AT Ind XI: ODIs

[zen]

We have a discussion going on about tests so I thought why not do one for ODIs! The following pick themselves, in my book: Batsmen: Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid, Sehwag WK: Dhoni Bowlers: Kapil, Srinath, Kumble As Kapil is the all-rounder, I could squueze in two more bowlers, i.e. 3rd seamer and 2nd spinner. And a batsman, who is good enough to bat in the top 5. For the batsman, an unlikely person, when it comes to ODIs, comes to my mind. Having seen his stats for the 1985 to 1987 period, along w/ his record while chasing, I think Gavaskar could make the cut. Just by having is name in the team makes the X1 look soild (esp if we are taking on an WI or Aus AT X1). And ofc he was also a good catcher. If Gavaskar plays, he opens so the Tendu-Gangu partnership wouldn't be there as Ganguly would have to bat at either 3 or 5. For the bowlers, it's extremely hard to pick two. Zak and Bhajji come to the mind but considering how they are bowling now, it sounds weird to have them in ATX1 (but it could be just me). One the positive side, Zak gives the LAF option and Bhajji the off-spin one. There might have been bowlers in the past who may not have played too many games but could have been more effective. Venky is another option. What do you guys recommend? - Gavaskar - Tendulkar - Dravid - Sehwag - Ganguly - Kapil - Dhoni - Srinath - Kumble PS Or you could dump the 2nd spinner and bring in someone like Shastri (as all-rounder), Amarnath (who could do 5th bowlers duty with the likes of Ganguly and Sehwag), etc.

[DomainK]

Gavaskar to open in an ODI all time 11? Are you alright?

[punjabi_khota]

Gavaskar ? :rotfl: I thought it was supposed to be an all-time XI, not "take all the time" XI

[The Outsider]

I would definitely play Azharuddin in an all time Indian XI, arguably our best middle order ODI batsman, most likely in place of Gavaskar and move Ganguly to number 3 and Sehwag would open with Tendulkar. Dravid hardly batted at number 3 in ODIs, so will play him at number 5. Also, I wouldn't play 5 bowlers, kind of redundant in ODIs, rather play Yuvraj. Sehwag Tendulkar Ganguly Azharuddin Dravid Yuvraj Dhoni Kapil Kumble Srinath Zaheer.

[ZodiaC]

Gavaskar ? :rotfl: I thought it was supposed to be an all-time XI, not "take all the time" XI

:rotfl:

[ZodiaC]

Sehwag Tendulkar Ganguly © Dravid Yuvraj Singh MS Dhoni (wk) Kapil Dev Harbhajan Kumble Srinath Zaheer

[The Outsider]

FWIW, Gavaskar's choice is not completely crazy. Starting from around '83 or so he became a very good ODI batsman. He averaged around 40 in his last 75 matches, and around 45 in his last 50 matches at a pretty decent strike rate for those days of around 65-70, which would compare to some of the best ODI players of those days like Miandad, Haynes and Greenidge.

[SachDan]

Sunny in all time ODI team? That's insane!

[Clarke]

Not much 4m our 83 squad ? I have no idea how good the individual players were then but it seems only Kapil Dev & maybe Gavaskar makes it to the all time squad while 8 players from the 2003 WC squad make it as per most of us. Were we just plain lucky in 83/85, or is it that the players did well in their individual capacities but none other than Kapil Dev were magnificent and could make it to any country's squad ?

[zen]

As I said, Gavaskar is not an usual choice but after looking at the stats below, he probably has a case http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/477774.html - Avg of 45 post '85 - 2nd highest average (of 49) in run chases till Dec 1989 - Would prefer to have Gavaskar open with Tendulkar against Holding, Marshall, Garner and Ambrose than Ganguly open with Tendulkar .... the OZ attack would be quite deadly too: Lillee, McGrath, Thompson :nervous: PS the 11 below wouldn't be bad too: - Gavaskar - Tendulkar - Dravid (as solid a top 3 as you can get) - Sehwag (pure batting brilliance, decent support bowler) - Amarnath (superb batsmen and decent support bowler) - Ganguly (good batsmen and decent support bowler) - Kapil - Dhoni - Srinath - Kumble - Zaheer / Venky / 3rd seamer

[SachDan]

^ Ask Sehwag to open while playing against those attacks. Easy solution :D

[zen]

^ Ask Sehwag to open while playing against those attacks. Easy solution :D

WI bowlers feared Gavaskar, just like Pak and SL bowlers fear Sehwag :P

[SachDan]

WI bowlers feared Gavaskar' date=' just like Pak and SL bowlers fear Sehwag :P[/quote'] Feared cause bowlers all over the world found him very difficult to dislodge. But that's in tests where a supremely talented defencive batsman was putting a heavy price on his wicket. No wonder bowlers 'feared' him! Don't think very set of bowlers you mentioned will be intimidated by the sight of Sunny walking in as an ODI opener.

[DomainK]

I wouldnt blame Gavaskar for some of his terrible records (like the 36 NO as an opener in a 60 overs match) because then we were just starting to learn ODI cricket (that was the third ODI India played?). But I dont think he has done enough to warrant a place in an all time 11 given the number of great ODI players India produced after that. Even in that team Rett listed in the OP, there are at least two batsmen who have a stronger claim on that opening position with Tendulkar- Ganguly and Sehwag. Ganguly-Tendulkar still remain the best opening pair ever (considering the records). Sehwag-Tendulkar is an even better choice. And then Sunny simply does not fit into the rest of the team. If you need a grafter, Dravid is a better choice. If you need a hitter, it's sure not Sunny.

[Sooda]

Tendulkar Gambhir Vengsarkar Amarnath Azharuddin Dhoni Kapil Dev Prabhakar Agarkar Bhajji Bedi?? vs Sidhu Sehwag Ganguly Dravid wk Yuvraj A Jadeja Shastri Irfan Pathan Srinath Zaheer Kumble :dontknow:

[zen]

Feared cause bowlers all over the world found him very difficult to dislodge. But that's in tests where a supremely talented defencive batsman was putting a heavy price on his wicket. No wonder bowlers 'feared' him! Don't think very set of bowlers you mentioned will be intimidated by the sight of Sunny walking in as an ODI opener.

Agreed that was mainly in tests, but since 1 Jan 1983 he has been quite good in ODIs too. Probably averages 40+ against the WI in that period. That isn't bad. 1983-1987 1985-1987

[kabira]

Tendulkar Ganguly Azhar Yuvraj Dravid Sehwag (I keep him for batting powerplay) Kapil (again ideal for batting powerplay) Manoj Prabhakar Bhajji (Well he can be good hitter) Srinath Kumble

[kabira]

^Oh **** I missed the keeper, so Dravid can keep LOL. we can replace Bhajji with Dhoni i.e his business partner

[SachDan]

Kabira :fail: Indian AT ODI team without Dhoni :hehe:

[kabira]

^yes just missed the WK altogether LOL. So Bhajji is out and Dhoni In Kapil will captain and Ganguly Vice captain.