SJS
Hall of Fame Member
Thats right. I agree Yuvraj should have come before Dravid, even before Pathan for that matter but Dravid just lasted 13 deliveries for his 7 runs. Its not a disaster since he 'wasted' so to say, just six deliveries. Yuvraj lasted just 11 balls for his 6 runs. He was dealt three bouncers, not fiery or snything, first up and he couldnt geta bat to them. He has a problem.Even then, Yuvraj batted like an amateur. Pressure got to him, very disappointing considering some of the pressure knocks he's hit in the past.
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Then look at Dhoni. If we need to chase 10-12 runs per over in the last 7-8 overs it cant be done with a strike rate of 90 or hundred. Dhoni is repeatedly coming at this juncture but not able to get the kind of strike rate that, say, Uthappa manages so often. 150 and above.
Look at every time our bowling has been taken to the cleaners in the death overs and lok at the cameos played by middle to lower order batsmen to achieve that. Where are those cameos from Dhoni.
We need to accept in thatcase that the real big hitting days of Dhoni which will bring us 20 odd run overs (for you need an over or two like that at the death). If thats the case, then we must plan for it. All India is waiting that an explosion is going to come but it doesn't come.
Finally, I agree with Arun Lal that after Tendulkar got out, Ganguly had no business to go back into his shell. In fact with sachin gone, he should have taken it upon himself to elevate the run rate as Sachin was doing till then.
Ganguly for all his runs this season has never given any consideration to the run rate. He was the batsman in form, he had runs under his belt he should have taken charge but no.