***Official*** Asia Cup

[Arjun]

Sri Lanka have slowed down. However, although the other bowlers have bowled well, Pathan again is a liability with the ball, going 52 off 6 overs. I'm afraid that without his hoop swing and with no sort of pace or bounce - he has no Plan B to a batsman's attack and cannot remain in the ODI team with such a lack of bowling ability.

Touch wood...

The Indian team can't afford to lose Irfan again. Although a break from the game will help him a little. A prospect of an Irfan-less India is really scary.

 

[weldone]

Yuvraj is a poor fielder, now. He needs knee surgery/rest and has become a poor fielder without it.

Good observation...Yup, I too noticed his standard of fielding dropping by a mile for quite a few months (or years?)...Thanks for pointing out the reason...

 

[Arjun]

Yuvraj is a poor fielder, now. He needs knee surgery/rest and has become a poor fielder without it.

Yet another case of the Indians playing too much cricket? Honestly, a lot of them need rest after this Asia Cup, even if it means sending a reserve team to SL.

 

[Mahindinho]

Look at this dropped catch and misfield list-

• Raina
• Yuvraj
• Ojha
• Kumar

They're not mediocre fielders by any stretch of imagination. Yet we've seen some dismal fielding by them. It's no surprise that the Indian bowlers are struggling. Not surprisingly, question marks are raised by a few about fielding coach Robin Singh.

Not so sure -- this is India's 3rd game in four days, and it's not as though they had much of rest before that!

It's easy to underestimate how much fielding for 50 overs takes out of you, especially in the heat of an Indian summer. Not that I've ever done it, of course! I reckon ODI fielders probably move 10m or more every ball, and obviously much more if they're actually involved, concentrating all the while.

 

[Jono]

Sri Lanka bats first. And why the hell did they take out Mendis

SOFT MOVE SRI LANKA! SOFT!

Its not like Tendulkar, Laxman or Ganguly are playing. Other than Sehwag and Gambhir to an extent, the rest aren't that supreme against spin.

 

[Arjun]

An absence of logic seen again- Sehwag comes on to bowl.

 

[SJS]

An absence of logic seen again- Sehwag comes on to bowl.

Just remember one thing - its not Sehwag's fault

 

[Manee]

Yet another case of the Indians playing too much cricket? Honestly, a lot of them need rest after this Asia Cup, even if it means sending a reserve team to SL.

Not another case, no. He is not burned out, just injured and should be given the treatment he needs and not be played.

 

[Arjun]

Rubbish from Sehwag goes for four, and even RP Singh can't stop it. Kapugedera gets 50.

 

[Arjun]

Not another case, no. He is not burned out, just injured and should be given the treatment he needs and not be played.

The problem is that without Yuvraj, the middle-order is a lot weaker. They're forced to play him, even in silly exhibition matches and tournaments.

 

[Arjun]

Just remember one thing - its not Sehwag's fault

He shouldn't have been bowling at all- especially on such a pitch.

 

[Manee]

An absence of logic seen again- Sehwag comes on to bowl.

With Irfan bowling as he is, Dhoni has to turn to a part timer.

 

[Arjun]

With Irfan bowling as he is, Dhoni has to turn to a part timer.

That's a very negative thing to do, and it doesn't help. If anything, Irfan needs to bowl more. Maybe, just maybe, he'll get the wicket he needs. Replacing a struggling frontline bowler with someone who can't bowl for toffees is not an option.

 

[NZTailender]

Love Kapu tbh.

 

[Manee]

The problem is that without Yuvraj, the middle-order is a lot weaker. They're forced to play him, even in silly exhibition matches and tournaments.

We have Dhawan, Badrinath and Tiwary in the wings. It will weaken the middle order, but the effect of having someone who can chase a ball quickly and dive about will lessen the blow.

 

[SJS]

He shouldn't have been bowling at all- especially on such a pitch.

Still its not his choice unless you think he should tell the skipper to **** off

 

[Arjun]

Still its not his choice unless you think he should tell the skipper to **** off

Maybe he is- or the batsmen are. One wide followed by a huge six.

 

[Manee]

That's a very negative thing to do, and it doesn't help. If anything, Irfan needs to bowl more. Maybe, just maybe, he'll get the wicket he needs. Replacing a struggling frontline bowler with someone who can't bowl for toffees is not an option.

Sehwag is a solid bowler. He has good control of flight and turns the ball - he is a highly underrated spinner and his poor statistics come from the fact that, before this Asia Cup, he was bowled when all others have been hit for runs - which points to a flat track or a well performing battling line up. Irfan does not need wickets, he needs to work on his bowling technique and core strength more - unfortunately, it is much more the confidence that Pathan is lacking.

 

[SJS]

Maybe he is- or the batsmen are. One wide followed by a huge six.

I am afraid I am too dumb to understand what you are saying

 

[Arjun]

Rohit Sharma coming on to bowl. Signs are ominous.