Closing out games a matter of intent, not skill
Roar Rookie By fernal73, 15 Jul 2011 fernal73 is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- Cricket, Duncan Fletcher, India, MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, West Indies
If you don’t play to win, can you triumph? The Indian team, in the third Test against West Indies, accepted a tame draw instead of grasping a victory within reach.
Much has been said and written about the Indian batting line-up’s unwillingness to take up the challenge of scoring 180 runs in 47 overs.
Not much has been made of the Indian bowling’s lack of incisiveness and penetration, when they should have gone for the kill. The last five West Indian wickets added 121 runs between them.
The Indian and international press have unflinchingly condemned the number one team’s tactics.
Duncan Fletcher pointed out that this team did better than expected, given this was not the best side. Half the top players had opted out of the series.
The Indian coach is right to an extent. However, these are glib excuses.
Fletcher was brought in for a reason: to transform the team, given the expected exit of senior pros, by blooding young talent.
What kind of message does this send out to the youngsters in the Indian side? That, it is okay to forego a chance for victory merely to make sure the team does not falter?
Surely, this is not in character of the fearless new ‘Young India’ that the press tom-toms?
The Men in Blue are no Aussies when it comes to being ruthless, relentless or merciless. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men are world champions but they have not quite captivated or thrilled in Test series abroad.
The last series against South Africa ended 1-1.
The youngsters have not quite seized their chances.
Suresh Raina surprised, Abhinav Mukund made the selectors’ job easier by doing just enough to retain his place, Virat Kohli disappointed.
The pace bowlers, as is their wont, performed way better on quick, bouncy wickets, away from home.
Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman proved the five-day game is their metier.
Ishant Sharma exhibits signs of fulfilling his early promise. Praveen Kumar is game. Harbhajan Singh’s 400 wicket tally lifted his spirits and galvanised him to do better in the final Test.
Questions and Answers
As for Test cricket itself, can it survive, if games are attrition and insipidity personified?
Is there any way of forcing teams batting last to go for it, against all odds? Surely paying spectators deserve better.
Should mandatory overs be just that: mandatory?
Do lacklustre results reflect players’ lack of interest in the longer version of the game?
Is five-day cricket overrated?
Is West Indian cricket on the upswing?
Could Chris Gayle have lifted West Indian fortunes?
Is Darren Bravo the next Brian Lara? The answer is: not yet. In fact, he’s not even close to being the next Marlon Samuels.
Is Shivnarine Chanderpaul done? Not by a long margin.
Is Darren Sammy the best man for the skipper’s job? The West Indian Cricket Board (WICB) have no intention of letting us know.
Kirk Edwards has arrived, Devendra Bishoo has class, and Fidel Edwards is back to his fiery best.
What was the question again?
The Crowd Says (4) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- Cricket, Duncan Fletcher, India, MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, West Indies
July 15th 2011 @ 11:07am
formeropenside said | July 15th 2011 @ 11:07am | Report comment
India still won the series 1-0. I will bet if it had been 0-0 or India down 0-1 it might have been different.
July 15th 2011 @ 3:46pm
Linus said | July 15th 2011 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
Yes, but that’s not the point. Team India have done well coming back from losses but now it’s No.1 , Team India have to lead from the front. You don’t see Tiger Woods winning slams coming from behind. Get your nose ahead and keep it there.
July 16th 2011 @ 2:31pm
rvnmuepl said | July 16th 2011 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
Athough I am disappointed that they finished the match early (they should have played out the remaining 15 overs in my view), it’s worth noting that the match was effectively rendered a stalemate by Darren Sammy and the WI, not Dhoni and India. India were comfortably proceeding to the targer with some 100 required off the last 20 overs, and the scoring ticking along at a good enough rate. Dhoni even instructed Murali Vijay to go after the WI bowling, (which he did and that’s how he ultimately perished) so that India could chase down the score. But Sammy effectively killed the cotest when he asked Darren Bishoo to bowl a negative line down the leg side. Batting on that slow, 5th day pitch was tough enough, but trying to accelerate off deliveries down the leg side off Bishoo would have been suicidal as well as stupid (Bishoo would have bowled half of the remaining 15 overs). So, I wouldn’t blame Dhoni for the draw. Sammy needed the win more than Dhoni, yet he played for a draw through his negative tactics. Heck, Dhoni even sent out Raina to counter Bishoo’s negative bowling! He couldn’t have done anything more without being stupid!
July 20th 2011 @ 1:31pm
Linus said | July 20th 2011 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
The intent of chasing the total should have been exhibited right from the start.