No more Midas touch ?

He was once regarded as a man with midas touch. He is yet to yet to lose a test match as a captain. India won 6 ODI series in a row under his captaincy. Every one praised him when India was playing well. But he is feeling the heat for the first time as the captain.

Critics are pointing at Dhoni for India's Champions Trophy exit. They say that he lost his confidence and his approach to game has not been good. India lost only two major tournaments after Dhoni has become the captain. India failed to reach semis in T20 World cup 2009 and Champions Trophy 2009. But the way India lost in Champions Trophy is a concern than the loss itself. Critics say thatDhoni's body language in these tournaments was not good. Even when the bowlers were struggling, Dhoni forgot to go and talk to them.

"I want players who, if I ask them to, will stand in front of a truck", Dhoni's words in his first series as a captain. Everyone started to think that this formula worked really well after India won T20 World Cup in South Africa. Everyone started to believe that India has a great future with the young cricketers who are ready to face any situation. But if we observe the recent games, most of the matches were not high-scoring. There was no aggressiveness in the players. Critics say that Dhoni's formulae don't work in the long run.

Dhoni is the number one ODI batsman. He is the ODI Player of the year. But his approach to batting does not prove that. There is a lot of difference between his approach 3 years back and his approach now. Instead of his aggressive and attacking presence, he builds his innings in singles. He can be a No.1 if he stays in the crease for 25 overs and scores 50 runs. But he has to loose a place in the hearts of the indian cricket fans. One can see Dhoni in almost every advertisement on TV. He needs to concentrate more on the game instead of other forms of revenue. There is this comment, on Cricinfo I think, that 'Dhoni and his team has been playing restless cricket. So, their first round exit in major tournaments gives them the much needed 'rest' and they can spend this time for advertisements'. I think there should be some restrictions on the advertisement policy of cricketers.

One has to blame the media and the fans for taking Dhoni's praise to high levels much beyond than he deserves. And the same fans now hate Dhoni. This is not the case with Dhoni. When one player is playing well, they consider him as god. When the same player fails, they start saying that he did not play well, so we lost the match, he needs to be sacked etc.. Its the fans and the media who need to change first.

Has dhoni lost his midas touch? If you consider the performance, is there no wicket-keeper in India who is better than Dhoni? Is it time for Dhoni to be sacked?

Wall is back

I never expected that Dravid would again be considered for selection for ODIs.
But it came true....
He was named in the squad for Champions trophy probables..
Hope he will be there in the final squad...even if he won't be there, it doesn't matter much...
His experience comes in handy against the short pitched deliveries which most of the current youngsters unable to play...

Anyway it was a great idea to bring back this great player....

A Short Break from Blog Updating

I'm taking a short break from blogging... will be back after June 30th...

IPL team of the year 2009

Here is an all-star franchise of the 2009 IPL, selected with age and nationality requirements in mind.

Matthew Hayden
The top scorer of the tournament, he showed what Australia are missing in the shortest format of the game. He was typically aggressive but also revealed finesse in his batting that helped him score all around the wicket.

Adam Gilchrist (wk)
He smashed the fastest IPL half century in the semi final and was the key figure in Deccan Chargers’ victory. His keeping was reliable and captaincy shrewd. Perhaps still the best opening batsman in Twenty20 cricket.

Manish Pandey
He played only four innings but his impact was such that he deserves an all-star place. Stylish and unflappable, he proved quick scoring can be done with classical cricket shots. A number three place beckons in this team, the spot he might end up occupying in India’s Test team.

Suresh Raina
He hit a fine 98 but passed 50 only once more, a lack of consistency which reflected Chennai Super Kings’ campaign. He broke partnerships with his economical offspin and fielded sharply in the ring.

Rohit Sharma
He promised much but delivered only fleetingly, a microcosm of his international career. He was perhaps batted too low by Deccan, as he has the ability to score quickly from the outset. A bowling revelation.

AB de Villiers
The in-form South African hit one of only two centuries and was a key figure in Delhi Daredevils’ successful middle order. He took the most catches in the tournament.

Andrew Symonds
A late introduction to the Chargers’ line-up, he had a big influence on the latter stages of the event. His aggression and intent gave Deccan the edge in the final. A big ICC World Twenty could be round the corner.

RP Singh
The top wicket-taker of the tournament, he bowled with guile at the start and finish of innings. He used his variations to good effect and fully deserves his place in the national squad for the ICC World Twenty20 .

Lasith Malinga
His form tailed off in the latter stages, but he was at times unplayable with new ball and at the death. Injury troubles appear to be a thing of the past.

Ashish Nehra
One of many successful left arm seamers on display, Nehra showed his experience in bowling under pressure.

Anil Kumble (c)
He finished as he started, ripping through opposition batting line-ups for very few runs. One of the old guard who showed experience and it seems a safe Twenty20 bet that this is an important factor in Twenty20 cricket.

Dream Final

Gilchrist's onslaught against DD took DC to finals, where as cool-headed innings from Dravid and Pandey against CSK took RCB to finals...

The two bottom-placed teams in IPL 2008 are now the finalists of IPL 2009. What a turnaround this for both the teams...

DC Vs RCB, my dream final...

DC has been shaky in some matches but Banglore has been exceptional after KP's departure...

RCB has the upper hand as they defeated DC in their last league match...

But T20 is all about form on that particular day....you outplay the other team, you win...

These two teams have been doing just this throughout the tournament, surprising other teams with superb performances...

Gilchrist, Rohit, Symonds and RP holds the key for DC where as Taylor, Kallis, Kumble and Dravid holds the key for RCB.

Though I support DC, I wouldn't really mind whoever wins the trophy....I just want this final to be simply awesome :)


Go DC..Go RCB..

Delivering when it counts

Two of the great batsmen in the world cricket played superb innings at the right time, in their semis, to ensure their teams a place in the final of IPL 2009.

Yeah, I'm talking about Gilchrist and Dravid.

Gilchrist has been in good touch this season..

It is known to everyone that he saves his best for the finals.

In 3 world cup finals in 1999, 2003, 2007, Gilli played his part in Australia clinching all of them.

But in IPL-2 he delivered his best(hope the best is yet to come) in semi-finals.

Can we see more dangerous Gilli in the final of IPL-2?
Or his innings against Delhi in semis would remain his best?

On the other hand, Dravid has not been not in good touch since he returned from paternity leave.

But he played one of his best IPL innings to take his team to the final.

He used all his experience to produce a classy and important innings.

This is my dream final...

Dramatic Thriller

Uff.... What a heart-racing thriller

Another nightmare to KKR

KKR haven't been used to win and they continued to do so even in the matches that they should have won easily

And yesterday it was much more dramatic

Mortaza and Agarkar bowled very good 18th and 19th overs

But poor Mortaza, he conceded 26 runs in the last over with 21 runs needed for DC to win

As a supporter of DC I'm worrying about their bowling options and their death bowling

Fifth bowler has always been a problem

I don't think Gilchrist is thinking of this seriously.....Unless he concentrates on this, it's going to affect them in Semis and/or Final

SA's bowling coach Victor Barnes joined DC as a bowling coach

Can he change anything?

I feel sorry for McCullum....

Can KKR ever win?