Jono
Virat Kohli (c)
I'm hardly advocating Sehwag to be the scapegoat. But he's in such good form, but loves wasting it in ODIs.
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***Official*** Asia Cup
- Thread starter ret
- Start date
Arjun
Cricketer Of The Year
What can I say. This was one phase when India's eight batsmen could do nothing. Mendis simply stole the show with a masterful performance. Almost legendary. Even Australia's World Cup winning team would have crumbled against this. Nobody can have an answer.
Critics may slam the Indian team for lack of experience, they may say that Ganguly, Dravid, Kumble, Srinath, Prasad, Azhar and Jadeja need a recall, but that wouldn't help. Let's not forget, this is like those matches in Sharjah, where first Murali, then Vaas, ran through the Indian team twice in a row. That was full of experienced Indian ODI regulars. Some may even suggest replacing the coach with the legendary Dav Whatmore, but that too wouldn't help.
This is a good team, man for man. They have a lot going for them. Rather than discard them for this failure, they should look at what really went wrong and what can be done better. As Marvan said, this is the best team India could pick. They haven't played much, and they'll only learn once they sustain a few hard knocks such as this one.
They have found a powerful opening partnership in Sehwag and Gambhir. Their middle-order batsman, Suresh Raina, has finished with good figures on the bat and priceless value in the field. Dhoni has proven his worth as a steady middle-order batsman and batted sensibly throughout the series. Rohit Sharma has also contributed reasonably with bat and greatly on field. The loss (of form) of their top ODI bowlers was a disappointment, but there's always next time.
What they really need is a proper research and development unit. In fact, proper or otherwise, they need one. This is a talented team, but they are severely lacking proper planning and preparation. The Lankans, throughout their campaign, prepared and executed several strategies, which, combined with their skill, took them to victory. The Indians, in comparison, never had a plan. Anywhere.
Let's just hope they put up a better performance in the next tournament. However, they need a break before the Champions Trophy. Some of the players who worked hardest (and got hit hardest) should not go to Sri Lanka, and the reserves should get a game. And a revamped support staff, as much as possible.
Critics may slam the Indian team for lack of experience, they may say that Ganguly, Dravid, Kumble, Srinath, Prasad, Azhar and Jadeja need a recall, but that wouldn't help. Let's not forget, this is like those matches in Sharjah, where first Murali, then Vaas, ran through the Indian team twice in a row. That was full of experienced Indian ODI regulars. Some may even suggest replacing the coach with the legendary Dav Whatmore, but that too wouldn't help.
This is a good team, man for man. They have a lot going for them. Rather than discard them for this failure, they should look at what really went wrong and what can be done better. As Marvan said, this is the best team India could pick. They haven't played much, and they'll only learn once they sustain a few hard knocks such as this one.
They have found a powerful opening partnership in Sehwag and Gambhir. Their middle-order batsman, Suresh Raina, has finished with good figures on the bat and priceless value in the field. Dhoni has proven his worth as a steady middle-order batsman and batted sensibly throughout the series. Rohit Sharma has also contributed reasonably with bat and greatly on field. The loss (of form) of their top ODI bowlers was a disappointment, but there's always next time.
What they really need is a proper research and development unit. In fact, proper or otherwise, they need one. This is a talented team, but they are severely lacking proper planning and preparation. The Lankans, throughout their campaign, prepared and executed several strategies, which, combined with their skill, took them to victory. The Indians, in comparison, never had a plan. Anywhere.
Let's just hope they put up a better performance in the next tournament. However, they need a break before the Champions Trophy. Some of the players who worked hardest (and got hit hardest) should not go to Sri Lanka, and the reserves should get a game. And a revamped support staff, as much as possible.
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ret
International Debutant
somehow SL manages to pull something out in the final against India 
.... I have lost count as to how many finals have we lost to SL .... i thought that the stage was set up for an Ind win but once again the same old story of losing the final unfolds
full credit to Mendis, who did it for SL .... 6 for 13!!!! thats amazing
.... I remember Murali and Vaas cleaning India up for 50 odd in one of the finals in Sharjah after Jayasuriya had scored 180 odd [Joshi had dropped a straight forward chance when he was on 90 and then he doubled his score in no time]. this is probably the 2nd worst defeat after that .... congrats to Lanka 
overall the boys have done well so nothing to complain, except may be Yuvi who hasn't hit a big score when he has had the opportunity. against Pak he scored some 30 odd after Ind had lost some early wkts and here again he had an opportunity to play a big inning but again disappointed. he is good when things are set up but seems to fail when a big inning is required. if Yuvi is good for 30-40 odd runs then he should come in at number 6 .... another thing is may be Rohit should have batted at 3. I don't like the way Raina starts his innings. once he settles down, he plays beautifully. someone should tell him to settle down first
with guys like Sachin, Zak, Sree and Bhajji slated to come back, things should get better for India
.... I have lost count as to how many finals have we lost to SL .... i thought that the stage was set up for an Ind win but once again the same old story of losing the final unfolds full credit to Mendis, who did it for SL .... 6 for 13!!!! thats amazing
.... I remember Murali and Vaas cleaning India up for 50 odd in one of the finals in Sharjah after Jayasuriya had scored 180 odd [Joshi had dropped a straight forward chance when he was on 90 and then he doubled his score in no time]. this is probably the 2nd worst defeat after that .... congrats to Lanka overall the boys have done well so nothing to complain, except may be Yuvi who hasn't hit a big score when he has had the opportunity. against Pak he scored some 30 odd after Ind had lost some early wkts and here again he had an opportunity to play a big inning but again disappointed. he is good when things are set up but seems to fail when a big inning is required. if Yuvi is good for 30-40 odd runs then he should come in at number 6 .... another thing is may be Rohit should have batted at 3. I don't like the way Raina starts his innings. once he settles down, he plays beautifully. someone should tell him to settle down first
with guys like Sachin, Zak, Sree and Bhajji slated to come back, things should get better for India
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ret
International Debutant
below is the game I was talking abt in my last post
the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy final @ Sharjah in 2000
the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy final @ Sharjah in 2000
ret
International Debutant
he should not play in the 11 then .... there are also reasons for going wrong
Arjun
Cricketer Of The Year
Or you would prefer 'continuity and stability'?he should not play in the 11 then .... there are also reasons for going wrong
A few friends back in college said that the Australians would be dropped at the right time, while the Indians would play on till they'd sit out with an injury.
