India's Resurgence
SAA B's
Its been quite a series - this indo/pak clash. Although its been a one sided affair in both forms of the game, bat has consistently dominated the ball throughout the series. Apart from a poor batting and bowling display in the third test at karachi and the bowling in first ODI, the Indians seemed to have been at the top of their games. Pakistan on the other end would question their own teams's ability and lack of strategy and have some soul searching to do.
Before the series started, it was touted as the clash between Paki bowlers and Indian batsmen. The pitches for the first two tests ensured that there was no competition whatsoever with bowlers toiling hard on dead rubbers only for the PCB to prepare a seaming pitch for the thirs one. India or Pathan shud i say started the innings on a record note with pathan picking up his hatrick and Pak lumbering at 39/6. A gutsy century by akmal put some respectability to the score. Indian started badly but hung on for small partnerships and came within striking distanceof overwhelming pak score. Pakistan responded very well in the second innings and ensured that either pak wins or match ends in a draw. With two days left and indians tired, it was the former result was achieved. The only consolation being yuvraj's fighting century.
India seemed to have buried the ghosts at karachi when they scored some 300+ in the first ODI only to be defeated because some poor bowling and D-L method. From then on it was always going to be an uphill task for the indians. But then how well did they respond. What impressed me most is that Dravid put a lot of faith in his team's ability that he and chappel want to build. A young and fit india that would be ready to take up various challenging roles when asked for and not find themselves wanting. Deep inside Dravid knew that they had batted well in the tests and lost the test cos of some bad sessions. Not even pak attack was able to take wickets on the dead pitches. They are fully aware that bowling is a weakness that they have to work on. however winning ia what it matters ultimately and they have developed a formula for that. Having full faith in India's batting prowess, they chose to field first and chase scores. why not, with sehwag and tendulkar opening, followed by steady Dravid and good finishers in the form of yuvraj and dhoni, Dravid feels they can chase down any scores. Not surprisingly, they are on a winning streak of 13 succesful run chases, second only to the west-indians.
I think some people come for special mention for this winning habit. Dravid and Chappel seem to fully know what kind of team they want to build. With a lot of effort being put on processes, adapting to different roles, fitness and bench strength. Yuvraj and Dhoni by far have been a revealtion throughout the series. Dravid has also been excellent as a captain leading from the front. This was shown when he opened the innings in the test series allowing Saurav to play at his natural 6th position. You cannot find a more selfless player than him. Yuvraj played two very matured innings during their run chases along with Dhoni and the added responsibility of vice-captaincy seems to have helped yuvraj immensely and he has matured and taken himself to a next level. As for Dhoni, he is just outstanding. He can hit a six/four anytime he wants and Imran coined him a very good name 'Slogger with a temperament'. No doubt, this series will help his confidence and his keeping as well. RP Singh and Sreesanth have also bowled well consistently. Bottom line, there are a lot of positives for India. Dravid's captaincy, Captain-Coach Strategy, Yuvraj/Dhoni, Singh/Sreesanth, fielding and most important winning habit.If india can continue to do this consistently over an extended period we would also be in contention for winning the WC.
Pak on the other hand have some thinking to do. Not very long ago, the Paki fans/critics went gaga over their beating us in India (4-2), winning against resurgent English, winning test series and the first ODI. And now they find themselves questioning themselves. Just shows how fickle game of cricket can be. Definitely they have some work to do especially with their fielding, their batting order and their bowling as well.
At the end, India take solace from their huge ODI win and should be high in confidence to take on a very good English side. That series promises to be huge with England having all fit players. India on the other hand have a injury concern over Yuvraj's hamstring. This would be a perfect opportunity for Dada to step in and prove his worth. Time will tell !!!! wattasay...!!!!!
NO MORE BD MEMBER
SACHIN
Its been quite a series - this indo/pak clash. Although its been a one sided affair in both forms of the game, bat has consistently dominated the ball throughout the series. Apart from a poor batting and bowling display in the third test at karachi and the bowling in first ODI, the Indians seemed to have been at the top of their games. Pakistan on the other end would question their own teams's ability and lack of strategy and have some soul searching to do.
Before the series started, it was touted as the clash between Paki bowlers and Indian batsmen. The pitches for the first two tests ensured that there was no competition whatsoever with bowlers toiling hard on dead rubbers only for the PCB to prepare a seaming pitch for the thirs one. India or Pathan shud i say started the innings on a record note with pathan picking up his hatrick and Pak lumbering at 39/6. A gutsy century by akmal put some respectability to the score. Indian started badly but hung on for small partnerships and came within striking distanceof overwhelming pak score. Pakistan responded very well in the second innings and ensured that either pak wins or match ends in a draw. With two days left and indians tired, it was the former result was achieved. The only consolation being yuvraj's fighting century.
India seemed to have buried the ghosts at karachi when they scored some 300+ in the first ODI only to be defeated because some poor bowling and D-L method. From then on it was always going to be an uphill task for the indians. But then how well did they respond. What impressed me most is that Dravid put a lot of faith in his team's ability that he and chappel want to build. A young and fit india that would be ready to take up various challenging roles when asked for and not find themselves wanting. Deep inside Dravid knew that they had batted well in the tests and lost the test cos of some bad sessions. Not even pak attack was able to take wickets on the dead pitches. They are fully aware that bowling is a weakness that they have to work on. however winning ia what it matters ultimately and they have developed a formula for that. Having full faith in India's batting prowess, they chose to field first and chase scores. why not, with sehwag and tendulkar opening, followed by steady Dravid and good finishers in the form of yuvraj and dhoni, Dravid feels they can chase down any scores. Not surprisingly, they are on a winning streak of 13 succesful run chases, second only to the west-indians.
I think some people come for special mention for this winning habit. Dravid and Chappel seem to fully know what kind of team they want to build. With a lot of effort being put on processes, adapting to different roles, fitness and bench strength. Yuvraj and Dhoni by far have been a revealtion throughout the series. Dravid has also been excellent as a captain leading from the front. This was shown when he opened the innings in the test series allowing Saurav to play at his natural 6th position. You cannot find a more selfless player than him. Yuvraj played two very matured innings during their run chases along with Dhoni and the added responsibility of vice-captaincy seems to have helped yuvraj immensely and he has matured and taken himself to a next level. As for Dhoni, he is just outstanding. He can hit a six/four anytime he wants and Imran coined him a very good name 'Slogger with a temperament'. No doubt, this series will help his confidence and his keeping as well. RP Singh and Sreesanth have also bowled well consistently. Bottom line, there are a lot of positives for India. Dravid's captaincy, Captain-Coach Strategy, Yuvraj/Dhoni, Singh/Sreesanth, fielding and most important winning habit.If india can continue to do this consistently over an extended period we would also be in contention for winning the WC.
Pak on the other hand have some thinking to do. Not very long ago, the Paki fans/critics went gaga over their beating us in India (4-2), winning against resurgent English, winning test series and the first ODI. And now they find themselves questioning themselves. Just shows how fickle game of cricket can be. Definitely they have some work to do especially with their fielding, their batting order and their bowling as well.
At the end, India take solace from their huge ODI win and should be high in confidence to take on a very good English side. That series promises to be huge with England having all fit players. India on the other hand have a injury concern over Yuvraj's hamstring. This would be a perfect opportunity for Dada to step in and prove his worth. Time will tell !!!! wattasay...!!!!!
NO MORE BD MEMBER
SACHIN
posted by Sachin Khare at 1:40 PM
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