Arjun
Cricketer Of The Year
This was posted on Rediff.com
Parthiv Patel, though, should work on his wicketkeeping more than on his batting. He has some technical flaws which hamper his keeping to spinners (especially when he gets down too quickly), and that hampers not only strike bowlers (Kumble) but also those who are having a hard time (Karthik). The team should also look for other options. There is no Adam Gilchrist in India. But there may be several Ian Healys who are good for the team, in a way. They deserve a fair try.
If balance is needed, they can try these-
And why should he be? He has only been wicketkeeping from the age of 29/30, for the first time, he's a batsman with a lot of work on his hands, and now the large gloves. He is not a wicketkeeper, he is just asked to do the job. He will do it, being the team man, but he can't do it well enough. He still drops 8 catches and misses 3 stumpings in every 3rd match. Ever since he has started wicketkeeping, the Indian team has conceded just 5 totals under 250, all against weak batting sides like Sri Lanka and New Zealand. They have conceded 8 totals over 300, three over 340 against the Aussies. The spinners are always let down. There have just been 2 ODI series victories that mean anything- one gift-wrapped by English bowlers and fielders, the other, a hard and laboured one which should have been an easy stroll. Ultimately, Dravid may get injured regularly, having to do a tough and thankless job. An early exit may also be likely. Where is the so-called balance? It is time for a change.From Rediff.com
Dravid not keen to don gloves
India batsman Rahul Dravid is hopeful teenage Test wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel will relieve him soon as the side's one-day gloveman.
Dravid is among the top Test batsmen in the world, but won a regular one-day spot only after agreeing to keep wicket two seasons ago. The move helped India play an extra batsman.
However, the 31-year-old has often spoken of the strain of keeping wicket.
"Wicketkeeping is not something that comes naturally to me. I look upon it as a challenge and I try and do my best," Dravid told reporters on Saturday.
"I hope Parthiv will be given the opportunity to become a full-fledged wicketkeeper batsman (in one-dayers) that probably India needs in the future."
He said he hoped Patel's improving Test batting on the last two tours of Australia and Pakistan would earn him a regular one-day spot soon.
Parthiv Patel, though, should work on his wicketkeeping more than on his batting. He has some technical flaws which hamper his keeping to spinners (especially when he gets down too quickly), and that hampers not only strike bowlers (Kumble) but also those who are having a hard time (Karthik). The team should also look for other options. There is no Adam Gilchrist in India. But there may be several Ian Healys who are good for the team, in a way. They deserve a fair try.
If balance is needed, they can try these-
- Sehwag can play as a regular bowler and not a three-over pie-thrower
- Pathan and Balaji can improve their batting and get opportunities above 9, 10 and 11.
- Ramesh Powar, the best bowling all-rounder in India, must get more chances.
- Reetinder Sodhi should build more muscle and improve his bowling.