Is this India's Best Chance?

[Shehezaada]

Hopefully this thread will be good enough for his holiest Baba Dhondy Ram's standards. 2011 WC in pretty much one year's time and our ODI unit looks fantastic from the batting perspective and horrible from the bowling perspective. The World Cup, as of now, will be played in the subcontinent, and we'll see more ODIs where the average score will be 280+ and 300 isn't safe anymore. Two questions bother me the most. 1) Are flat tracks good for us? Our bowlers suck as it is, with only Bhajji and Zaheer being able to handle the batsmen on flat decks. Sreesanth, Sharma, Kumar, all have been leaking runs. I thought we bowled superbly as a unit on the Aussie tour. But can we even prepare those types of pitches on time? Our batsmen are world class, they will be able to handle the opposition bowlers...I'm not so sure about India's bowlers. How long will our batsmen keep setting up games that our bowlers screw up (or give us heart attacks while winning)? 2) What combination do we play? With Bhajji and Zak being able to bat well down the stretch, our batting lineup is extended. Does that eliminate a place for an all rounder (Yusuf, Irfan, Nayar)? Or do we still need an X-Factor? The key to this World Cup will be how well India bowl, not how well we'll bat. With Sehwag in the form of his life and Tendulkar rock solid as ever, with Yuvraj and Dhoni backing them up, we're good for batting. The bowling will have to come through My lineup for the first 3 games of the world cup, assuming tracks like the ones against SAF recently. Virender Sehwag Sachin Tendulkar Gautam Gambhir Yuvraj Singh Mahendra Singh Dhoni Suresh Raina Yusuf Pathan Harbhajan Singh Zaheer Khan Praveen Kumar Amit Mishra If I had my way, I would drop Virat and slot in Irfan for his all round abilities. Both Pathan brothers would give the side some good options. One fear from WC 2007 is definitely solved, this side can field and isn't too old. This is our best chance.

[Karan114]

Gambhir?

[pappu_kanghi]

Gambhir ko retire kar doge 2011 mein? Where is gambhir?

[Laaloo]

Kumar has been leaking runs? When did this happen? He's been our best bowler for the past 2-3 series. And why would you play 2 specialist spinners when the likes of Sehwag, raina, and yuvi can roll their arms over? This will be the best team Sachin Sehwag Gambhir Yuvraj Dhoni Raina Kohli Irfan Pathan Bhajji ZAK PK

[pappu_kanghi]

Gambhir?

Thats what i am thinking. :hmmm:

[cowboysfan]

i really dont think we are the favorites.we have to outscore other teams to win as our bowlers are not going to win any matches .in the knockout phases one moderate batting failure will ensure our elimination.It is better we prepare tracks which help our bowlers(especially the spinners)

[nballa]

Nope, not with this bowling unit, not with these youngsters. the only way we can win a major international tournament of significance is if people write us off completely and have zero expectations. like in 83 and 2007 20-20. when they gave us no chance. If we go as favourites we will get knocked out in the first round. its a curse and we have to live with it.

[Shehezaada]

knew i was missing something, edited with gambhir in the lineup. laaloo, i'm not too comfortable going with too many part timers. That's where irfan becomes so crucial, he can fill the gap. And Kohli is a waste at 7 when he can't hit the big shots.

[Shehezaada]

Nope, not with this bowling unit, not with these youngsters. the only way we can win a major international tournament of significance is if people write us off completely and have zero expectations. like in 83 and 2007 20-20. when they gave us no chance. If we go as favourites we will get knocked out in the first round. its a curse and we have to live with it.

not really bro, I think this Indian team can rise above it. Remember much was expected of us in 2003 and we went to the finals. That was also a strong team.

[rabinjackman]

India won the world cup in 1983 when they were no where near favorites India won the world cup in 2007 when they were no where near favorites.... are they favorites this time around?

