I am not a Sachin basher nor a Sachin fan. I like his style of batting. He is a batting maestro and technically good. People who lift him to the stature of god and blindly worship him based on his past records are the bane of Indian Cricket. I have solid reasons to substantiate that Sachin is not a knockout match performer. Take the example of 2011 world cup itself. When we needed him badly to get India to win the World cup, he performed in all the league matches but failed miserably in the semi-final and final and too in his home turf. In 1996 also when the world cup was played in India, he could no do anything needed for India against Srilanka in the Final. The same holds true in all abroad tournaments. Never once, India has won a world cup semi-final or final or knockout game against quality teams like Aus or SA due to Sachin being the elephant part of that effort. Just to give an example, remember Steve Waugh's master piece 120 against SA in England when Australia was down 3/48. Remember Miandad sixer off Chetan Sharma when just 1 ball was left. Similarly Ponting, Bevan have numerous times turned tide in favour of Australia standing notout and carrying Australia to victory. Sachin owes his records partly due to him opening the batting. If he had been coming at No.4 or 5 half of his records or statistics would not be there. I agree he is a great player but there are so many other players in International cricket who are more talented and having great techinques than him
It's the time to start giving opportunities to youngsters. I believe selectors should start looking at developing a good backup. There are very good players and this is the good time to start giving opportunities. The following players deserve the opportunities
Rahane Pujara Rohit Sharma M Pandey Rayudu
In the name of selecting youngsters, pls don;t give opportunities to chokers like Vijay Murali, Abhinav Mukund or Badri. The present Tamil Nadu has 5 players who had experience of playing for india. Yet they are not able to do much with Rajasthan even after preparing a heavily favored batting pitch.
dear sachin , i personally don't want you to score the 100th. you reserve it for 2015 when Arjun will be given the break ( by BCCI ) Against Holland in India. That will be the occassion when world will see father son duo opening for India . Both will create a record of geeting the india cap in their teens. Feather in the cap will be when you score that 100th on that occassion. Till then pls don't retire. BCCI will not chuck you out. Let people call you shameless. But you continue to play as long as you wish .
If India is deemed to lose the series 0-4, they don't need Sachin/Dravid/Laxman. They could have well lost with Pujara/Badrinath/Raina. Atleast these players would have got some exposure to bouncy tracks and may be in future, they might have well contributed. Any good player can get 2 centuries and 2 half centuries in 20 Test Inn. That doesn't mean, some can go on and on and on ...there has to be a break and reality check done. The question to be asked is not 'What is this players contribution to the team at present?'. It should be 'What is this player's contribution to the team at present and going forward?'.
Aussies follow the 2nd one, and thus gave Waugh brothers a tough time to retire.I am sure Ricky Pointing woudnt be spared either. may be in 1 yr max, he may have to leave as well. But our legends, retire only when they die.
Re: Sachin/Dravid/VVS
by Abhay Kumar on Jan 23, 2012 11:47 PM
The Series will be 4-0 that is for sure with raina/saha and company. Regarding the Experiance, these Players will keep on taking Experiance Only. Raina/Pujara/Badrinath are not in their 20s but about to reach 30.Even, its true that these players had played on Foreign Soil.But, rather than improve they will keep on taking the Experiance.
See the Statement from a Youngster Mr Gambhir.He is shouting to make Spinner Friendly pitch rather than to Accept.Kohli was in the Sleep position and Dropped two catches. Now he will also take the Experiance in few Series...
This is our tendency that we keep looking someone to blame and relax.So this is the time of Seniors. After them, the next Lot..and these Seniours will become a Vocal Expert on TV like Dada and Kapil and Company is doing..
Re: Sachin/Dravid/VVS
by t xz on Jan 23, 2012 11:52 PM
No matter whom you select, India's overseas record will not improve unless there are some structural changes in how BCCI manages affairs and brings some accountability to the administrators and selectors alike. Currently the administrators have no accountability whatsoever and whenever the team looses they pass the buck on to selectors or players. In order to fix the problem they need to first understand that there is a problem. Some people in BCCI still say that it is a matter of just one innings when things will turn around. When BCCI has top most priority to making IPL bigger and more profitable how could test standards improve? There is no importance given to improving the Ranji tropy standards, other than some lip service. That is why we have players who score tons of runs in Ranji but fail miserably in test cricket.
Re: Sachin/Dravid/VVS
by Against Pseudos on Jan 24, 2012 08:22 AM
IF Australia is going to lose the fourth test, Clarke should immediately announce his retirement... :)
Gracious Clarke that is . But against odds, hope our veteran three dazzle along with Virendra Sehwag and bowlers led by Zaheer and yadav finish the game in 3 days in India's favor winning the adelaid test. May be a little too tall a hope but then miracles can happen . Let us hope so.
