I do not understand why the cricketers need to play silly games like football before a test, in the name of fitness. Fitness can be achieved under more controlled conditions. Its obvious that the players behave like kids and try to outplay each other in these games, or generally horse around. Zaheer got injured again playing as goalee in one of these silly games. Earlier, Yuvraj tore his knee muscles playing kho-kho before a series, again for fitness. This is nonsense. Cricketers need to focus on different sets of muscles. when they play football or kho-kho etc., a different kind of strain is put on the muscles which will then rupture. Coach, Captain and support staff need to review this silly practise.
When the same injury story of sehwag broke before a WorldCup campaign Dhoni was adament and was not willing to take a passenger.Does this now mean that he has mellowed down to seniors or having double standards.
Zaheer has been India's main strike bowler in the last couple of years. He bowls with control, intelligence and skill even on flat wickets.On sporting wickets he can be even more effective.So there is going to be a hole in the attack if he doesn't play. As he is injury prone and is ageing he should not play in the 20-20s and the ODIs but only in the Tests. A left arm youngster like Unadkat should be groomed to take over from Zaheer. One of the mistakes the selectors make is to choose a pace bowler who can ball at 140 kph or more for faster wickets overseas without worrying about control and variety. Just bowling fast should not be the only criteria. McGrath was not express nor are Zaheer, Anderson or Mohammad Asif. Discipline and control was what got them wickets!Hope the selectors put on their thinking caps every now and then!
Zaheer not being fit is not bad news. He is already fading into history. More often than not, Indian team is playing without him and winning too. So, this is no big blow. It is time India should start relying on younger bowlers like Unadkat/Yadav. Age is not on the side of Zaheer and he should retire after World Cup. Till then, he should play as little as possible.
Re: Not bad news
by Obaid Rehmani on Dec 16, 2010 05:48 AM
Above message holds good even if we replace name of Zaheer with Dravid, Laxman or Sachin. Bottomline is to groom replacements fast in all departments.
Re: Re: Not bad news
by Cric Fan on Dec 16, 2010 02:24 PM
Obaid - Have you watched the tests recently saved/won by Laxman and Bhajji? In which world are you living?
Its time Zaheer retires. This has been happening for ages. He is simply fooling people and bcci. Before every major series, the same scene repeats, and India start on a backfoot with his injury. We need to look beyond Zaheer and find some young talent.
Re: Always unfit
by Kaka on Dec 15, 2010 10:39 PM
Yeah, he is injury prone. Surprised that he looked fit during the ODIs ag NZ and now this. He made a mistake playing those ODIs, instead he should have taken rest and got himself fit.
Re: Re: Always unfit
by Cric Fan on Dec 16, 2010 02:30 PM
He got injured playing a silly game of football as fitness practise. Football requires different muscles than what Zaheer normally uses during his bowling. This kind of thing tends to damage the muscular structure. Team India should review these pre-match practise sessions as many players get injured palying football, khokho etc., which they are not used to..
if Zaheer is not fit a new comer gains exposure and is available as a back up. Zaheer's fitness needs to be monitored.With the wealth of talent available why carry passengers?
Re: One way it's good....
by ponnachath kutty on Dec 16, 2010 11:30 AM
yes it looks like asish nehra can be a good stand by opener for indian attack since zaheer is injured n should be sent back home and also a fellow seamber like vinay kumar is good to accomodate to the team with jadav/yadav as backups , but bajji should take full resp for spin attack the proteos **
