You can have the most power-packed top-order in the world..

[yoda]

7 and 8 don't usually get to bat and then you expect them to perform when the top order collapses? I do agree that we need a good #7 in the form of a good all rounder. Jadeja is all we got for now.

[The Outsider]

I agree on the #7 part - looks like the Indian team is banking on Jadeja developing his game before the WC set in to be versatile enough for the slot. But, we can't be picking our number 8 on the basis of batting. Anyhow, Harbhajan and Zaheer are not bad at all for 8 and 9 if they apply themselves a bit more. They have already done very well in Tests and no reason why they can't become more consistent in ODIs.

[Mr. Wicket]

Hasn't Harbhajan played a crucial role w/ the bat in winning us a few matches?

[Guest Hiten.]

Hasn't Harbhajan played a crucial role w/ the bat in winning us a few matches?

Besides natwest final, I can't remember any other game :hmmm:

[Mr. Wicket]

http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/238188.html 37 (top score) to take us to 201 from 146/7, then a 5-for with the ball. That said my memory must be skewed as well - there were some other good performances (two v. Australia in the series last fall, both in close games that we lost by 4 and 24 runs respectively) though no others that actually helped win matches - barring some useless tourney match in Kuala Lumpur v. WI.

[Ram]

I like Jadeja a lot, he seems a 100% cricketer. He applied himself very well with the bat today, is a handy bowler and a decent fielder. I'd love to have someone in the team like him in the team, but not at the no.7 spot. I have been crying my throat hoarse for a loooooooong time, that our batting is top-heave and bottom weak. Some of our most disappointing defeats in the recent past, was because our no.7 wasnt good enough, whether it be the Kitply cup loss to Pakistan or the loss against the same team in the Champions trophy.

[The Outsider]

^ I agree with that but from the looks of it the side has settled on Jadeja as the long term number 7 option. Perhaps they think he has the potential to develop the power hitting aspect of his game within the next year or so. Because the Pathan brothers seem to be completely out of contention and Dhoni is unlikely to go in with 7 specialist batsmen given the sizzling form of our bowlers, specially on Indian pitches.

[Sachinism]

Irfan and Agarkar are 2 options I hope BCCI don't completely ignore. Even if they're in reckoning or in the squad and they have reasons not to play them, but I just hope they're not totally forgotten

[dial_100]

To me, I think we need to change our batting order a bit. I think on difficult tracks, we need Yuv, Dhoni and GG to take maximum responsibilities. So I would keep GG 1 down and Yuv 2 down. Then Virat. This Virat guy looks promising but let us not put lot of pressure on him by sending him 1 or 2 down. I would still like to bring Sehwag 4-5 down. SRT GG Yuv/Dhoni Sehwag Yuv/Kohli Dhoni/Kohli ..... ..... Sehwags quick fire 20-40 runs are good but in the situations where we have lost everyone around him, he doesn't try to stay long. He is a definite wkt in first 5-10 overs he plays. So rather send him in the middle by that time we have already have control over the situation.

[retterimp]

exactly, bowlers have to do their bit too to win games. our batsmen fail just once in many odis and we lose..how pathetic

[Master Blaster]

I want Karthik at No. 7 spot or Irfan