After serious business some fun and seven games
Those were the days - the NatWest Series final, Lord's, 2002. India's boy band was on a high and, as image after unbelievable image was flashed on to Indian television screens, just about everyone wore incredulous grins.
India snatched an , chasing 326, and Mohammad Kaif hugged Zaheer Khan.
Delirious fans, who would definitely have failed Norman Tebbit's test, were hugging each other and Sourav Ganguly hugged his shirt, pulled it off and waved it over his head from the balcony.
We all believed that a rosy future lay ahead but it will be all change when on Tuesday India play England at the Rose Bowl.
Kaif is busy leading an India A team in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Ganguly - persona non grata a year ago, is no longer skipper despite being the author of one of Indian cricket's most glorious comeback tales, while Zaheer has returned from the international wilderness with a bang.
Since that series in 2002 India have reached the and made an
Both sides would probably gladly have swapped a few of the coming up for one more Test but commecial influences dictate these days.
After , India are on a high, while England will be trying to get on with the business of putting together a decent one-day team under new leadership.
While India have swung between highs and lows of late, England's one-day performances have remained consistently poor, even while their Test performances have soared. It's a little surprising, given that they host more domestic one-day games than any other country.
India thought they had discovered the magic formula for one-day success a few years ago. They would put the opposition in on most surfaces and chase the target down - they hold the record for the most consecutive successful run-chases in international cricket.
There was a time when they played seven batsmen and Rahul Dravid kept wicket but they are far more flexible now and don't depend solely on chases to win.
Yet, they still prefer batting second. It becomes even more important in England as the ball moves a tad more in the morning and when you probably have the two best finishers in the game (Mahendra Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh) to go with Sourav, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul at the top, it's understandable.
Surprisingly, England has witnessed more high scoring games of late. The success of has probably encouraged groundsmen to prepare batsmen-friendly strips, so we might see some great batting performances in the next few weeks.
One-day games are a lot about momentum and generally follow a pattern. The team that gets the initial momentum, more often than not ends up winning the game. It's very difficult to break the rhythm and think out of the box in a 50-over dash.
For the fan, if you've seen over 550 runs scored, you've got your money's worth and pay little attention to the result especially as the next game is round the corner.
Again, unlike in Tests, one individual can win a one-day game and both England and India have more than a few such blokes in their sides. In my book, India have the edge but a lot depends on how Andrew Flintoff fares on his return. It's been a long lay-off and sometimes, those breaks hurt in more ways than one.
But, having said that, all bets are off! Test cricket was serious business, a battle of skill, nerves and character over five days. Up next is half-flash and half-bullish!
Akash, you said: "India snatched an incredible two-wicket win, chasing 326, and Mohammad Kaif hugged Harbhajan Singh."
It wasn't Harbhajan Singh; it was Zaheer Khan who scored the winning runs with Kaif. Harbhajan was out with a few runs still to get... and Kumble was out as well, as I remember.
And as you rightly pointed out, Ganguly took off his shirt; and this time around, England appear to have been caught with their pants down, atleast in the ODI version of the game.
Interesting series ahead.
Complain about this postOops.. one more error in the article: "We all believed that a rosy future lay ahead but it will be all change when on Tuesday India play England in England for the first time in an ODI after that stirring June day."
I distinctly remember India played 3 ODIs in a Natwest series as practice gams for the ICCCT series in England in 2004 or 2005. It was a 3 match series, first 2 games for England; and India won the dead rubber final at Lord's.
Of course the Windies snatched victory at the Oval vs England - courtesy heroics from Browne and Bradshaw.
Complain about this postI begin with a quote out of your article, Mr.Chopra - "For the fan, if you've seen over 550 runs scored, you've got your money's worth and pay little attention to the result especially as the next game is round the corner."
