Biggest positive from the match

[The Outsider]

Ganguly might be ruled out for the remaining ODIs because of his injury with Uthappa/Sharma getting a chance. Our ODI team really needs to move beyond Ganguly's 50 off 75 balls at the top of the order, refusing singles off partners, and poor fielding. Factor all these things in and he is no more than a SR 50 contributor.

[yoda]

we are still 0-0

[Chandan]

Hmm... I think so. After 2 ODIs, I'd rest Sachin too. On the other hand, what do you think of the bowling combination for the coming matches?? If Powar was such a big failure on a receptive Bangalore pitch, do you think he'll succeed in other matches which'll be day matches?

[Lurker]

Symonds put into place by Sreesanth. Round 1 Sreesanth by KO.

[The Outsider]

Powar should play. Dhoni took him off too early and brought him on too late. Powar is not a death bowler. He has to be used early on in the innings. Get 7-8 overs in from him before the 35th over.

[theguyinallblue]

he was exposed today in the field..he was trying to match the agility of youngsters and even his contemporaries Sachin and Dravid..and looked completely out of place... this match will make him think about his future in ODIs...we left Uthappa for him... he should make the job of selectors and Captain easy..adn offer to feign an injury....for rest of the ODI series..

[theguyinallblue]

powar should be given two more matches... but he must reduce his weight....i mean how can he be so out of shape..

[Gambit]

In his defense, Powar had an off day. Never seen him bowl such rubbish before.

[apocalypse]

we should try to control on our extras

[Chandan]

Powar should play. Dhoni took him off too early and brought him on too late. Powar is not a death bowler. He has to be used early on in the innings. Get 7-8 overs in from him before the 35th over.

And can you think of any reason why Pathan was not bowled his full quota? It is true that he didn't look like taking a wicket. You can't expect him to take wickets if he only comes up when the ball is 20 overs old. But he was at least tying one end up. Dhoni has to use PowerPlay cleverly. You can't expect Powar to be brought up after 20 overs and then bowl 10 overs on trot, if you want his overs to finish before 40. A clear strategy is missing here, and this is where we need the help of a good coach.

[The Outsider]

And can you think of any reason why Pathan was not bowled his full quota? It is true that he didn't look like taking a wicket. You can't expect him to take wickets if he only comes up when the ball is 20 overs old. But he was at least tying one end up.

That was a gross misjudgement on Dhoni's part, IMO. Powar's last 2 overs should have been bowled by Pathan and we might have ended up chasing 20 less. I think Dhoni was trying to use Powar in a Harbhajan kind of a role, but needs to realize Powar is a completely different bowler.

Dhoni has to use PowerPlay cleverly. You can't expect Powar to be brought up after 20 overs and then bowl 10 overs on trot, if you want his overs to finish before 40.

Spot on. Powar is a pretty good bowler in the powerplays but his game is not suited for the death at all.

[The Outsider]

In his defense' date=' Powar had an off day. Never seen him bowl such rubbish before.[/quote'] He was bowling in a completely uncharacteristic role at the end of the innings.

[Chandan]

I think he bowled just 2 overs after 40 overs. But in his earlier 4 over spell, he didn't impress either. Nor did he take any wickets.

[observer1]

I agree with you S. Even in England, when he was supposed to be doing well, I always thought he was perenially behind the game, losing us at least 15 runs in the batting partnerships, and about 10 runs when fielding. Playing against a minnow like England tided over his problem, but, it is time he has to go.

[ludhianvi]

with the new rule that a new ball is used after 35 overs, the spinners pretty much have to bowl in the first 35 overs I suppose unless you want a spinner to be bowling with the new ball. How much would this rule change the tactics now

[The Outsider]

with the new rule that a new ball is used after 35 overs, the spinners pretty much have to bowl in the first 35 overs I suppose unless you want a spinner to be bowling with the new ball.

It's not exactly a new ball, but a harder and whiter 35 over old ball.

[novpj]

The ball is changed after 35 overs but its a used ball not a new one. I think the tactics have to be a bit different in 50 over game - 1. Need Sree and RP to bowl 6-8 overs at the end 2. Powar has to bowl between 15-40 3. Use up Zak in first 0-10 and 25-40 + we need to attack with zak and Powar and stop singls

[Shehezaada]

Ganguly fielded very well today actually. Also, when opening with Sachin Tendulkar, he provides stability at the top of the order. Remember the 3 ODI games we won in England this summer, three hundred run opening stands. Ganguly is an asset and must be played in the team for sure. After all he is India's leading run scorer this year in both forms of the game.

[Shehezaada]

sorry..Ganguly #2 in Tests behind Tendulkar, and #1 in ODIs

[Mr. Wicket]

No arguments with the OP.