The Indian team performed adequately to beat Bangladesh in the World Cup 2011 opener. Despite this being a World Cup opener and a ‘revenge match’ the Indian team was complacent while batting. Similarly, the inadequacies in the Bangladesh team helped the Indian bowlers to restrict them to 283, and win by a large margin of 83 runs.
Batting first, the Indian batsmen batting had Bangladesh on the ropes until the end of the second power play. When they should have gone all out to score in excess of 400, they showed lack of intent and let the Bangladesh bowlers restrict them to 370 with some clever, negative bowling.
Similarly, the bowlers, especially Sreesanth, were able to assert themselves only when the Bangladesh batsmen got ahead of themselves. A stronger team would have made India pay for their complacency and lack of intent. India has the potential to go beyond the semi-final, but they have to shed their complacency when playing lesser teams and take each match seriously.
20/02/2011
11/12/2010
India-SA Tour Preview
This series should settle whether India is a worthy number 1 team in Test cricket. In fact, for once the BCCI appears to have understood the importance of a Test series and given the Indian test cricketers sufficient time to acclimatize themselves with SA conditions.
As usual, on paper the Indian team appears formidable. Their batsmen are in fine form and the bowling has penetrative power and variety. However, the South African’s are no pushovers. They have batsmen who can counter the Indian bowling attack.
As usual, on paper the Indian team appears formidable. Their batsmen are in fine form and the bowling has penetrative power and variety. However, the South African’s are no pushovers. They have batsmen who can counter the Indian bowling attack.
Furthermore, on home grounds the SA batsmen are adept at playing medium pacers. This where, the likes of Sreesanth and Ishanth can dominate.The true pitches in SA will not only provide bounce but will increase their incisiveness.
Similarly, for SA, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel can be devastating. However, SA lacks good support bowlers. Here, India scores over them as they have Harbhajan and to a lesser extent Ojha. If they come good, then they will be the difference between the two teams.
It is doubtful, whether India can replicate the strategy of piling on runs in their first innings to pressure the opposition. The Indian batsmen will have to have the stomach to battle for a win in the fourth innings. If the Indian batsmen can do that, then India may still be the number 1 team at the end of the series.
Similarly, for SA, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel can be devastating. However, SA lacks good support bowlers. Here, India scores over them as they have Harbhajan and to a lesser extent Ojha. If they come good, then they will be the difference between the two teams.
It is doubtful, whether India can replicate the strategy of piling on runs in their first innings to pressure the opposition. The Indian batsmen will have to have the stomach to battle for a win in the fourth innings. If the Indian batsmen can do that, then India may still be the number 1 team at the end of the series.
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