Champions Trophy Selections
The Indian squad for the Champions Trophy has been released, with the two notable omissions being Sreesanth and Kumble.
I beleive that Kumble has had his day in ODI cricket. Although he may be a great test bowler, ODI cricket is a totally different kettle of fish. Lets face it, Kumble doesn't turn the ball a lot, infact the amount of turn he gets on most cases is negligible. The way he gets his wickets is through variable bounce in the pitch and subtle changes in pace. For the variable bounce to occur, you need a 4 or 5 day old pitch, in ODI cricket you get a road which is a batsman's paradise. Unfortunately for Kumble, he is increasingly becoming more of a liability in ODI's.
As for Sreesanth, I feel he has been hard done by. Yes he might no have flattering statistics form his short international career, but the one thing the boy does have is pace, something which is a must for every fast bowler in this day and age. What makes me even concerned is the replacement for Sreesanth, RP Singh. He bowls quite simarlarly to Irfan Pathan but doesn't have the control nor class that Pathan has. Another detrimental factor to his case is his lack os speed, something which makes him easy pickings on the international stage.
Another point for discussion which is bound to come is the batting line up. There has been talk of Sehwag shifting down into the middle order to add a bit of fire power. This could prove to be diabolical for the team. The alternative opening partner for Tendulkar would than be Dravid. I admire Dravid and beleive he is one of the best batsman in the world, but his place in the batting line up in ODI's is not at the top of the order but rather in the middle order during the middle of the game when runs have to be accumulated. Batting at the top of the order requires fire power as full use of the fielding restrictions should be taken advantage of and the best two people to do this are Tendulkar and Sehwag.
In my eyes the batting line up for the Indian team should be as follows:
Tendulkar Sehwag Dravid Yuvraj Kaif Mongia Dhoni Pathan Powar Harbhajan Patel
Also I beleive that the number 3 spot should be rotating between Dhoni, Pathan and Dravid.
I beleive that Kumble has had his day in ODI cricket. Although he may be a great test bowler, ODI cricket is a totally different kettle of fish. Lets face it, Kumble doesn't turn the ball a lot, infact the amount of turn he gets on most cases is negligible. The way he gets his wickets is through variable bounce in the pitch and subtle changes in pace. For the variable bounce to occur, you need a 4 or 5 day old pitch, in ODI cricket you get a road which is a batsman's paradise. Unfortunately for Kumble, he is increasingly becoming more of a liability in ODI's.
As for Sreesanth, I feel he has been hard done by. Yes he might no have flattering statistics form his short international career, but the one thing the boy does have is pace, something which is a must for every fast bowler in this day and age. What makes me even concerned is the replacement for Sreesanth, RP Singh. He bowls quite simarlarly to Irfan Pathan but doesn't have the control nor class that Pathan has. Another detrimental factor to his case is his lack os speed, something which makes him easy pickings on the international stage.
Another point for discussion which is bound to come is the batting line up. There has been talk of Sehwag shifting down into the middle order to add a bit of fire power. This could prove to be diabolical for the team. The alternative opening partner for Tendulkar would than be Dravid. I admire Dravid and beleive he is one of the best batsman in the world, but his place in the batting line up in ODI's is not at the top of the order but rather in the middle order during the middle of the game when runs have to be accumulated. Batting at the top of the order requires fire power as full use of the fielding restrictions should be taken advantage of and the best two people to do this are Tendulkar and Sehwag.
In my eyes the batting line up for the Indian team should be as follows:
Tendulkar Sehwag Dravid Yuvraj Kaif Mongia Dhoni Pathan Powar Harbhajan Patel
Also I beleive that the number 3 spot should be rotating between Dhoni, Pathan and Dravid.
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