like one gentleman mentioned below about akash role as opener, its true that the minimum expectation of an opener is to see of the new ball. if he achieves this, then he is good. if he scores a fifty or so, then hes better. and if he scores heavily, then he has exceeded the expectations.
suppose akash scores in ten innings looks like 30, 40, 35, 40, 35, 50, 40, 40, 40, 40.....
sehwags score in the same ten innings would look like,
0, 1, 0, 20, 10, 150, 300, 0, 1, 2..
now what happens is, in teh case of sehwag, he has ensured teh victory for us in only two games but a failure in 8 innings.
where as, akash has ensured the middle order is not exposed to the new ball, ensured steady pace of the innings..
which one we need?
another drawback with viru is he doesnt value his wicket..
Re: steady batsmen needed
by veerapuram dharan on Feb 01, 2012 10:57 AM
bcci - pls dont commercialize the game. ensure IPL gets a window once in 2 years. and also sufficient time for preparation after the IPL for international assignments.
selectors - raise above regional and linguistic bias. pick players based on performance alone. that doesnt mean a player who scores a double and triple need to be picked. whats the use if he doesnt know how to rotate the strike and not good at ground fielding.
players - set your priorities right. like choosing between IPL and national team. adv is always there at the end of retirement. dont fake injuries. dont give any interviews with times, ndtv, HT or IBN..
media - pls dont hype anything that puts pressure on the players.
every one says he wants to do well in tests..and test cricket is the pinnacle of all..but a player like dhoni who is technically flawed just because he says test cricket is the ultimate..
Re: steady batsmen needed
by abdul nazeer on Feb 01, 2012 11:40 AM
I am always with akash chopra and jaffar to open, gambhir as 3, sehwag at 6, but india is very happy with occassional triple centurians and fast players, instead of slow and steady players. With this attitude, the selectors already destroyed many careers like akash chopra, jaffar, badri, kaif, tiwary, rayadu and many more. Now these hard workers are not in form and the fresh domestic performers are lucky to be selected. Harsh treatment.
The name Test Cricket itself says the true nature of the cricket. It is called "Test" because it really tests a player of his technique, temperament and skills. No other form of the game tests a player in that rigorous level. Those who are thinking wining T20 or ODI will make us better, it will never happen. Until we start winning test matches on foreign soils we wont be judged as the best cricket playing nation. All great teams were great test playing teams; winning ODIs didn't count.
The whole nation savored our victory in T20 and OI world cups as well as number one rating in test cricket. India will trounce Australia in the T20 series and our spirit will be lifted again. Who needs test cricket, which is dying any way.
Re: Everything will be forgotten and forgiven
by sunil on Feb 01, 2012 01:52 AM
a typical mindset of indian fan.. born optimist.. how does u know what will happe in T20.. this team cant prperly field or bowl... chances are slim in T20...
Re: Re: Everything will be forgotten and forgiven
by lokesh gupta on Feb 01, 2012 07:24 AM
typical indian mentality NEGATIVE. THINK FOR BEST WORK FOR BEST . IF WE LOST THIS TEST SERIES THAT DOESNT MEAN IT WILL AFFECT OUR FUTURE TOO.
Re: australia playing at home
by Jugal Ahuja on Feb 01, 2012 11:45 AM
ashish, how did lowly ranked new zealand beat australia in australia in a test in december 2011 and draw the test series. it only means that our so called best batting line up in the world is all bogus,they are nothing but flat track bullies.
Re: australia playing at home
by tornado on Feb 01, 2012 12:39 AM
thats the reason india will never play good abroad....aus also lose but not the way indians do when playing away....can india do a 4-0 of aus in india
Re: australia playing at home
by S Shrikanth on Feb 01, 2012 12:39 AM
Australia has won series against all test playing countries at their home. India is still to beat Australia and SA. Since India is uncomfortable playing on bouncy wickets, this dream may never come true.
Re: Re: australia playing at home
by sunil on Feb 01, 2012 01:54 AM
it is not just wicket... they were under prepared.. no will power.. no preparation.. no planning...
I see shades of Sunny in Akash with due respect. He has his own style but sure he has got great thinking brain like Sunny..Of course not to compare any two sportpersons on the field or off the field..but the way Akash thinks...feels good...at 34 don't know wht his chances r back to Ind team but he is surely going to be great contribution to Ind team if being utilized properly..May be selection board or something like that...Like Sunny, Media would be other choice for him..
Re: Akash Chopra...Future is bright..
by r anandkumar on Feb 01, 2012 11:19 AM
all the above comments by all the gentlemen in the above chat are excellent, esp the person who has put separate comment for BCCI, players, media, etc is excellent and 100% true. Akash Chopra is an excellent batsman, as point out he will give a century op. partnership, even if he scores 30 or 40.
TN and Rajastan together killed Ranji Finals. TN should be punished for preparing a poor wicket and Rajastan should be punished for taking fans out of the game. Keep playing like the way you did Rajastan and keep winning Ranji Trophies...more and more fans either will quit Cricket or just support T20 only. Don't blame the fans if they don't come to Test Cricket.
I still remember his performance Downunder ...Though he did not scored a lot, he saw the new ball did n't done much..protected our middile order, which gave good scores to defend/win.....Really superb opener...When you travel to Eng/SA/Aus you need a solid opener like him/Jaffer. Gambir is natural stroke maker -will be good only in times.
I still wonder what made BCCI to drop Akash from team after that superb performance...That is the fate of Indian cricket...Can he make a comeback?.Love to see that...
Re: Akash is a complete opener
by giri dhar on Jan 31, 2012 09:25 PM
I agree... He played a key role in seeing off the new ball, which allowed the middle order to come in an dplay their shots. That was a specific goal set to him in that series, and he did that with remarkable consistence. Too bad, the board decided to drop him.
Re: Strategies to Improve
by Sudeepta Chakraborty on Jan 31, 2012 01:04 PM
Good points. Add the two below and you have the whole cricket team: 10. Send the Ranji winner to play other countries. A stint against/in the English county in one season, to Australia in the next.
11. After each dismal series ask the non performing members to write-up what went wrong and what active steps they are taking to counter it. If nothing, the fear of writing will make them perform out of their skins:-)
On second thought I think point 1 is a little too strong. A person should be able to earn whichever way he wants to.
Re: Re: Strategies to Improve
by Great Indian on Jan 31, 2012 02:16 PM
Good points Sudeep ...especially the 11th one.. :) A typical "Corporate style Appraisal"..!!
Re: Strategies to Improve
by Great Indian on Jan 31, 2012 02:14 PM
Good points dude... although a few of them are not practical (points like 9, 5 which depends on the soil and 4..!) I appreciate the intention. Unlike the millions of "Drop the Seniors" shouts on these forum (as if that is the only thing which is the root cause of all problems)- this is fresh thinking..!
