This AB knock was CLASS

[Crookbond]

Obviously everything is a risk. But Morkel at the other end was handling things fine. Its not just this innings mind you, he has done this many times. Gets close but no cigar. With 2 runs per over needed he could have farmed the strike.

Yes - everything is a risk; so it is one way or the other. Dhoni takes it to the end of the innings - ABDV wants to finish it ASAP. There is no single approach - you and me can sit at the end of the innings ad say "do this, do that". There was NOTHING WRONG in ABDV approach. The result was undesirable but it is because of sub par execution not a fallibility in the approach. You are able to criticize the approach based on the result - that is completely hindsight. ABDV farming the strike could also lead to a loss. There's just no way to tell one was better than the other. It looks so on the scorecard but the real time situation(s) are not based on final scorecards.

[G_B_]

Yes - everything is a risk; so it is one way or the other. Dhoni takes it to the end of the innings - ABDV wants to finish it ASAP. There is no single approach - you and me can sit at the end of the innings ad say "do this' date= do that". There was NOTHING WRONG in ABDV approach. The result was undesirable but it is because of sub par execution not a fallibility in the approach.

one approach leads to wins the other leads to close defeats... at the very least he should have played the ball on its merit right? I can understand he started to swing when Steyn was in. But not when some 30 odds runs were needed in 15 overs. You need to be flexible to the changing circumstances.

[G_B_]

He got out on third ball of the over, there was no need to do that, it just shows he was doing only one way by hitting boundaries. There was no calmness about it, look at finishers like Dhoni or Bevan how they managed the situations.

+1 Its like he did the hard part and then failed at the last hurdle. You look at MSD and he was constantly talking to Ashwin and telling him what to do. Did not see AB take much of an interest.

[Crookbond]

one approach leads to wins the other leads to close defeats... at the very least he should have played the ball on its merit right? I can understand he started to swing when Steyn was in. But not when some 30 odds runs were needed in 15 overs. You need to be flexible to the changing circumstances.

Confirmation bias. Dhoni has lost games by taking too long into the deep as well. Frankly, this entire armchair discussion on "strategy" on the Internet is damn nauseating. In 50-50 situations, it does not strategy does not matter - skill and execution does. Most people who have played will attest to this simple fact. Yeah and playing on merit means lack of skill execution not a problem with the approach.

[Crookbond]

+1 Its like he did the hard part and then failed at the last hurdle. You look at MSD and he was constantly talking to Ashwin and telling him what to do. Did not see AB take much of an interest.

That is because MSD is a better in chase executions than Dhoni. This does NOT make the approach wrong or MSD's approach better.

[G_B_]

Confirmation bias. Dhoni has lost games by taking too long into the deep as well. Frankly, this entire armchair discussion on "strategy" on the Internet is damn nauseating. In 50-50 situations, it does not strategy does not matter - skill and execution does. Most people who have played will attest to this simple fact. Yeah and playing on merit means lack of skill execution not a problem with the approach.

ok then when did AB take SA over the line in a crunch game? I agree that even Dhoni has failed. But it has worked out for him more times than less. he chose to blast a short ball which was not there to be hit.

[putrevus]

+1 Its like he did the hard part and then failed at the last hurdle. You look at MSD and he was constantly talking to Ashwin and telling him what to do. Did not see AB take much of an interest.

He needed to understand it does matter how good he is , he was not doing it on his own, he needed his partners to chip in, he needed to get more from them. That's where calmness comes into picture, giving strike to his Morkel was not the end of world. There was one more wicket left why take so many chances.

[Crookbond]

ok then when did AB take SA over the line in a crunch game? I agree that even Dhoni has failed. But it has worked out for him more times than less. he chose to blast a short ball which was not there to be hit.

Just because it has worked for Dhoni does not mean it will work for ABDV! You are telling me that one approach is better than the other based on two different individuals. The problem with AMDV not taking SA over the line may not necessarily be the approach, at least not today.

[bones]

It was a brainless innings. SA should have won and probably would have if he didn't start his reckless swinging at everything. He miscued a pull that just eluded a fielder shortly before his dismissal as well. You can't keep hitting like that against decent bowlers and Pakistan's bowlers aren't that bad. Their batsmen are, but not the bowlers. I'm afraid the whole approach was wrong, he had time and Pakistan worried, but his approach was unacceptable for me.

