What is the purpose of having a pacer in the side with the ability to bowl 150 Kmph and still don’t play him in helpful conditions? Sometimes I wonder if the selections are done on merit or first cum first serve basis. IIM’s wish to map Dhoni’s brain makes sense at this time. May be all the expectations on the pace sensation is over hyped and in reality he could turn into a damp squib, but what harm in trying. For the benefit of the road ahead Varun Aaron needs few games under his belt. Now look at the scenario for tour of Australia.
Zaheer is no certainty to complete any tour based on his track record, Ishant is nursing an injury that requires a surgery and there is no guarantee he will last the length of the tour, Praveen Kumar may be good but definitely not in any league to lead an attack, Munaf already invited the wrath of former greats for being a spinner, Vinay Kumar is far from reckoning to play a Test Match, Irfan Pathan is unlikely to find the favor of selectors, RP Singh might have made the comeback but his performances in the final test was far too convincing. To top it all, the home series before the Tour of Australia hardly aid seamers to justify their talent. In such a scenario it is important fringe players like Aarons, Yadavs, Unadkats, Mithuns are tried in bowler friendly conditions. A little bit of international cricket always helps them prior to a high profile series.
Despite the loss, India actually put a brave show in the third ODI. Having pegged back by the loss of quick wickets, the trio of Dhoni, Jadeja and Ashwin carried the team to a respectable total. There was a period the total appeared more than adequate to defend when rain arrived and killed any momentum the visitors gained. On the positives, Jadeja shut everyone with his batting and bowling prowess including yours truly. I only wish he carries the form in the remaining games.
From here on India cannot win the series. If not I try to be optimistic about drawing the series, the least I wish to see is a consolation prize (victory) coming from the remaining ODI's.
In the meantime, Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma are ruled out of Mumbai Indians for Champions League. Gambir is more or less unlikely to play for Knight Riders. What about Dhoni, Raina, Kohli, Zaheer, Bhajji? Will they play for Super Kings, Royal Challengers, Mumbai Indians respectively or stay away from the hungama for a well deserved rest. Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, reports in cricinfo says, Harbhajan has recuperated his abdominal muscle tissue tear or whatever it is by working hard at NCA and roaring to mark his arrival with the appearance for Mumbai Indians in Champions League. Looks like this will be a kind of rebirth for him to revive his career. Don't know about rebirth or revival but surely raised suspicions in my mind that he is playing for CAPTAINCY. Come on!!! Don't be angry at me. In my opinion he is unlikely to get the national captaincy as the selectors already over looked him for the next generation of cricketers such as Raina. So the best he could captain is Mumbai Indians (only in the absence of Tendulkar) and so why deprive the opportunity when the same knocks the door BANG BANG.
Bottom line: By any means this is turning to be a nightmare of a series for Dhoni. I just hope Dhoni is remembered more for a World Cup Winning Captain than a Captain to have returned empty hands from England.
Dinesh
Cricket Lover
No comments:
Post a Comment