Ultimate_Game Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 After our performance in the warm-up games there are basically 3 main selection quandries Dhoni and our selectors face for the first game and world cup in general... 1. 3+1 or 2+2 bowling combination? Dhoni has always favored 3 fast bowlers and 1 spinner but on the evidence so far all the specialist spinners (Harbhajan, Ashwin and Chawla) have outbowled all the fast bowlers. I would prefer to go with 2+2 combo with Zaheer and Sreesanth as the fast bowlers. 2. Which 2 spinners should play? Harbhajan is a shoe-in so the final spot is up for grabs between Ashwin and Chawla. Both bring different things to the table - Chawla is a leg spinner so we have a good variety in our bowling with Harbhajan an off spinner complementing Chawla. But I would prefer to go with Ashwin for the following reasons... a) With only 2 fast bowlers we need a spinner who can bowl during power plays and at the death. Ashwin has already played the role both at intl level and in the IPL (along with Champions league). In fact Aswin is particularly effective when the batsmen are going after him as he can make maximum use of his carrom ball. Ashwin is a different type of off spinner from Harbhajan. Harbhajan is a classical off spinner whereas Ashwin is more in the Mendis mould where batsmen don't really know what to expect. c) There's more risk of Chawla being taken for runs (especially in power plays) as leggie needs much more control to be effective and even a small amount of error results in a boundary ball. 3. Do we play Yuvraj and if yes whom does he replace - Raina or Kohli? It's clear that Yuvraj is not the batsman he was 2-3 years ago. On batting form alone he can't compete with Kohli and Raina. Plus it doesn't help that both Kohli and Raina are much better fielders as well. So even though we don't really need Yuvraj the batsman/fielder we definitely need Yuvraj the bowler/all-rounder especially since we will go in with 7 batsmen and only 4 specialist bowlers. And on subcontinent pitches, Yuvraj can easily pitch in his quota of overs and would be a nice addition to the spin bowling as the only left arm spinner in the team. This leaves the choice between Kohli and Raina. I am not bringing Pathan into the discussion as Pathan is such a huge game-changer and in such good form that he can single handedly win the game for us. If he can take on SA bowlers in SA, he can take aprt anyone especially in subcontinental conditions. So onto Kohli and Raina... i) Kohli - He has been one of the most impressive youngsters I have seen and his game has improved dramatically - in fact so much that he's our most consistent batsman at the moment! You can say that Gambhir is similar as well so we can do without Kohli. But to me nos. 3 and 4 in the lineup have to be extremely solid and consistent batsmen. What happens if we lose 2 early wkts and we are 20/2 in a must win game. I can see Kohli come in, consolidate and score a match saving crucial half century but I can't see either Yuvraj or Raina playing a similar role. To me Sehwag and Tendulkar should try to maximize the power plays, Gambhir and Kohli to consolidate and lay the platform for lower order batsmen (Dhoni, Pathan, Raina/Yuvraj) to go for broke at the death. Plus Kohli is a live-wire on the field, his scoring/strike rate is always between 80-100 and I can see him as the future Indian captain. ii) Raina - Raina's problems against short balls are well documented but it should not be an issue in the sub-continent. Raina is an extremely dangerous batsman and is only one of the very few batsman to have score a 100 in all 3 formats (Tests, odis and T20). He, along with Pathan and Dhoni, are the perfect players to maximize the batting power play or go for runs at the death. If given a decent platform I don't think there are too many batsmen in the game who are more destructive than Raina. And he's a great fielder and can bowl a few overs of spin to boot. I would say it's an extremely tough call but I would have Kohli in the team over Rains just for the reason that I don't see Yuvraj batting at the crucial no. 4 spot in his current batting form. I think it's easier for Yuvraj to slot in at no. 5 or 6 and go for quick runs rather than consolidate in case of a fall of quick early wickets. All in all a good problem for India to have (other than the form of our fast bowlers) and it shows what a long way we have come from the dark days of 90s when we had players like Kanitkar, Sujith Somasunder, Vikram Rathore, Jacob Martin, Gagan Khoda fill in the batting spots :nervous:
Cricketics Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 Kohli's selection shouldn't be a headache now. He and Gambhir in middle order are like Dravid-Laxman of test match of early pre 2005 where it's hard to get both of them out as they manage to score 40-50 in every game. and thats what you need in the big chase.
Ultimate_Game Posted February 16, 2011 Author Posted February 16, 2011 Kohli's selection shouldn't be a headache now. He and Gambhir in middle order are like Dravid-Laxman of test match of early pre 2005 where it's hard to get both of them out as they manage to score 40-50 in every game. and thats what you need in the big chase. Concur fully and that's why I would rather see Raina missing out even though I'm a big fan of Raina :(
Gunner_Mania Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 why do people think that Yusuf is a given in the team over Yuvraj & Raina?
The Outsider Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 1. 2+2 for me, at least in the league phases. Then take it depending on the venue and opposition. For example, playing that combination against Pakistan or Sri Lanka at Mohali might not work. But given our venues and opposition in the league phase 2+2. 2. I would pick Chawla. Yeah it does cause a problem for the PP overs, but I would rather start the tournament with him and then bring in Ashwin if the move does not work. From the little cricket I've watched over the past few days, Chawla has been bowling wonderfully and the impact of a leg spinner can never be understated. It is the more attacking move. 3. This is a no brainer for me - Raina just has to sit out. Yuvraj is going to be good for even 10 overs on these kind of pitches. And India are at their best with the wickets in hand approach for which Tendulkar, Gambhir, and Kohli in the top 4 are ideal.
