After a close analysis of the IndoPak ODI series that concluded yesterday, I felt that there was an immediate need to revamp the batting line-up of India. People in some cricketing forums echoed the same thoughts. On paper, Indian batting looks to be solid and more reliable than the Pakis, but when it comes to match situation, they flunk more often than not. A simple analysis will get the needful done without requiring new faces in the team.
The first 15 overs are crucial and India invariably needs a good start. Out of the seven given batsmen- Sachin, Sehwag, Ganguly, Dravid, Yuvraj, Kaif and Dhoni, in my opinion, all of them can be successful opening the batting with probably the exception of Kaif, who can be a candidate for both LBW and caught behind with the new ball and we dont need to take chances there. Next is the 15-35 over phase. Ganguly cannot rotate the strike and get singles at will. Dhoni, i feel, will find it a little difficult too. So, i think i should rule them both out for playing the 15-35 over period. The other five can do justice to that role. Then comes the last 10-15 overs where one needs to run like hell and also have the ability to hit big. Kaif, Dravid and Ganguly dont qualify fully to do this role. The other four can play this role to perfection.
So, the analysis is now complete. What needs to be done is fitting the right piece at the right place.
1. Ganguly needs to open alongside Sachin, Sehwag, Dhoni, Dravid or Yuvraj. Since it'll probably be a crime to not let Sehwag open, Ganguly and Sehwag should open.
2. Numbers 3-6 must have sachin, dravid, yuvraj and kaif(order undecided as of now)
3. We need Sachin n Yuvraj at the death and so Kaif and Dravid need to bat at numbers 3 and 4...letting Kaif in early might help since he has a better stamina and he can be the one to take the attack to the opposition first, when it is required to do so and Dravid can anchor the innings from the time he enters to bat until probably the 45th over or so. So, i'd say Kaif at number 3 and Dravid at number 4.
4. Sachin at 5 and Yuvraj at 6, followed by Dhoni at 7.
5. So the line-up would be:
Ganguly
Sehwag
Kaif
Dravid
Sachin
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Dhoni can always be sent to bat at number 3 when chasing big totals if the run rate is poor at the fall of the first wicket....else he should bat at the death where India needs big hitters.
Consider Irfan to be the all-rounder we've always dreamt of and this line-up can be compared to a very familiar batting line-up.
Ganguly-Butt
Sehwag-Afridi
Kaif-Shoaib Malik
Dravid- Youhana
Sachin- Inzy
Yuvraj- Younis Khan
Dhoni- Akmal
Irfan- Razzaq
It doesnt need a Bob Woolmer to get this right...it just needs an imitation of the way he thinks...an outright plagiarism. Will the new coach and Ganguly get this right, atleast now?
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8 comments:
Knowing your affinity towards cricket, I was expecting such a post sometime back itself. Also expected is your desire that Sachin bats in all the 11 slots :))
Seriously speaking, I think I would take your order with one change - I would interchange Sachin and Kaif. This is bcoz Sachin would do a better job higher up the order, and Kaif is known for his resolve when wickets tumble. I haven't seen Sachin staying when wickets fall quickly at the other end.
wow...
u seem to be a real cricket freak!!! so many posts on cricket! good that u're following it so intently even if u're in the us of a.....i feel so lost here without the usual enthu that accompanies these matches....all i can see are hindu's articles on the web!
Ram...I would put Sachin before Dravid.
This was where Sachin batted in the Natwest trophy and it worked pretty ok then.
And incase there is a problem with Ganguly's form, VVS replaces him at the top of the order.;)
And probably take another look at whether Yuvraj needs to be in the team. He has taken his position for granted.
Jammy- u watch cricket, eh? :O I have tried to give an "ideal" solution here, where wickets fall only when they are expected to...and i think the earlier Kaif gets in the better since he cannot hit boundaries at will in the death. Like k7 said, maybe Sachin can bat at 4 ahead of Dravid.
Vani-am addicted to cricket ever since i saw Australia win the 87 world cup. I've been trying to get rid of the addiction for about a year now, but in vain.
k7-i dont think Yuvraj has been given enough chances, what with him playing at number 6 and 7 mostly. If someone should go out first, it's got to be Ganguly. I'd like to see how this combo works and if they still dont perform, then we can look for changes.
mess- u bet!
Minimal Ego,
I used to be so addicted to cricket that it reflected on my grades in school :d Luckily my interest in cricket subsided during my stint at Indore.
Ganguly
Sehwag
Kaif
Dravid
Sachin
Yuvraj
Dhoni
......fact is that the indian team has lost the hunger and intitial euphoria that is generaly assciated with a team that has just learnt that it is a team.Firstly ganguly needs to be reminded that a captain first has to qualify as a member of the playing eleven.and sachin of course has to be seriously counselled to come out of this grandfatherly role he's been looking to fit in of late...it's not going to be long before the law of averages catches up and dravid and he reaches his plateau....its ll matter of motivation and desire to excel.Unless the players are made to define their roles,goals and priorities ..and aligned such that they share the same goals for the team,i dont see the story changing.
Maybe a couple of good changes,one of which has come through by means of ending of a contract, would do the trick(and u know the other one im hinting at). ....i think going after woolmer now would just amount to nothing more than "backing the winning horse".If india had won the series, the Paki media wouldve probably been counselling woolmer on how to adopt the "Wright" strategy!!!
sub- i agree with u completely. The hunger needs to return(was it ever there??). Hope they select a good coach...
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