3rd ODI: What should be India's playing XI?

July 26, 2012

Manojtiwari

India's first couple of games against the hosts Sri Lanka have produced two results, which are poles apart. Where the first ODI at Hambantota was dominated by Indian batting, the second one at the same venue saw a sorry collapse as the World champions were bundled out for a meagre 133 inside 34 overs.


Although MS Dhoni has gone on the record blaming the Hambantota pitch for the comprehensive loss, nothing can deny the poor batting display by India. Where the likes of Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli went on a rampage demoralising the bowlers in the first ODI, the second ODI saw Indian batsmen struggling for runs and unable to stitch partnerships. The middle order, especially Rohit Sharma, once again failed to make it count when either Rohit or Suresh Raina should have stepped up to the plate and supported Gautam Gambhir.

The idea of India going in with five frontline bowlers isn't something MS Dhoni is used to, but it seems he is using it to compensate for rustiness while opening a fresh season. Zaheer Khan looks half as good which is expected as he makes a comeback into international cricket after a long gap, while Umesh Yadav continues to leak runs besides generating some pace. Yadav had figures of 10-0-76-2 and 4-0-38-0 in the first two ODIs, repectively. So while Dhoni isn't comfortable with five bowlers in the side, one expects India to continue with that on wickets where mostly batsmen call all the shots.


The villains are definitely turning out to be Rohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav. Rohit, who always thrives in the IPL, is time and time again wasting opportunities in India colours. Manoj Tiwary, who scored a century in his last international outing, is still waiting in the wings.


Despite being a prolific batsman, Tiwary is also swift in the field. So his inclusion in the playing XI for the third ODI can't be ruled out. Bottom line: drop Rohit!


Another option is Ajinkya Rahane, who also happens to be one of the top run-getters in this year's IPL. But playing Rahane might not be easy as he is more of an opening batsman. And the bigger question is if he has to get a place in the side, who should be dropped? That effectively means either Tiwary or Rahane can play in place of Rohit.


As far as the bowling is concerned, Umesh should probably make way for Ashok Dinda who, too, has had an impressive IPL 5. Ahead of the third ODI at Colombo, a pitch which promises to produce a bit of a bounce, continuing with the quicker Umesh Yadav will be a lure for Dhoni. So it's fair to add that the chances of Dinda playing are 50:50. The injury to Vinay Kumar has obviously not made things easier. But that is not a reason to worry as Irfan Pathan was probably the best replacement India could have had, and he has done well in the two outings so far.


Dhoni, Raina and Kohli will continue to shoulder the responsibility of doing the bulk of scoring, which will be made much easier if Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir fire at the top.


Ashwin needs to show a bit more consistency as he is India's leading spinner, which introducing Pragyan Ojha early into the attack can help Dhoni curb Sri Lanka's scoring rate.


Playing XI: 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Gautam Gambhir, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ajinkya Rahane/Manoj Tiwary, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 7 Irfan Pathan, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Pragyan Ojha, 11 Umesh Yadav/Ashok Dinda



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Agencies
February 12,2020

Mumbai, Feb 12: Former Indian greats Kapil Dev and Mohammad Azharuddin have been left disappointed by the behaviour of the Under-19 team after the World Cup final where they were involved in an altercation with their Bangladeshi counterparts.

After Bangladesh won the final beating India by three wickets (via DLS) at the Senwes Park on Sunday, the players of the two teams were seen engaging in an exchange of words and even some pushing and shoving on the field.

"I would like to see the board (BCCI) take some strict action against the players to set an example. Cricket is not about abusing the opponent. I am sure there is enough reason for these youngsters to be dealt with firmly by BCCI," Kapil was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

"I welcome aggression, nothing wrong in it. But it has to be controlled aggression. You can't cross the line of decency in the name of being competitive. I would say it was unacceptable that youngsters put up such an obnoxious display on the cricket field," he added.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sanctioned five players, including three from Bangladesh -- Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain and Rakibul Hasan --and two from India --Akash Singh and Ravi Bishnoi for the scuffle.

Azharuddin also reiterated what Kapil said, insisting that players need to be disciplined.

"I would take action against the errant Under 19 players, but I also want to know what role has the support staff played in educating these youngsters. Act now before it is too late. The players have to be disciplined," Azharuddin said.

