Its been so disheartening as an Indian fan to watch the Men in Blue depend on mathematics to qualify for the semi finals. So what is wrong with the team which is the best prepared unit considering IPL was over only 5 days prior to the start of ICC WT20.
For starters lets get finished with pointing out fingers at the so-called fatigue factor. Yes, IPL finished on 25/4. But 5 days is good enough rest for 'professional' cricketers. MSD himself said it is a no issue once.
So where has it gone all wrong?
MS Dhoni might say that Spin is India's strength but on a pitch where pace gets assistance they must have exploited it. So the work starts with proper planning which i think was missing. By planning i mean the activities involved before the start of the tournament.
Both the selection committee and the players and Gary have played in WI and so knowing that Barbados will assist pace they must have kept that in mind. What is Vinay Kumar doing in the squad? He was virtually unplayable in the game vs. MI and was spectacular through out the IPL. Zaheer Khan admitted in his twitter page that he was not upto the mark and was even dumped vs. SA. Ashish Nehra is doing reasonably well and you need someone to compliment.
Let me get to the business. India must start looking for the best players on form and not on name. Yes Zaheer Lhan is a terrific player and a leader of the pack. But if he isn't performing well then one must start looking in the other direction and not hoping Zak will deliver. He is a gr8 bowler but he is currently out of form.
One look at the Aussie squad will give you why they are in top form. Look at the variety. Dirk Nannes left arm quick, Mitchell Johnson left arm slinger and Shaun Tait Right arm quick[also a slinger] Steve Smith a leggie and Shane Watson a fantastic all rounder.
The question is why is Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes not playing ODIs? Are they fit only for T20s? No. The answer is they are T20 specialists.
Now the batting, Dave Warner and Dave Hussey are destructive players speacialised in the format. So that makes it 2+2 players.
I can assure you that if they were born in India all four would have been starters in probably all the three formats.
The classic example is of Ishant Sharma. When he burst into fame in Intl. Cricket after an outstanding spell to Ricky Ponting one feared that how long it will last.! Where is Ishant now? The problem over exposure to all formats immediately.
Speaking of specialists, here is another serious thought. Example David Hussey. Bats at No.4 for Victoria, Australia, Kolkata Knight Riders and Nottinghamshire. He knows how to play there and is ready for all the sitations. Take Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Yusuf Pathan and Rohit Sharma. All batted at No.4 for their franchises. Now they are No.4, 5, 6 and 7 for India. You can say a cricketer must adjust to the batting position but T20 is such a short format that you need to adapt less. Claerly Yusuf Pathan faces only two options. Either he doesn't bat or bats only the last 2 overs when India bats first. When chasing he bats when India are 6 down with Jadeja/Bhajji or when they need 80 from 40 balls. He is a good player but he never played for RR in these situations. So the problem must been soon sorted.
My solution, is Yusuf if he is asked to bat at No.7 for India then must bat at No.7 for Baroda, West Zone and Raj. Royals or whatever team he plays for.
Then you'll see a different India. As I write India is not yet out of the tournament and I wish they make it to the semis. All the very best to Men in Blue.
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