If this report in India Times is correct, and not a part of retaliatory media war by India, then one fears that India are already on the backfoot.
The report says that ''India batsman Virender Sehwag has been left out of the playing eleven whereas Zaheer Khan's fitness might make him sit out as well in the second Test against Australia in Sydney on Wednesday''.
The report adds ''In spite of constant advices by cricket legends, India skipper Anil Kumble chose to opt out Sehwag from playing eleven.''
Blog's take: The legends included Steve Waugh and Javagal Srinath. Though they had advocated Sehwag-Dravid Combo, Sehwag could have only come in Yuvraj's place, making it Sehwag-Jaffer Combo.
About the team's composition, we will know for sure in few hours from now as last minute changes do happen. But if Sehwag is not there, India will certainly be on the backfoot.
One, India will not have a regular opening pair for the second consecutive time.
Second, Dravid will be forced to play as opener, which makes him vulnerable once again.
Third, Laxman at number three on overseas pitches does not inspire much confidence.
Hopefully, there will be a rethink on Sehwag. With Zaheer gone, one believes there will not be much difference. After all, the first few wickets in both the innings were taken by the spinners at Melbourne!
Showing posts with label Sehwag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sehwag. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Sehwag-Dravid Combo finds one more supporter
With India gearing up for a do-or-die battle at Sydney which begins less than 24 hours from now, the call to have Sehwag partnering Dravid is gaining momentum.
After Steve Waugh (http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2007/12/steves-team-will-have-sehwag-partnering.html), Javagal Srinath has asked the team management to let Sehwag partner Dravid at the top in a match, which India simply can’t afford to lose.
‘’Given the nature of the surface at the SCG, Sehwag and Rahul should be opening the innings. Sehwag was not only a great hit with the bat on the last tour, but can be very handy with the ball, on a turner like SCG,’’ writes Srinath in his column by Hawkeye/Chivach Sports.
Srinath is convinced that ‘’At present, Rahul needs an aggressive opening partner to complement his style of batting.’’Sehwag should be happy indeed.
If he gets in and scores, there won’t be a better new year gift for him and the Indian Contingent. His selection in that case will turn out to be as inspirational as Ganguly’s inclusion in the Test team for South Africa at the fag end of 2006.
In between, there were two adverse developments for the Indian squad, gearing up to take on Australia.
India’s best batsman in the 1st Test, Ganguly is down with fever though the team management believes that he will be fit in time for the second test. One does recall seeing Ganguly in discomfort during India’s second innings.
Hopefully, he will have recovered sufficiently to bat for long if India are to bat first tomorrow. They simply can’t afford to lose a batsman in form.
The second bad piece of news has been the nature of the pitch. In a story titled ‘’Pacy strip confuses India,’’ the Times of India says ‘’the virgin wicket at the SCG is not quite a spinners’ paradise, but has a bit of grass no it and the ball will carry nicely to the wicketkeeper.’
However, the nature of the pitch should concern only the Indians who are banking heavily on their best attack, which comprises two spinners. The Australians will hardly be bothered, as they have form as well momentum going on their side.
After Steve Waugh (http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2007/12/steves-team-will-have-sehwag-partnering.html), Javagal Srinath has asked the team management to let Sehwag partner Dravid at the top in a match, which India simply can’t afford to lose.
‘’Given the nature of the surface at the SCG, Sehwag and Rahul should be opening the innings. Sehwag was not only a great hit with the bat on the last tour, but can be very handy with the ball, on a turner like SCG,’’ writes Srinath in his column by Hawkeye/Chivach Sports.
Srinath is convinced that ‘’At present, Rahul needs an aggressive opening partner to complement his style of batting.’’Sehwag should be happy indeed.
If he gets in and scores, there won’t be a better new year gift for him and the Indian Contingent. His selection in that case will turn out to be as inspirational as Ganguly’s inclusion in the Test team for South Africa at the fag end of 2006.
In between, there were two adverse developments for the Indian squad, gearing up to take on Australia.
India’s best batsman in the 1st Test, Ganguly is down with fever though the team management believes that he will be fit in time for the second test. One does recall seeing Ganguly in discomfort during India’s second innings.
Hopefully, he will have recovered sufficiently to bat for long if India are to bat first tomorrow. They simply can’t afford to lose a batsman in form.
The second bad piece of news has been the nature of the pitch. In a story titled ‘’Pacy strip confuses India,’’ the Times of India says ‘’the virgin wicket at the SCG is not quite a spinners’ paradise, but has a bit of grass no it and the ball will carry nicely to the wicketkeeper.’
