lot of the analysts today to keep listeners engrossed in a match that resembles a minor county tie . It will be one-way traffic, barring a Herculean effort from the Irishhmen. To talk about upsets is OK, and to call this a game of glorious uncertainties is all fine, but if Ireland is going to get past England then the next game featuring Ireland will no more be mismatched.

Even upsets will have their charm only if they are far and few between. Based on cricketing merit, I will back the English to sail through this one comprehensively.

Malinga Lights Up Murky Day

2007-03-29T13:08:00.000+05:30

What looked like one way traffic for a good part was suddenly brought alive by a slinger whose hairdo gets more headlines than his ability to deliver unplayable in-swinging Yorkers. To Lasith Malinga should the credit go for producing the most significant spell in recent limited overs history. Pity the effort had to go in vain.

South Africa have always had their fair share of problems when chasing targets. And self doubts would have returned to haunt them after this close encounter, while Sri Lanka's confidence will have received a major boost after this lion-hearted show in the field.

Malinga brings back memories of two fast bowlers who terrorized batsmen all over the world - Jeff Thomson of Australia for his action and Waquar Younis of Pakistan for his ability to swerve the ball in to the toes of the batsman. It was a remarkable fight back by the bowler who was seen as the weak link in the attack.

Sri Lanka have one problem to address at the moment and that is the form of skipper Jayawardene. It is always a problem for the team composition if the captain is not delivering the goods and it would be for the better of his team's fortunes if Jayawardene finds his feet quickly.

Australia proved beyond doubt on what stuff they are made of, even on a wicket that suited their style of play the least. But with this commanding win over the West Indies, they have served a severe warning to all other sides in the competition. Their weakest link is their bowling, but even that department seems to be picking up. Backed by some excellent fielding, they will be as good as any other side in the tournament.

The game today between New Zealand and West Indies is very crucial as games involving these two teams and Sri Lanka is likely to decide the outcome of the super eight and pilot the final four entry. On paper the Kiwis look more organized, but if Chris Gayle can fire, West Indies will look an entirely different team. Promises to be a razor sharp contest.

The Aussie Approach Refreshing

2007-03-28T14:04:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

The bludgeoning effect of Matthew Hayden was almost scary. The ball did not come on to the bat, and the drive on the up would have been suicidal, but his long reach and extended levers ensured he would take most of the bowling on the front foot and his exhibition of batsmanship was art, science and action all rolled in to one. It was more like watching a good Bollywood flick embedded with the art element.

I am never going to get tired of the Australian approach and I hope the readers are going to feel the same. The feeling is much along the lines of 'if you can't avoid it, enjoy it'. There was never a dull moment in the game and even the opponents, I am sure, have taken a liking to their approach. It used to be the same when we played against the West Indies during their pomp. Every opponent, in some corner of his heart, wanted the likes of Sir Viv Richards and Gordon Greenidge to do well and it is the same with this Aussie bunch.

The knock by Hayden could not have come at a better venue. The scenic ground named after the legendary Master Blaster was fitting to play host to this daredevil attack। The depth in the Aussie ranks allows the Aussie batsmen the freedom, but to have it is one thing and to make use of it is quite another.

The World Champions might have only one problem and that is the form of Mike Hussey। 20 runs from four innings is not what you expect from one of the better limited overs batsmen in the world. I feel Ricky Ponting missed a trick here by not promoting him in one of the preliminary games where a decent time in the middle could have helped Hussey with his rhythm.

Andrew Symonds is a threat to any attack but he is paying the price for trying to hit the ball hard। Batsmen on a comeback trail always run in to this problem. The timing wont be there and the easier resort is to go at the ball with hard hands and that is the mistake the burly Queenslander is making at the moment.

With someone with the potential of Brad Hodge sitting out, Ponting and his men can get away with murder as at least two in the top seven are going to crack it. This is not good news for the rest of the teams.

The match now gets to the reserve day and the West Indies will have to bat out of their skins to get to the target of 323. Brain Lara and Chris Gayle hold the key, as the Aussies will look for another kill and a potential last four spot.

Lara did the right thing by putting the opponents in, but the way he handled the middle overs left a lot to be desired. There were moments in the game where the batsmen were never under any strain to pick their singles. The target might have just stretched itself to a 'can't reach' zone from a manageable one.

A Cracker Beckons

2007-03-27T13:01:00.000+05:30

The real business starts today. The prelims threw up their share of surprises and threw two sub-continental giants out of the tournament. Conditions in the Caribbean were supposed to suit India and Pakistan more than some of the other teams, but sadly all it took was one tricky opponent and a boatful of self doubts to carry the two former champions to the exit door. It was another example of how the World Cup should be viewed differently and not taken lightly as other tourneys.

It would be extremely difficult for fans in India and Pakistan to digest the fact that their team s will not be competing in the second stage of the event but let us understand the show must go on and the two sides did not deserve a place in the next stage.

Sorry for the cliché, but the opening game in the Super-Eight offers a mouth watering contest. Australia in their current form should start as favourites but with the funny twists the shorter version can throw up, one must be very brave to put one’s money entirely on the World Champions.

I have my reasons to believe that the West Indies will push the Aussies hard. The hosts have not hit the right form with the bat, as the scorecards suggest, but all it needs is one tornado from the broad blade of Chris Gayle or Brian Lara to equate things in the middle. Gayle is long overdue for a big one, and Lara always reserves his best for the Aussies.

image courtesy cricinfo.com

If the West Indies were to bat first and post a total in excess of 270, we have a good game on our hands - the wickets slow down considerably, and the West Indian attack has the right ideas on these conditions. The spin of Gayle and Samuels will play a major role and it will all boil down to how the West Indians can keep up with the Australian intensity.

