Indian Cricket Has Strengthened? Not Really
Various sections of the media have highlighted how India has been superb of late in the one day arena. A few aspects have to be noted, though. India hasn’t faced the tough challenges till now. So it is too early to go euphoric over recent run of one day cricket victories. If any thing, we have we have even failed in instances where we shouldn’t have. With all due respect to the English side, why couldn’t India win convincingly versus an English side at home with half the English side missing? Time is asked because we are a young side. We were a young side in respects like bowling but weren’t the English side young and inexperienced as well?
India is now providing thrilling contests versus the West Indies. Regardless of who wins the series and with all due credit to the West Indies for it’s performance so far, this is the same West Indies side which couldn’t enact as convincing wins versus Zimbabwe as it would have liked. There is talent in the Indian team if we do a micro analysis and look at a few aspects. For example, there are some very good youngsters out there like Raina and Dhoni. However, there are many weak areas as well. The biggest problem I see is not the batting despite it’s inconsistencies of late. The bowling attack for me, in one dayers, is very raw. Can we this attack restrict an Australia or South Africa to below 300?
Where is Balaji? Even if we forget him for an instance, why is Kumble not tried in one dayers? A common perception is Kumble shouldn’t be there because of his fielding not being that good. Was Kumble’s fielding not the same in the 15 years or so when he successfuly played one day cricket for India? So if he can bowl as well, and wants to play, what logic would rule him out of the side?
Giving youth the chance is very much necessary. Experience is as crucial though for the make up of any strong side.
Tags: Anil Kumble, India West Indies, Indian Cricket, West Indies Cricket.
May 24th, 2006 at 8:22 am
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May 24th, 2006 at 8:49 am
Agree; bowling is a concern. Munaf’s Mohali showing gave us some hope that we might have a pace bowler to help us get 20 wickets in a test, but otherwise we lack strike power apart from Kumble.
Harbhajan seems to have regressed a little in the last couple of years, and Pathan has been largely on the ‘miss’ side of hit-or-miss.
Balaji is a real concern. To answer your question, he’s recuperating from a back injury. After the performance in Pakistan in 2004, I really felt that we had come across a bowler for all conditions at long last. I liked his run up, action, his ability to use the width of the crease and move both old and new ball in the air and off the wicket - and then he’s been hit with a spate of injuries. He was a complete non factor last season, and I only hope that he recovers soon and can start next season fully fit.
May 24th, 2006 at 9:08 am
Yesterdays match was *pathetic* in simple words. Dhoni once again failed to do anything..worthwhile and the middle-order just crumbled.
Very disspointing.
May 24th, 2006 at 8:38 pm
india needs to get balaji back and hopefully kumble will also make to world cup squad.
Indian bowling is still their weak link ,Pathan dosnot seems to get anything right with the new ball.munaf and Rp are still inexperienced to handle tough situations.Sreesanth looks good so far and good to see agarkar getting his act together in WI.If india needs to make any impact in coming world cup then their frontline bowling should fire.
May 25th, 2006 at 3:16 am
Salil: I do know regarding the injury faced. I hope he gets back to performing at the highest level.
Sakshi: Inconsistency is the bane of Indian cricket sadly.
Nagraj: The attack is very raw and young and the bowling does seem to lack teeth.
Thanks for putting in your comments guys.