Changes required for the Indian odi side

[Choora]

about a change in strategies as well? Player positions must be optimised.

As far as stategies is concerned, India should from now on abandon its policy of going into a odi match with 7 batters and 4 bowlers. I would like to see 5 specialist batsmen, 1 allrounde, 4 specialist bowlers and one specialist keeper.

 

[Choora]

Pakistan I believe has a good chance in 2007 though they wouldnt win the cup if its played right now because changes have been made in their side. Plainning with 2007 in mind has to be made for the one day teams. Else the players playing then wont have adequate experience.

Pakistan won't have Inzamam in 2007,thats for sure.I can't imagine a Pak batting lineup without Inzi, considering that i think Pakistan will have poor chances.

Best think Pakistan selectors can do is to discard Inzamam from the Oneday team permanently.Asim Kamal should instead be drafted into the od team as he can prove to be the backbone of Pak batting lineup.

 

[Choora]

IMO Ganguly, Laxman should be removed from the side while Dravid and Tendulkar should stay on till 2007 for experience.

Possible Indian XI

Sehwag
Tendulkar
Dravid
Yuvraj
Kaif
Another player to be found before the World Cup (maybe Mongia, Sriram but not sure)
Dhoni/Katrhik/Any other keeper
Pathan
Kumble (for experience)
Karthik/Bhajji
Another faster bowler to be found before the world cup

kumble would last till 2007? i seriously doubt that. I would go for harb over karthik anyday though. The second pacer that should be in the team should either be Zaheer or Balaji, both of whome have potential to deliver.

And you didn't mentioned as to who should be the captain of the side? (as you have discarded Ganguly from the team)

 

[masterblaster10]

I am surprised that you guys are even considering of dropping Ganguly by the next world cup. Unlesss something drastic happens like really really bad form or injury, Ganguly would be the next world cup captain. Don't forget, after Tendulkar, he has scored the second most number of centuries in ODI. Also, he is only few runs short, to become only the 3rd batsman (after Tendulkar, and Inzimam) to cross 10000 runs in ODI. Not to forget he happens to be the only captain, after Kapil Dev, to lead India to world cup finals. So people please...

If anyone needs to be dropped, then I suggest Dravid. First, I don't agree him being a keeper (simply not good), and second, his type of game is not suited for one day cricket. Just like Laxman, these are players, who need time in the middle before they can get started. Their strike rates suggest the same.

From the current ODI team, my team for world cup 07 would be
1) Sehwag
2) Tendulkar
3) Ganguly (captain)
4) Kaif (vice captain)
5) Yuvraj
6) All rounder position open
7) Wicket Keeper batsman position open
8) Pathan
9) Harbhajan
10) Kumble (if he keeps form, or any other good spinner)
11) Fast Bowler position open (Khan, after the last world cup beating, unless he improves his form greatly, I would like to see him dropped).

With this team, India would have 5 specialist batsmen, (if 5 cannot do a job in 50 over match, then you might as well forget about any hope of winning the world cup), 1 all rounder, 1 wicket keeper batsman, and 4 specialist bowlers.

Given that India would have 1 all rounder, India would not have to rely on part time bowlers as well (like Yuvraj, Sehwag, Tendulkar), and would have 5 bowlers to share the 50 over quota.

 

[Choora]

I would say the best bet is to pick a side which is likely to perform the best in 2007.

AGREED!

 

[Choora]

I am surprised that you guys are even considering of dropping Ganguly by the next world cup. Unlesss something drastic happens like really really bad form or injury, Ganguly would be the next world cup captain. Don't forget, after Tendulkar, he has scored the second most number of centuries in ODI. Also, he is only few runs short, to become only the 3rd batsman (after Tendulkar, and Inzimam) to cross 10000 runs in ODI. Not to forget he happens to be the only captain, after Kapil Dev, to lead India to world cup finals. So people please...

If anyone needs to be dropped, then I suggest Dravid. First, I don't agree him being a keeper (simply not good), and second, his type of game is not suited for one day cricket. Just like Laxman, these are players, who need time in the middle before they can get started. Their strike rates suggest the same.

Dropping Dravid would be CRIMINAL. Dravid happen to be the backbone of Indian batting lineup, sure he has some weakness (as far as his oneday game is concerned) but he's too good a player to be dropped out.I agree with you on Dravid not continuing as the keeper though, India should have a specialist keeper and that guy should be karthik.

With this team, India would have 5 specialist batsmen, (common if 5 cannot do a job in 50 over match, then you might as well forget about any hope of winning the world cup), 1 all rounder, and 1 wicket keeper batsman, and 4 specialist bowlers.

Completely agreed, this is something which India should work on immediately.Playing with 7 batters is just bizzare .

 

[masterblaster10]

but he's too good a player to be dropped out.

I beg to differ. Perfect example is Australia. Look at the difference in composition of their ODI and Test teams. Because of certain sacrifices (and impartiality) they are simply invincible in both ODI and Test.

