***Official*** India in Sri Lanka

[Jono]

Take Irfan off, even if he has a wicket.

 

[Precambrian]

WTF. Match delayed due to crowd trouble. Apparently someone threw something at some deep fielder, and off they go. Understandable considering this is the third time in 4 matches, Dhoni has complained of the same trouble.

 

[Prince EWS]

Pathan should pretty much never play as a specialist bowler in ODIs again IMO. He actually has more chance of developing his batting more as being used as a fifth bowling option than ever being ODI standard as a bowler again AFAIC.

 

[Manee]

Pathan should pretty much never play as a specialist bowler in ODIs again IMO. He actually has more chance of developing his batting more as being used as a fifth bowling option than ever being ODI standard as a bowler again AFAIC.

Definately, with his new action, he seems much more a Test rather than ODI bowler. We have lost a great ODI bowler but may have gained a good Test bowler considering his performance in Australia and in FC cricket - I'm sure SS will be happy.

 

[Arjun]

Irfan shouldn't be discarded so hastily. He's got too much talent, and has achieved a lot over five years he's played, being the second-best ODI bowler in this team. He's had it hard, facing a rampaging Sanath and Dilshan, and he's taken on those two quite smartly. He was hit for a six by Sanath, then adjusted his line to snare him, and even bowled three effective bouncers that became three dot balls. He's had it a lot harder, bowling with little or no cover, against set batsmen in good nick- compare that with the part-timers whom Dhoni has handled with a lot of care- and he's done his job just right. He's not a very pretty bowler to watch, but he'll do his job quite well and add a lot more value to his place in a team. He has his problems, but he's no write-off. The team management should try to get him back on track, and he himself is trying very hard, because he's very relevant in the team plans as a bowler who can score runs.

 

[Arjun]

The way Dhoni has used his bowlers is highly questionable. He's had the main bowlers face the Lankan opening pair that's on a roll, or any set batsman. When there's a new batting pair in the middle, he'll get on the part-time bowlers and he'll bowl them till the last wicket falls, unless the batsmen get their act together- then the main bowlers have to do the hard work. We complain that India lacks a genuine all-rounder. We complain that the spinning stocks are running thin. Then Dhoni does nothing to help the matter by getting part-time rubbish to wade through overs that they need to establish themselves. The bowlers, who are under the hammer and could do with a few wickets to get their confidence back, miss out on a good opportunity, as part-timers are using it. If he thinks part-time spinners will win matches for India, he's in for a very nasty surprise when they bowl to Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder.

 

[Uppercut]

The way Dhoni has used his bowlers is highly questionable. He's had the main bowlers face the Lankan opening pair that's on a roll, or any set batsman. When there's a new batting pair in the middle, he'll get on the part-time bowlers and he'll bowl them till the last wicket falls, unless the batsmen get their act together- then the main bowlers have to do the hard work. We complain that India lacks a genuine all-rounder. We complain that the spinning stocks are running thin. Then Dhoni does nothing to help the matter by getting part-time rubbish to wade through overs that they need to establish themselves. The bowlers, who are under the hammer and could do with a few wickets to get their confidence back, miss out on a good opportunity, as part-timers are using it. If he thinks part-time spinners will win matches for India, he's in for a very nasty surprise when they bowl to Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder.

Hard to argue with Dhoni's captaincy tbh. When was the last time he failed to win a series as captain?

 

[Arjun]

Hard to argue with Dhoni's captaincy tbh. When was the last time he failed to win a series as captain?

The Asia Cup- and everything wrong with the team was shown up there. He's helped a lot by playing a series against an England ODI team that couldn't adapt, and a Sri Lankan team that has the single worst batting lineup among top teams. He's also been incredibly lucky with the toss. If he continues the same bowling plans against New Zealand in New Zealand, we'll be seeing results similar to India's last tour in 2002-03.

 

[Precambrian]

Definately, with his new action, he seems much more a Test rather than ODI bowler. We have lost a great ODI bowler but may have gained a good Test bowler considering his performance in Australia and in FC cricket - I'm sure SS will be happy.

Not fully convinced that he is a good test bowler.

 

[Uppercut]

The Asia Cup- and everything wrong with the team was shown up there. He's helped a lot by playing a series against an England ODI team that couldn't adapt, and a Sri Lankan team that has the single worst batting lineup among top teams. He's also been incredibly lucky with the toss. If he continues the same bowling plans against New Zealand in New Zealand, we'll be seeing results similar to India's last tour in 2002-03.