I am not a big fan of the one-day game, yet I watch those I can find time for. I know there are many more similar fans, many of whom care very little for the ODI game and don't mind if it ends in a victory for one's team. I wish this typecasting of the average fan is done away with for good - a fan whose money's worth comes from 550 runs scored - it is cliched and merely convenient to support an argument, and highly disrespectful of the average fan's involvement with the game.
Do players or ex-players even realize how fans think? The same fans they live off and are spoken of thus over and over again. I'm sure the players were watching fans themselves at one time and are certain to be watching jobbers at a later time from commentary boxes or press boxes. So let's just not be condescending and presumptive about the average cricket fan.
In fact, if the average Indian cricket player had the intellect to figure out what an Indian fan actually wants, they wouldn't play the inane cricket that they have played many times over the years resulting in series losses in both ODI's and Tests.
As for the rest of the article, you write well as usual. Yes, there is ceratinly plenty of flexibility in the Indian ODI team now, especially after the backbone was broken by a certain Mr.Chappell.
Complain about this postI confirm the comments of the previous poster.
It was Zaheer Khan who scrambled for the second run with Kaif...
& India did play in England in 2004 just before the Champions Trophy
& despite that world record chasing, i think they are vulnerable when it comes to batting second, especially in day night games
Complain about this postDear Connoisseur,
Thanks a lot for pointing that out. You're absolutely right on both occassions, it was Zaheer and Kaif in 2002 and India did play three ODI's in 2004 prior to the champions trophy.
My apologies for relying on my memory, which obviously failed me.
We shall be making the changes soon.
Thanks and regards,
Aakash
Complain about this postdoes india have a different ODI lineup? or is it the same old heads & one or two youngsters as we saw in the tests??..am tipping collingwood to lead england to 4-2 win!!
Complain about this postNice article Akash and it is great to beable to link back to the previous games i.e. 2002 natwest final and hear some of the commentary from that game. Awesome stuff!
Yes, I believe India have a very 'slight' edge however England have been playing on these surfaces since early summer and they got fairly good practise against the Windies.
Either way, it should be a tight contest and both teams will experience highs and lows.
I really think Sreesanth should play at least the first few one dayers as i feel he has improved in English conditions.
My team for tomorrow's match would be in this order for batting:
Kartik (He plays best as opener i think)
Ganguly
Uthappa
Dravid
Tendulkar
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Powar
Khan
RP Singh
Sreesanth (although I think India are playing Patel)
Go Team India.
Complain about this postIndia is going to win Oneday series cofortably.
Complain about this postIronic isn't it that Siders has been sidelined with a side injury?
Complain about this postThe only problem is that one day cricket is just so dull: no ebb and flow, no nuance, no subtlety. It's basically cricket for people who don't really like cricket. A 7-game series of this dross is far too much - why on earth did we agree to so much?
The real cricket ended with the end of the final test.
Complain about this postFronk,
I enjoy all forms of the game.
Test Matches are fantastic but not everyone can goto 5 days of a test match.
The one dayers give people a chance to see the stars of cricket battle it out in one days play.
50 overs isn't for people who don't really like cricket, i would say 20/20 would fit more into that category. (although i personally enjoy that too!)
As Aakash mentioned above, one dayers can really provide match winning performances by 'individuals'.
Just enjoy it for what it is. If cricket only existed as test matches, their would be fewer supporters around the world overall.
See it as a different challenge and entertainment for fans and players alike.
Complain about this postTo be honest, I expect India to win this series comfortably. They have players more suited to the ODI format and vastly more experience.
However, what I do hope to see is an English team that is making PROGRESS in one day cricket even if results do not pick up instantly. I would like to see a more positive approach from the batsmen and more nous from the death bowlers.
This is the line up I would like to see for England:
Prior
Complain about this postBell
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Shah
Flintoff
Mascharenhas
Broad
Anderson
Panesar
Very sad that the money hungry organisers are playing 7 one day games....one days are boring have to say...anyway i think India have marginal advantage on paper and will get through in the end....
my team..