Just cause Dravid is too good a player it does not mean he suits the One Days. I agree he forms the backbone of batting line up...but only for Test matches.

 

[Arjun]

I beg to differ. Perfect example is Australia. Look at the difference in composition of their ODI and Test teams. Because of certain sacrifices (and impartiality) they are simply invincible in both ODI and Test.

Just cause Dravid is too good a player it does not mean he suits the One Days. I agree he forms the backbone of batting line up...but only for Test matches.

The same can also be said of Ganguly. He's not too bad a batsman, but a terrible fielder, and you cannot allow such players in a limited overs side if you want to win a tournament. Dravid does his job on the field well. He's also an active runner between wickets. Most importantly, he can rip a bowling attack to shreds in the final overs, being the best big-hitter in the side.

 

[bryce]

i'll be very interested to see who fills the allrounder role for india in ODI's in the coming years

 

[Pratters]

What have the lesser ODI specialists done to be let off the hook? Dinesh Mongia, for instance, has just 4 scores of over 50. Laxman as 6 scores of over 100, one more than that of all the ODI regulars pt together. When he gets a start, he usually makes a big score. In fact, this year, he has been the team's best ODI batsman, averaging over 40, with 4 100's. To add, he is a terrific slip-fielder, while Dinesh is an average outfielder.How about a change in strategies as well? Player positions must be optimised.

Laxman has played so much more than Mongia higher up the order. And Mongia hasnt been ever iven a run for a long period. I am not uggestin Mongia is better. We dont know how good he would be at the top level with conviction right now though.

Also, Laxman is a rare talent. Any one who scores those magical runs vs Australia is indeed Very Very Special. Bu it gives him NO right to throw his wicket away almost carelessly as much as he has done. It is one thing which is criminal in cricketing terms and if you arent consistent and throw it all away after making 30-40 runs, you dont deserve to stay in a team.

 

[Pratters]

kumble would last till 2007? i seriously doubt that. I would go for harb over karthik anyday though. The second pacer that should be in the team should either be Zaheer or Balaji, both of whome have potential to deliver.

And you didn't mentioned as to who should be the captain of the side? (as you have discarded Ganguly from the team)

Every one thought Kumble would retire in a year after Srinath's retirement. He is bowling in the best form of his career though right now. Considering he shouldnt logically consider quitting before 500 wickets which would be a year and half away, he might as well play in 2007. He is proving more aluable than ever before.

Dravid/Tendulkar would be captain. Tendulkar toally flopped as a captain two times earlier but he had virtually no team support or the backing of the selectors. I doubt that will happen currently.

 

[Pratters]

Just cause Dravid is too good a player it does not mean he suits the One Days. I agree he forms the backbone of batting line up...but only for Test matches.

On tricky wickets, where technique is required, Dravid and Tendulkar are equally valuable to the one day side. Dravid is a crucial member of the one day side and does suit the one day game as well. Australia has a different side in both formats because they have too much talent which isnt obviously a bad thing. And Dravid isnt poor with the one day strike rate. It appears so because he builds his inning up, coring a bit slowly in the beginning and faster later on. He is a situational player who can adopt and is crucial to the success of the Indian one day team.

 

[Arjun]

i'll be very interested to see who fills the allrounder role for india in ODI's in the coming years

If Sehwag practises his bowling and Pathan, his boundary-hitting, that would solve the problem to some extent. But the man to pick is Ramesh Powar. As a senior journalist from the Mumbai edition of the Times of India said, it is shocking that he is left out. He is more aggressive and crafty with the ball than Harbhajan and Karthik, trying to get wickets more often. He is among India's top bowlers every season and he supports it with some unusual but effective batting. The way he took on Shoaib Akhtar shows he's a tough nut, a hard hitter of the ball and one who plays for a win all the time.

Reetinder Singh Sodhi has become a better player since Punjab had Intikhab Alam as coach. His batting is no more wayward, but more focussed, and he has a 250* opening the innings. He may be miscast as an opener, but that innings shows how capable a batsman he is. He too is aggressive, going for the shots and also running between wickets very fast. His bowling, with a change in action, has also seen an improvement- he is taking wickets with an average of 27. His fielding is the best in India, given his speed, reflexes and accurate direct throws. If not in the XI, he will be a very effective substitute fielder. However, he must finish a full season playing for Punjab, who have a very good chance of winning the Ranji trophy.

Then there is Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a wicketkeeper who is also an insanely aggressive batsman, with an average of over 50 in List-A's. He shot to fame with a smashing perfromance in a triangular involving the Pakistan-A team and Kenya, and was severe on Pakistani second XI. He gets his runs in big shots, but can also run very fast between wickets. His timing needs a little work and he needs to adapt to slower wickets. Plus, his keeping is neither technically correct nor fast, so he has to be more careful- luckily, there have been no major spills so far. Definitely the best all-rounder at hand along with Ramesh Powar.

