***Official*** Australia in India 2013 Short formats

[CricAddict]

Australia in India 2013-14 : Ishant Sharma, India's blunt spearhead | Cricket Features | India v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo

Exactly my thoughts and from what I know, the thoughts of millions of other cricket followers as well except for the selectors and Dhoni.

I was very very irritated when he said sometime back that he was the spearhead of the Indian attack and it only increased when I saw him staring at Faulkner after getting his wicket. I just wished that Mckay would hit the next 2 balls for boundaries and he did exactly that. Will they ever drop him?

No idea why Steyn said that "If Ishant was in South Africa, he will play in the SA team in every single match". May be said to troll the India selectors. We have Shami Ahmed, Mohit Sharma in pipeline who have done reasonably well in the few chances they have got. What is stopping the selectors from dropping this guy?

 

[CricAddict]

I hope that one day a sharp caught and bowled chance hits Sharma in the head when he can't see it in time and he finally decides to get a ****ing hair cut

Kinda freaking me out looking at that image tbh

And this, just makes him more irritating..

 

[hendrix]

I hope that one day a sharp caught and bowled chance hits Sharma in the head when he can't see it in time and he finally decides to get a ****ing hair cut

Kinda freaking me out looking at that image tbh

He could just tie a ponytail or wear a head band or something.

 

[Top_Cat]

Sharma's such a disappointment, 50 Tests he's played and still averaging near 40. Just to get his average to 30, he'd have to average what guys like McGrath, Ambrose, etc. averaged for their entire careers and take 5/Test.

Very reminiscent of how Warne described Panesar, hasn't played 50 Tests but the same Test 50 times. I doubt his MO has evolved much at all, tbh, but hey, when you can play so much Test cricket without being that good, why would he do anything different?

 

[Maximas]

The selectors just seem unable to grasp that 2007 was 6 years ago as far as Ishant is concerned

 

[JontyPanesar]

Sharma's such a disappointment, 50 Tests he's played and still averaging near 40. Just to get his average to 30, he'd have to average what guys like McGrath, Ambrose, etc. averaged for their entire careers and take 5/Test.

Very reminiscent of how Warne described Panesar, hasn't played 50 Tests but the same Test 50 times. I doubt his MO has evolved much at all, tbh, but hey, when you can play so much Test cricket without being that good, why would he do anything different?

I don't mean to single you out but seriously, why as a fan do you care about his career average going forward? Just worry about what his expected average will be in the upcoming matches he will likely (and unfortunately) play. It's the same crap argument that Anderson must be crap now because he has a 30+ average...despite that being largely because Anderson bowled crap in the early part of his career. So Anderson must be crap now because he was crap a long time ago? I don't care if Ishant never comes close to a 30 career average provided his average in the upcoming matches is < 30. It won't be. But that would be my hope if he is actually plays (which he shouldn't). Sorry, rant over

 

[JontyPanesar]

Rohit can do awesome things when not feeling the heat of scoreboard pressure. I really hope he makes the XI in South Africa (though Rahane is equally deserving)

 

[Top_Cat]

I don't mean to single you out but seriously, why as a fan do you care about his career average going forward? Just worry about what his expected average will be in the upcoming matches he will likely (and unfortunately) play. It's the same crap argument that Anderson must be crap now because he has a 30+ average...despite that being largely because Anderson bowled crap in the early part of his career. So Anderson must be crap now because he was crap a long time ago? I don't care if Ishant never comes close to a 30 career average provided his average in the upcoming matches is < 30. It won't be. But that would be my hope if he is actually plays (which he shouldn't). Sorry, rant over

Not what I was saying, just mentioning his average is a way of saying how disappointing he's been thus far because I like watching good bowlers and good bowling. He's the g00ds but has shown very little of it. Otherwise I don't care about his average in the same way I don't need to see Anderson's to know he's been sending down great stuff for 5 years now.

Frankly, I'll be delighted if he averages 100+ against Australia because, if he bowled to his ability, India would probably win. Not only would be dominate, he'd lift others to do the same.

 

[JontyPanesar]

Not what I was saying, just mentioning his average is a way of saying how disappointing he's been thus far because I like watching good bowlers and good bowling. He's the g00ds but has shown very little of it. Otherwise I don't care about his average in the same way I don't need to see Anderson's to know he's been sending down great stuff for 5 years now.

Frankly, I'll be delighted if he averages 100+ against Australia because, if he bowled to his ability, India would probably win. Not only would be dominate, he'd lift others to do the same.

He doesn't have the goods or the g00ds. He's fast for an Indian (140-145k). That's it. Can't bowl a ball at driveable length. That Dhoni still wants Ishant to bowl yorkers at the death is proof that he's a numpty of a captain. Ishant either bowls short and wide or full down leg. I'll take a skilled and hyper-accurate medium pacer over Ishant any day.

But also yeah, I really didn't want it to sound like I was combating your views (with which I agree). I just hate fans who fixate over career average rather than looking at what future performance is likely to yield (ahem...delusional Sehwag fans)

 

[Arjun]

Whom in the Indian unit would you drop for JDU? I'd say, it's difficult. Ishant is bowling utter rubbish, low on pace, and poor on the field, but on the other hand, he's got recent form on his side, while Vinay Kumar is hopelessly inept on a pitch that doesn't do much, at his short height and low pace. I'm not too keen on having Shamida in the XI- no point picking a specialist bowler who can't take wickets. Mishra for Ashwin seems a straight swap. At the end of the series, though, we may even be debating replacements for Jadeja and BK.

 

[ankitj]

Numbers Game: Kohli - Chasing glory | Cricinfo Magazine | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Manee]

Thought Australia's bowling tactics today were pretty dumb. They continued to bowl short even though it was quite obvious it wasn't causing any discomfort to the batsmen. Huge confidence booster for India. Do think they need to bring in Unadkat and one of Mohit Sharma/Dhawal Kulkarni for Vinay and Ishant.

I think Shami should be in the mix too. Dhawal Kulkarni is overdue for an opportunity, he's got a bit of pace and he has a decent record.

 

[uvelocity]

Picked it.

did it taste good?

 

[CricAddict]

So both teams play with the same side again.. The **** Ishant plays again..

 

[NUFAN]

So both teams play with the same side again.. The **** Ishant plays again..

Yep. Very disappointing. I'm kind of glad though that India are batting first.

 

[harsh.ag]

What is with Dhoni? Is Ishant too represented by the sports agency he owns? Get Amit Mishra in now, captain kewl. And I wonder when Rahane will be given a run. Drop Raina for a match (developing #4 or not). He won't die.

 

[benchmark00]

Looked like it just hit his thigh.

 

[harsh.ag]

First six runs off extras, and then the moustache takes over

 

[BoyBrumby]

Ha, man.

Curate's egg of an over from McKay there. Wide, leg side half trackers and then one that leaves the cack hander and finds the edge.

 

[Woodster]

I'm surprised both sides have gone in with the same XI's again, it is a long series and I agree that there is no need to make panic changes but having seen both attacks flogged at Jaipur, just felt that, India especially, would benefit from freshening things up, there must be some pretty deflated bowlers in the line-up that are low on confidence, such as Ishant.

Wow, a ball has just deviated appreciably off the deck from McKay to remove Dhawan. Hopefully a very slightly more even contest between bat and ball today.