However, the nature of the pitch should concern only the Indians who are banking heavily on their best attack, which comprises two spinners. The Australians will hardly be bothered, as they have form as well momentum going on their side.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
If You do not score, Australia will score
‘’India would have never been at six after nine overs had Sehwag been there’’
Basically, the commentators were describing Sehwag’s ability to take the bull by the horn after India’s very defensive start, which saw them make just six runs in first nine overs, while losing Jaffer’s wicket at the same time.
Worse, India would have been staring disaster at 6 for two, had Dravid been lapped up by Jaques, or been caught off a legitimate ball by Hayden.
With a player like Sehwag, fireworks are guaranteed, and that is the only sureshot way of putting Australia on the defensive. For records, Australia were 36 for none after ten overs while India were just six for one at the similar stage.
Sure, you have to eschew some strokes initially, as many players including great Tendulkar will testify, but that does not mean not making runs at all. Dravid would have been out without scoring off 19 balls and then 33 balls. His first runs, a two, came after he had played a good 40 deliveries just defending.
Sure, Sehwag is not in the best of form but if you have the confidence to take him to Australia, have confidence to have in the playing eleven as well. The Australian aggression can’t be met by defense alone.
Dravid is still best suited at number three. He looked so uncomfortable as opener. Even if he makes some runs, it will only be thanks to all the chances he got.
Basically, the commentators were describing Sehwag’s ability to take the bull by the horn after India’s very defensive start, which saw them make just six runs in first nine overs, while losing Jaffer’s wicket at the same time.
Worse, India would have been staring disaster at 6 for two, had Dravid been lapped up by Jaques, or been caught off a legitimate ball by Hayden.
With a player like Sehwag, fireworks are guaranteed, and that is the only sureshot way of putting Australia on the defensive. For records, Australia were 36 for none after ten overs while India were just six for one at the similar stage.
Sure, you have to eschew some strokes initially, as many players including great Tendulkar will testify, but that does not mean not making runs at all. Dravid would have been out without scoring off 19 balls and then 33 balls. His first runs, a two, came after he had played a good 40 deliveries just defending.
Sure, Sehwag is not in the best of form but if you have the confidence to take him to Australia, have confidence to have in the playing eleven as well. The Australian aggression can’t be met by defense alone.
Dravid is still best suited at number three. He looked so uncomfortable as opener. Even if he makes some runs, it will only be thanks to all the chances he got.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Indian selection dilemma is over, Australia's persists
(Media Watch One for Dec 24, More to follow above this post)
With India finally deciding that Dravid will open (Dravid to ‘crack’ open puzzle in IE and in most news channels yesterday), it is clear that Sehwag will have to wait for his chance from the bench on a ground where he was so lethal with that 195 four years ago.
But one thing good about the decision is that it has been made three days before the test, rather than a day before or in the morning. It will help Dravid get into the opening ‘mindset’ sooner than later. Since now Yuvraj too knows he is in, there is going to be more intensity about his preparations. Sehwag can be called unlucky, but he will surely have his chance in January-Feb 2008.
However, the Australians may still not have decided on whether to include Chinaman Hogg, or go with all pace attack at the Melbourne Test. It will be wise for Australia to include a man about whom Muralitharan says that ‘’the World’s top batsmen can’t pick his wrong ones.’’ Indian batsmen are capable of clobbering a unidimensional pace attack at will on a benign pitch. Australia will certainly need some variety.
If one goes by what the curator has to say, it is not going to be a green top and even he has asked Australia to include a spinner. And if it is not a green top, then even India must go in with their best attack. That is, two spinners and two seamers.
With India finally deciding that Dravid will open (Dravid to ‘crack’ open puzzle in IE and in most news channels yesterday), it is clear that Sehwag will have to wait for his chance from the bench on a ground where he was so lethal with that 195 four years ago.
But one thing good about the decision is that it has been made three days before the test, rather than a day before or in the morning. It will help Dravid get into the opening ‘mindset’ sooner than later. Since now Yuvraj too knows he is in, there is going to be more intensity about his preparations. Sehwag can be called unlucky, but he will surely have his chance in January-Feb 2008.
However, the Australians may still not have decided on whether to include Chinaman Hogg, or go with all pace attack at the Melbourne Test. It will be wise for Australia to include a man about whom Muralitharan says that ‘’the World’s top batsmen can’t pick his wrong ones.’’ Indian batsmen are capable of clobbering a unidimensional pace attack at will on a benign pitch. Australia will certainly need some variety.