 

[Arjun]

Dravid/Tendulkar would be captain. Tendulkar toally flopped as a captain two times earlier but he had virtually no team support or the backing of the selectors. I doubt that will happen currently.

Tendulkar would make a terrific captain at this stage. He's not as negative as the current captain and you can notice that in the person that he is- he gets along well with everyone. Being the best player in the team, he will set a very good example, not just in batting, but in every other aspect of the game, particularly fielding.

Dravid is a captain who thinks out of the box. Not too bad. However, the best option would be Sehwag. He is very positive with the bat and also with the ball, and that acn rub off on his captaincy. Slightly controversial choice, but for someone who responds to a rough ball with a big shot (or Shoaib's 'begging' with a wisecrack) will make a very good captain.

 

[Arjun]

Laxman has played so much more than Mongia higher up the order. And Mongia hasnt been ever iven a run for a long period. I am not uggestin Mongia is better. We dont know how good he would be at the top level with conviction right now though.

Mongia has been a regular since 2002, till the TVS Cup, 2003. In that space, he has just 4 scores of over 50. IF you had seen him bat, you would know he's a weak link in the batting lineup.

Bu it gives him NO right to throw his wicket away almost carelessly as much as he has done. It is one thing which is criminal in cricketing terms and if you arent consistent and throw it all away after making 30-40 runs, you dont deserve to stay in a team.

If he played with a straight bat more often, he would be getting out a lot less. If you can pull up Laxman for this, why not apply the same standard for Ganguly, Mongia, Yuvraj, Sehwag and Dravid? What have they done better than him? Frankly, he's always been singled out for the team's failures all the time. Besides, he gets out without making a start but when he makes a start, he gets a big score. Remember the last match in Kolkata? He was effective in the first 15 overs, hitting boundaries effortlessly and running a few singles as well.

 

[Arjun]

Consider three of Rahul Dravid's innings- Against NZ in Vishakapatnam, he scored 50 in just 22 balls. Then, in a practice match in Pakistan, he made 90 in 63 balls. In the main match that followed, he made 90, at a strike rate of close to 100. Why can't he do this more often?

 

[Pratters]

There are a handful of players India can try before the cup in 2007. Australia have chopped Bevan cos it believes he wont be as good in 2007. Indian bowlers are better batsmen than ever before which offers depth in batting. Bhajji, Pathan, Zaheer are far better batsmen than Srinath, Prasad and the likes.

Dravid shouldnt be asked to keep any more as I dont think he will keep ultimately in 2007.

I have not been impressed by Dhoni at all. He List A runs you mention he scored, dont forget he was asked to bat higher up the order in the African countries India toured to boost his averages. Normal openers were asked to bat lower down! Dhoni is a phase in Indian cricket.

Every one murdered me when I said Patel should spend time in domestic cricket before he achieves any standard ad look where he is now. I would personally stick with Karthik for both forms.

 

[Pratters]

If you can pull up Laxman for this, why not apply the same standard for Ganguly, Mongia, Yuvraj, Sehwag and Dravid? What have they done better than him? Frankly, he's always been singled out for the team's failures all the time. Besides, he gets out without making a start but when he makes a start, he gets a big score. Remember the last match in Kolkata? He was effective in the first 15 overs, hitting boundaries effortlessly and running a few singles as well.

I am singling out Ganguly and Laxman for there carelessness. Sehwag bats at the top of the order and losing hi wicket for an explosive start cant be faulted. He does manage big runs too when he gets them. Ganguly was effective at opening and thi i precisely why he would love to open but cant jut teplace Sehwa or Tendulkar at the top of the order

Yuvraj gets leser overs and has to take more risk though he has alo been guilty at times. Mongia I havent seen as much to comment at the international stage.

There i no excuse for throwing the wicket away after etting your eye in and making those first 25-30 run. Laxman ha been guilty of getting starts and then throwing it all away.

 

[Arjun]

I have not been impressed by Dhoni at all. He List A runs you mention he scored, dont forget he was asked to bat higher up the order in the African countries India toured to boost his averages. Normal openers were asked to bat lower down! Dhoni is a phase in Indian cricket.

About the tour of the African countries, he only played in the KEnya leg, but boosted his average not against Kenya, but Pakistan-A! This same team defeated the Indian Seniors once. If you want a wicketkeeper who can bat, better get one who can score quickly, and can find a way into a top six. Dhoni is just that. Give him a longer run and the team will benefit.

I would personally stick with Karthik for both forms.

Karthik is too specialist a keeper, and too defensive with the bat. Powar is a more productive batsman and if Pathan took his batting seriously, he'd be more effective than Dinesh Karthik.

 

[Pratters]

About the tour of the African countries, he only played in the KEnya leg, but boosted his average not against Kenya, but Pakistan-A

I found it totally obnoxious as to how he was allowed to bat higher up the order when specialist openers alo wanted to have a go at getting noticed by the selectors.