Earlier, Bishan Singh Bedi has lashed out at the Priyam Garg-led team, saying their behaviour was disgusting and disgraceful.

"You bat, bowl and field badly�happens, but there's no excuse for behaving badly. The behaviour was disgusting and most disgraceful. The innocence of that age was not visible at all," Bedi told Mid Day.

Bedi, who represented India in 67 Tests and 10 ODIs, said the behaviour of the Bangladesh cricketers is not our problem.

"Look, what Bangladesh do is their problem, what our boys do is our problem. You could see that there was abusive language used," he said.

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News Network
January 12,2020

Mumbai, Jan 12: India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will receive the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for his exploits in international cricket in the 2018-19 season, the BCCI announced on Sunday.

The world's leading pacer will be honoured during the BCCI Annual Awards here on Sunday.

The world's No. 1 ODI bowler made his Test debut during India's tour of South Africa in January 2018 and has not looked back since. He picked up a five-wicket haul in South Africa, England, Australia and the West Indies becoming the first and only Asian bowler to achieve the feat.

He played a stellar role in the historic 2-1 Test series win in Australia, India's first Down Under and which helped them retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy. While Bumrah nets the biggest prize in the men's category, Poonam Yadav will claim the top prize in women's section and will be awarded the best international cricketer.

The award will be another feather in the leg-spinner's cap who recently received the Arjuna Award. Former India captains Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Anjum Chopra will be presented with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award and the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for women respectively.

A member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, Srikkanth took on the fearsome West Indies fast bowlers and scored an attacking 38, the top individual score in the low-scoring final at the Lord's. He also captained India and post-retirement served as the chief selector and it was during his tenure that the 2011 World Cup squad was picked.

Anjum is one of the finest batswomen and the first Indian to play 100 ODIs. In a career spanning 17 years, Anjum represented India in four 50-over World Cups and two T20 World Cup (played in one).

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said, "The BCCI Awards is our way of recognising the finest on-field performances right from the age group to senior level and also honour our legends.

"It will be a special evening in Mumbai as we will also have the 7th MAK Pataudi lecture and I am delighted to inform that it will be Virender Sehwag, who will address the gathering."

Board secretary Jay Shah said, "The BCCI Awards are an important feature in India's cricketing calendar, a melange of aspiration and inspiration. "We wanted to make Naman bigger and better and have introduced four new categories – highest run-getter and wicket-takers in WODIs and best international debut men and women – from this year. A total of 25 awards will be presented."

Arun Singh Dhumal, the board's treasurer, said, "Right from domestic to international level, Indian Cricket has had a memorable 2018-19 season. We have started the year on the right note with Team India completing a convincing series win against Sri Lanka and they will be in attendance. The U-19 team is in South Africa for the World Cup and all eyes will be on the stars of tomorrow. It will be a special evening and I congratulate the award winners".

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News Network
March 19,2020

London, Mar 19: Talking about the break in cricketing activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa pacer Dale Steyn said that the disease seems to be to the only topic of conversation these days.

"I don't know how to describe it. Doesn't matter where you go, everyone is talking about it - whether it is on an airplane or you are just popping into a grocery store. It just seems like it is the only topic of conversation," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Steyn as saying.

"Yeah, it's so strange. Normally if I am on holiday I'll be planning a fishing trip or a surfing trip. At the moment I am just chilling at home," he added.

Steyn was last seen in action in the Pakistan Super League where he took two wickets in two matches.

When asked whether he has enough hand sanitizers, he replied: "We just decided that stockpiling is definitely not the way to go. It is not fair on everybody who needs that stuff. I went to the grocery store the other day and everyone had bought all the toilet paper. We have what we need, and when that runs out, that runs out, and we need to go and get some more".

"We didn't feel it was necessary to go and absolutely just, like, zombie our lives up. There's other people that live on a day-to-day basis. They are not going to get all of that stuff, so we thought it was best not to do that".

Steyn also had a message for the fans, "Stay healthy, wash your hands, look after yourself, don't be greedy. Right now they are saying old people are really struggling, so if in a position to help, rather help them than help yourself. Pretty simple, really."

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the ODI series between India-South Africa and Australia-New Zealand have been postponed.

The start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has also been postponed until April 15.

Cricket South Africa has suspended all forms of cricket for 60 days while Cricket Australia has advised all its employees to work from home.

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