Yuvraj Dilemma

In Indian Cricket, every season of cricket starts with a tag, with a dilemma, with a debate. Latest one is ‘Should Yuvraj be given a place in Indian Middle order considering his excellent ODI form?’ People even go onto say he is in the form of his life. But the simple analysis which every one might have done by this time is who should be dropped? Well here is my take on this which is quite different from others.

Sachin, Rahul, Saurav and Laxman are better batsmen at any point of time than Yuvraj. We also need to see that all these are scoring runs consistently as well. Only the few mindless critics can compare class of Laxman with Yuvraj. Yuvi is a great batsmen, but needs to come a long way yet and he should be happy as he is waiting for the good. So in simple terms, none of these 4 batsmen can be replaced by young yuvi.

Now, is Yuvi ready to open batting for India? I don’t think it’s a good idea. I feel it’s more mental adjustments need to be done than technical tunings. So let him do what best he can do in middle order. With these we leave out the option of dropping either Jaffer or Karthik. Now for blaming Karthik’s poor form, don’t make Rahul to open the batting to make place for Yuvi.

So the left out option is our deputy, Dhoni. If we are ok with Karthik keeping the wickets for us in test matches, why not ask this regular keeper to keep wickets and bring in Yuvi for Dhoni. Under any circumstance, Yuvi is better than Dhoni in technique, in shot selection, in temperament, in class or even in style. So why not drop Dhoni? He is doing a fair enough job as Keeper/batsman/skipper in ODIs and T20s, let him free for those form of the cricket.

It’s a high time. Yuvi has to be the next leader for Indian cricket. He must be given opportunity soon. When you can expect Rahul to play so many roles as a cricketer and may ask him to open innings many times why can’t we ask Dhoni to sit out for the sake of betterment of Indian batting order? Why can’t he be asked for sacrifice?


(Preview of Indo-Pak test series, 2007)

Wake me up if I am dreaming..!

Did we really win the worldcup?? Still hard to believe. Misbah’s lap shot could have gone any where. Well that’s what separate two teams.. Just one shot. You cannot expect a better match than this. Full credits to Indians for putting in a team effort.

In India, there were no loud prayers before the world cup started. There were no ‘Homas’ & ‘Havanas’ for Indian victory. If any one says now, “Hey I expected Indians to win right from the beginning of tourney”, then that person can be penalized under some attractive IPC section. Literally there were no expectations from this young Indian side which was huge bonus for them to perform. For me, the turning point of the series was Dinesh Karthik’s stunning catch against SA to send Smith packing.

Just to draw an ironic comparison without being too much critical, in 2003 world cup, when India lost to Aussies in round 1, stones were pelted at player’s houses. When India lost to NZL here in super 8, no body cared. In 2003, bounce back from such a situation and reach the final was no mean achievement but just the world cup was not in fate of the great players in that team. I am telling you, our current team was at advantage since there was no ‘burden’ of expectations. Also fortune was with us. While batting, no umpiring decisions went against us J

Given that starting point of this tourney, if Indians would have lost in the first round, then no one would have even pointed out a finger at Dhoni. There was an excuse of being young and inexperienced side which is still learning. Now when he wins the world cup for us, shower of appreciation on him! Is it not a good situation to be captain? When you win you are appreciated and when you loose nobody says anything. But Mr.Dhoni, here on your job is going to be only tougher because when you get on to the ground next time you will be carrying at least a three and a half kg of expectations from everyone. Now that makes job more challenging for you. Please note, I am not underestimating Dhoni. He has been a great captain and tactful, but I felt his job was little easy compared to earlier captains.

But like anybody else.. who cares what happens next. Dhoni and boys have won the “WORLD CUP” which could not be done by Azhar,Saurav or Rahul. So just enjoy the moment.

Indo Pak Final: Preview

I am least bothered about the outcome. Yes it’s an India Pakistan match and still I say result doesn’t matter. In my view both teams are winners already. Who would have imagined that these two young subcontinent teams will make it to last 2? Especially after their disastrous World cup campaign early this year! India loosing to Bangladesh and Pakistan loosing to Ireland had touched their lowest point in cricketing history on the same day. But, here we go. Here are the two teams that will be fighting for the championship title of new format of cricket which cricket pundits recognize as ‘Future’ of cricket.

From India’s point of view, it’s their fearless, nothing to loose attitude which brought them to this stage. Indians have to watch out as they have won their all matches in this tournament batting first, where as Pakistan has been winning both ways. Best part is both teams have beaten Aussies! On the big day, I am sure both teams would love to bat first to avoid pressure.

I am getting a feeling that if India wins this world cup, people will be itching to discuss how Indians achieved this fate without the big 3 names! Do we require them really in team? Why cant more youngsters must come to the party… and this may just prompt the big 3 to hang their shoes from shorter versions of the game soon.

So here we are on the dream day of every cricketing lover. An IndoPak Final. You cannot get anything bigger than this. Everybody busy discussing about this including my cab driver. (He was thinking Ganguly is Indian captain so far…) Anyway I say again, result doesn’t matter today. So today its not just chak de India but its really going to be Chak De Cricket!

Truth is stranger than…..

They say the truth is stranger than fiction. Well if you haven’t experienced before, you must have witnessed the wonderful fairytale story that took place in last four days at the Perth, Australia. The thrilling third test match between India and Australia was nothing less than imaginary Alif-Laila, or Harry Potter scripts. Infact better!

As Kumble rightly said, “After Sydney, we had two options, one go back home or the other to play at Perth and show that what Indians deserve!” Luckily better sense prevailed for Indians and they buried the Aussies in their own back yard. This was a perfect example of team effort which shows that to beat the team like Aussies we can’t rely on heroics of few individuals.

This victory is very special considering the heavy odds against us before starting this match. The umpiring issues, Racism remarks and to add to that the bouncy (?) Perth pitch and Aussies all pace attack. Everyone was expecting just one result, 17th Aussie test victory in a row. But Indians turned the tables. Following are some key factors/turning points which scripted one of India’s famous wins.

Ø Mathew Hayden out of match due to Injury
Ø Irfan pathan found his ‘swing’
Ø Laxman and Dhoni’s partnership in second innings
Ø Ponting’s wicket in second innings

Getting rid of Hussey and Symonds, Gilli might be crucial but chasing improbable 413 to win and you have lost your openers vary cheaply, its almost next to impossible to chase. So Indians had 50 percent of the test match in pocket when Laxman rallied around the tail to post a target excess of 400. Also it was good to see Ishant’s bowling against Aussie skipper. Indians had a proper game plan and executed it with patience.

All in all a wonderful team effort. Hail to Kumble and his team for the inspiring win!!