http://worma.rediffiland.com/Diary of Manish Varmaen-us

]]>Fri, 25 May 2007 11:25:10 +0530http://worma.rediffiland.com/blogs/2007/05/25/News.html
So, here's a first look at the squads, and some intial reactions from me. How about you?

ODI: Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid (capt), Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Manoj Tiwary, Dinesh Mongia, Piyush Chawla, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh.

(a) That seems to be only 14 players, so far no reasons given.

(b) We go on a subcontinental tour (even if for ODI) with only one specialist spinner, and that too a rookie! (although my personal belief is Chawla would be a hit in ODI format). Why not pick Powar here as well? Fielding let him down?

(c) Why not 'rest' Sehwag too? Sure he was looking like back in touch (in ODIs atleast) but...umm...maybe he did not invite enough reason to be 'rested' unlike the other 'seniors'. Well...thats ok then.

(d) Pathan is out...which means he wasnt inspiring confidence even in Rahul, so it wasnt just the 'seniors' who were not ready to field him

All in all...as good as it gets...I guess.

Test squad: Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Rahul Dravid (capt), VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Anil Kumble, Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan, VRV Singh, Ramesh Powar, Rajesh Pawar, Munaf Patel.

(a) Only one regular opener for a test tour! Karthik must have been consulted, I guess. For he seems to be the other one listed for the slot? Bad move, IMO, unless it is taken from a long term plan. In that case, I dont mind grooming him for a test opening slot, provided he is willing.

(b) The 'seniors' are all there, so not much chance of even getting Yuvraj into the frame. Unless he is the one to be looked at as opener. That would be terrible, IMO, knowing his weaknesses. It may work against BD, but is bound to come unstuck against tougher sides.

(c) Did you notice that only AA and Bhajji from the WC squad have been omitted from both lists. That means they are the ones who are completely 'dropped'. That plus Veeru from tests. He may make tons of runs in ODIs and make the selectors look stupid...but anyway that would be in the long term interest of the team. He can go back and start preparing for the Eng series then...and make a strong test comeback there.

(d) 3 spinners...including Rajesh Pawar the left armer. He is in good form, so for once a good move to give a youngster a direct chance in test matches when he is in good touch. He may have to fight with Powar for a place, though.

But the biggest news from this selection meeting has got to be that Rahul has been instructed not to take a leak during matches!!!...because he doesnt have a deputy..you see :-)

Your turn?? (Meanwhile....I see Prem has already done a short take)

Update: Apparently Powar is included in ODI squad (that makes it 15 players). I got the list from cricinfo, perhaps they have missed out.

]]>Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:54:52 +0530
This is what Vaughan said at the PC :

In an achingly honest press conference afterwards, Vaughan admitted that, with the final rays of the Ashes afterglow fading, things have gone badly wrong, and not just in the World Cup. "It's a very sad day for English cricket," he said, admitting it was the first time he'd been booed off as an England player. "And rightfully so, given the performance we put in. I've been a supporter in a stadium and done exactly the same."


And contrast this with what Sachin had said for being booed (along with the whole team getting same treatment by the end) at the Mumbai test against Eng - that I have done so much for the country...I deserve to be treated better!!!!

And this is Vaughan...the captain who won the Ashes back for Eng. And Eng fans care absolutely nothing about WC compared to Ashes, so he could still ride on that high horse if he chooses. In fact, I am sure he would still be the popular choice (amongst the crowd) for retaining the captaincy, atleast in test matches. Unlike Sachin...who would be hardly anyone's choice today for winning a game for India (although they would still all want to see him play)

Now, I don't want to get onto Sachin using every damn incident in cricketing world as an excuse, but this, to me, was a prime example of how personality driven our whole cricket is...and how the players get caught...and become a part of it.]]>Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:43:36 +0530
But for me, the time for dissection, and decisions (big and small) is now, not later, when we overanalyze to justify everything.

And my go-forward scenarios are very simple. We need to build the team for the next world cup, because in One Day cricket, that's what matters. And we have 4 years for it. As Chappell said in his post match conference, 18 months is not enough to make that kind of a bold move. If we start now, even if boldly, we would have enough time to re-build.

So, my take:

Following persons should be tapped on the shoulder to indicate its time to go (from ODIs): Sachin, Saurav, Rahul, Anil. I know, some would say Sachin is too great to be treated thus (and I agree), or that he can still contribute more than many others (again, I agree). But for me, that is not the point. We are talking of building a team for next World Cup. And if you don't give youngsters time enough, then you'll once again have a Raina scenario at the last minute. Surely, no one can say that Sachin would still be contributing as much 4 years later? And then, being great (or even a genius) doesn't mean you play till you drop.

And anyways, he has the time for his chosen departure from test cricket where there is no equivalent of a World Cup to prepare for. He, along with Saurav, Rahul, Laxman and Kumble, would have a tough test season coming up (we visit England and then Aussies, with Bangaldesh in between). That would anyway give enough chances for them to show if they belong.

