India's world cup campaign has begun on a disastrous note. There were tel tale signs visible the way Bangladesh defeated New Zealand in their warm-up game. Dravid's decision to bat on a bouncy wicket offering a bit of swing / seam movement, was a surprising one. India is known to be a poor starter in big tournaments. The decision to open with Sehwag backfired on Dravid. Sehwag is looking a pale shadow of himself.
All said and done, having opted for making a statement by opting to bat on a moisture laden wicket, India miserably failed to rotate the strike during the middle overs. Watching India bat during the past few years, it seems they have forgotten the art of milking the spinners / medium pacers for singles during the middle overs. It was Bob Simpson, the famous Australian Batsmen and coach, who said that the team that scores the most number of singles in a match, tends to win the match most probably.
It was pathetic to watch Sourav Ganguly struggling to push the ball into the gaps and take a single. The Indians have got used to playing on flat batting tracks and hitting boundaries. Not everyday, we may come across such a track. The three left arm spinners, agreed bowled very well, could have been easily milked around for singles. But the Indians instead played into the hands of the Bangladeshies, who it must be said have made a astonishing transformation during the last one year. They fielded like demons and bowled like misers.
In the bowling front also, Dravid committed a cardinal sin by not opening with Munaf Patel, who looks to be our best bet against left handers, thereby giving the early initative to Bangladesh, who cashed in on some loose stuff by Ajit Agarker and Zaheer.
It is high time the Indians change their batting order, by pushing Sehwag down the order, if at all he is played in the next two matches and opening with Sachin and Sourav at the top followed by Dravid, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik and the bowlers. Ajit Agarkar should be replaced by Sreesanth, who brings some energy into the field. The Indians went into the field looking a bit tight and not relaxed.
It's time India stamps its authority by thrashing Bermuda in their next game and hopefully beating Sri lanka. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
All said and done, having opted for making a statement by opting to bat on a moisture laden wicket, India miserably failed to rotate the strike during the middle overs. Watching India bat during the past few years, it seems they have forgotten the art of milking the spinners / medium pacers for singles during the middle overs. It was Bob Simpson, the famous Australian Batsmen and coach, who said that the team that scores the most number of singles in a match, tends to win the match most probably.
It was pathetic to watch Sourav Ganguly struggling to push the ball into the gaps and take a single. The Indians have got used to playing on flat batting tracks and hitting boundaries. Not everyday, we may come across such a track. The three left arm spinners, agreed bowled very well, could have been easily milked around for singles. But the Indians instead played into the hands of the Bangladeshies, who it must be said have made a astonishing transformation during the last one year. They fielded like demons and bowled like misers.
In the bowling front also, Dravid committed a cardinal sin by not opening with Munaf Patel, who looks to be our best bet against left handers, thereby giving the early initative to Bangladesh, who cashed in on some loose stuff by Ajit Agarker and Zaheer.
It is high time the Indians change their batting order, by pushing Sehwag down the order, if at all he is played in the next two matches and opening with Sachin and Sourav at the top followed by Dravid, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik and the bowlers. Ajit Agarkar should be replaced by Sreesanth, who brings some energy into the field. The Indians went into the field looking a bit tight and not relaxed.
It's time India stamps its authority by thrashing Bermuda in their next game and hopefully beating Sri lanka. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
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