The Cricket Thread

[StarrySky]

To be completely fair to Dravid and Sachin, I compared their records in Test matches that they have played together.

Total Runs:
Dravid: 11894
Sachin: 12586

in Australia (Sachin): 1441
in Australia (Dravid): 1143

in Bangladesh (Sachin): 820
in Bangladesh (Dravid): 560

in England (Sachin): 1184
in England (Dravid): 1376

in India (Sachin): 5431
in India (Dravid): 5384

in New Zealand (Sachin): 671
in New Zealand (Dravid): 766

in Pakistan (Sachin): 268
in Pakistan (Dravid): 550

in South Africa (Sachin):959
in South Africa (Dravid):624

in Sri Lanka (Sachin): 952
in Sri Lanka (Dravid): 427

in West Indies (Sachin): 620
in West Indies (Dravid): 764

in Zimbabwe (Sachin): 240
in Zimbabwe (Dravid): 300

Their records are quite comparable during this period (Sachin ahead by ~750 runs). There's almost nothing to separate them while playing in India.

One interesting observation is that Dravid seems to do better in England/New Zealand where the ball tends to move around a fair bit whereas Sachin seems to do better in Australia/South Africa which are known for fast and bouncy pitches. Which means that each has his own strength/weaknesses and sort of complement each other.

[shankar.balan]

Yes that is true - its been his life so far. Perhaps the time has come to move to other things now that his day is pretty much done in terms of achievements etc.
The old order needs to change, to give way to the new - that's the way of nature and that should be the way of life in any profession as well.
However, it is all a question of opinion...

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin

Shankar, For Sachin Cricket has been his life. I'm sure that he wouldn't overstay his welcome. He would have given thought to it and I'm sure he would call it a day with dignity when he is still good enough

[Eddy]

Whats the big deal guys ? Its simple enough for me

Q1- Should he retire ?
Ans: Only he can decide that. No other cricketer, no ex-player, no armchair critic like me can answer this question. Remember, retirement is not only because of diminishing ability, its also because of diminishing motivation & enthusiasm to play. And that is something that only Sachin knows. Retirement so that someone "younger" gets a chance does not sound right to me.

Q2 - Should he be dropped ?
Ans: Only selectors can take that call, so let them do their jobs

[lloydofcochin]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Yes that is true - its been his life so far. Perhaps the time has come to move to other things now that his day is pretty much done in terms of achievements etc.
The old order needs to change, to give way to the new - that's the way of nature and that should be the way of life in any profession as well.
However, it is all a question of opinion...

Shankar, I agree with you regarding the way of nature. But there are always some exceptions. Let's take John Chambers of CISCO as an example. He has been serving as CEO since 1995. That's a long 17 years and off late the CISCO had hit some rough weather but he still has the confidence of the board to continue.

So let Sachin play and as long as he performs we should probably savor those breathtaking shots from his Bat and relax

Originally Posted by Eddy

Whats the big deal guys ? Its simple enough for me

Q1- Should he retire ?
Ans: Only he can decide that. No other cricketer, no ex-player, no armchair critic like me can answer this question. Remember, retirement is not only because of diminishing ability, its also because of diminishing motivation & enthusiasm to play. And that is something that only Sachin knows. Retirement so that someone "younger" gets a chance does not sound right to me.

Q2 - Should he be dropped ?
Ans: Only selectors can take that call, so let them do their jobs

+ 100. Sensible & to the point opinion

[anekho]

Dravid's speech at BCCI. We'll miss you, Rahul.

Mumbai : Rahul Dravid's Speech at BCCI - YouTube

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Dravid is a far superior batsman because he is a far better team player. He kept wickets when asked to. He batted at any position, from 1 to 8, whichever seemed to be better for the team. At his retirement, he said that it was the catches that he was dropping that hurt him the most. Needless to say he saw that as detrimental to the team. Contrast that with Sachin who will only bat as an opener in ODIs and number 4 in tests, no matter what the situation of rest of the team.

Yes Dravid was a far better player.

+1, This is the only point I make to a friend who is a blind SRT fan. I really don't understand why such a great batsman, did/could not volunteer to open the batting when there was an 'opener' crisis (in England). After all he is a regular opener in ODIs.

I wouldn't want to compare RD and SRT as they have been greats in their own way and it is not fair on either of them to put in stats to show who's better. But, as amitoj states above, RD is more of a team man than SRT

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

+1, This is the only point I make to a friend who is a blind SRT fan. I really don't understand why such a great batsman, did/could not volunteer to open the batting when there was an 'opener' crisis (in England). After all he is a regular opener in ODIs.

I wouldn't want to compare RD and SRT as they have been greats in their own way and it is not fair on either of them to put in stats to show who's better. But, as amitoj states above, RD is more of a team man than SRT

I totally fail to understand how Dravid is more of a team man than SRT! You say he should have opened innings in England and that would have been an indication that he is a team player. Well I can equally say that maybe he felt that he would not have been able to do justice to that slot so for team's benefit he decided NOT to open (what good is an opener if he gets out too soon/cant see off the new ball?). At No. 4 he has freedom to accumulate runs (which is the prime job of a batsman) so for TEAM's benefit he stuck with No. 4 position. A Tendulkar (for that matter Dravid, Sehwag, any batsman) making runs is much better than NOT making runs!

