World Cup Interactive Schedule:
http://sports.ndtv.com/world-cup-2011/schedule/interactive-schedules
Big Match coming up tomorrow. I say big, only because we lost the 1st match against BL in the 2007 WC. As far as India (I am) is concerned – it’s a revenge match. After the loss last time, India couldn’t play catch up and got booted out in the 1st round itself. A repeat should not, must not (and hopefully will not) happen this time.
Batting
Most of them pick themselves. Kohli is in supreme form and there should be no question about his place in the 11. Going by what happened in the last practice match – he must play at 4 behind Gambhir. Toss is between Yuvraj and Raina. Yuvraj didn’t bat last (practice) match and not in form. Raina played well. Yuvi’s been bowling ok and bcoz of that he might get the nod over Raina.
Bowling
Bhajji and Zaheer are automatic choices. After the (poor and insipid) performance of our seamers, I feel Chawla should play since he has been bowling well in the practice games. For the last bowler’s spot – it can be a toss between Sreesanth and Munaf. Nehra is definitely a NO NO. Given the form and the team – India should go with 2 + 2 bowling combo + part time options of Yuvraj/Raina, Y Pathan and Kohli (if needed).
Strategy
BL will unleash their battery of spin bowlers. Razzaq, Shakib, Shuvo, Mahmudullah etc. Dhoni must send Pathan up the order to unsettle the spinners. Dhoni should think ahead of the game and must play pro-active cricket rather than catch up. For heaven’s sake – don’t wait till 40+ overs to take the batting power play – take it earlier when the going is good.
BL’s batting will revolve around Tamim and Shakib. Tamim likes the ball coming with some pace and Shakib likes spinners. So the strategy to outwit them should be straightforward. Ashraful can be dangerous on his day – but he is not in form off late. But India is quite generous in that aspect – they always make the opponents get back to form J This should be avoided.
Behavior
Off late most of the guys in our team seem to celebrate like indecent, uncivilized and uncultured individuals – either when they get to a 50 or a 100 or take a wicket. Use of the F word or the B word (in Hindi) is becoming common for these guys: Harbhajan, Kohli, Yuvraj, Gambhir (to a small extent). This momentary victory is by no means conquering the world. Important thing is to behave like humans. Just look at your teammate “Sachin” and draw some inspiration. He has conquered the world – yet he is so humble. His behavior is a role model for present and future generations.
Indian 11
V Sehwag, S Tendulkar, G Gambhir, V Kohli, Yuvraj/Raina, M Dhoni, Y Pathan, Harbhajan, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth
On paper India should thrash Bangladesh – but matches are not played on paper but on the ground. Play with a cool head and play with passion….we can then win not only the 1st match…..but also the last match.
PS: As always, any comments/feedback will be highly appreciated.
http://sports.ndtv.com/world-cup-2011/schedule/interactive-schedules
Big Match coming up tomorrow. I say big, only because we lost the 1st match against BL in the 2007 WC. As far as India (I am) is concerned – it’s a revenge match. After the loss last time, India couldn’t play catch up and got booted out in the 1st round itself. A repeat should not, must not (and hopefully will not) happen this time.
Batting
Most of them pick themselves. Kohli is in supreme form and there should be no question about his place in the 11. Going by what happened in the last practice match – he must play at 4 behind Gambhir. Toss is between Yuvraj and Raina. Yuvraj didn’t bat last (practice) match and not in form. Raina played well. Yuvi’s been bowling ok and bcoz of that he might get the nod over Raina.
Bowling
Bhajji and Zaheer are automatic choices. After the (poor and insipid) performance of our seamers, I feel Chawla should play since he has been bowling well in the practice games. For the last bowler’s spot – it can be a toss between Sreesanth and Munaf. Nehra is definitely a NO NO. Given the form and the team – India should go with 2 + 2 bowling combo + part time options of Yuvraj/Raina, Y Pathan and Kohli (if needed).
Strategy
BL will unleash their battery of spin bowlers. Razzaq, Shakib, Shuvo, Mahmudullah etc. Dhoni must send Pathan up the order to unsettle the spinners. Dhoni should think ahead of the game and must play pro-active cricket rather than catch up. For heaven’s sake – don’t wait till 40+ overs to take the batting power play – take it earlier when the going is good.
BL’s batting will revolve around Tamim and Shakib. Tamim likes the ball coming with some pace and Shakib likes spinners. So the strategy to outwit them should be straightforward. Ashraful can be dangerous on his day – but he is not in form off late. But India is quite generous in that aspect – they always make the opponents get back to form J This should be avoided.
Behavior
Off late most of the guys in our team seem to celebrate like indecent, uncivilized and uncultured individuals – either when they get to a 50 or a 100 or take a wicket. Use of the F word or the B word (in Hindi) is becoming common for these guys: Harbhajan, Kohli, Yuvraj, Gambhir (to a small extent). This momentary victory is by no means conquering the world. Important thing is to behave like humans. Just look at your teammate “Sachin” and draw some inspiration. He has conquered the world – yet he is so humble. His behavior is a role model for present and future generations.
Indian 11
V Sehwag, S Tendulkar, G Gambhir, V Kohli, Yuvraj/Raina, M Dhoni, Y Pathan, Harbhajan, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth
On paper India should thrash Bangladesh – but matches are not played on paper but on the ground. Play with a cool head and play with passion….we can then win not only the 1st match…..but also the last match.
PS: As always, any comments/feedback will be highly appreciated.
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