India will definitely make it to the Super 8 Stage. All they have to do is bat, bowl and field well. It may sound like basics, but thats what they didnt get right against Bangladesh. Result is this that they have to compete with an incompetent team like Bangladesh (which has a record to one day win against Australia and next day loose against Bermuda for all you know). Knowing India's strength and weakness, it would be ideal to have Kumble bowl in place of Harbhajan, and have an additional bowling / batting option in Irfan Pathan (instead of Uthappa). Irfan in a sordid day would give away 50 runs when bowling, but take one or two wickets and score 30 / 40, which Uthappa cant. Zaheer, Agarkar and Munaf are looking good, although the former two are giving away quite a few runs. The best thing is the return of form of Maharaj Ganguly and his Yuvraj. Sehwag still does not convince me although he did score a ton agains minnows Bermuda, but as usual threw away his wicket when the going was smooth. Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Kumble, come on guys we have full faith in you. Make your last world cup count...... We are counting on you .........
RE:Super 8s
by BlurBlur on Mar 22, 2007 05:38 PM Permalink
Any team that bats well, bowls well and fields well can not only qualify for the supr 8 stage but win the WC.
I feel Indians will be quite tense going into the game with SL, while SL will be relaxed and enjoying the game. Sadly, India havent performed very well when they are tensed (e.g. they havent won of late any game where the winner takes all).
Lets hope for the best but if I was a betting man I will put my money on SL.
RE:Super 8s
by arian on Mar 22, 2007 05:44 PM Permalink
hey samir, ur idea of dropping uthappa and taking pathan is right.. but i dont think Agarkar is bowling particularly well..He is giving away runs all too easily. even against teams like Bermuda, he gave away 6's and 4's like no big deal. he has been wayward right from the first match onwards. they should take certain bowlers who can provide breakthroughs at the right time. I think Sreesanth could be the difference in the Indian side. Have Your Say...
RE:RE:Super 8s
by Samir Moosa on Mar 22, 2007 05:56 PM Permalink
Arian, you are right. Didnt think on that line. Sreesanth is definitely a bright prospect. The only problem is that Agarkar holds the bat better than Sreesanth, which gives him the edge. If a bowler gives away, say 50 runs, but make 30 runs and takes 2 crucial wickets he is more effective in an ODI than a bowler who takes 3 wickets and gives away only 20.
RE:RE:RE:Super 8s
by BlurBlur on Mar 22, 2007 06:15 PM Permalink
I would still go with an attacking bowler who can take wickets than with an allrounder who can bowl fairly well and bat fairly well.
If a bowler takes 3 wickets for 20 then the opposition have scored 30 runs less, so the tailender does not have to score those 30 runs!
Also if the top 7 cant make the runs then it is silly to expect the bottom 4 to help post a winning total!
RE:RE:RE:Super 8s
by arian on Mar 22, 2007 06:42 PM Permalink
man samir.. agarkar is as unpredictable with the bat as he is with the ball.. I would still go with sreesanth hitting a six off Vaas, and then doing an item number or break dance for all of us. :)