Ricky Ponting on the other hand has some happy problems to deal with. Mike Hussey has not been amongst the runs but can come good the moment he is allowed to bat for a reasonable period of time. (That has not happened thus far). The return of Andrew Symonds has given the required fillip to the batting while all the other batsmen are tonking the ball as if it is their birthright.

There are some chinks in the bowling department, as the Proteas proved, but given the kind of batting depth they possess and the ability to save a fair chunk with their athletic fielding, the minor shortcomings in the bowling department is likely not to pose problems.

It looks a good match on paper; I am putting my money on Australia, but not discounting the Windies, especially if they are to set a target.

Time We Learnt From Our Mistakes

2007-03-26T14:06:00.000+05:30

Now even the slender thread by which India's chances rested in this World Cup is gone, and it is time for some serious introspection. The hype that surrounded the event suggested that India has a god-given grant to return with the World Cup but as we all learnt bitterly, the truth was far from it.

Effigies will be burnt, houses will be stoned and players will need an extra cover of security when they land, but this entire thing is not new to Indian cricket or the cricketers. The truth to be learnt is expectations should be proportional to reality. The media has had its part to play in making the common cricket fan believe the World Cup win was a possibility, and that includes yours truly.

Even before the first rays of Caribbean sunshine hit the Indian players, the talking point was the super eight. A preliminary stage that had two tricky opponents was conveniently forgotten. In the Champions Trophy, all the men in blue were able to achieve was a hard-fought win over England. So, on the big stage, the team has achieved one notable win in their last six games (forget Bermuda for a minute) and that is never going to be enough to satisfy a billion fans.

The lessons are yet to be learnt. Speculation is rife on who the next skipper and coach will be. Without mentioning names let all of us who follow the game understand one thing: The best available XI has to be picked, and the best man to lead the side will have to be picked from that lot, otherwise the present selection committee will be repeating some old mistakes.

The money that flows in to the game in this part of the world is phenomenal, but that alone cannot guarantee success in the field of play. The English Premier League or the NBA might have made football and basketball popular and rich in England and the USA respectively, but that has not led to the national teams doing well on the international stage.

In the same way, the game lacks nothing in this country. We have money, infrastructure and more importantly the first class structure (sans the wicket) that can produce good cricketers. But sadly there is something amiss in the links that we have to identify quickly, and rectify.

Indian cricket will have a tough road to travel after this debacle and it will be some time before the advertisers start to regain confidence in the game as a viable medium. But all this should do more good to Indian cricket than bad. The hard lessons will have to be learnt and the right path has to be taken from here. Let us not get too emotional and consider this only a sport, then the two imposters can be treated equally.

All said and done, the players have let the fans down, and the blame cannot be on pressure that is created by the media and fans. When the players bask in glory when they win and enjoy every second of the go- like status bestowed on them they should also be ready to face the flak when they fail. As a professional sportsman, one has to learn to live with the weight of expectations.

It is time the media, and that includes yours truly, presents the game responsibly. And die-hard followers should understand this team is not as good as it looks or made out to be. There is scope for improvement with the given talent, provided they learn from their mistakes.

Aussies Approach Refreshing

2007-03-25T15:09:00.000+05:30

The message was clear for South Africa. The Aussies have not liked the No. 1 tag taken away from them. It was cricket at it intense best, and was a refreshing change from some of the low-key affairs this World Cup has dished out. It was over-specific cricket the way it should be played. Good attacking batting and superlative fielding. Australia came out well in the end, but to me if it is these two sides which meet again in the final, the spectators would have got their money's worth and the World Cup would have a match to remember.

What I like most about the World Champions is the positive approach. The plan is the same whether the scoreboard reads 10 for two or 100 for no loss. The depth in batting allows their batsmen to go after the bowling irrespective of the situation. Mike Hussey, one of the better batsmen in world cricket at the moment, does not even get a chance in the middle. And with a rejenuvated Andrew Symonds back in action it is time we save a prayer for bowlers around the planet.

The present Aussie batting can find parallel only with the West Indies team of the late 70's and early 80's for whom attack was the best form of defence. I can vividly remember the halcyon days of Sir Viv Richards, who put the fear of god in bowlers. As a captain, I always searched for answers when the opposing batsmen went after the attack. The natural course when a team is on the rampage is to plug the flow of runs and taking wickets is the last priority. This is what the Australians are so good at: the pressure on the fielding side is always there, and the upper hand is always maintained.

The fielding from both sides was of a different level and a far cry from what other sides have been able to do. It was fascinating for the sheer viewing pleasure it offered. Pity the match took a one-way turn towards the end. I thought if the Proteas had batted first they could have run the defending champs close.

The other match between England and Kenya proved how two teams are playing cricket at the moment and how others are playing catch up. A dull and drab contest that went according to the form book. The only solace was the trio of Collingwood, Flintoff and KP will be in action against better sides and that is a contest worth seeing.

And finally the day India would have dreaded. Hoping for Bermuda to do well on the cricket pitch for them to progress to the next stage of the World Cup does not augur well for the health of our own cricket.

Blog On Cricket, Yourself!

2007-03-24T20:51:00.000+05:30

Friends, it’s great to see the all this scrutiny and constructive criticism coming out in the wake of disappointment for the fans of Team India. In the spirit of this personal interaction between me and all of you on my blog, it is my personal interest to hear YOUR point of view. Currently, I’m judging a cricket blogging contest, where I would love to hear all of your views. Simply sign up, so that I can follow your thoughts and views on a daily basis, and have a chance at being heard by all our cricket-loving Internet public! I’ll bookmark and host my personal favourites in the near future. I’m looking forward to hearing from all you enthusiastic commentators, web journalists and true lovers of the game.

