Group E - England, India, South Africa, West Indies

[Shri]

Raina is in. 2 overs 14-1 India.

 

[Dissector]

Gambhir looked pretty clueless against short-pitched balls in that first over. This is why I am skeptical of his test batting despite his recent success. I have a feeling he will flop when it matters against quality pace bowling in Australia and South Africa.

 

[R_D]

Score is 14/1 in 2 overs.... how the hell is WI team on top ?
Akram what the hell ?

 

[Shri]

Gambhir looked pretty clueless against short-pitched balls in that first over. This is why I am skeptical of his test batting despite his recent success. I have a feeling he will flop when it matters against quality pace bowling in Australia and South Africa.

Guess its just a case of stiff muscles at the start of the innings.

 

[Shri]

Raina goes for 5. Dire start.

 

[TT Boy]

Raina was pwned.

 

[Shri]

Gambhir gone now playing a pull shot off Bravo's bowling. Might as well go to bed.

 

[grecian]

Score is 14/1 in 2 overs.... how the hell is WI team on top ?
Akram what the hell ?

I'm guessing because they're actually very good at this form of the game, just a thought....

Great catch

 

[R_D]

I'm guessing because they're actually very good at this form of the game, just a thought....

Great catch

Yeah i know they are good in this format...
but 14/1 of 2 overs...... i'd hardly say that other teams on top.

Incidentally now that WI are actually on top.... he has stop saying it.

 

[grecian]

Yeah i know they are good in this format...
but 14/1 of 2 overs...... i'd hardly say that other teams on top.

Incidentally now that WI are actually on top.... he has stop saying it.

Oh, sorry your comment was a critique of Wasim. Not listening to the commentary

Just feel WIndies are generally being under-rated in this tournament. I rate their chances.

 

[Dissector]

This is the sort of situation where a relatively quiet innings from Dhoni would perhaps be appropriate. The safe option would be to go quiet for another five overs and then accelerate. The daring option would be to counterattack now and put the Windies on the defensive. It seems a long time ago but I remember Uthappa doing just that in the first game against Pakistan in the last world cup.

 

[Zinzan]

Shades of the 1980s for me so far when the West Indies used to intimate with their fast-bowling and backed it up with athletic fielding.

Early days still, but picking the Windies for an upset today

 

[TT Boy]

Shades of the 1980s for me so far when the West Indies used to intimate with their fast-bowling and backed it up with athletic fielding.

Early days still, but picking the Windies for an upset today

Just a shame they only have two exponents of it. If they only had another seamer they could go places. Bravo isn't a 3rd seamer whilst Baker, Powell et cetera are useless.

 

[Shri]

The WI bowlers have really looked fired up today. Another 2 quick wickets now will really put India out of the game.

 

[stumpski]

I was about to say that some English fans not familiar with India's selection policy would be disappointed that Tendulkar isn't here ... except he is!

 

[Shri]

Dhoni - 5 off 15? Too slow even when rebuilding.

 

[Shri]

Should look to reach 140 initially. If they get there with 10 balls to spare, aim for 165 or 170.

 

[TT Boy]

Still hope for England given the way the Indians have dealt with the short pitched deliveries. Just need a miracle from KP with the bat.

 

[TT Boy]

Should look to reach 140 initially. If they get there with 10 balls to spare, aim for 165 or 170.

That will be some effort. Still got Benn to bowl and his pretty tight.

Not sure the Windies should the rock boat anymore with Pollard, his got through two overs without any tap, good.

 

[Dissector]

Yeah the batting has been too cautious even considering the situation. The biggest problem with the Indian batting is the lack of technically skilled batsmen who can score quite quickly without taking too much risk even when there is a bit in the wicket for the bowlers. Gambhir is the only test-quality batsman in the lineup and like I said I still have my doubts about him. A Tendulkar would have come in real handy in this kind of situation. He could have rebuilt the innings without going into a shell like Dhoni.

Anyway 7 wickets with 9 overs left is plenty. Dhoni and Yuvraj need to go on the attack immediately.