Why World Cup 2015 can be a nightmare for headstrong Dhoni’s Team India

[gattaca]

For most Indian cricket fans, the 1992 ODI World Cup is a bad dream best-forgotten. Barring an inconsequential moment of glory - a triumph against arch rival Pakistan who became the eventual world champions - a galaxy of stars ranging from captain Mohd Azharuddin to Kapil Dev, from Sachin Tendulkar to Ravi Shastri failed to take their team even to semi-final in bouncy Australia. It may be recalled that Team India’s previous major tour to Australia in 2011-12 was a similar nightmarish affair. The humiliating 0-4 Test loss ended up claiming the careers of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. In the tri-series tournament that followed – Sri Lanka being the third nation – India finished last. MS Dhoni’s Men in Blue lost all four games against Australia in that ODI series. Now with barely one year to go, another World Cup odyssey awaits us Down Under. How ready are we? Before leaving for New Zealand, Team India skipper MS Dhoni had said at a press conference that “as of now, both our ODI and Test squads look quite settled, which is a good thing because it's very important to back individuals.†A settled team, generally means, a tried and tested successful unit that doesn’t require too much tinkering. A settled team is persisted with over a period of time because they have earned their spurs in every condition. Perhaps Dhoni was enthused and energised by the new Team India’s Champions Trophy triumph in June last year. But judging by our performance abroad, especially in recent weeks, this team hardly exudes the confidence of a settled unit that the skipper claims it is. India hasn’t won a single of their last eight ODI games, all played abroad in South Africa and New Zealand; the comprehensive 87 run thrashing at Wellington on Friday being the latest. The Men in Blue have lost six games, one match was tied and the other washed out. New Zealand made the ODI world champions look like a tier-two team, rather hard to digest at a time when BCCI is flexing its financial muscle worldwide. It just isn’t the series of defeats; it is also the manner in which they have come about. In S Africa, the batters looked out of league and the bowlers gave away 939 runs in three games -- 313 per game. The openers have often failed to give the team a decent start; the average first-wicket stand in the past eight games is 19.8. Both openers Rohit and Shikhar looked out of sorts in S A. In New Zealand, on at least two occasions, Rohit consumed too many deliveries before getting out. Despite benefitting from dropped catches on several occasions, he has only one 50 to his name in the past eight games. Shikhar’s technical shortcomings are often causing his downfall. Even Mohd Azharuddin pointed out earlier this week that he has basic flaws in technique dealing with the short ball which would make him vulnerable in Australia. Just like Suresh Raina, another flop in the middle order. In fact, barring the imperious Virat Kohli, the entire middle-order has looked shaky. Rahane and, to a lesser extent Rayudu, have failed to utilise chances and cement their places. Key spinner R Ashwin has batted better than bowled, his primary job. Dhoni and Jadeja too batted with confidence in New Zealand. But would they get such batting-friendly tracks in Australia next year? The bowlers, especially the pacers, have hardly looked Team India material. Only Shami Ahmed is a possible exception. They badly need guidance, support and motivation. Dravid recently said, Dhoni doesn’t have a go-to bowler. But when did India have a go-to bowler in the past 20 years, apart from Anil Kumble in his prime? Team India must get the right mix and maximise their performance. At the heart of India’s ailment lies a headstrong captain who believes in doing things his own way, who has absolute faith in a small bunch of players and little confidence in others. This is, especially true, among batters. Consequently, India has been saddled with a bunch that has got unlimited opportunities to prove their mettle while others have been dumped with indifference with one or two games. In all likelihood, their inexperience would now be used against them in light of the approaching World Cup. Often a situation is created where a player after getting unlimited opportunities, succeeds in one or two games. This rare success is then used to give him another 10 opportunities. Some players are almost forced to succeed; while others either languish without opportunities or are quickly discarded after one or two games. This creates a clique of sorts which is negative to the larger national interest. How does a young cricketer motivate himself when even the best of performances don’t fetch him a place in the team? Look at the way New Zealand shuffled around their all-rounders and bowlers. On the other hand, Stuart Binny was dropped after one game. He didn’t get to bat and bowled only one over. Promising paceman Ishwar Pandey went uncapped. That’s despite the total failure of the other medium pacers. Assuming that non-cricketing factors are not influencing his decision, Dhoni has backed players such as Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja to the hilt. Some such as Jadeja have gradually justified their place; others like Rohit have often flattered to deceive. Raina has generally failed abroad, especially on bouncy tracks. Dhoni has persisted with Ishant Sharma over the years and it appears, that for all his inconsistencies and sub-par performances, he might still make the cut for the 2015 world cup because he will fit in the tag of “a senior experienced bowler†and because he had first made his mark in Australia. By the way, Ishant is often the butt of social media jokes. Similarly, Varun Aaron is an exciting tearaway but the truth is that after coming from injury, he did not have a single five-wicket haul in his six Ranji games. As Harsha Bhogle had then tweeted, “get the feeling that Dhoni is choosing his bowlers by who he doesn't want later than by who he needs now.†In October last year, Dhoni had said that Yuvraj was the team’s first choice batter at no 4 but he wanted to try out Raina as a back-up for the same spot. Since then, Yuvraj is out of the squad due to poor form and Raina, although tried out at various positions including four, has failed to come good. Raina’s weakness against the short-pitched bowling is well-known. If you keen the world cup on bouncy Australian tracks in mind, that was hardly a great idea. Cheteshwar Pujara seems to be the missing link in India’s middle-order. In a rather mischievous way, the Saurashtra batsman has been typecast as a Test cricketer and kept out of the ODI team. At lower level, he has stamped his class even in ODIs. In 2006 u-19 tournament, Pujara was declared man of the tournament. And South Africa and New Zealand were great places to try him out. Hopefully, Dhoni and the wise men won’t be saying now that it is too late to try him out for the 2015 World Cup. After losing the fourth ODI in New Zealand, Dhoni admonished his bowlers asking them “to start using their brains.†But his own thinking appears pretty muddled. Unsettling Kohli, India’s best batsman by some mile from his no 3 position, was tough to understand. That too, as Sunil Gavaskar pointed out, when the team also had Rahane who had opened for India in the T20 format. Team India is in troubled waters. To begin with, the problem needs to be acknowledged first. Players such as Pujara should be drafted in, irrespective of how he performs in IPL. The team needs a balance of experience and youth -- Gambhir and Yuvraj should be told that they are in World Cup reckoning to motivate them. Even Sehwag, for all his poor form, should be told that. It is all about getting the right mix and finding the in-form bowlers. Rather than treating the team as “a settled unit,†the selectors – and Dhoni -- should be open to other players. I am aware that he is recovering from injury in the past few months but Manoj Tiwary should also be looked at, provided he plays well in the domestic circuit in the coming months. Does anybody remember that he had scores of 104 not out, 21 and 65 when he was dropped last? And can Irfan Pathan bounce back into reckoning? There are many unanswered questions. And time is running out for Team India. http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Addictions/entry/why-world-cup-2015-can-be-a-nightmare-for-headstrong-dhoni-s-team-india