Disgrace In Defeat

2007-03-24T11:57:00.000+05:30

image courtesy cricinfo.com

Team India paid the price for some unimaginative cricket while it was just a reward for Sri Lanka for displaying grit, aggression and, more importantly, possessing a gameplan. The decision to bowl first was the right move without doubt. It gave Dravid and his men the best of the conditions. The ball did enough in the air early on and the wicket offered bounce. And when it was India's turn to bat the strip had eased out considerably and the target of 255 should have been achieved with much to spare.

What the team lacked in totality was confidence. With the writing clearly on the wall, India should have approached the match fearlessly. A no holds barred approach would have at least given the team better sleep. Most of the pressure the team found itself under was self inflicted. Sourav and Sachin looked nervy for no reason. Batting out 50 overs would have ensured India the win but sadly wickets at regular intervals, which ensured that no sizeable partnerships were built, led to the downfall.

The knock by Sehwag clearly indicated there were no demons in the pitch. If a player who is battling poor form can show this assurance, it should not been out of the world for the others to follow suit. Chaminda Vaas was at his usual steady self, while Muralitharan continues to mesmerize. The duo should have been played out. If India had played the two safely without giving them a wicket the pressure would have got to the other bowlers and even a asking rate of six per over could have met without ado. The decision to go after the experienced pair lacked logic.

Murali, after going for a few in his first over, switched to bowling from round the wicket and that to me was a masterstroke. He cut down the angle and with the doosra that would always keep the batsmen guessing he became a handful. Dhoni who presented the last ray of hope paid the penalty for playing on the backfoot to a spinner who can turn a mile. It was a judgmental error, any player at this level would tell to stick your pad out in the beginning of the innings to a spinner unless the ball is pitched in the bowlers half.

The dismissal of Yuvraj summed up the match. With pressure mounting, the confusion got to the youngster, and much like what has happened to the Indian side after their landing in the Caribbean.

The India bowling was good in parts, but allowing the Lankans to claw back through Chamara Silva and Tillakaratne Dilshan cost the match. The body language of the entire side when Russel Arnold and Vaas went berserk in the final five overs was awful.

Heads will definitely, and should, roll, and the senior members in the side should take responsibility for this sad result. The Greg Chappell-Rahul Dravid combine had too many experiments but very little positive result to offer. Lessons were served especially when the team was winning but there was no concrete effort to learn from them. Victories in familiar conditions will continue but good teams would be remembered on how well they did when they were taken out of their comfort zone.

Bermuda might cause a sensational upset by beating Bangladesh and pave the way for the men in blue to enter the super eight, but that was not the way it was meant to be. India does not deserve their place in the next stage after this show. Hard and fair decisions will have to be made when the team returns, but my only hope is that the learning starts at least now. The defeat and the manner of it was a disgrace.

Footage of Kapil Dev on the Lords balcony with the Prudential Trophy is getting grainier by the minute, and it is time the present bunch does something worthwhile in the coming months to restore the confidence in the billons of supporters who are fast losing interest and hope.

Double Or Nothing For Team India

2007-03-23T11:28:00.000+05:30

The men in blue will know for sure their homecoming will not be a happy one if they are unable to put it across to Sri Lanka. Time to throw the defeat against Bangladesh to the trash can and get on with the job in hand. The situation for Dravid and his boys is not dissimilar to what we faced in 1983. Luckily for India the net run rate is no more a concern, and all they need is a win and if they can do it they will go to the super eight as one of the strong forces to reckon with.

The psychological edge India have over Sri Lanka should stand them in good stead. The recent victories, even though they were achieved at home, suggest the Indians have a fair measure of the Islanders. The Indian attack, that has looked pedestrian in parts, will be up against a set of batsmen who are oozing with confidence.

Sanath Jayasuriya looks dangerous and it is important for India not to feed him on his strengths. Bowling close to his body and tucking him for space is the key. He is going to be murderous on anything that allows him to free his levers, but if he can be tied down initially with disciplined bowling, he is likely to succumb.

The team that played Bermuda looks like the closest the think tank could get at in terms of balance. But I would like a solitary change – in Irfan Pathan coming in for Ajit Agarkar, who has looked patchy. Pathan stretches the batting, and depth is very important in a crunch game. Pathan has always done well against Lanka, and if he can slip in six to eight overs without being bled for too much and chip in with some useful runs, he will have done his job.

The most important phase of the match is the middle overs. Sri Lanka have the knack of getting through this period quickly with some tight slow bowling backed up by some athletic fielding inside the cordon. India should graft and ensure a minimum of four singles are obtained every over and keep the scoreboard ticking.

The batting order should not be tampered with. Robin Uthappa should open in Sourav's company. Dravid at three and Sachin at four gives an opportunity to the best batsmen in the side to stay until the end. Shewag at five brings in the ammunition to counter the spinners who will be doing the bulk of the bowling at that stage. In Dhoni and Yuvraj, the team is equipped with two fantastic end game players and paper the batting looks a solid bet.

Anil Kumble will be the better option against Lanka, as his pace does not allow the batsmen to use their feet. The likes of Jayawardene and Sangakkara are nimble footed against the flighted delivery, and would be more at home against Harbhajan. Sehwag with his control and Yuvraj with his new found flatter trajectory can make up for Harbhajan.

