*Official* - Road to India in South Africa - 2010-11

[Prince EWS]

Because a player past their peak can still be one of the best XI players in the country.

Exactly. If someone wants to keep playing and the selectors think they'd still offer more to the team than another option, there's no reason for him to retire.

 

[smash84]

had imran done it, in 1988, pakistan would not have won the world cup. there may be unfinished jobs from the team perspective that only certain players can help them complete even if they are past their personal primes.

also, it is beautiful to see pacino win an oscar for scent of a woman.

According to Imran himself he didn't want to come back but according to Imran the then President of Pakistan asked him "to consider not only yourself but also others". I was watching an old talk show on youtube after the 87 world cup where Imran himself says that he didn't want to be back and that the president convinced him otherwise. Imran would have had a fantastic record had he retired in 1987.

Because a player past their peak can still be one of the best XI players in the country.

Yes but his own legacy can still get somewhat tainted for sticking longer than is required right???

Exactly. If someone wants to keep playing and the selectors think they'd still offer more to the team than another option, there's no reason for him to retire.

I don't know about this. After all players will be groomed once that spot of the current player has been left vacant. There would be ample opportunity for other players to take up the position left open by the previous guy.

 

[Blaze 18]

Yes but his own legacy can still get somewhat tainted for sticking longer than is required right???

The best side has to play. Legacies, statistics and records are secondary.

 

[bagapath]

Imran would have had a fantastic record had he retired in 1987.

sure. but pakistan was better off with his 92 comeback. an individual is nothing in front of the team.

 

[TT Boy]

both his spells in nagpur and motera were good but fact is indian was missing key players in both matches and the ball did reverse for him.in conditions where there is no swing he has failed.

 

[smash84]

sure. but pakistan was better off with his 92 comeback. an individual is nothing in front of the team.

Sure it turned out that his return was better for Pakistan cricket but that is what we can say in hindsight. What if Pakistan had crashed out of the world cup early, which was a very real possibility until the the final? Imran's record stood ruined (relatively speaking) and questions would have been asked as to what was the point of him returning to the national side (given the terrible performance of the team at the 92 WC)

Imran's story is somewhat like asking Lara to make a comeback, only that Imran's was a happy ending.

Now that I think of it if Sachin retires within a year it would be great given his run in the last 3 years. Less chance of him making a mess of his career if he retires now (something that Kapil and Botham suffered from).

 

[bagapath]

Sure it turned out that his return was better for Pakistan cricket but that is what we can say in hindsight.

not really bro. it made sense even when it was happening live. imran had a reason to come back after his '87 retirement. no, it was not his hospital. that was his personal mission. I say, he definitely had a role to play in the pakistan cricket team which no one else could have done. it was not as a strike bowler or as a batting all rounder. he had to be there as an inspiration, as a leader of men, as the team's talisman. miandad lacked authority. akram lacked experience. imran ws the only choice that country had to lead their cricket team. even if pakistan had crashed out before semis in the '92 WC, imran's comeback would not have been in vain. there was no other leader of men in pakistan at that time.

similarly, if there is a reason for sachin to continue after the australia tour of next year, like if dravid and laxman retire soon and the middle order is too inexperienced, then he should stay back and play for three or four more series even if he averages only 35 in those 12-15 tests. the youngsters can learn the ropes from him and take over when they are ready. but, if laxman stays in the team, and pujara/vijay/kohli/raina are in peak form, then sachin should step down when his personal standards are dropping. in both scenarios, the team comes first.

 

[smash84]

. he had to be there as an inspiration, as a leader of men, as the team's talisman. miandad lacked authority. akram lacked experience. imran ws the only choice that country had to lead their cricket team. even if pakistan had crashed out before semis in the '92 WC, imran's comeback would not have been in vain. there was no other leader of men in pakistan at that time.

But these problems were still there when he retired in 92 except that Wasim was a bit more experienced in 92.

.
similarly, if there is a reason for sachin to continue after the australia tour of next year, like if dravid and laxman retire soon and the middle order is too inexperienced, then he should stay back and play for three or four more series even if he averages only 35 in those 12-15 tests. the youngsters can learn the ropes from him and take over when they are ready. but, if laxman stays in the team, and pujara/vijay/kohli/raina are in peak form, then sachin should step down when his personal standards are dropping. in both scenarios, the team comes first.

hmmm.....fair point this one. I must say that you are one of the better debaters on this forum. I would like to see a debate between you, Ikki, and Migara (when he is on song). Would make for great reading ..........

 

[vcs]

Take Ponting for example, he averages in the early 40s in the last few years, but many people respect him even more because he is leading this inexperienced Australian side from the front.

 

[weed wizard]

I doubt the success of virat kohli in africa. All his acomplishments have come only in subcontinent.

As far as sachin is concerned, he will quit only when he decides.
Nobody can force him out of the team.
Not even OBAMA.

 

[smash84]

I doubt the success of virat kohli in africa. All his acomplishments have come only in subcontinent.

As far as sachin is concerned, he will quit only when he decides.
Nobody can force him out of the team.
Not even OBAMA.

For Sachin nobody is saying that he will be forced to leave. It is only as to what should be the timing of his retirement.

 

[smash84]

Take Ponting for example, he averages in the early 40s in the last few years, but many people respect him even more because he is leading this inexperienced Australian side from the front.

I don't know. I think his overall respect amongst the public might actually have gone down since his batting is not as good as it used to be.

 

[weed wizard]

But once SACHIN DRAVID LAXMAN are done from cricket, INDIAN team wil bcome more vulnerable to defeats.

 

[Blaze 18]

I doubt the success of virat kohli in africa. All his acomplishments have come only in subcontinent.

Easy mate, he has not played a single test.

 

[weed wizard]

I bet he will. Mate.

 

[Howe_zat]

But once SACHIN DRAVID LAXMAN are done from cricket, INDIAN team wil bcome more vulnerable to defeats.

I think people over-estimate this. Obviously they've been massive for India over the years but many people would agree that Dravid is in decline and Laxman has always been in the category of great-to-watch rather than all-time-great. Meanwhile, India have Kholi, Vijay, Pujara to provide some promising cover, at least in the short term.

I don't mean that India won't miss this quality batting line-up. But losing them won't be the end of the world either.

 

[weed wizard]

U r correct.
Game goes on.
Show must go on.

 

[Furball]

I think people over-estimate this. Obviously they've been massive for India over the years but many people would agree that Dravid is in decline and Laxman has always been in the category of great-to-watch rather than all-time-great. Meanwhile, India have Kholi, Vijay, Pujara to provide some promising cover, at least in the short term.

I don't mean that India won't miss this quality batting line-up. But losing them won't be the end of the world either.

no

 

[Athlai]

I agree that Dravid is in decline.

 

[weed wizard]

so is ponting' game.