[Lord]

not sure why everybody has omitted Jadeja .hes a shoo in for his bowling alone n can be a good no.8. my line-up will be: SRT VS GG UV MSD Raina Irfan Jadeja Bhajji PK Zak Kohli,Mishra,DKn Nehra in reserves

[Shehezaada]

not sure why everybody has omitted Jadeja .hes a shoo in for his bowling alone n can be a good no.8. my line-up will be: SRT VS GG UV MSD Raina Irfan Jadeja Bhajji PK Zak Kohli,Mishra,DKn Nehra in reserves

personally i'd take irfan over jadeja anyday, IPL3 is Irfan's big chance to impress the selectors. Irfan is dynamite with the bat.

[Lord]

personally i'd take irfan over jadeja anyday' date=' IPL3 is Irfan's big chance to impress the selectors. Irfan is dynamite with the bat.[/quote'] if i have to choose 1,i would too.but Jadeja has earned his spot as bowler alone.he can a good bowler who can bat at 8

[vvvslaxman]

Great teams had these ingredients 1) Good opening batsmen 2) Good opening bowlers 3) Good middle order 4) Good spinner (okay WI didn't have one. But absence was compensated by backup bowlers) 5) Good no.3 6) Good fielding side 7) Good keeper 8) Good captain We have 3 red flags.

[Lord]

Great teams had these ingredients 1) Good opening batsmen 2) Good opening bowlers 3) Good middle order 4) Good spinner (okay WI didn't have one. But absence was compensated by backup bowlers) 5) Good no.3 6) Good fielding side 7) Good keeper 8) Good captain We have 3 red flags.

to me thats only 1 red flag.Jadeja n Bhajji r good spinner n will be a handful on Indian pitches. n we r decent fielding side.not great,but not pathetic either.Raina s n Kohlis can inspire others in the field. opening bowling n death bowling is real worry.Zak is there so thats half of it covered.but we have to find atleast two bowlers who can bowl with new ball n in death.PK is doing good job with new ball but struggles in death overs

[punjabiplaya]

Quote by Lord not sure why everybody has omitted Jadeja .hes a shoo in for his bowling alone n can be a good no.8. my line-up will be: SRT VS GG UV MSD Raina Irfan Jadeja Bhajji PK Zak Kohli,Mishra,DKn Nehra in reserves excellent team

[Serani]

to me thats only 1 red flag.Jadeja n Bhajji r good spinner n will be a handful on Indian pitches. n we r decent fielding side.not great,but not pathetic either.Raina s n Kohlis can inspire others in the field. opening bowling n death bowling is real worry.Zak is there so thats half of it covered.but we have to find atleast two bowlers who can bowl with new ball n in death.PK is doing good job with new ball but struggles in death overs

India are pretty pathetic in the field tbh, they showed improvement in the ODI's vs SA but in that Bangla tri series they were ridiculous.

[Bumblebee]

Jadeja has been a very good allrounder for us! actually better then yusuf hit or miss pathan! God Viru Gambhir Yuvraj dhoni Raina jadeja Bhajji Praveen nehra/Sharma Zaheer

[Lord]

India are pretty pathetic in the field tbh' date=' they showed improvement in the ODI's vs SA but in that Bangla tri series they were ridiculous.[/quote'] yeah they were.n they r showing improvements.plus if guys like Irfan r in team instead of Nehra,i expect fielding standards to rise

[vvvslaxman]

to me thats only 1 red flag.Jadeja n Bhajji r good spinner n will be a handful on Indian pitches. n we r decent fielding side.not great,but not pathetic either.Raina s n Kohlis can inspire others in the field. opening bowling n death bowling is real worry.Zak is there so thats half of it covered.but we have to find atleast two bowlers who can bowl with new ball n in death.PK is doing good job with new ball but struggles in death overs

We had one good fielding day because it was a new team. They are not finalized XI. Ishant, Nehra, Praveen, Zaheer are atrocious fielders. 3 will play. Very difficult to hide 3 fielders.