19 February 2008

India morph into New Zealand

The much-hyped Indian bowling looked like Paul Collingwood and Dmitri Mascarenhas were bowling at both ends when Kumar and Jayawardene were batting. Actually, make that Chris Harris and Gavin Larsen. An unhelpful pitch quickly turned Munaf, Pathan and Praveen into a bunch of trundlers, who will rely on tight bowling to make the batsman take a risk and perhaps get a wicket. And if the batsman are not so inclined, we need lightning striking twice in the same place (as it did today) to break such a partnership.
If Zaheer and Arpy don't play, we need to play Sreesanth. If for some reason, all three cannot play, Dhoni needs to take a gamble and play Chawla. India need at least two bowlers who can hustle a set batsmen in the middle overs.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dhoni has made it clear that he is interested in having bowlers who can bowl to the field meaning he wants bowlers who bowl straight, period.

Gaurav Sethi said...

John, Ottayan, Good points there -and they both come from different worlds. Today, the sameness was stifling. But India's belief and Yuvraj saw them thru. However, India needs at least two more players in blasting form to take on Oz - MSD up the order in one game to express himself fully. Ditto Sehwag.

Jrod said...

Gavin Larsen was awesome.

John said...

Gavin Larsen isn't a probot?

Ottayan, Dhoni is wrong if he things wickets aren't the way to go. It is a really defensive approach, even before you walk on to the field, isn't it?

Soulberry said...

Agreed John, Valid point. But do you think they did the job under given conditions?

John said...

Soulberry, all said and done it was a good performance from a limited attack. But the point is, we do not have to be such a limited attack. Why be miserly with your bowling options when you have apparent riches. Efficient use of your resources is very different from miserly resources. A good mix of stock and shock bowlers are necessary.