With Sri Lanka already certain of their spot in the next stage, India also stands to carry points if they win. It is blessing in disguise for India: they stand to gain everything if they win. Team India would have ideally liked their spot in the super eight booked before their last preliminary match, but having got in to this hole, they should show resolve to take this game that means double or nothing.

image courtesy cricinfo.com

My XI (in batting order): Robin Uthappa, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, M.S. Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble and Munaf Patel.

A couple of notes: One, Thank you for all the feedback and responses. I’ve been reading them with interest, and begun responding to select comments on past posts, so keep checking back to see if you have an answer (try this or this or this for starters).

And two, Cricket Zone With Krish Srikkanth also has a Google feed now, so the ‘Add to Google’ button you see on the top right of the page should allow you to add this blog to your personalized Google homepage or Google Reader with little to no trouble.

Lankans Serve A Stern Warning

2007-03-22T14:27:00.000+05:30

Sri Lanka not getting enmeshed in the web of saving their reputation was the high point of their massive mandate over Bangladesh. Effortless in his innings, Sanath Jayasuriya proved beyond doubt that his sell-by date is a far distance away. For a man who looked like a spent shell sometime back, he is now back to being the live grenade he once was.

The rest of the batting is chugging along like a well-oiled machine and India for once would have enjoyed the Lankan onslaught for all that the men in blue only have to worry about a win now. The net run rate, which has clung to reporters and analysts like an albatross can now be done away with.

The fearless approach by Sri Lanka was in stark contrast to the manner in which India played their opener. Playing your natural game and not dwelling too much upon other details is the plain and simple recipe for success. India were caught in a web, while Lanka just played normal cricket that helped them canter to a win with consummate ease.

The other factor that had to be taken serious note of is the variety in the Islanders’ attack. Chaminda Vaas brings in the experience and the left-hand mystery while Lasith Malinga has the air speed to confront any batsmen on any surface. Mahroof comes in as the calming influence in the middle overs with his steadiness, and any encomiums I shower on Muralitharan and Jayasuriya would only be stating the obvious. In these genial giants, the bowling has two men who have seen it all and know what it takes to succeed in a big tourney like this.

The manner in which the Bangladesh batting was decimated was a stern pointer to the strength in their attack that is almost a forgotten component, as it has always been their batting that has held centre stage. Add their athletic fielding and conditions in the Caribbean that suit their style of play than any other side… Sri Lanka will be the side to beat in the competition।

Pakistan signed off in style but not reaching the next round will be a bitter pill for the cricket crazy country to swallow. The recent incidents that have surrounded Pakistan cricket could have made even mentally strong characters weak. But the team showed commendable commitment, and the will to win was evident in the strong body language.

Imran Nazir played an innings that was a throwback in to an earlier era. The slightly crouched stance to go with a strong top hand with iron wrists, Nazir has it all to be a clean striker. I have seen him take some better attacks to the cleaners, and what stunned me when I first saw him was the awesome bat speed he could generate even against real quality pacemen like Gillespie and McGrath.

The mammoth win was also a fitting farewell to Inzamam-ul-Haq who has carried the burden for guiding Pakistan's fortune with his big broad blade with aplomb. A cool and calm customer, he always let his chaste Urdu and his bat do the talking. Pakistan will miss his services for sure, and the world of cricket will be denied his silken smooth stroke play। Thanks, Inzi, for all the entertainment.

all images courtesy cricinfo.com

The Minnows Are Here To Stay

2007-03-21T14:47:00.000+05:30

Another day that showed the chasm between the top sides and the associates is colossal. The upsets these lower ranked countries have caused over the years should be treated as exceptions rather than examples as they are far and few. South Africa had a easy day in the office as Scotland were unable to match their intensity while the New Zealand batsmen had some useful time in the middle.

Ireland beating Pakistan and Bangladesh overcoming India will be
spoken about for years to come but I stick to my stance on not more
than two qualifiers for a World Cup. Shattered Records have become as natural as day following night in these games that don’t serve quality stuff.

Ireland, have surprised me by playing some good cricket, hence apart from the ten Test playing nations (Zimbabwe included) Kenya and Ireland should have been the other two teams that should have made it to the event. There should never be any easy games and that can be ensured only if the also-rans don’t play the tournament.

But I have never been against the minnows getting exposure, I remember Bangladesh playing against India and Pakistan in 1988 in the Asia Cup and also playing in the Australasia Cup a few years later, they will have to wait and play in tournaments such as these or compete in triangular events or a few bilateral series before getting to the World Cup.

Sri Lanka had to wait for a long time before getting into the Test fold but they never felt out of place because they had gone through the hard grind before getting there. Likewise associates must compete well and play some hard cricket for a certain duration before getting to top flight competition.

Upsets will always happen, especially in team sports where there is the option of passing the buck. One can always expect the other to get the job done; the intensity against a lesser opponent goes down. One will try and exceed his own self rather than playing within himself. All these can lead to disasters as some previous matches have proved but these sporadic events should not make us believe they are here to stay.

The 1983 World Cup was thrown open when Zimbabwe upset Australia. In spite of the Aussies thumping us in the next game, all we needed was one win against either West Indies or Australia to qualify. As we beat the champs in the opening game our job became easier but we were thankful to Zimbabwe for causing the upset that made our job easier.

Likewise Kenya beating West Indies in 1996 or Zimbabwe beating England in 1992 were great for the game but let us not read too much in to them. The biggest foray from a minnow in the World Cup to me was Kenya making the last four in 2003 but even that was achieved by a few teams not traveling to Nairobi in the league stage that helped them accumulate vital points to reach the last four.

