TWO MEN WHO KILLED TEAM INDIA

KIRAN MORE & GREG CHAPPELL- DAMN THEM

My words of november 30th 2006 post have become prophetic. BCCI didn't wake up and its bye bye to world cup. It's been all along that I have been against Chappell, his vision 2007 was a pipe dream. As i write this India are virtually knocked out of the 2007 world cup, in my lifetime i have never seen such a poor display. Even if a miracle takes place and India goes ahead, of which there is no real possiblity barring intervention of betting mafia, even if India were to progress into last four of this tournament (laughable prospect today) Greg Chappell deserves to get the boot.

Not only Chappell but Mr. Kiran More should also be held accountable for what he has done, he calmly appears on Times now channel attempting to cast his pearls of wisdom. A lot of us have stopped watching the channel.

Sourav Ganguly had built up a team and brought in a fearless batting culture which saw Indian batters displaying aggression from the word go. This agression is being pursued with greater success now by Australia and South Africa. The flamboyant agression that Kaif & Yuvraj displayed when winning the natwest trophy when the chips were down characterized the team approach.

This aggression means that a batter might not last long, but while he lasts the damage is done. Somehow insipid and defensive Dravid has changed all that, gone are the fearless ways of the batters, what is on display is a cowardly Indian batter unsure of his position and place in the team, gone are the bowlers who were penetrative just fifteen months ago.

Dravid & Chappell inherited a well oiled slam banging run machine from Ganguly and soon they converted it to a team of batters who were unable to bat full fifty overs. Bowlers were unable to finish their quota of ten overs. One thing which was clear soon even in the world rankings that India had slipped.

Being uttelry patriotic and optimist somehow we felt we will do well in the world cup, but alas, it was not a slip, it was a fall. Kiran More and Greg Chappell have sunk a billion hopes and shattered Indian cricket beyond repair.

There are knee jerk reactions that will take place, I can already hear 'Endulkar' & 'Goneguly' but to be honest both these players will last next two years at least.

Let Dravid stay as the test captain, he doesn't merit his place in the one day squad, now that we have plethora of wicket keepers, Tendulkar should be one day captain with Yuvraj to take up the next world cup captaincy. The pool of players need to be increased, we sorely lack a couple of world class spinners and a genuine quick. Give tendulkar an objective, that he is not going to play the world cup 2011, however he must build a team that will save India's face in the next edition.

As for Chappell we all know where he is headed.

World Cup messed up

Since my last couple of posts hoping that despite Chappell & Dravid India will do well in the cup and Pakistan have no hope to do so, things have panned themselves a little messy. India has dug up a hole for themselves and if they come out of it, they will get the cup. They have tremendous pressure to beat Sri Lanka. I expect Lanka to fire, but i hope India hold on to their nerves and cop pressure more effectively. Though to be honest it's like hoping against the hope, as Sri Lanka will be full strenght, Murali will be more than a handful for Indian batsmen who are suddenly vulnerable against genuine spin and then there is Chamara Silva, if he gets a fifty India will be on the flight back home.

Pakistan on other hands have dug themselves a deeper hole, they have
not only run themselves out in world cup but in International cricket. Woolmer's murder will have it's ramifications on this cricketing nation which usually is in world's attention for all wrong reasons. I sincerely hope whatever Sarfaraz Nawaz is uttering is proved false, Pakistan can do without sporting disgrace at this stage.

Bangladesh are new sub continental Giants in making, their match against India proved that they have got a bunch of new comers who aretalented & fearless. Tamim's opening salvo was a treat to watch, I was gaping at amazement at the manner in which he tamed and massacered the India pace attack. Tamim & Mushfiqur are brand new stars in making. While Ashraful was always good he was not at the level where people of different cricketing nations can idolise him. Tamim has all the star qualities and what a wonderful sight it will be seeing him score hundred against very best, which is going to be soner than later.

Bangladesh will no longer be labled minnows, so Habibul must not beg to media that they should not credit their wins as upset, he should simply win a few more and the media will be tamed. I will back Bangladesh to win against lanka today if they bat second, and then if they do win I will expect Habibul to react like a normal captain, and not whine over what media terms the win as... c'mon Habibul a win is a win that's what that matters.

The Bangladesh story is great news for selection of coaches around the world. Dave Whatmore is either the best or one of them is beyond doubt, he made minnows Sri Lanka champions, and now Bangladesh is no longer cubs under him. If Bangladesh goes into super 8 they will surprise a few more teams.

Pakistan tragically run themselves out of world cup

Pakistani cricket administration is as mercurial as their players, just a few months back their handling of the 'Hair episode' was excellent and brought redemption and pride back to their nation and crediblity to their players, however a few months later they have gone ahead and Inzamamed themselves, Pakistan are well and truly out of the reckoning in the world cup.

The handling of Akhtar & Asif in dope case left a lot to be desired and this incident will pressurize the strong bonding of the Asian bloc in cricket world today. Pakistan has a many queries to answer for everything that has happened begining from the unscheduled dope tests before champions trophy and banning and re-instating of both dope test failed cricketers.

Definately nations like Australia & England have a moral high ground now and they will find compassionate listners in Asian countries. Pakistan board has almost shot themselves in the foot and are a lauging stock within cricketing world.

Its such a shame, the nation that has produced greats like Imran, Akram, Wasim, Qadir, Zaheer & Miandad in my era of cricketers are a sorry bunch of players with guilt in their eyes that they may be cheats.

There is something Pakistan can do about this, they can admit the true reasons for withdrawing Asif & Akhtar, they may look clumsy that day, but the nation and players will hold their heads high as they compete in the world cup.