And lets face it what more has Sachin to achieve in ODIs? I mean another couple of centuries, another 1000 runs added to that mountain, what difference does it make? Either to him, or to the long term cause of the team?

Choose your captain and vc from Sehwag and Yuvraj (I prefer Sehwag for his brains, or else Kaif). Bring in the Kaifs and Rainas and Chawlas (yes, he is an excellent ODI prospect for me) and Powars - give them enough opportunity to establish themselves without the fear of a 'senior waiting in the wings to pounce back'. Drop Harbhajan and ask him to come back with a better approach towards his game (aka ready to bowl round the wkt at the drop of a hat!). Play Pathan in EVERY game from now on, unlessl his BATTING form is bad. That is the whole point of being an 'allrounder'. You don't always have to excel in both forms of the game. Look at Freddie's batting form in ODIs!

On the coaching front I'm sure Chappell would love to continue with the above scenario a team of youngsters that HE gets to build. But he also needs to commit towards being more flexible in his approach. A bowling coach may be needed, despite what he feels. I am personally not a fan, but from what I've read and heard, the man has good cricket brain. The crucial issue, as he himself said, is that we cannot expect a major chance in 18 months. So if we need to choose a new coach, it has to be now.

Finally, on the Test front, we can still continue with the current team but as I said, the upcoming tough season can be a make or break for many. And we should be ready to tap the gentlemen on the shoulders here as well.


As I said in the beginning, for me the time for analysis is now, not later. Because then we get clouded by the 'contribution' of the modern 'giants' of the game, and tend to justify matters to the extreme.
]]>Sat, 24 Mar 2007 14:22:12 +0530
As per reports, the pitch looks delicious for the pacers, once again. And with Munaf back, for the first time in recent memory, we are going into a game with all 4 bowlers having the potential (and perhaps recent form as well) to win the day single-handedly. Now if that's not exciting....then maybe there's not much that can excite an Indian cricket fan!

So...here's an early open thread....post in your thoughts...and comments during the game. Hopefully Prem would be back here during the game, with his thoughts and posts.]]>Tue, 26 Dec 2006 01:16:00 +0530"I congratulate Sreesanth and the Indian team. I also congratulate Sourav Ganguly and V V S Laxman and Zaheer Khan," he said responding to sentiments expressed by the members over the team's performance in South Africa.But but...wait...hold on....no congratulations for Chappell? Awww..come on..after what they did at the ODI loss...shouldn't they be passing motions to make him crown prince..or bharat ratna or some such? :-))

Seriously...do they really have time for all this in there?...really the mind boggles!

As a double aside...I'm really wondering what was the criteria for doling our the precious praises to only 4 individuals? I mean...really...technically...what was it? 50+ runs?? (hence Sachin missed out?)...5 wickets (but Kumble got as many as Khan?)..the mind boggles even more :-) Maybe I'm just delirious from the victory hangover...I'll come back later in the week..post out thoughts for the next test (notice the sounds being made in SA media about green-tops and this pitch not 'good enough' and all that..)]]>Tue, 19 Dec 2006 18:03:43 +0530
Right...so we savour the win for a long long time....this tour has already met its purpose, for me at least. Of course I'm hoping we can keep it up and fight for the series. If Munaf is fit for the return, and with most of our batsmen looking to get back into nick, the next one already makes for exciting anticipation.

I'll come back with more later....but for now....lets enjoy the win.

Oh and btw....wonder what our MPs would be saying now??? ;-)]]>Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:51:12 +0530
But surely they can't lose from this position. It can turn out to be a much painful win if SA resist strongly (or rather, if India bowl poorly), but it still shouldn't happen for them.

And as Sunny said, this would rank right there with Adelaid, Multan, Faisalabad (of recent times) and probably Oval of 1971 (which I cannot comment on ;-)

But lets hold on to our breaths a little longer, shall we please?
]]>Mon, 18 Dec 2006 12:54:36 +0530
Its just that when its happening in our home matches, the touring party often complains that Indian management doctors its pitches to suit themselves. And our media, never to be left behind when it comes to kicking the home side, merrily joins the chorus.

Ahh well....thats how things go around here....lets enjoy the game. Leave your comments here during the progress of the game...I would try to chip in as much as possible, unfortunately I'm not watching it live, being at work right now.
]]>Fri, 15 Dec 2006 14:30:54 +0530
As for India...well the preparations are all in place, another column speculates that Pathan may miss out. And the pitch, as per reports, is pacy with decent bounce. But no grass, and some cracks that should open up by day 3. Actually the Indians should not mind batting on this, if only they can get through the initial tough periods. Pace alone doesnt trouble our present lineup, is what I feel...somehow (maybe its just hope).

Meanwhile the Aussies have sniffed out a quick couple of wkts, Eng 38/2 with 8 overs to go for close. If they can hold it even from here, they should rest rather satisfied tonight.
]]>Thu, 14 Dec 2006 15:04:54 +0530