We all know that India started off the the World Cup campaign with a convincing win. Thanks to the commanding ton by Virender Sehwag with a complimenting century from Kohli as well. Though India, the co-hosts, is touted to be the favorites, India still has its weaklink exposed - the tail. The bowling woes of India is known for long; one should not forget that they did win the match for India at times, which sometimes had the bat contribution from the tail as well.
The first win against Bangladesh is only considered to be a convincing win and not a dominating win. If India is the second ranked ODI in the world, playing in a similar soil in their neighbouring land against Bangladesh - a lesser daunting yet ODI shockers who could upset any team in this world, India should have easily pulled off a stunning win. Yes, the mighty Indian batting line-up continues to be mighty as well with the pride headed by Dhoni showing vigorous efforts with the bat.
However, Bangladesh reaching around 280 as a response to India's massive total of 370 - no, I am not saying that Bangladesh are not capable of getting it, they are indeed capable of coming close as they had shown earlier. However, the ease with which Bangladesh played against the Indian bowlers, spearheaded by the Indian bowling captain Zaheer Khan was definitely a concern.
Sehwag, at the end of the match, commented that everyone performed well except Sreesanth. It was only partly true. The bowling was still weak. Sreesanth was just showing the worst side of it. With the likes of Praveen Kumar missing the tournament, the Indian bowling lineup lacks the power to dominate the field; which they obviously need in order to win the World Cup.
Zaheer Khan is, definitely, the must pick for the World Cup squad. However, Harbhajan Singh ,who is Kumble's successor to the spinner head, is not at his best. Munaf Patel was decent with his efforts and Sreesanth was terrible. The place of Yuvraj Singh in the batting line-up is still a question mark. The points to be noted regarding why he could have been preferred over Raina is that he is capable of handling short deliveries better and being an experienced campaigner, he could be a guidance for the other team members. Also, he is capable of dominating with the bat and also he could be a regular part-time spinner. However, having said that, his place in the team is more contrasting, he is almost bowling full quota and have not done much contributions with the bat in the recent past.
With Ashish Nehra not at his 100% fitness, the Indian team had to contemplate for an extra spinner in place of Sreesanth in the next match against England. Piyush Chawla was the immediate pick by the team as he had performed with a four wicket haul in the warm-up match against Australia.
Piyush Chawla, in his first ever World Cup, was nervous in his first over bowling short deliveries. However, he rectified his mistake in his very next over bowling good lengths. However, when he was the only full time bowler option left for the 49th over, Dhoni went for it having faced such circumstances. Chawla, however, failed miserably conceding two consecutive sixes in that over which also cost India its second win. Yes, they didn't lose. But they could have won!
Now, now! The bowling woes has come to the surface again. India had not been able to defend a yet another little massive total of 330. Yes, they did face England but again England at one point were just cruising to their win. If not for the twists and turns then and there, England would have sailed home easily.
What could be the line up that could prove a worthy choice in every match? Would India have to replace Yuvraj or Pathan with a regular bowler or do they have to go for Sreesanth again or go with Nehra? With an hour long discussion with my roommate, the option that I am putting forward is bringing in Ashwin whose bowling had not been read by most of the players out there. He could bowl economic overs in the first powerplay along with Zaheer Khan who could look to pick wickets. Then could come the option of Munaf Patel after 10 overs and also Harbhajan if necessary. Yuvraj/Pathan and Nehra, who do well if bowled short spells, could share the 10 overs between each. Even if one of the medium pacers fail, the other two could fill in the shoes.
About the batting line-up, do you not thing that Sehwag, Tendulkar, Gambhir, Kohli, Dhoni, Yuvraj/Pathan could look after it? Also I am considering the option that Harbhajan and Zaheer could contribute with the bat along with Chawla/Ashwin. What do you people say?
The first win against Bangladesh is only considered to be a convincing win and not a dominating win. If India is the second ranked ODI in the world, playing in a similar soil in their neighbouring land against Bangladesh - a lesser daunting yet ODI shockers who could upset any team in this world, India should have easily pulled off a stunning win. Yes, the mighty Indian batting line-up continues to be mighty as well with the pride headed by Dhoni showing vigorous efforts with the bat.
However, Bangladesh reaching around 280 as a response to India's massive total of 370 - no, I am not saying that Bangladesh are not capable of getting it, they are indeed capable of coming close as they had shown earlier. However, the ease with which Bangladesh played against the Indian bowlers, spearheaded by the Indian bowling captain Zaheer Khan was definitely a concern.
Sehwag, at the end of the match, commented that everyone performed well except Sreesanth. It was only partly true. The bowling was still weak. Sreesanth was just showing the worst side of it. With the likes of Praveen Kumar missing the tournament, the Indian bowling lineup lacks the power to dominate the field; which they obviously need in order to win the World Cup.
Zaheer Khan is, definitely, the must pick for the World Cup squad. However, Harbhajan Singh ,who is Kumble's successor to the spinner head, is not at his best. Munaf Patel was decent with his efforts and Sreesanth was terrible. The place of Yuvraj Singh in the batting line-up is still a question mark. The points to be noted regarding why he could have been preferred over Raina is that he is capable of handling short deliveries better and being an experienced campaigner, he could be a guidance for the other team members. Also, he is capable of dominating with the bat and also he could be a regular part-time spinner. However, having said that, his place in the team is more contrasting, he is almost bowling full quota and have not done much contributions with the bat in the recent past.
With Ashish Nehra not at his 100% fitness, the Indian team had to contemplate for an extra spinner in place of Sreesanth in the next match against England. Piyush Chawla was the immediate pick by the team as he had performed with a four wicket haul in the warm-up match against Australia.
Piyush Chawla, in his first ever World Cup, was nervous in his first over bowling short deliveries. However, he rectified his mistake in his very next over bowling good lengths. However, when he was the only full time bowler option left for the 49th over, Dhoni went for it having faced such circumstances. Chawla, however, failed miserably conceding two consecutive sixes in that over which also cost India its second win. Yes, they didn't lose. But they could have won!
Now, now! The bowling woes has come to the surface again. India had not been able to defend a yet another little massive total of 330. Yes, they did face England but again England at one point were just cruising to their win. If not for the twists and turns then and there, England would have sailed home easily.
What could be the line up that could prove a worthy choice in every match? Would India have to replace Yuvraj or Pathan with a regular bowler or do they have to go for Sreesanth again or go with Nehra? With an hour long discussion with my roommate, the option that I am putting forward is bringing in Ashwin whose bowling had not been read by most of the players out there. He could bowl economic overs in the first powerplay along with Zaheer Khan who could look to pick wickets. Then could come the option of Munaf Patel after 10 overs and also Harbhajan if necessary. Yuvraj/Pathan and Nehra, who do well if bowled short spells, could share the 10 overs between each. Even if one of the medium pacers fail, the other two could fill in the shoes.
About the batting line-up, do you not thing that Sehwag, Tendulkar, Gambhir, Kohli, Dhoni, Yuvraj/Pathan could look after it? Also I am considering the option that Harbhajan and Zaheer could contribute with the bat along with Chawla/Ashwin. What do you people say?
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