What this World Cup as proved as we get to the end of the preliminary
stage is the minnows are going to be cannon fodder but they have to be approached the same was as one would do a top side. The margin would be huge if you treat the game seriously but take it casually and you could well end up being the casualty as Pakistan and India learnt bitterly.

Team India’s Confidence Makes A Come Back

2007-03-20T12:37:00.000+05:30

The margin made it special. A few grey areas might persist but if the batsmen who put the reserve against Bangladesh behind them and played with gay abandon continue in the same vein, well India can squeak through to the next round. The contest against Sri Lanka might pose bigger questions but a commodity called confidence that was in short supply after the opener is back to propel the men in blue.

The batting that ran up the highest world Cup score was never going to be challenged by this pedestrian Bermudan attack. But the no-holds barred attack was refreshing. Virender Sehwag played a knock that was long overdue but the striking aspect of his innings was not the final tally but the pace at which he made them. With his place under serious question Viru was selfless in going after the attack. He could have taken the easier option of grinding out a good score but the commendable aspect of his knock was he continued to play his shots, giving top priority to the teams' requirement.

The tongues will continue to wag as the runs came against a bunch of amateurs that had a painter, a plumber, and a policeman whose bodyweight had made more news than his ability to bowl left arm spin in its entourage. But spare a thought, cricket is a game that is mostly played within your own self and the opponent is a mere convenience. It was not India's fault they were playing Bermuda.

Viru for his part did flash a few times outside the off-stump but those are habits that would follow him to his grave. A few things cannot be changed but for a major portion of his innings he played close to his body and left deliveries that seamed away from him and this was an indication of the effort he was putting in to spend more time at the crease.

Yuvraj played a blinder and I was not surprised. There were enough indications against Bangladesh that he was hitting the straps well. He continues to improve with every game and with Sachin giving the freedom to his batting that was also long overdue, turned a good total in to a massive one.

Barring Robin Uthappa every batsmen in the side has runs under his belt and they can approach the all-important game against Sri Lanka with assurance. The bowling could have been tighter. Agarkar and Zaheer Khan continue to feed the batsmen in the 'scoring zone' and against a better set of players, they will be bled for more.

The only mistake, if one can call that, was the exclusion of Harbhajan Singh. I strongly feel our strength is spin and there is nothing wrong in fielding both the spinners. Sehwag and Yuvraj give Dravid the slow bowling options and with Sachin who can fill in with bowling with the seam up might have gone against Harbhajan but the specialist will also perform better in tight situations. The only change I would wish to make against Sri Lanka is bringing Harbajan back in place of Agarkar.

Everything the team think tank would have aspired for in this game were met and it is now a question of taking the good work to the next game were a sterner test awaits. India should be in the next stage without which the games premier event would be robbed of much of its charm and more importantly some of its biggest entertainers.

What is called for is a fearless approach and I am sure with normal service from the batsmen resuming team India is well on their course after that minor skirmish, that could well be put of as a bad dream as Dravid said.

Task Cut Out For Team India

2007-03-19T13:29:00.000+05:30

Team India have only themselves to blame for the perplexing situation they are in. The timid approach against Bangladesh has cost them dear and the danger of constantly trying to exceed expectations against Bermuda could well lead to them not playing their natural game.

The calculators will be out from today. The net run rate (NRR) will be utmost on the minds during the last two games and in order to take some pressure off in the last game, India must get healthy on the NRR front against Bermuda and not leave too much to be done against Lanka.

The best route to a healthy run rate would be to bowl first today pack the minnows to a lowly total and finish the match quickly. Batting first and rattling up a big score would do a lot to the confidence of the team but if the wicket was to seam in the first hour and India trying to go berserk, could lead to chaos all over.

As far as the team composition goes, Anil Kumble should come in place of Agarkar. Robin Uthappa should go back to open with Sourav and Sehwag (If he is in the XI) should bat only at five. Rahul at three and Sachin at four gives the side a solid look at least on paper and with all experiments failing there is nothing wrong in having batsmen in position they feel at home.

India have nothing to lose from here. Let the so called stars not play to save their reputation, it can only lead to more punctured egos. The match between Australia and Netherlands was another example on top sides not trying different things just because the opponents happen to be a weaker outfit. Has Ponting ever batted in a different number if the or has McGrath tried anything out of the ordinary just because he is bowling to a set of unknown batsmen?

The trick lies in playing your natural game and sticking to your strengths. India should resort to a settled batting order hence the player knows and understands his role. Let all polices on flexibility be thrown to the backburner. Batting and spin will be India's strength and let them stick to that.

The demise of Bob Woolmer was a tragic event and another stark reminder on how stressful this game has got. It is no more a sport it used to be. The media explosion has everybody (player and coach alike) minutely dissected and they are always under the microscope and that pressure can get too much at times.

The pressure and high expectations can affect a player’s performance. Sachin Tendulkar was a clear case of nerves in the opening match. The fear of failure has got him. And if it can adversely affect someone mentally as strong as Sachin, spare a thought for mere mortals.

I have not interacted personally with Woolmer but I have heard him as a very warm human and a great cricketing brain. Sad, pressure took a toll on his health. It is indeed a very sad day for World cricket.

Indian Cricket Hits A Nadir

2007-03-18T17:53:00.000+05:30

Rahul Dravid with most of his fingernails gone and standing transfixed and clueless at first slip was not a pleasant sight. Take your pick, followers of Team India can be plain disappointed, get angry or keep crying all day. Well Dravid has given us flexibility here too.