[putrevus]

Question is not if Dhoni lost matches or not, the question is has AB ever won a match like this? Dhoni must have lost matches but I dont think AB has won any matches like this, Even that match which Mathews won for SL, Malinga chipped in. You as batsmen need to give tailender that confidence, sure Morkel could have have got out then you still had one more wicket.

[G_B_]

Just because it has worked for Dhoni does not mean it will work for ABDV! You are telling me that one approach is better than the other based on two different individuals. The problem with AMDV not taking SA over the line may not necessarily be the approach' date= at least not today.

the point is to find a process or method which makes you win. MSD has found one which works most of the time. AB has yet to find one.

[G_B_]

Question is not if Dhoni lost matches or not, the question is has AB ever won a match like this? Dhoni must have lost matches but I dont think AB has won any matches like this, Even that match which Mathews won for SL, Malinga chipped in. You as batsmen need to give tailender that confidence, sure Morkel could have have got out then you still had one more wicket.

Morkel is a decent batter. Tahir i would not have blamed him for swinging.

[div]

the point is to find a process or method which makes you win. MSD has found one which works most of the time. AB has yet to find one.

well, I don't follow SA team,but AB has won some matches in IPL.

[amiret]

Dhoni does not have the talent or technique of ABDV , but he has a heart made of STEEL. Like Steve waugh, His temperament is the main reason for his success . Yesterday all the Indian batsmen looked unnerved by WI pace bowling but Dhoni never looked in trouble .

[putrevus]

Morkel is a decent batter. Tahir i would not have blamed him for swinging.

People saying has Kohli finished any chases? AB is not Kohli , he is a middle order batsman, his role unlike Kohli's is to finish the job.

[G_B_]

Dhoni does not have the talent or technique of ABDV , but he has a heart made of STEEL. Like Steve waugh, His temperament is the main reason for his success . Yesterday all the Indian batsmen looked unnerved by WI pace bowling but Dhoni never looked in trouble .

+1 Truth is MSD has one ugly technique. Low on talent compared to AB.

[Crookbond]

the point is to find a process or method which makes you win. MSD has found one which works most of the time. AB has yet to find one.

That is where I agree with you. My only point was that people are questioning the approach - the approach was fine.

[div]

17.1 Steyn to de Villiers, SIX, Dale Steyn? short ball? what's the fuss about? AB calmly stays in the crease and pulls Steyn for a flat six over deep midwicket 17.2 Steyn to de Villiers, 2 runs, Steyn's response is a ripping yorker on middle and leg, AB comfortably works it square on the leg side 17.3 Steyn to de Villiers, FOUR, Steyn tries the slower one, at 118.4 kph, AB clears front leg and slogs it between deep midwicket and long on, no problems again, what have you got, Dale? 17.4 Steyn to de Villiers, SIX, holy moly, incredible, insane, unbelievable, Absolutely Brilliant, it is a 146 kph near-yorker on middle stump, for crying out loud, but AB has made room and clobbered it over extra cover, I refuse to believe it 17.5 Steyn to de Villiers, FOUR, it got better, if it could, he has scooped a 142 kph Dale Steyn length ball from two feet outside off over short fine leg 17.6 Steyn to de Villiers, 1 run, and for good measure, he calmly drops a furious short ball to third man to keep the strike

http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/engine/match/548356.html? innings=1;view=commentary Steyn is definitely better bowler than Sohail Khan.

[Lannister]

Dhoni, at his peak, comes close to ABD skill-wise, but I don't think ABD has the calmness Dhoni has. But I like ABd's batting too, currently no one come close to his batting prowess.

[Lord]

Yes - everything is a risk; so it is one way or the other. Dhoni takes it to the end of the innings - ABDV wants to finish it ASAP. There is no single approach - you and me can sit at the end of the innings ad say "do this, do that". There was NOTHING WRONG in ABDV approach. The result was undesirable but it is because of sub par execution not a fallibility in the approach. You are able to criticize the approach based on the result - that is completely hindsight. ABDV farming the strike could also lead to a loss. There's just no way to tell one was better than the other. It looks so on the scorecard but the real time situation(s) are not based on final scorecards.

Playing calmly and giving less chances is obviously less riskier