[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by NPV

There are reports that Hardik was seen bowling for 20+ minutes at the nets, so I'm guessing he may not be dropped after all!

Are we probably going to see the (stubborn) team management stick to almost the same combination that lost to Pak in the opening game ?

Unfortunately yes. There was a brave tabloid to mention that why Hardik Pandya getting to bowl in nets is not good for India. There is a lot of optimism with Hardik Pandya which I personally dont see much value. In the process of focusing on him, we are losing time to groom and provide opportunities to other All rounders like S Thakur, S Dube, V Iyer etc or simply play a specialist batter like I Kishan or S Iyer.

When I saw Hardik Pandya in the initial years, I was confident that he is going to be the next Kambli Story. Only difference being Kambli was much more skilled and talented than Pandya.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by PPS

I believe Hayden & Philander are just consultants, specifically for this tournament & not on a long term basis. On the evidence of 2 games, looks like PAK is the team to beat in this T20WC. They have batting as well as bowling depth with good variety.

This is true.
Hayden has been quite good in motivating these guys. He is a very good commentator and will be a good coach if he becomes permanent.

Originally Posted by Emvi

You are right. Pakistan were brilliant in the first two matches. But you never know with Pakistan. Just when you think they are playing terrific, they are never too far away from playing terrible cricket!

Remember India was unbeaten and then we lost the semis. T20 is highly unpredictable, one bad day and you are out of tournament. I would like to see Pakistan give a target and then defend it before declaring them favourite. Their middle order is still very shaky.

Originally Posted by NPV

True, some of the former Pak players are saying crazy things. However, the current players themselves (Babar, Imad, Rizwan, etc) seem to be a lot humbler and grounded, their mouths are not going overboard like the erstwhile lot.

Best thing to happen to Pak is Babar as Captain and Rizwan as wicket keeper. Both are very sensible and extremely talented. I don't know how much everyone here follows Pak cricket but I have followed Babar's career since start. He is what Kohli is for India. And he stays out of controversy.

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

I like Rizwan. He seems to be a reasonable player with no nonsense cricketing attitude. Generally Pakistani's cannot be trusted, just like their cricket their behaviour too is unpredictable. Hope these players stay away from the controversies their senior players are creating. Our very own Bhajji Pa is also trying to give back to every tom dick and harry commenting on Ind- Pak, which is unnecessary.

So much noise outside the field with one victory. They need to remember the balance is still heavily on our side. If the cricketing ties werent ceased since past decade then we would have gone pass the overall deficit of 70-87 as well.

Bhajji was provoked. I am a Punjabi too. Trust me, we don't mess with people unnecessarily but when messed with we don't back down too. Sehwag and Bhajji get lot of stick from fans for their outspoken behaviour but they always stand up for Indian cricket and players. Also, bhajji was having friendly banter with Shoaib which they always do and Amir barged in with his stupidity. He deserved the reply.

Can't blame ex cricketer of Pakistan when their President Ramiz Raza keeps on giving controversial statements and declaring revenge on India, NZ and England

I would love to meet Pakistan again in final and repeat the 2007 final. Who knows it may happen

[harry10]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Unfortunately yes. There was a brave tabloid to mention that why Hardik Pandya getting to bowl in nets is not good for India. There is a lot of optimism with Hardik Pandya which I personally dont see much value. In the process of focusing on him, we are losing time to groom and provide opportunities to other All rounders like S Thakur, S Dube, V Iyer etc or simply play a specialist batter like I Kishan or S Iyer.

When I saw Hardik Pandya in the initial years, I was confident that he is going to be the next Kambli Story. Only difference being Kambli was much more skilled and talented than Pandya.

I agree. I won't play Hardik even if he can bowl 2 overs.

First, if he can bowl now why didn't he bowled in the first match? It's not like his shoulder was magically healed in couple of days. Which means either management is forcing him to bowl now or he is in threat of his spot and pushing himself to bowl even though he isn't fully recovered. This will be a disaster if he breaks down in between of such an important do or die match. Plus his bowling aside, it's his hitting which is absolutely rubbish right now. He is a hitter who can't hit so what is his role in playing 11.

Second, Thakur is better bowler who gives breakthrough in middle overs. He can even tonk a few in lower order. His inclusion gives bowl deep and bat deep.

But, I fully trust this management to make the dumb move of playing Hardik again. Hardik failing and Kohli with his 15-20 runs short speech. Rinse and repeat but never learn.

[redCherry]

Originally Posted by harry10

I won't play Hardik even if he can bowl 2 overs.

I won't play him even if he is fully fit and can bowl 4 overs.
He's not a bowler for these kind of pitches, he'll only leak runs in buckets

Despite all this, he will be played in next match also, based on his perceived abilities and for being part of his captain's clique

[Ananthang]

Originally Posted by redCherry

I won't play him even if he is fully fit and can bowl 4 overs.
He's not a bowler for these kind of pitches, he'll only leak runs in buckets

Despite all this, he will be played in next match also, based on his perceived abilities and for being part of his captain's clique

We are fighting here not knowing what is really happening with Hardik Pandya. But man he is a fighter and will never give up. He may not have the right skills but he will keep fighting.