There is no point in talking 'pedigree' in the line up unless thy deliver. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly had no business in going in to a shell after the loss of early wickets. The conditions might have not been ideal for stroke play but their inability to graft and keep the scoreboard moving cost the team dear. Nearly 25,000 ODI runs between them but tied in knots by a bunch that believed that this great game revels in the moment and past records count for nothing.

Too many tactical errors cost India dear. The decision to bat was the mother of all mistakes; mind you I am not talking in hindsight. The wicket had some offer for the new ball and trying to get the batting campaign off in these conditions was not the brightest of ideas. I was sent in to eerie spin when Viru walked out to open with Sourav. What has Robin Uthappa done wrong as an opener to face this demotion?

Viru would have been better of against the slow men in the middle overs with his skill to hit inside out. With the frame of mind he is in, making him face the new ball was throwing him in the deep end. India might have suffered through the efforts of Sachin and Sourav but Yuvraj with his clean hitting gave them a ray of hope. But to lose five wickets for two runs at the death and expect to win a cricket match is like expecting five days of uninterrupted cricket in Guyana.

The target of 192 did not give enough for the bowlers on a wicket that eased considerably when Bangladesh came out to bat. Given the fact, we have one medium pacer who, after ten years of international cricket, does not have an idea to bowl six balls without offering a 'boundary ball' or slip-in a wide or a no-ball – and another, who trains his thoughts on how to glare at batsman rather than plot their down fall.

Munaf Patel was the only saving grace in an otherwise forgettable day. Keeping a tight length, he seems to have understood the science of one-day bowling. His height offers him bounce in spite of cutting down on pace. The catch Dhoni dropped proved costly in the final analysis, if India had one chance it was at that point with three batsmen already gone, India could have gone for the kill but that was destined not to be.

The knock by Tamim Iqbal was a tutor. He remained positive even though wickets tumbled around him. He was always on the lookout for runs and to me that proved seminal. Not bowling Sehwag early was another of Dravid's innumerable and unexplainable blunders. If Bangladesh can bowl 30 overs of spin against the best of that trade and come out smiling, Dravid should have learnt his lessons.

The team think tank will have some hard explaining to do. All is not lost. Rather there is nothing more to lose it can only be all or nothing from here. The team has to come out positive and learn from this failure. But there was a crumb of comfort as Ireland got past

Pakistan

in another shocker. The cricketing Gods might have scripted these days for the minnows - hence there was no escape route.

No Contest Whatsoever

2007-03-16T21:48:00.000+05:30

It was not easy on the eye - Bermuda and Scotland standing clueless while getting pasted all over the park was not good advertisement for the world's premier event. The minnows should not be denied exposure against the top sides but the World Cup is not the stage for that.

It has greatly devalued the tournament. The top sides use it to boost their averages and it does not really mean anything in the larger perspective. To me, apart from the ten playing countries (I have included Zimbabwe) only the finalists in the qualifying tournament should play the Cup. The format used in the 1999 event in England was close to perfect. For a team to win the event, it should have competed at least against six or seven of the top sides and it would reflect well on the team that finally manages to win.

From the super-eight stage, the present edition has got it correct but the lead up to that stage is a big yawn. Take for example Bermuda. I am sure they would have found it difficult to survive in the senior division league in Chennai. The quality of cricket was disappointing and the fitness of some players left a lot to be desired.

If the ICC is serious about improving cricket in these countries, the stress should be on developing the grass roots rather than making them play the World Cup and cut a sorry figure. It is not their fault if they can't compete against the superior sides. Imagine India against Brazil in the soccer World Cup. It would be a mockery of the system. Cricket much like hockey can never become a global sport. The games' governing body should understand and work within that limitation rather than try and challenge it.

It was a good start for Sri Lanka, who has a good chance in this tournament, the weight of the opponents notwithstanding, it was a clinical performance.

The Zimbabwe-Ireland game was a good contest none the less. Frankly, I did not watch the proceedings fully but the interest the game created in closeness would compare favourably with some of the seat-edge thrillers I have been a part of in the world Cup.

Zimbabwe, once a formidable side in their own right, challenged most sides in the World, is pale shadow of itself now, finding itself at the lowest ebb. The match might have not produced cricket of the highest quality, but as the game is known - for every level it has its own charm - and the Irish opener J. Bray consumed his fair share of fifteen minutes.

About the Aussies

2007-03-15T18:17:00.000+05:30

What strikes me most about this Australian side is their intensity even in a game where the result is a forgone conclusion. Pitted against a bunch of players who would prefer a stroll in the cooler climes of their country with their favourite Scotch whiskey in hand rather face a stern test on the cricket pitch against the World Champions who prefer to take every match as seriously as a summit clash

File Photo of Aussie Team. Image courtesy: www.krishcricket.com

The depth in the Australian batting is awesome to say the least and add Andrew Symonds to this list and it is certain to send a shiver down every bowler's spine. Ricky Ponting in the news for all the wrong reasons of late played an innings that justified his billing as one of the top batsmen at the moment.

Mind you it is never easy to concentrate against a lower ranked side. One tends to exceed himself in situations like these but Ponting struck to what he knows best as he equaled his countryman Mark Waugh and a pair of Indians as the top century maker in world Cup history.

The recent defeats Australia had suffered will do more good than harm in the longer run. I am sure it would have steeled their resolve more than ever before. I strongly feel in spite of conditions in West Indies not being conducive for their brand of cricket they would still be the team to beat in this event.

A player of the caliber of Mike Hussey walking in at number six tells enough about their balance. They have enough cricketers who can turn the match single handedly- an area other teams lack in abundance. Adam Gilchrist who has been the lynchpin for long, gives the side lot more options by opening the innings and when Symonds comes back, the Aussie juggernaut should well be on its way.