[GolGappe]

At the heart of India’s ailment lies a headstrong captain who believes in doing things his own way, who has absolute faith in a small bunch of players and little confidence in others. This is, especially true, among batters. Consequently, India has been saddled with a bunch that has got unlimited opportunities to prove their mettle while others have been dumped with indifference with one or two games. In all likelihood, their inexperience would now be used against them in light of the approaching World Cup.

[G_B_]

Oh come on. Rahane for example has been given a 5 match extended run and not shown any innings of note. Dont tell me he is part of CSK or a Dhoni inner circle. Cause before this series he was in and out. Lets face it India have a lack of talent overseas. The only thing in India's favour for the world cup is that India have a tour of Aus coming up just before the WC starts. They have nearly 3 months before the QF starts to get their thinking straight.

[kubrickian]

Oh come on. Rahane for example has been given a 5 match extended run and not shown any innings of note. Dont tell me he is part of CSK or a Dhoni inner circle. Cause before this series he was in and out. Lets face it India have a lack of talent overseas.

I think Rahane is not fit for ODIs but I disagree that we don't have options overseas. I think batsmen will need some time to adapt to different conditions and make some adjustments and that will come only with playing more. You usually won't get finished products from FC who have played all their lives on slow, low bounce wickets who will do well on bouncier tracks or seam tracks other than a few genius batsmen like Sachin, Kohli etc. Rahane, Kohli, Pujara have adapted well in tests in South Africa even though they had very little experience in those conditions before. Likewise, its important to pick batsmen who have done well in List A and give them more chances in different conditions.

[G_B_]

Yeah but the issue if Dhoni not giving people chances. Aaron with the ball and Rahane with the bat were two players who were given chances and to be fair they have not repaid Dhoni's faith. I am finding it hard to blame Dhoni in this. I think its time to remove Fletcher and specifically Joe Dawes.

[yoda]

I think it all goes back to domestic pitches and bowling quality. All these guys face useless bowlers in easy conditions and get their asses handed down when facing international quality. However it is surprising that guys like Rahane who did well in SA tests can't do diddly squat here.

[G_B_]

I think it all goes back to domestic pitches and bowling quality. All these guys face useless bowlers in easy conditions and get their asses handed down when facing international quality. However it is surprising that guys like Rahane who did well in SA tests can't do diddly squat here.

Rohit and Rahane have problems with pacing their innings. In T20s they have a mentality of going for their shots. In tests they take their time. I think in ODIs they dont know what to do. Rahane in SA basically prospered on the back of a very solid defence in tests. Played each ball on its merit. I think he over analyses his shots in the ODIs.