Mmmm Asia cup. They just got Mendissed I'd say. It's not the same as losing a series though because it comes down to one match.

He has been really lucky with the toss though, especially in Sri Lanka. Even so, the man gets results. Taking the pace off the ball today was definitely the right option on this pitch defending a big total. If he does the same in circumstances where it's not appropriate in New Zealand, of course it won't be successful then.

 

[Precambrian]

Mmmm Asia cup. They just got Mendissed I'd say. It's not the same as losing a series though because it comes down to one match.

He has been really lucky with the toss though, especially in Sri Lanka. Even so, the man gets results. Taking the pace off the ball today was definitely the right option on this pitch defending a big total. If he does the same in circumstances where it's not appropriate in New Zealand, of course it won't be successful then.

The best thing about his captaincy was as if he wanted to prove a point that he can score at 100+ SR like old Dhoni, and came in at No.3 and notched up almost a 100. He averages around 75 at No.3 and No.4, which is incredible.

 

[Arjun]

Mmmm Asia cup. They just got Mendissed I'd say. It's not the same as losing a series though because it comes down to one match.

He has been really lucky with the toss though, especially in Sri Lanka. Even so, the man gets results. Taking the pace off the ball today was definitely the right option on this pitch defending a big total. If he does the same in circumstances where it's not appropriate in New Zealand, of course it won't be successful then.

Flaws were evident in the Super Four stage itself. That was before the Mendis effect- they were 'Butt'ered around by the Pakistanis and then were on an edge against the Lankans.

He's had good results, but that's largely because half the team had performed exceedingly well. Looking at the batting figures, including his own, and the direness of the opposition batting, he's had it a lot easier. Like I said, if it was Taylor, Flynn, Ryder and Fulton instead of Sanga, Mahela, Kanda and Kapu, he wouldn't have been so successful doing what he has. While the 'pace off the ball' idea was a good one, the bowling options were simply not, and were made to look good by absolutely dreadful batting. That chance could go to struggling/rusty bowlers or Yusuf (hailed as an all-rounder) to build on for the New Zealand series, because they're more relevant. This was a golden chance, but he didn't take it. In previous matches, he had the Lankans on the mat with his main bowlers crushing them- then he relieved the pressure by getting on the Rainas and Rohit Sharmas of his team.

 

[Arjun]

The issue I've tried to highlight is that there's a common sentiment about the lack of an all-rounder and a decline in spinning stocks, but what we're seeing here suggests the Indian team management are doing nothing to address these concerns, and apparently, don't even want to. We would love to see another great spinner after Kumble and Bhajji. We would love to see someone who can emulate Flintoff, Kallis, Sanath, or conversely, Pollock, Vettori or Cairns. We have players who can fit the bill, and are trying hard for it, but the current schemes in operation simply don't allow them to make it- which is unfair, on the team and those players.

 

[cowboysfan]

The way Dhoni has used his bowlers is highly questionable. He's had the main bowlers face the Lankan opening pair that's on a roll, or any set batsman. When there's a new batting pair in the middle, he'll get on the part-time bowlers and he'll bowl them till the last wicket falls, unless the batsmen get their act together- then the main bowlers have to do the hard work. We complain that India lacks a genuine all-rounder. We complain that the spinning stocks are running thin. Then Dhoni does nothing to help the matter by getting part-time rubbish to wade through overs that they need to establish themselves. The bowlers, who are under the hammer and could do with a few wickets to get their confidence back, miss out on a good opportunity, as part-timers are using it. If he thinks part-time spinners will win matches for India, he's in for a very nasty surprise when they bowl to Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder.

 

[Precambrian]

Going by current form, they are better than Jayawardene and Jayasurya.

 

[Uppercut]

Going by current form, they are better than jayawardene and jayasurya.

dwta

 

[Evermind]

Sangakkara > any NZ batsman, ever.

 

[Arjun]

Sangakkara > any NZ batsman, ever.

New Zealand's current #6 > The current Lankan middle-order below Sangakkara

 

[Zinzan]

Sangakkara > any NZ batsman, ever.

In ODI;s Astle,Turner, Twose, Crowe & even Taylor are all arguably > than Sangakkara

In tests Crowe >>> Sangakkara IMO (despite the overall average)

 

[Nishan]

dont agree with Astle or Twose i agree with the rest,

NZ are a far more comabative team, Dhoni has had all the luck so far against a crappy SL team,

I just hope Dhoni and co wont be in for a shock like arjun said.

Major issues for Sri Lanka, 5-0 they will seriously need to look at the problems.