furs do not fly in faridabad

sadhuji

Once again, our awesome batting lineup folded at the knees and, if young Suresh Raina had not stood his ground and if Mahendra Singh Dhoni had not decided to extend support to a precarious situation, the game would have ended on a different note.

It is high time that our openers are told in no uncertain terms that appearance just for the sake of appearing in International matches is not what the country wants. The specialist slots demands more perseverance, a more dedicated approach. If one is not physically well, he should admit as much and step aside for other promising players who wait in the wings. The openers are supposed to build the foundation from which an attack can be launched – or, if a target has been set by the opposition, they must plan their strategies so that the total can be overhauled with the barest of hiccups. Our openers and those who have been identified as top order batsmen need a straightforward talking-to: continuous failures rob them of whatever goodwill they might have generated over a period of time. It is too much to expect the lower order to salvage near impossible situations every time. Cricket is a team game and each and every one has a specific role to perform.

Whilst the visitors are batting, our bowlers and fielders put up a miserable show – we spill catches, we are unable to effect run-outs and when we aim at the stumps, the ball goes wide off the mark. Such a callous attitude is probably a result of lack of net practice – it seems our players do not attach importance to perfect their weaknesses. Otherwise why should Romesh Powar floor a return catch and why should Suresh Raina spill a sitter. But, their faults are forgotten very fast because Romesh, ultimately, bagged three wickets and Raina scored the highest to take his team to victory. He was also adjudged the MOM.

We have won two consecutive ODIs with England in this series and now move to the next venue Goa with hopes of yet another win on the 3rd of April. Only, we have to be careful of controlling the urge to gorge ourselves on crabs and lobsters and washing them down with feni.

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mooning over a moon journey

New-South-Welshman

For an Indian fan, I can understand the frustration. Where's the passion and play that the Indians posessed in Pakistan?!

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Mr. Burns "Non-violence never solved anything!"

sunilg

doesn't it again prove that without Sachin, Indian batting is more or less a flop show. talking about specialist openers, can't we have Sachin-Sourav back??

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...Bismillah

sadhuji

dean jones in his swot analysis has indeed suggested to bring back sourav.

Paagla Dashu

In 2004, you mean? When we comprehensively won both the Test and the ODI series.

Gone with "underarm" wind, I suspect.

sadhuji

the latest rumour is that sourav may be back -

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/quicki...ow/1473650.cms