This is an excellent article and I must admit that Ravi Shastri has evaluated present Indian Team's strength in realistic and acheivable scenario.Why are coach/team former's are playing with player's best capacity? If the players have been picked up in the team for his one (say batting/bowling) ability then he must be able to ask to perform the same first rather changing his role.
The comments by Sastri is the best so far. Identify the positions of each player and do not disturb. The experimentation is over. His comments on the recall of Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan and Ganguly is also well thought of. Zaheer Khan may be given another chance as he has been successful in the country circuit just like Mongia. Well done Sastriji.
Dear Sir, This is for the powers that be in the Indian Cricket. i believe the Country is loosing faith in the present team, and all I feel is due to experimentation. I agree with ravi Shastri that it is time we settled down the captain exerting his authority, settle down to specific slots. Have a reserve for the middle order and one for the opening slot, two for the pace bowling and one for spin. Let each of the players know which slot they are for or are reserve for. Let them do their own backyard practice under their own chosen specialist coach, like wasim akram could be for pace, no one could be better then bedi for the spinners, and for batting I feel Greg Chappel would be the best. He also must instil confidence into each of the players. Let Sehwag open with Sachin, bring VVS back for number three Dravid at 2 down, Yuvraj, with Kaif as reserve for this slot, Mongia to come as 4 down, with Raina as reserve. Follow this with Dhoni, Mongia and Dhonis position could be interchanged depending on the progress of the game. Coming to the bowlers, we begin with Irfan(RPSingh as reserve), Harbhajan,(Kumble as reserve), Munaf, Agarkar.The top should not be fiddle with
Shastri is right on experimentation, but wrong on seniors. Exspecially our bowling dept, as I think we need someone with more character. Thecase is of Shreesanth. I somehow feel he and Pathan will have difficulty in Westindies. They are bound to be hit around the Park. One hasno pace and the other tries too much in the feild. hence we will need back up to the these two.
S.Africa : If we take bowlers on S. Africa pitches to West Indies, we will amke a big mistake. We needed to give VRV moree practice, and he would have been an asset.
This is the best article I read off Ravi Shastri. His advice should be listened to and adhered to if Team India wants to challenge the world champions. Earlier I used to listen to Ravi Shastri's TV comments and used to switch off my monitor unable to bear his biased views. But this present article is as good as one of his batting explosions.
Dravid best at No3/4
by Nag on Sep 28, 2006 06:02 AM
I accept with Sastri on both Dravid and Pathan. Dravis is the worlds best batsman at No 3 or 4 should not waste him on opening, especially when Sachin is showing so much application and intent. On Pathan, i am deeply depressed with the wasy he is handled. He can be given chances at No 3, but once in a while, he is a priceless swing bowler and Couch/Captain should support and keep him in right direction.
Finally on Shegawag, for gods sake keep him off for a couple fo tours and tell him he would only be in the team if he performs. No doubt he is match winner, but when dependability is less than 10% its not worth it. Any ways, this Koulalampur seires should not be taken into account as lot of things did not support India, good that we lost the mini battle but kind of woke up before a major tourney like Champs.
