Team-BHP (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)

-   Shifting gears (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/)

-   -   The Cricket Thread (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/8603-cricket-thread-1090.html)

Make no mistake, they are using this ODI series to try strategies against our batting line up for the WTC final.

After all NZ exploited this very weakness of our batting line up in English conditions in both the ODI WC Semi-finals and the WTC Final.

Forget WTC final, they are alien condition for us, they are owning us in home conditions. Rohit Sharma weakness against moving ball is no new story, what he is doing in test setup is a mystery, forget being captain.

If he is not able to pull off WTC final victory or ODI World Cup trophy, he will probably be remembered as the worst captain in recent history. Axar again looked the best bat today, high time he starts playing ahead of some of established batsman.

What happened to SKY ? 2 golden ducks. Didnt see the telecast but players I hope know when to score brisk 50 or more and when to score run a ball 40 or 50. Knowing when to do on which pitch and having the skill to do so is rare.
I wish the WTC test final will last than 2 days if ball swings :sadface

While we can (rightly) berate our top order for falling yet again to left arm pace, it was Mitchell Starc's brilliant opening burst that blew us away in both games so far.

There was some hope after Gill fell in the first over when Rohit + Virat added 30 runs in 4 overs. But then Rohit played a loose shot and Starc accounted for Surya and KL almost immediately. And we were 5 down inside 10 overs for the second time in two days. Maybe we could have sent one of Jadeja/Axar in place of Surya to sort of mess with Starc's line and length but that would hardly have made a difference. On his day, Starc has the ability to dismiss anyone, regardless of the conditions.

Let's see how we respond in Chennai.

Mitchell Starc.
He bowled two perfect inswingers to Surya in excess of 145km/hr. Not many would have survived.

I am sorry but that's just not true.
Kohli survived same inswing balls this innings and even Rohit tackled them initially. Kohli got out later missing a flick but his technique is still on point. Truth is SKY simply doesn't have the technique to play the moving ball. His front foot shuffle is too much and comes across a lot. Unless he works on his technique and temperament to play longer formats he is best kept for T20 only in which he is absolutely a beast. We had 2 lefties in line up and Dravid didn't send anyone at 4 or 5 to negate Starc's spell. Zero pro activeness.

And I am so glad this Humiliation happened.

Coach and Captain are a complete joke. Zero flexibility in any format be it strategy or selections. Axar has been awesome with bat off late and he is still batting 8 and left stranded again by worst no.11 currently Siraj who can't even defend a ball in any format. SKY is only a T20 player with rubbish technique against a moving ball. Gill learned nothing from his last game and got out to same shot. Jadeja since his return has forgotten how to Bat positively. And where is Bishnoi who was best spinner against Pak and then dropped without any reason whatsoever.

I have 0 hopes from this coach and captain for WTC final or World cup. Apparently neither the BCCI nor the team management cares for us fans so let me enjoy IPL now and I am glad Mitch Marsh is In form for my team DC :D

BTW that Smith catch of Hardik was absolutely amazing. This is how slips should be and ours drop sitters.

Edit- just saw SKY averages 13.3 in his last 13 ODI innings. And Rohit Sharma in his press conference after this match said SKY should get more chances to realise his potential. This management is hopeless:Frustrati

Wait for the match at Chennai, it will be made a spinner friendly track in 2 days. Rahul Dravid won't be sacked till WC.

Not all inswingers are equal mate :D

On a closer look, both deliveries Surya got, not only swung in the air, but also seamed off the deck to change direction after pitching. To his credit Surya covered for the swing and tried to play straight. But it was the seam movement at Starc's pace that did Surya in both games. The ones Rohit+Kohli put away were bowled too full, not giving the ball a chance to change direction after pitching.

KL Rahul got his version of the Surya delivery from Starc, as did Kohli in the first game. Both getting pinged on the pads before they could adjust for the seam movement after their bats covered for the swing. This deadly concoction of movement in the air, direction change after pitching happening at 145+ would be fatal for most batsmen in the world. Which is precisely the point I was making.

Edit: Has anyone seen the Netflix documentary Caught Out : Crime Corruption Cricket? It revisits the match fixing saga of the 2000's.

That is precisely what needs to be in the WTC Final or in a critical WC game when you have someone like Starc,Boult or Shaheen in red hot form. You have to mix things up. Since Jadeja has a decent record in England, I would slot Jadeja in at no.4 if 2 quick wickets fall. Since you don't have Pant to counter attack at no.5 you have to look at perhaps Jadeja to hold one end up and ensure Starc & Co. have to keep changing their line & length.

Don't think anyone among Virat,Samson or Iyer would have survived those deliveries from Starc first up. A Left Arm quick in form who can get movement in the air & off the pitch will always be lethal due to the angle. But I'm perplexed as to why SKY is batting at no.4 since originally the team management wanted him to take care of the last 20 overs. But now I guess since Iyer is out for 6 months, SKY will get more chances.

Only legacy Rohit Sharma will have as a Captain will be for his IPL franchise & winning bilaterals!

Iyer has to undergo surgery.

Out of IPL and WTC final. First Pant and now Shreyas. Unlucky to miss 2 of our best batters in middle order.

Looks like KL and Gill both will play now. Will be interesting to see what positions though.

Make it 3 golden ducks.
Today it was not even Starc, rather the spinner Agar. But he was again in an awkward position. So it’s not the bowler. Problem is with his technique. Not sure if it’s newly developed or was pre-existing which bowlers are now exploiting.

India was cruising just fine when our batters decided to gift their wickets in a platter. Feel really sorry for Axar. But now the last recognised pair is on crease. The task just got tougher:disappointed

Getting bit nostalgic while watching this match. We have classic 270ish score in first innings. Now team batting second working hard to stay in touch with required rate. There is a period in match where no boundaries are scored, partnership slowly starts to build and then there is a wicket. These kind of matches were very common during 2000's. It's definitely better than targets of 350's getting chased down easily. Neither high scoring or low scoring, perfectly balanced match:)

As per Dravid, Suryakumar Yadav still learning the 50-over game. No doubt, he has proved his worth in the T20s but does look good in the longer formats. It seems that he is planning to keep him in the 11 till its very late.
Come on Dravid, it’s not under-19 team where you used to groom players and helped them to improve their games. It is unjust to others who are waiting for their chances with better performances like Ishan and Samson.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...2.cms?from=mdr

Looks like he is gunning for Ajit Agarkar's record.

SKY and his unwanted record!



Source- Cricbuzz

True, These were the kind of games that earned MSD the reputation of being the best finisher. He could stay there till the end and flourish in the last few overs to take us home. It was the perfect opportunity for Jadeja and Hardik to take that role. Sadly, both of them perished against a spinner :( Looks like nobody in this team can play quality spin now.