Its so unfortunate for Dravid he is being used as the stick to beat Tendulkar here. Both have been our all time great batsman. Its not a bad thing if sometimes one was better than the other. We are talking about two of the best batsman of all time here. Dravid had a great career and now he is retired. One day Tendulkar will also retire. Let us Tendulkar fans enjoy for few more days for once he is gone Cricket will be very very poor. Why take pot shots at the great man, has anyone of us brought even 1% as much glory to the nation as this little man?

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by joslicx

Well I can equally say that maybe he felt that he would not have been able to do justice to that slot so for team's benefit he decided NOT to open (what good is an opener if he gets out too soon/cant see off the new ball?). At No. 4 he has freedom to accumulate runs (which is the prime job of a batsman) so for TEAM's benefit he stuck with No. 4 position. A Tendulkar (for that matter Dravid, Sehwag, any batsman) making runs is much better than NOT making runs!

Okay, lets take Dravid out of the picture here and I agree they shouldn't be compared.

So, if everyone in the team says, 'Sorry, I cannot score runs as an opener, I will bat in the middle order', then who's going to open the innings?? It's not that he isn't used to opening the innings. It's these small things which count, which makes you a team player. Everybody has their comfortable position. But, sticking to their comfort zone even in times of crises is really not something a team man would do.

Originally Posted by joslicx

One day Tendulkar will also retire. Let us Tendulkar fans enjoy for few more days for once he is gone Cricket will be very very poor. Why take pot shots at the great man, has anyone of us brought even 1% as much glory to the nation as this little man?

Yes, one day he will retire 'on his own terms'. The BCCI does not have the guts to sack him anyway. Why sir? just because I haven't contributed even 1% glory, I shouldn't criticize him? By, that logic even you cannot be supporting him. If you can't criticize him, you can't support him either

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

Okay, lets take Dravid out of the picture here and I agree they shouldn't be compared.

So, if everyone in the team says, 'Sorry, I cannot score runs as an opener, I will bat in the middle order', then who's going to open the innings?? It's not that he isn't used to opening the innings. It's these small things which count, which makes you a team player. Everybody has their comfortable position. But, sticking to their comfort zone even in times of crises is really not something a team man would do.

Yes Opener in tests is a specialist position. It is not anybody's job. So you just cant send anyone at the top. In one dayers its different (otherwise what is the difference between ODIs and Tests?) Tests need different technique, different temperament and most of all different commitment from the batsmen. Thats why many players who seem so great in ODIs (like Dhoni, Yuvraj etc) still suck in Test arena.

Yes, one day he will retire 'on his own terms'. The BCCI does not have the guts to sack him anyway. Why sir? just because I haven't contributed even 1% glory, I shouldn't criticize him? By, that logic even you cannot be supporting him. If you can't criticize him, you can't support him either

I am not a Sachin supporter. I am a fan By definition fans are beyond reason I started watching cricket just around when Sachin appeared on the scene and will stop watching when he finally puts the bat down for good. I just feel priviledged to be born at the right time, to have witnessed the greatest batsman ever thru all his cricket life. I just wanted to see India lift WC once while he is there and that has been done.

Dont care for BCCI. Their corruption and money has damaged Cricket beyond repair. Once this golden generation is gone, all you guys will have is stupid T20s and 3 day Test matches. Already there are no more good bowlers, next there will be no more good batsmen, only bludgers.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Only he can decide that. No other cricketer, no ex-player, no armchair critic like me can answer this question.

Just like SRT is free to retire whenever he wants, I am free to have an opinion when he must retire.

Only selectors can take that call, so let them do their jobs

There is no selector born in India who can drop SRT from team. If anybody does that, he won't have a house next day.

[Eddy]

Of course we can all have our opinions

Just that ours will only be an outside view which might not necessarily consider factors like motivation, will, physical condition, money etc.

And I do not buy the argument about selectors. If they can't do what they think is right, then they do not deserve to be selectors. Of course, everything need not be public. They can discuss their plans of dropping a player with the player himself in private.
It is then upto the player to accept the drop and whether he wants to go back to domestic cricket and fight for his place or retire.

[C300]

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

who's going to open the innings??

I wonder why Dhonut didnt promote himself to open the innings . He has this habit of shifting the batting order and promoting himself when things are in control.
It would have been interesting to watch Dhonut facing some music from the English seamers.

[chevelle]

Ambani's hosted a party facilitating Sachin Tendulkar for his 100th Ton. Awesome song sung by Legendary Lata Mangeshkar.

Sachin Tendulkar felicitated by Ambanis, Bollywood - YouTube

Another video of Srikanth going after the news reporter with regards to SRT's 100th Ton and his retirement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=9bofYX1akXM

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by anekho

Dravid's speech at BCCI. We'll miss you, Rahul.

Yes. A model player and a true team player.

Wonder what Mr TonTon was doing that kept him away from this function.

[esteem_lover]

I do not understand why this sudden interest in bashing Sachin with Dravid. Last time I checked, they were 2 of the very best cricketers India ever had playing side by side. Now who would want to beat one with the other ? And why ? I love them both, both are different. Why should Sachin play like Dravid or vice versa ? And who the hell are you guys to suggest who should do what next ?

Please drop your selectors' hats and enjoy the game, why take it so seriously ?