May be we shouldn’t select him, but same is the fact if we play Ashwin he dint have a great IPL either with bat or ball. Even Bumrah has been sorted out nowadays, I don’t remember match winning bowling from him Bumrah for some time now. Even Agarkar was super duper when he joined us.

Team management knows the best. Everyone knows they had to see off Shaheen, but our openers missed the trick.

One good innings for 5 overs can turn the match upside down in a T20. So let’s hope Kohli puts the best team forward and wins the toss. Toss is critical for us.

If Hardik can bowl a couple of decent overs, it can be give other bowlers a breather.

Siraj should have been in the team, but for T20 he needs to mature. Shardul pace is tricky he may or may not complete full 4 overs.

[redCherry]

Bit of an anti-climax this - ESPNCricInfo

Surprising to see him flip-flopping so soon.
Anyway, all's well that ends well

[petrogeek]

First up. i don't want to be a party pooper! Credit where it's due. Pakistan was clinical in its approach towards the game. Flashback to the 2007 50 over World Cup in the Carribean.We we're a fancied side in the game with a lineup which had Sehwag, Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly et al in the line up. Fast forward to 2020-21, a dream series win in Aus, then in England in red ball cricket.The IPL thereafter. Can we extrapolate this stupendous wins to supremacy in white ball cricket?? Does anyone remember Naseer Hussains sobering tweet to someone magnifying our win in england test series win to world supremacy in all forms of cricket? Stop and ponder. I wish i eat my words.

On another note, " The Wall" is purported to take over from Shastri & Co. as coach of Team India. Dravid and ex- coach Anil Kumble are cut from the same cloth. What would the equation be between Dravid and Kohli as Captain would be interesting to see going forward.

All said and done... Go Team Blue!

[samaspire]

Originally Posted by petrogeek

On another note, " The Wall" is purported to take over from Shastri & Co. as coach of Team India. Dravid and ex- coach Anil Kumble are cut from the same cloth. What would the equation be between Dravid and Kohli as Captain would be interesting to see going forward.

All said and done... Go Team Blue!

Well, Kohli will not be the captain when Dravid comes in.

[pandey.jai]

Originally Posted by samaspire

Well, Kohli will not be the captain when Dravid comes in.

Kohli won’t be captain in T20s. He will still be captain in tests and ODIs

[harry10]

Originally Posted by redCherry

Bit of an anti-climax this - ESPNCricInfo

Surprising to see him flip-flopping so soon.
Anyway, all's well that ends well

He didn't flip flop. He wrote exactly how he felt and I completely support him in this. CSA messed up by forcing players just couple of hours back to take the knee irrespective of how the players feel about it. Anyways, things are sorted between them so we should move on.

Originally Posted by petrogeek

On another note, " The Wall" is purported to take over from Shastri & Co. as coach of Team India. Dravid and ex- coach Anil Kumble are cut from the same cloth. What would the equation be between Dravid and Kohli as Captain would be interesting to see going forward.

All said and done... Go Team Blue!

Dravid is no Kumble. I have nothing against Kumble the player as he is a legend but Kumble the coach has been only a disappointment. He isn't managing PBKS coaching job well and when KL Rahul as captain wants to leave the team means all is not well there. I don't see any issue coming between Kohli and Dravid. And even if there will be a disagreement knowing how Dravid operates he will solve it maturely behind closed doors.

Kumble was an Authoritarian, Dravid is a people's manager just like Shastri.

Tonight's match will be a cracker. Really wanna see how Pakistan manages the triple spin threat from Afghanistan. Needless to say I support Afghanistan today

[deathwalkr]

Man, wouldn't it be fairy tale amazing to see the Afghans pull off an upset win over Pakistan today? If they can get a half decent score and get the dangerous openers out quickly then it's going to be Game On!

[harry10]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Man, wouldn't it be fairy tale amazing to see the Afghans pull off an upset win over Pakistan today? If they can get a half decent score and get the dangerous openers out quickly then it's going to be Game On!

Well, if we look at it selfishly our chances of Semis increases if Pakistan wins as they are more or less confirmed for one spot. We don't want Afghans as challengers too along with NZ for second spot. But, I am a huge fan of Afghan players especially Rashid Khan. And with all the turmoil they have faced in their country it's hard not to support them. Plus someone needs to drag Pakistan back to ground soon

[VWAllstar]

This Afghan Team can beat India. Newzealand game is almost like a quater final for both teams.

I repeat, my fear of Pakistan winning the T20 WC. Everyone other than the playing XI are going to make some nasty comments.

Looking at the performance of Pakistan, I am praying hard for an Indo Pak Final. Let the best team win but it will be a mega event

[landcruiser123]

Pakistan has beaten both it's cricket playing neighbors. They are surely playing some good cricket this WC. Guess not having IPL action has given their players some good downtime.

I feel like RSA or AUS are dark horses.

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

I repeat, my fear of Pakistan winning the T20 WC.

Why fear buddy? They have been playing well in T20Is for a few months. May the best team win.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

Why fear buddy? They have been playing well in T20Is for a few months. May the best team win.

Since 90's growing up watching Pakistan dominate India, I dont like them wining any tournament where India is a participant

Meanwhile after watching Asif Ali yesterday, Indian Fans to Hardik Pandya :