Ultimate_Game Posted February 16, 2011 Author Posted February 16, 2011 why do people think that Yusuf is a given in the team over Yuvraj & Raina? Because over the last 4-5 odis he has played, Pathan has scored 2 100s and a 50, won 2 matches from a "no-win" situation and was able to take SA bowlers on in SA and at the moment SA bowling is one of the best (I would say the best) bowling lineup in the world. On sub-continent with small ground, flat surfaces, spin the main option and bouncers not a major concern, I wouldn't want to leave Pathan out of the playing X1. He's the sort of a player who can win you a match when the team is 150/6 or 7 while chasing 280.
Sid Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 3-1 combo ,only difference being,I will pick 3 spinners and 1 seamer (Zak) B->
kabira Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 completely agree. I am surprised by Chawla's bowling. Bowling with Nice loop, control, guile. It was treat to watch him bowl. Long may it continue.
coffee_rules Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 My main worry is... Has Dhoni used up all the good luck in winning two tosses in two warm-up matches? :vroam:
Sid Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 My main worry is... Has Dhoni used up all the good luck in winning two tosses in two warm-up matches? :vroam: Excactly my worry as well........
Ultimate_Game Posted February 16, 2011 Author Posted February 16, 2011 1. 2+2 for me, at least in the league phases. Then take it depending on the venue and opposition. For example, playing that combination against Pakistan or Sri Lanka at Mohali might not work. But given our venues and opposition in the league phase 2+2. 2. I would pick Chawla. Yeah it does cause a problem for the PP overs, but I would rather start the tournament with him and then bring in Ashwin if the move does not work. From the little cricket I've watched over the past few days, Chawla has been bowling wonderfully and the impact of a leg spinner can never be understated. It is the more attacking move. 3. This is a no brainer for me - Raina just has to sit out. Yuvraj is going to be good for even 10 overs on these kind of pitches. And India are at their best with the wickets in hand approach for which Tendulkar, Gambhir, and Kohli in the top 4 are ideal. Agree with points 1 and 3 but I would play Ashwin against sub-continental teams. Bangladesh is more likely to play a leg spinner well but Ashwin would be something new for them and I can see them struggle to pick his carrom ball or taking him on in power-plays. Against Eng and SA I would o with Chawla. After the group stages are over, and based on the opponent in quarters, I would make the call which one gets to play.
Sachin=GOD Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 1. would go with 2+2 2. Bhajji and Chawla 3. for me, Kohli and Raina are certainties in the team. So, its between Yuvi and Yusuf :hmmm:
Ultimate_Game Posted February 16, 2011 Author Posted February 16, 2011 Toss is going to be crucial especially if the pitch gets slower, lower and starts aiding spin as the match goes on. But it won't be as crucial as say Dambulla or SA where chasing under lights is nearly impossible.
urbestfriend Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 From Dhoni's post match interview, it looked like Raina is gonna miss out. He just mentioned the good batting form of Gambo and Kohli, but when asked about Raina, he said its good to have all the batters in good form.
Manny_Pacquiao Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 chawla has improved a lot by the looks of it, and seems like a shoe-in at this point. 2+2, with zaheer and munaf opening, harbhajan and chawla in middle overs and yuvraj the 5th bowler. batting is tough to decide. raina played a quality innings today, and he is really useful when in form. he also contributes a lot with his fielding and is another part time bowler. kohli is too difficult to ignore at this point and i guess raina is gonna miss out. this is a good problem to have though. if it was up to me, i would rest tendulkar for these pointless group stage games and play raina.
Bumblebee Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 Gavaskar mentioned during commentary today that he thinks India are going to play only 2 seamers Goddy Viru Gambhir Kohli Yuvi Dhoni Raina/ashwin/chawla Pathan Bhajji Sree/nehra Zak
SachDan Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 1. 2+2 for me, at least in the league phases. Then take it depending on the venue and opposition. For example, playing that combination against Pakistan or Sri Lanka at Mohali might not work. But given our venues and opposition in the league phase 2+2. Don't you think it's too risky? what option Dhoni's left with if one of them starts spraying the ball all over from the beginning itself? five-six overs of spin in pp overs, with opposing batsmen fully aware of the fact that it's a decision made out of desperation than a tactical one? too scary..
Cricketics Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 if it was up to me, i would rest tendulkar for these pointless group stage games and play raina. Na i want him to play every damn game and let him show him that he is going to score in every game and with that let all opponents know that THEIR BAAP IS BATTING and what is to come when they face him. WE INDIANS DON'T HIDE OUR JEWL.. WE LIKE TO SHOW IT OFF.. WE SHOULD SHOW IT OFF..
SachDan Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 Na i want him to play every damn game and let him show him that he is going to score in every game and with that let all opponents know that THEIR BAAP IS BATTING and what is to come when they face him. WE INDIANS DON'T HIDE OUR JEWL.. WE LIKE TO SHOW IT OFF.. WE SHOULD SHOW IT OFF.. :two_thumbs_up:
philcric Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 2+2 for me too. Sachin Sehwag Gambhir Kohli Yuvi *+ Dhoni Y Pathan Bhajji Ashwin / Chawla Zak Sreesanth
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