[G_B_]

I am a bit disppointed with aaron as well. pacy but he was a bit one dimensional bowling at the death

[vvvslaxman]

There is some flaw in talent identification. That is all i can say. They are judged based on how they hit fours and sixes in the IPL as against how they do well in A tours in alien conditions. Honestly tell me the reason why Rohit sharma gets all the hype. He is still getting it. Majority of the references would be made to his IPL exploits or rare one day performance. Mostly his six hitting abilities are visible. I understand that happen with some blind fans. Selectors have to look beyond that. Weaknesses, how they construct innings, how they get behind the ball etc etc. Just ban Rohit from hitting the ball a feet above the air, He will score 0 in 100 balls if he survives.

[div]

World cup is not a bilateral series,India will beat most teams in Australia B->

[kubrickian]

Rohit and Rahane have problems with pacing their innings. In T20s they have a mentality of going for their shots. In tests they take their time. I think in ODIs they dont know what to do. Rahane in SA basically prospered on the back of a very solid defence in tests. Played each ball on its merit. I think he over analyses his shots in the ODIs.

They could benefit a lot from watching Kohli and learning from him how to rotate strike, work the gaps, pace the innings, when to go for big shots etc. He could be a mentor to other batsmen in the side.

[youngindia]

one thing about ICC events is they are generally "neutral"... the 1992 world cup in Australia or the 2003 WC did not favour the home teams unduly. there was more scope for SC teams to adapt. the 1991 aus vs ind had pretty lively wickets where both batting sides had problems dominating. even the tri series had some low scores. by the time of the world cup, the wickets were nowhere as lively. in 2003, SA were kicked out by the first round itself. India was in a poor state at the start of the world cup. they had a disastrous tour of NZ(with absurd conditions) . got bowled out of around 200 vs Holland.got thrashed by Australia. then they started the turnaround vs zim. in 2003, it was basically a sachin-dravid + three seamers show.yuvraj and kaif were inconsistent but played some supporting roles.ganguly atleast murdered the Kenyans despite a mediocre world cup.the form of the three seamers were crucial. we only won 2 ODI's in SA(both in 1992) at that time! gain the three seamers will prove very crucial. in 2011, SC teams clearly dominated.so let's see what 2015 will hold. going by history, it should not favour Australia unduly.

[Straight Drive]

There will not be much swing in Australia. So our batters will do better than what they have done or will do in New Zealand during WC.Hope most of our WC 2015 matches will be played in Australia.Srini mama, chakra ghumao.

[kubrickian]

There will not be much swing in Australia. So our batters will do better than what they have done or will do in New Zealand during WC.Hope most of our WC 2015 matches will be played in Australia.Srini mama' date=' chakra ghumao.[/quote'] There was no swing in NZ either. Just a bit more bounce and pace than you get in Indian conditions. The conditions will probably be similar in Australia but those grounds have much bigger boundaries.

[Straight Drive]

There was no swing in NZ either. Just a bit more bounce and pace than you get in Indian conditions. The conditions will probably be similar in Australia but those grounds have much bigger boundaries.

I thought swing cost us this series.Now i am really getting very worried.

[G_B_]

yeah the pitches were pretty flat if anything the pitches in Aus are going to be less flatter coupled with the much bigger grounds.

[Number]

There was always some help with the new ball for the bowlers. 300+ scores were mainly because India couldn't take wickets in the middle overs and the ground size was small which gave added advantage to NZ who had wickets in hand.

[cowboysfan]

World cup is not a bilateral series' date='India will beat most teams in Australia B->[/quote'] No they won't, the WC will see similar flat wickets,we don't have the bowlers and our 2 spinner strategy will be a flop,I have no clue why Bcci accepted the 2 newb Balls in Odis,it has neutered our spinners.

[ThePhenomenal1]

Yeah but the issue if Dhoni not giving people chances. Aaron with the ball and Rahane with the bat were two players who were given chances and to be fair they have not repaid Dhoni's faith. I am finding it hard to blame Dhoni in this. I think its time to remove Fletcher and specifically Joe Dawes.

Rahane in ODIs maybe has not but in tests he has been superb in his limited opportunities. He can be discarded in ODIs and kept in t20s, no probs. Varun Aaron has shown something at least. He runs in, looks like taking a wicket, needs to develop more control but has some already. Hit 150kph, now that is amazing. With control, he can cause trouble in AUS. You want that type of bowler when NZ have Milne who's just 20ish, AUS have johnson, SA have steyn, Pak have many 140+ pacers, england are likely to bring 1 145-150kph bowler. Out of 3 matches, not fair to discard him when he got good breakthroughs.

[div]

No they won't' date=' the WC will see similar flat wickets,we don't have the bowlers and our 2 spinner strategy will be a flop,I have no clue why Bcci accepted the 2 newb Balls in Odis,it has neutered our spinners.[/quote'] I think India will struggle only against the home team,England should have won that CT final. CB series 2012 India-2 Lanka-1