If one goes by what the curator has to say, it is not going to be a green top and even he has asked Australia to include a spinner. And if it is not a green top, then even India must go in with their best attack. That is, two spinners and two seamers.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Dravid may not open in Boxing day test?
It looks highly unlikely but that is what the Times of India is saying quoting PTI.
Unfortunately, this source journalism has a problem that there is never any quote with a name. Whose thinking, what thinking -- is always in realm of dispute.
The report says ''Till the start of the three-day game against Victoria on Thursday, the thinking was to put Dravid at the top of the order and pitchfork VVS Laxman at number three. These two were the best bats against Australia in 2003 and the opinion was to again put them at the forefront. But both are unused to this position and Dravid is fighting his own demons, inflicted on him after his ouster from One-dayers, a few technical cobwebs as well as the new task of opening the innings.''
The reasoning is perfect, and that is the way it should be. And Veru should be happy. He certainly has very good memories of MCG with that tremendous 195.
The Report says that ''Sehwag has been put on alert and he wasted little time in rushing to the MCG indoor nets this afternoon to give himself some serious workout against bowling machines.''Good.
That will surely help him if he gets a chance for the sterner test ahead!
Unfortunately, this source journalism has a problem that there is never any quote with a name. Whose thinking, what thinking -- is always in realm of dispute.
The report says ''Till the start of the three-day game against Victoria on Thursday, the thinking was to put Dravid at the top of the order and pitchfork VVS Laxman at number three. These two were the best bats against Australia in 2003 and the opinion was to again put them at the forefront. But both are unused to this position and Dravid is fighting his own demons, inflicted on him after his ouster from One-dayers, a few technical cobwebs as well as the new task of opening the innings.''
The reasoning is perfect, and that is the way it should be. And Veru should be happy. He certainly has very good memories of MCG with that tremendous 195.
The Report says that ''Sehwag has been put on alert and he wasted little time in rushing to the MCG indoor nets this afternoon to give himself some serious workout against bowling machines.''Good.
That will surely help him if he gets a chance for the sterner test ahead!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Dravid is not a Wiseman!
Even as someone named Wise was making Indians aware of what Australian conditions are all about, Dravid showed that he was not a Wise-man by ensuring that the Indians did not completely crumble.
But it may also not have been a Wise thing to resist so dourly as an opener (Dravid was unbeaten on 24 by the 25th over of the innings). It ensures that 'the wall' will open at Melbourne, something which Dravid will never be fully comfortable with at the Test level.
One wonders what is in store when Lee and Tait share the Red cherry at Australia's most hallowed ground on December 26th (if Australia get to bowl first).
(This post is purely in zest. Media watch one is below)
But it may also not have been a Wise thing to resist so dourly as an opener (Dravid was unbeaten on 24 by the 25th over of the innings). It ensures that 'the wall' will open at Melbourne, something which Dravid will never be fully comfortable with at the Test level.
One wonders what is in store when Lee and Tait share the Red cherry at Australia's most hallowed ground on December 26th (if Australia get to bowl first).
(This post is purely in zest. Media watch one is below)
Viru does not get a chance to show he is dada against Australian pace!
Media Watch One
One of the headlines today in the Indian Express was ‘’Viru opts for lighter bat to score heavy.’’ His bat is now 90-100 grams lighter.
Blog’s Take: We can now hope that with this lighter bat, Sehwag will strike the Australian bowlers like a lightening. As per the story, it will reduce the time taken to connect the ball after a big backlift. That is very important on pitches where ball comes little faster off the track.
Unfortunately, we will not get a chance to see his pyrotechnics in the three-day match between Victoria and India, which took off today. With Jaffer and Dravid opening, India’s priorities are clear. Unless Dravid fails in both the innings, he will play at Melbourne. That will be a pity because even if Dravid succeeds in Australia, you can not do much without specialist openers.
One of the headlines today in the Indian Express was ‘’Viru opts for lighter bat to score heavy.’’ His bat is now 90-100 grams lighter.
Blog’s Take: We can now hope that with this lighter bat, Sehwag will strike the Australian bowlers like a lightening. As per the story, it will reduce the time taken to connect the ball after a big backlift. That is very important on pitches where ball comes little faster off the track.
Unfortunately, we will not get a chance to see his pyrotechnics in the three-day match between Victoria and India, which took off today. With Jaffer and Dravid opening, India’s priorities are clear. Unless Dravid fails in both the innings, he will play at Melbourne. That will be a pity because even if Dravid succeeds in Australia, you can not do much without specialist openers.
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