Glen McGrath bowled a line that suggested the old warhorse has lost none of the sting. The other bowlers would do well to revolve around him, they might miss the pace of Brett Lee but Shaun Tait is not far behind. Hogg is another vital member and with wickets that provide turn he would have a vital role to play. The opening match might have not tested the Aussies but there was enough gun powder in their show. If other contenders are going to be led by the World champs recent record, it would be at their own peril.

I was never going to miss my breakfast to catch Kenya and Canada on the cricket field but it was nice to see Kenya post a win. The victory could not have come at a better time for a country plagued by problems. The early rounds might not really interest the connoisseur but what I can tell is this event holds a lot of promise as surfaces on which the games are being played are not partial towards one particular craft.

Lara’s Lads Come out Smiling

2007-03-14T18:57:00.000+05:30

It needs a great cricketing brain to predict a West Indies-Pakistan match right. Both sides unnecessarily complicating things in the middle dished out a low key lung opener but the West Indian perseverance paid off in the end. The match served an important notice to all contenders - The focus in the first half of the innings has to be on preserving the wickets rather than trying to go berserk.

Pakistan missed one trick too many. 57 runs in the last five overs undid all their good work. The target extended beyond 'reachable' on a wicket that flattered to deceive. If this is the way the strip across the Caribbean is going to play, the slow men will have a huge part to play.

Inzamam should have persisted with Kaneria after the leggie went for only three runs in the final over he bowled. The medium pacers who came back at the end provided the right air speed for the batmen to free their levers. Spin might have been far more potent against a set of batsmen who don't posses the foot work to counter them on a wicket that aids their craft.

Both the fact that far too many runs were scored in the closing stages and the players body language suggested Pakistan were coming out second best. Pakistan cannot be counted out based on this show but a only if they are to come out with a game-plan in accordance to the conditions, will they be able to match performance with potential.

Cutting to the chase, Pakistan faltered at every stage. Imran Nazir did what Afridi does often. Matches are never going to be won in the power play, only a platform can be laid. The sooner Pakistan and other teams learn this, it is better for their campaign.

As I had said earlier Younis Khan would be the vital cog in the Pakistan line up. The teams chances is more likely to rise and fall with him. He is the calming influence in the top-order. Inzamam and Mohd. Yousuf carry too much pressure on them to play their natural game. The middle order that looked good a few months ago, looks distraught now and it is up to the three most experienced batsmen at the top to guide the team through.

The approach was over cautious that led to the downfall while Lara riding on a emotional wave in front of a vociferous home crowd rung in some brilliant changes with the ball and was innovative with his placing of fielders. Round one to Lara as he outwitted Inzi in all departments. Pakistan has it in them to bounce back but what remains to be seen is how much they have learnt from this defeat।

On the commentors: Joseph, I agree. That was questionable captaincy. After Kanheria got a wicket the pressure just wasn’t kept up. If Inzamam had continued with the spinners for even about two or three overs after that we might have seen a different result. IssacMJ, all-rounders will always make or break games in international cricket, and, as you say, especially in these conditions. Look at the India-Bangladesh match: Sehwag would have made the difference in that game if he’d been brought in earlier.

Once again, thank you, everyone, for your comments and feedback!

Who I'll Be Watching This Season

2007-03-13T17:31:00.000+05:30

Is there a more enthralling sight in the game than a good clean strike that sends the ball over the ropes? Perhaps, a fast bowler sending the stump on a cartwheel, or a batsman unexpectedly beaten by the looping flight of a spinner come close.

I will be watching the players I have discussed below purely based on their entertainment quotient and nothing else.

There are many in World cricket at the moment who can hit a ball out of the park. More hours at the gym have made players stronger, better willows and boundary lines that are pushed in all the time to accommodate the sixers are all seen as factors but the men mentioned below bring about a polish to their big hits that make them more exciting to watch than the others.

It would only be fair I start with India. Given his recent form Sourav Ganguly could be one of the players who could provide high quality entertainment with his clean hits. Dhoni and Yuvraj cannot be left behind. Their buccaneering ways needs no second mention and they could well be doing the big hits in the business end.

Dhoni Image Courtesy: www.krishcricket.com

The two veterans from the sub-continent, Inzamam and Jayasuriya make batting look as easy as a stroll in the park and that adds to the allure. Once they find their rhythm they will be deadly in the smaller grounds. Afridi is another swashbuckler who will be hard pressed to contain.

The recent ODI series between New Zealand and Australia saw a lot of big hits and I reckon Fulton will be one player to watch out for the sheer excitement he brings to the crease. And across the Tasman we find Adam Gilchrist who conducts the easiest way to 100 classes. Such is the range of strokes he has in his armoury it needs a Steve Waugh to intervene and advise Gilly to take it a little easy ahead of the World Cup.

Gilchrist can go berserk right from the word go, his philosophy is pretty simple. A ball will be hit if it offers the scope, first or last of the innings does not matter. Not caring for the situation and continuing with his natural flow makes the Aussie veteran a rare treat. Another Aussie who can provide the sparkle could well be their skipper Ricky Ponting, who is savage on the short ball. Hayden too can muscle a few to different pin codes.

And my last pick is the one who feels the manual’s permanent place is the fireplace. Chris Gayle, one leg standing, bring down the blade in one big swoosh can be the biggest draw. The strapping Jamaican is easily the most flamboyant of all openers in the world Cup and four or five good knocks from him and the crowd would have got their money’s worth.

