*Official* Warm-up Matches Discussion

[pup11]

Aus were 118 for 1 after 21.4 overs. They choked but they dominated the game up until then and it was India who looked dire. India¡¯s top order failed again and they got over the line through the help of 3 frontline spinners but if they persist on playing 3 quicks, they won¡¯t have the luxury of that in the WC.

If Aus collapse against Botha and Robbie P on Tuesday then I would worry if I was an Australian but a lot of in regard to how the seamers went and Ponting getting some runs.

Agreed, though if the pitch is anything like the one we had today then the toss becomes too much of a factor, becuase whoever wins the toss and bats first is very likely to win the game as well.

For us Smith, Haddin and Tait played no part in the game, which is also something that didn't help our case.

 

[Blaze 18]

Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina all failed today, which means we still have no answer as to which two of them will make the final XI (I think Yousuf Pathan has sealed his spot for now).

 

[vcs]

When was the last time Waterboy did anything at all with the bat?

 

[Howe_zat]

Seems to have raised more questions than answers for India. Chawla and Ashwin were both well outside the starting XI, now not so much.

 

[Jono]

Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina all failed today, which means we still have no answer as to which two of them will make the final XI (I think Yousuf Pathan has sealed his spot for now).

Kohli looked much better than them both before he got bored and just hit the ball straight to point.

Yuvraj was thoroughly owned, and Raina did what he usually does.

 

[Blaze 18]

When was the last time Waterboy did anything at all with the bat?

Second ODI against South Africa.

 

[Blaze 18]

Kohli looked much better than them both before he got bored and just hit the ball straight to point.

Yuvraj was thoroughly owned, and Raina did what he usually does.

I can't see Yuvraj Singh getting dropped. It basically comes down to Raina and Kohli. Now, I know you are a huge Kohli fan, and I also know that Kohli is a much more proficient batsman than Raina; but if I had to pick a batsman for these conditions, at this point in time, I would go for Raina. What I think doesn't make an iota of difference though (), it is Dhoni's opinion that counts.

 

[vcs]

Second ODI against South Africa.

Meh. Was fairly mediocre and bailed out by the bowlers + a choke. C'mon, he's a number 4, it's not too much to expect something substantial every once in a while.

 

[Howe_zat]

Can't see why Kholi being a top-order batsman is being held against him. What more is he supposed to do? Raina's done a great deal less lately and doesn't have Yuvraj's record behind him.

 

[Shri]

When was the last time Waterboy did anything at all with the bat?

Hit a 50 recently in SA on Jan 15. Remeber it since it was my b'day.

edit: beaten

 

[honestbharani]

Think Australia would have had problems had it been Yuvri and Raina bowling too... They are not that good against spin and they gotta face it..

 

[Blaze 18]

Meh. Was fairly mediocre and bailed out by the bowlers + a choke. C'mon, he's a number 4, it's not too much to expect something substantial every once in a while.

No disagreements from me there at all, he has been in pretty ordinary form for a good twelve months now (injuries haven't helped). However, I wouldn't advocate dropping him because he is just that good. As mediocre as he is in test matches, he is a tremendous ODI batsman, arguably our most destructive when he gets going. I just don't see Dhoni dropping him - I suppose his bowling also helps in tilting the balance in his favour.

 

[vcs]

No disagreements from me there at all, he has been in pretty ordinary form for a good twelve months now (injuries haven't helped). However, I wouldn't advocate dropping him because he is just that good. As mediocre as he is in test matches, he is a tremendous ODI batsman, arguably our most destructive when he gets going. I just don't see Dhoni dropping him - I suppose his bowling also helps in tilting the balance in his favour.

It's not just that he isn't scoring runs.. like Jono said, he just looks all at sea these days, as does Raina.

 

[Blaze 18]

Can't see why Kholi being a top-order batsman is being held against him. What more is he supposed to do? Raina's done a great deal less lately and doesn't have Yuvraj's record behind him.

Because if Kohli has to play he has to bat in the top four. The thing is, all the top four spots are taken : Sehwag, Tendulkar, Gambhir and Yuvraj. Even Dhoni may bat in the top four depending on the match situation. So, where do you fit Kohli ? Would it be wise to play him at six or seven ? Can he do what Raina did against Pakistan last June ? I dunno. Like I said, Kohli is easily a better batsman than Raina but, all things considered, he'd be a misfit in this Indian side as compared to Raina - at least in my view.

 

[Shri]

Those 2 always come out to bat in survival mode these days. They will quickly get back to form once they start taking ones and twos consistently at the start of their innings.

 

[Blaze 18]

It's not just that he isn't scoring runs.. like Jono said, he just looks all at sea these days, as does Raina.

I don't disagree with that either, I am just not comfortable with dropping a player like Yuvraj Singh (I suppose if he flunks terribly in the first two-three games, we may have no choice).

 

[Howe_zat]

Because if Kohli has to play he has to bat in the top four. The thing is, all the top four spots are taken : Sehwag, Tendulkar, Gambhir and Yuvraj. Even Dhoni may bat in the top four depending on the match situation. So, where do you fit Kohli ? Would it be wise to play him at six or seven ? Can he do what Raina did against Pakistan last June ? I dunno. Like I said, Kohli is easily a better batsman than Raina but, all things considered, he'd be a misfit in this Indian side as compared to Raina - at least in my view.

I think if Yuvraj or Raina are being kept in for the sake of their bowling, as they seem to be, their place in on the teamsheet should reflect this. I'd drop Raina and put Yuvraj at #6, at least until he regains some form.

 

[Cevno]

Seems to have raised more questions than answers for India. Chawla and Ashwin were both well outside the starting XI, now not so much.

Yeah!!
True.

Don't know if this match has been that beneficial for India overall. Good for the morale though.

 

[Blaze 18]

I think if Yuvraj or Raina are being kept in for the sake of their bowling, as they seem to be, their place in on the teamsheet should reflect this. I'd drop Raina and put Yuvraj at #6, at least until he regains some form.

That is certainly an idea. If one of the two fails miserably then something like that may happen.

 

[Sylvester]

One can only hope that middle order of ours will settle down against the spinners.