India WC Thread

[Prince EWS]

Wow.

Remember when Agarkar opened the batting in ODIs once?

Edit: Seems I was wrong. Did bat No.3 a few times though.

For some reason he opened the batting in the Cricket 2005 PC/PS2 game sometimes. Maybe you're thinking of that

 

[Daemon]

India's really played too many ODIs on flat pitches. They've forgotten how to build an innings. So many of them are just obsessed with getting on top of the bowling. Even Rahane yesterday could have easily been out early 4-5 times with his pressure releasing shots.

 

[Sporty1079]

I can not imagine Indian team without Yuvraj Singh, he is the real match winner for team India.

 

[Daemon]

well you're in luck then because there's no need to imagine

 

[longranger]

So what's the consensus for the first XI? I'll give it a shot

1. Dhawan
2. Rohit
3. Kohli
4. Rahane
5. Raina
6. Dhoni
7. Binny
8. Jadeja
9. Ashwin
10. Bhuvi
11. Shami

I think the main contention is whether to play a 2nd spinner in Ashwin, or play a 3rd quick like Ishant or Umesh. While Axar has been quite good recently, I feel Dhoni will go with Jadeja, who has been a tidy bowler for the last few years and is quite handy with the bat. Axar's recent failures with the bat have hurt him IMO.

I know a lot of people are recommending Dhawan to go in at number 4 but I feel like either he will play as an opener or he won't play at all. But I'm all in for Dhawan (who can be hit or miss) in the place of Rayudu, who I feel isn't good enough to be a top-order batsman for a team challenging for the World Cup.

Expect a bit of rotation against the minnows.

 

[anil1405]

There are doubt's over Ishant and Bhuvi's participation in the WC.

 

[Daemon]

Hopefully we've hired that sports psychologist who was there for 2011 again. Other than Dhoni, Ashwin and Kohli the team doesn't seem focused enough.

Snape's been hired again for SL in that role.

 

[cnerd123]

Dhawan
Rohit
Rahane
Kohli
Raina
MSD (+)
Jadeja
Ashwin
Bhuvi (?)
Yadav
Ishant (?)

Mohit Sharma and Shami to come in if Bhuvi and Ishant not fit.

I'd personally like to get a bit funky and push Ashwin up to 5, leaving 6-7-8 as Raina-MSD-Jadeja, but I doubt India would do that.

Rayudu standby if Dhawan gets dropped. Rahane will open in that case and Rayudu at 3.

 

[longranger]

Dhawan
Rohit
Rahane
Kohli
Raina
MSD (+)
Jadeja
Ashwin
Bhuvi (?)
Yadav
Ishant (?)

Mohit Sharma and Shami to come in if Bhuvi and Ishant not fit.

I'd personally like to get a bit funky and push Ashwin up to 5, leaving 6-7-8 as Raina-MSD-Jadeja, but I doubt India would do that.

Rayudu standby if Dhawan gets dropped. Rahane will open in that case and Rayudu at 3.

I think Shami is in the first XI - he's the only decent death bowling option we have. I see you've omitted Binny. While I'm not a huge fan, I have a feeling the management likes having him and he's most likely going to play (at least in the early stages)

 

[cnerd123]

Ehhh where do you fit Binny in that lineup? 3rd medium pacer? Or drop one spinner and bat him art 7?

 

[longranger]

He'd probably play as the 3rd seamer. While giving him the new ball is not necessarily indicating that he will open the attack, it does show that Dhoni & Co have outlined him as a specialist bowler

 

[G.I.Joe]

Hopefully we've hired that sports psychologist who was there for 2011 again. Other than Dhoni, Ashwin and Kohli the team doesn't seem focused enough.

Snape's been hired again for SL in that role.

I honestly think we could do worse than have Sachin in the dressing room in an advisory capacity.

 

[cnerd123]

He'd probably play as the 3rd seamer. While giving him the new ball is not necessarily indicating that he will open the attack, it does show that Dhoni & Co have outlined him as a specialist bowler

This is so weird given he isn't even considered a front line bowler at Ranji or IPL level.

 

[Daemon]

We've really suffered from the new rules and 2 new balls imo. Yeah our batsmen find it easier but we no longer can have someone like munaf bowl his 10 overs for 45.

 

[G.I.Joe]

The new rules were undoubtedly forced by Yuvraj's awesomeness in 2011.

The ICC hates abilities. Bunch of idiots.

 

[cnerd123]

But..but...isn't the ICC basically the BCCI?

 

[OverratedSanity]

Zaheer was so ridiculously amazing with the old ball in 2011

 

[G.I.Joe]

But..but...isn't the ICC basically the BCCI?

Apparently not. Clive Lloyd, known proponent of spinners and all-rounders chaired the committee that came up with those rules.

Kumble's just jealous Yuvraj out-spun him to WC glory.

 

[Contra]

Zak was truly a beast in that WC, 3 strikes to bring India back into the game against England, then knuckle balled Powell and Hussey in consecutive games at crucial stages. Worked over Tharanga in the final and took out Greame Smith against SA for good measure ;P

Honestly if he was fit right now, I'd still take him over any of our pacers bar Shammi.

 

[Cruxdude]

Had some hopes from this team before the start of the Aussie series. After the thrashings, the injuries and the shambolic selections I would be delighted if we just win against Pakistan.