Gayle Image Courtesy: www.krishcricket.कॉम

Thank you for your comments, all. It was good to see that this list stirred up some debate and discussion of your own, as lists must always do. I see that the English trio has received some mention here, but we can only wait and see. Flintoff is an absolutely dangerous cricket, Anonymous, and with Pietersen and Collingwood, who Aurindam named, forms one of the more challenging middle-orders in cricket. The English bowling remains their problem, however. Aswin, absolutely spot-on – the tournament so far is proving you right, of course. Experience does count in these conditions. It’s difficult for a bastman to go out and slam-bang the opposition – shots need to be picked and chosen with care on slow wickets, and playing shots becomes tough. Experience will count even more in the super eights, where there are no easy games.

World Cup 2007: Hopes And Expectations

2007-03-08T19:48:00.000+05:30

I have lost count on the number of times I have been asked to predict the winner of the 2007 World Cup. Frankly, it looks like the most open event after the 1992 edition held in the Antipodes. Even then, Australia were tipped to retain their crown on current form and home advantage, but the hosts’ curse did not let go of its grip and the champions suffered.

On paper it looks like any of the top eight teams have a decent chance of laying hands on that exotic piece of silverware. But among the teams tipped to take the crown I would vouch for India to come up trumps. Patriotism might only be a part of the reason.

Frankly speaking, the expectations on India are not high if one goes by logical reasoning. So, what gives India a good chance in the ninth edition?

The wickets the teams are going to encounter in the Caribbean and the conditions to prevail is something Team India would feel more at home than any other country barring of course the host.

Anil and Harbhajan give the attack much-required balance. The biggest fallout could be the way the new ball is handled. Runs could leak when the ball is hard, and that could prove seminal in the final analysis. But if the seamers can strike a decent rhythm, India could well push every side to the wall.

Hardly do bowlers win over-specific cricket. India can be rest assured they have one of the strongest batting line-ups and, more importantly, one that is falling in place at the right moment to get the job done for them. A famous cricket writer-friend of mine called the WC squad the Desi version of dad’s army. He is right, without a trace of doubt, but the truth is the reserve tank did not promise enough runs and wickets at the grandest stage for the team to leave shores with fresher and fitter legs.

For the first time after 1999, Australia are not starting as outright favourites. The chinks were there for everyone to see, but to expose them, it needed a resurgent England and then New Zealand. Many have even put their money on the Proteas, but much like the Kiwis, they will find the going tough once the wickets start getting slower with more cricket played on them.

Given the team balance, conditions in the West Indies and the law of averages, I am afraid the most ‘open’ of all World Cups could well find its way to India. Well, the team that is going to represent you, me and the entire country is likely to hold aloft the trophy that has found only a singular owner till date. Mind you, it is not only my heart but also my head that says INDIA।

Many thanks to all those who’ve commented! Abhijit, I agree it’s a pity that Powar was excluded. Let’s not forget that Harbhajan’s call-up was a certainty, and that Powar’s exclusion is due to Kumble, and not Bhajji. He’s a good bowler who has unfortunately lost out to Kumble’s seniority and vast experience in international cricket. Bhupesh, the Aussies do have some fine qualities that make them the most threatening team. I see the Aussies as a team that can adapt the circumstances to suit their game: they don’t change their game and are always aggressive in all aspects of it. Their excellent system of nurturing young talent will always give Australia the upper hand in any tournament.

And frankly speaking, Srikar, I think VVS Laxman’s fielding capabilities were a big reason for his exclusion from this squad, as well as the particular conditions of this tournament. If the World Cup was being held in South Africa or Australia he would have been a surefire entrant.

Memories of the '83 World Cup

2007-03-08T19:10:00.000+05:30

In hindsight, leaving the shores as a bunch of ‘no hopers’ was a blessing in disguise. If any member of the '83 team barring Kapil Dev is now to say he was confident of us winning the cup back then, he is lying. Period.

There was no pressure on us whatsoever. Some of the leading reporters even skipped the event, stating there was no point in covering a tournament where India stood no chance. Remember, television was just coming in. The written word was still the gospel among the followers, and pre-event reports suggested we were on a picnic!

And picnic it was, or at least that is what we thought it would be. Sunil Gavaskar had already planned a tripfor eight players from the WC squad, with Ajit Wadekar as manager, to the USA. I remember telling my wife (I got married in March ‘83) that the trip would be our second honeymoon. At the start of the tournament, we hardly envisaged that our private trip would have to be postponed.

We were actually in the tougher of the two groups.

Australia

, even with a depleted side, were a better bet than some of the other teams, as the one-day mix had already become a part of their culture. To talk about the prowess of the West Indians would be only stating the obvious.

Looking back, I can vividly recall the talk Kapil Dev had with the team before the event started. He made us believe that the West Indies were beatable. We had got a few months earlier and Kapil said if we could do it once, why not another time. The feeling of 'we can do it' rubbed off on to at least some of us after Kapil’s confidence-instilling talk.

The warm-up games we played were total disasters. Losing to Sri Lanka and then to a couple of club sides was hardly the preparation. But one thing I thought would work in our favour was the form of the medium pacers. The English weather was the ideal setting for our seamers who moved the ball well. And in the final analysis, it was seam bowling that paved the way for the famous win.

Leaving the team hotel for the opening game against West Indies at Manchester, thinking of a win was the last thing on our mind. But the knock from Yashpal Sharma and some disciplined bowling and imaginative captaincy from Kapil paved the way for an exciting win.Even then, if any of my team mates had told me we were in with a chance, I would have chased him to the nearest mental asylum!