or why this exit out of the World Cup is what we need.
Losing in the World Cup this year is no big deal. There is the Champions Trophy to be played later in the year and then there is the next edition of the T20 World Cup next year. Followed by the Champions Trophy.
So in terms of silverware, there are enough and more opportunities for the team in the near future.
For too long, things have been going swimmingly well. Dhoni is a captain who can do no wrong, the team batting delivers on cue and the bowling holds its own. The fielding standards fluctuate, but on the whole, India is a safe catching side.
And there the love love relation with the press.
All of which changes now.
Personally, I think we have the team that will win us the World Cup in 2011. But what we need, every now and again, is a reality check.
The T20 World Cup of 2009 provided that.
We were outplayed, out thought and out muscled. Our fielding was below par, our game plans were all over the place, we panicked.
And not because India has a "traditional weakness" against the short ball. Any team that plays on a wickets with more than usual bounce is going to suffer. It was India's turn on this occasion.
Coming into the Super 8's after playing two weak teams on a belter at Trent Bridge, India was caught on the back foot at Lords.
And in the scramble to regain lost ground, they messed up. Royally.
The batting order was all over the place, the team experimented in the Super 8's and not before, Dhoni's captaincy left a lot to be desired.
And these are just the observations of a lay watcher of the game.
The way forward is now for the team to address these issues. Not because we lost, but the outcome will impact our progress in 2011.
Talent wise, there is very little wrong with the team. Game plan wise too, having power hitters all through the batting order in the shorter formats of the games is brilliant. The problem is with managing expectation and with sticking to plans.
Too much improvisation is also not a good thing.
India play the West Indies next before a forced break. Sri Lanka is next, in November.
Between now and then, players will have enough time to rest and regroup. If India can overcome its other big issue, of hitting the ground running, we will be onto something!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
In defence of Team India
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7 comments:
I actually thought we lost because of too many power hitters in the team and not enough innovators. For instance yesterday, I didn't see one Indian bastsman move outside the off stump and play the ball to the fine-leg boundary even when the fine-leg was in the circle. All attempts were to hoick the ball when the bowlers were aiming at the stumps. I think you need a couple of innovators in the team and this team is sadly lacking that.
Prabu,
The problem is when innovators want to become power hitter and vice versa. If the game plan is power hitting, stick to it. I think India got too cute - vide the shots Rohit Sharma played and how early he played those in his innings. Vide too the non shots Dhoni played.
Cheers,
I insist the Indian Young Turks can't play short-pitched stuff and are suspect against quality spin as well. Tyhey are rather fortunate that pitches worldwide are becoming flattened, homogenous strips. In another era, they would have been caught napping.
And hats off to England. I don't remember seeing any team putting their bowling plans to action with such precision. Looking forward to Ashes.
Interesting point about power hitters vs innovators . One of the really good innovators I can think of is someone like Dilshan. The equivalent of him could be someone like Dinesh Karthik , who manages to get going in some way or another, and seems to get the boundary when required.
I'm left wondering about the balance of the team !
Som,
By the same argument, no on in world cricket can play short pitched stuff or quality spin. And if this team was playing in another era, they would have adjusted or they wouldnt have made the cut.
Each team adjusts to its circumstances. Team India does the same.
England played better cricket on the day and they were the hungrier team.. Good for them.
And yes, the Ashes cannot begin soon enough :)
Cheers,
Fark,
The balance of the team is fine - its a power game and you have power hitters. The problem is that the power hitters intend on mid course correction that is not required or called for.
At the end of the day, 140 all out trumps 125/5.
Cheers,
Thts fine but on a horses for courses policy, Karthik might have made a little difference yesterday...
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