ret
International Debutant
if a player is not 100% fit then he should sit out .... no questions asked
as I said, I haven't been impressed with Yuvi's 30-40 odd as when he has had the opportunity to play a big knock for India with a few wkts down, he hasn't risen to the challenge. I would consider playing him at 6 for his 30-40s
with some of the players like Ten, Zak, Bhajji & Sree coming back, some of these guys can be 'rested' .... though it would be interesting to see how the 11 would look then. I see only 4 regulars in Tendulkar, Sehwag, Gambhir and Dhoni as far as batting goes. Rohit, Raina, Uthappa and Yuvi, along with others, will have to fight it out for the places
viktor
State Vice-Captain
Just for that FedEx will win it.If Nadal wins Wimbledon guys, you can blame me for India's loss here.
I said to my dad today that I will cop an Indian loss today for Nadal to finally win Wimbledon. Sorry guys
Manee
Cricketer Of The Year
India lost, but punished all of the Sri Lankan bowlers other than playing Murali for his average performance and suffering against somebody who is accepted as a mystery spinner, the next big thing, etc. The bowling is an area of concern and I really think that India need to be able to play two spinners, Mishra and Ojha, on such flat pitches. The area of concern is fast bowlers on flat pitches, RP Singh and Ishant are adequate, but there bowling still leaves a lot to be desired, RP Singh has issues with line as well as an inability to chuck in the quick effort ball (despite bowling 140kph in T20) as well as a poor control of line and Ishant needs a 'go to' yorker which he can bowl at the death or as a surprise ball at the start.
honestbharani
Whatever it takes!!!
lol, I feel the umpires need to get used to Mendis just as much as the batsmen. It is like how it was with Kumble at the start of his career. Got so many LBWs turned down because the umpires thought he was bowling leg breaks too, just like the batsmen...
Anyways, absolutely chuffed at how Mendis went. He is an amazing talent, and there is absolutely no shame in being beaten by him. I am almost sure that had it not been for him, we would have won very easily. That said, our guys need to start playing better against spin. It is not just Mendis. Yuvraj, Raina, Rohit and especially Uthappa are simply not that good against spin of any quality. Yuvi seemed to have improved during the Chappell era but seems to have regressed again. In this team, only Sehwag, Dhoni and Gambhir look like they can handle spin of any quality.
And our bowling is just so dire, esp. RPS and Irfan...... Even Ishant is not consistent enough. It says a lot when the guy I am most confident about at the beginning of this match was the newcomer Ojha..
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
An attack of Vaas, Malinga, Murali and Mendis on an abrasive pitch is a scary thought. They need to sort out their batting though.
honestbharani
Whatever it takes!!!
Hate to play the DA here but the great thing about Mendis is his shock value. The Indians knew the ball was not doing that much but were still unsure what was going on. I think in a couple of years, once they start playing as more of a straight bowler who deviates the ball only a touch, things will get easier for them against him.
Having said that, I do remember similar points being made about Kumble ever since he came on the scene, basically and he still went on to become a great bowler for India. A lot depends on how much he can learn and how much control he can develop. Coz, as of now, even if batsmen were to figure him out, he still bowls stump to stump and is just so hard to get away for runs.
What would I give to see him bowl at his best against Lara at his best? Lara was easily the best player of spin I have seen and it would have been some contest, because Lara never let any spinner dictate terms to him.
Having said that, I do remember similar points being made about Kumble ever since he came on the scene, basically and he still went on to become a great bowler for India. A lot depends on how much he can learn and how much control he can develop. Coz, as of now, even if batsmen were to figure him out, he still bowls stump to stump and is just so hard to get away for runs.
What would I give to see him bowl at his best against Lara at his best? Lara was easily the best player of spin I have seen and it would have been some contest, because Lara never let any spinner dictate terms to him.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Except Prosper Utseya.
honestbharani
Whatever it takes!!!
He made Ganguly wait 300 balls for his hundred too.he is quite obviously the greatest spinner, ever.
Jonty Lathwal
U19 Debutant
All efforts of earlier rounds went in vain.......
when the bowlers struck............batsmen s***ed .......
That's the problem with Indian Team....
when the bowlers struck............batsmen s***ed .......
That's the problem with Indian Team....
Jonty Lathwal
U19 Debutant
I think it has been 10 years since Indian team has beaten Sri Lanka in a final.......
Last time it was Singer-Akai Nidhas Trophy in August 1998 as I remember (credits to Sachin's 130 & Sourav's 109).......
In between there have been a lot of finals......
Last time it was Singer-Akai Nidhas Trophy in August 1998 as I remember (credits to Sachin's 130 & Sourav's 109).......
In between there have been a lot of finals......