Image by ┌└▪ [Ĥ][ż][ã][з] ▪┘┐ via FlickrIndia came unstuck in the Asia Cup Final and lost to Sri Lanka by 100 runs. As expected, Ajantha Mendis literally spun a web around the naive Indian batsmen.The extent of Mendis dominance can gauged from his bowling figures of 8-1-13-6, the first six-wicket haul in the Asia Cup history.
In retrospect, Sri Lanka's strategy of resting Mendis in the earlier inconsequential game against India paid off as the India batsmen were clueless and simply floundered.Added to the unfamiliarity of facing him, the pressure of chasing in the finals found India wanting.
India fate was sealed, when they decided to field after winning the toss. It was their first error on the field. However, Dhoni had already committed one earlier by bringing in Uthappa at the expense of a bowler. The second error was sending in Yuvraj at No.3. He was all hands and feet and was cleaned up by Ajantha Mendis. His dismissal set of a fear psychosis and from then on it was just a matter of time before India capitulated.
For all his reputation for freshness and simplicity of approach, Dhoni succumbed to conservatism by packing his side with batsmen and putting his faith in them.Sadly what this defeat will do is to give voice to those clamouring forGanguly's and Dravid's inclusion in the team, which in itself is not a bad thing. Having lost 18 out of 22 finals, Dhoni and Kirsten have a long way to go to dispel the reputation of Indian's as chokers.
From an cricketing perspective, this defeat will add the necessary spice to the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
In retrospect, Sri Lanka's strategy of resting Mendis in the earlier inconsequential game against India paid off as the India batsmen were clueless and simply floundered.Added to the unfamiliarity of facing him, the pressure of chasing in the finals found India wanting.
India fate was sealed, when they decided to field after winning the toss. It was their first error on the field. However, Dhoni had already committed one earlier by bringing in Uthappa at the expense of a bowler. The second error was sending in Yuvraj at No.3. He was all hands and feet and was cleaned up by Ajantha Mendis. His dismissal set of a fear psychosis and from then on it was just a matter of time before India capitulated.
For all his reputation for freshness and simplicity of approach, Dhoni succumbed to conservatism by packing his side with batsmen and putting his faith in them.Sadly what this defeat will do is to give voice to those clamouring forGanguly's and Dravid's inclusion in the team, which in itself is not a bad thing. Having lost 18 out of 22 finals, Dhoni and Kirsten have a long way to go to dispel the reputation of Indian's as chokers.
From an cricketing perspective, this defeat will add the necessary spice to the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
17 comments:
At one point with the 7 batsmen and Irfan and RP getting clobbered, I thought the day is not far off when you carry this further and field all 11 batsmen (who can bowl as well especially on pitches like this)
Any idea who was responsible for signing Mendis with KKR?
Whoever helped in signing Mendis must be a good observer of talents.When I watched him bowl
just two overs in IPL I knew this man will go places. " If you dont snick MUrali, U will Snick Mendis" is going to be the new chant in cricket.
Fielding first was a big blunder. Wonder what everybody thinks of Mendis's performance. Havent seen any spin bowler (warne, Murali, Saqlain included) run through an Indian batting line up like this.
Ott - Yuvraj came in at 4.
RS & Ravi - Mendis had made his ODI debut before the IPL. He had knocked over the Windies and the world was raving about him.
He came late to the IPL and KKR lapped him up because they were facing a problem of not having spinners. Murali Karthik was not performing and the idea of Hafeez as a batsman who could spin was not working either. Im not sure who referred Mendis to KKR but it could have been Gayle who played against him in the Windies before the IPL.
Apurv - thast true. No spinner has done to India what Mendis did. Quite amazing.
The Asia Cup revenues were already booked before the final. How do you get the great unwashed public to keep their wallets open for the next series? Add that 'spice' - Mendis vs the Indians. Now I will also be watching to see how the b(r)at-pack redeems itself.
minor correction OTT...
though it was 18th loss in 22 finals your post suggest that it was all under dhoni-kirsten combo...
it is only 2nd loss in final for dhoni...
all this would have been annulled if certain RP would have not shown his circus on jaya's catch...
some have short sight...some have long sight prooblem but it seems that ys has spin sight problem...the moment he sees spinner (specially early part of his innings) he just pisses...
this is not going to be the last of his utterly embarrassing dismissal...and to top the joke he is saying that he wants to play tests...
funny...very funny...
Firstly, a correction - Yuvraj came in as NO.4 and not as No.3. (A big thanks to Q for correcting me.
Secondly a clarification - when I mentioned 18 out of 22 finals I meant India's ODI record and not their record under Dhoni-Kirsten. (Thank you Pan, for identifying the lack of clarity on the point.)
RS,
The kind of no-talents going around as all-rounders we well see a team packed with batsmen to the hilt.
I too have no idea who suggested Medis. Rest assured SRK will soon claim clairvoyance. :)
R,
I am skeptical about his talent.
Let him play in England or Australia you can be sure they will scream 'chucking'.
Apurv,
I had seen only glimpses of his until yesterday. He seems to have a freakish talent for disguising his release of the ball.
Ambivalent,
Are you suggesting Indians were told to scupper their chances so as to build up audience for the Sri Lankan tour?
Pan,
I am with you on Yuvi.
Otty
Chucking ,thats one route to halt his progress. Unfortunately he has a clean delivery style. But u cant be sure. By just talking abt chucking u can apply some break in his enthusiasm.
Ott, "Sadly what this defeat will do is to give voice to those clamouring for Ganguly's and Dravid's inclusion in the team, which in itself is not a bad thing." Is this really you, the Dravid-Ganguly opposer? :) I can't believe it.
I'm not making much of yesturday's batting failure. It was bound to happen sometime. Having said that, Mendis is definitely a great find. Some of these 19-year olds don't have the experience, and I suspect even talent to play such spinners.
@SP, Yuvraj was hopeless. He should be packed off to play Ranji and should not even be part of list of Test probables.
R,
The Australian's and the English still live in the middle ages.
What they do not understand they label it 'witch-craft' or in this case 'chucking'.
VMM,
I am still a staunch no seniors in the ODI team guy.
I was just being dispassionate in this post. :)
They shd not go back to seniors for ODIs--including Sachin.
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