Gambhir
Ganguly
Dravid
Tendulkar
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Kartik
Rohit sharma/Chawla
Khan
Agarkar
RP Singh
Complain about this postPowar/Munaf/Uthappa to sit out
I fear England are going to get an almighty spanking in this series unless they address their batting and bowling. Batting wise there never seems to be a calm head and were forever chasing the game and our bowlers seem to think that half trackers and full pitched pies will get the opposition out!!
Complain about this postAkash,
Complain about this postIt is pleasure reading your articles. You are a good writer. I really enjoyed reading your article on Sachin Tendulkar and batting stance. Keep working on your writing skills along with batting skills. All the best :)
I enjoy both versions of cricket. Initial momentum is important in ODIs as in any sport. However, that can be overcome as we have seen teams chasing down big scores or bowling out the other team defending a small total. Obviously you have a much smaller window than a test match to make the adjustment. It is similar to giving up an early goal in soccer. You only have limited time to come back and win the game.
Four tests and five ODIs would have been a better balance.
In response to an earlier comment, Sreesanth is not there in the ODI squad so he can't be selected. In my opinion, India should play the following in the first ODI:
Tendulkar, Ganguly, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Dravid, Dhoni, Chawla, Powar, Agrkar, Zaheer, RP.
Complain about this postI fear England are going to get an almighty spanking in this series unless they address their batting and bowling. Batting wise there never seems to be a calm head and were forever chasing the game and our bowlers seem to think that half trackers and full pitched pies will get the opposition out!!
Complain about this postI think the ODI's will be much closer than the general perception of onesidedness. India are not sitting pretty...maybe just.
Complain about this postHere we all go again. Predicting results about a game which always has a last laugh on us.
What the heck?? I would pick both Ramesh and Chawla besides Zaheer,RP.Agarkar. Both seem take 2-3 vital wickets consistently in in middle overs. Of course dew factor may come in and spoil my prediction,but if the spinners grip the ball well and it is not swing bowlers paradise green top pitch ,then Chawla/Powar can play a huge role.
But England attack is formidable too.
So I predict is to be 4-3 scoreline with trhe winner being the team whose bowling strikes form more often.
Complain about this postto aynals oreness who said
Ironic isn't it that Siders has been sidelined with a side injury?
well it could have been his bottom hurting or as your name suggests aynal soreness
Complain about this postCricket in all forms when one sided (not 'side' bottom) is boring. True cricket fan's enjoy equal contests between ball and bat, and two teams fighting till the last. Its just not about seeing 600 run's being scored in one day. It's about those last ball, last wicket contest that we really love it for.
2nd test at Trent Bridge is in my view the best form of cricket minus the umpiring blunders, where both bat and ball were doing the talking and of course Prior too. A compressed version of that cricket is what I am looking for in the ODI.
Aakash, am a bit disappointed with this article , for some reason it seems to going off on too many things when really not required.
Complain about this postThe last time the two sides met, England were soundly beaten (4-1 or 4-2, can't be bothered with the exact numbers), I don't see too much of a difference from that scoreline to what will transpire this time around, unless England manage to magically discover some of the batting form that's deserted them through the test series. They might still upset India's apple cart, but I doubt it. That being said, there could be the very unlikely (or likely, given the plethora of cats and dogs in England right now) duo of Duckworth Lewis who could easily upstage all the Prima Donnas. My player to watch would be Uthappa (gooch's murdering his name btw).
My biggest grouse is to do with the ridiculous number of pyjama games that has been lined up. Did we actually need seven ODIs that no one would remember 2 months down the line? Making money is a good concept, the game after all benefits in the long run (that's what they say anyway) but being greedy is just downright inane.
Oh well no use cribbing, it's done and dusted now, will be interesting to see how Fredelo will do, he murdered us in the three game series the last time around.
Complain about this postMr Chopra What I wanted to ask is what are your views on the ICL ? and are you looking to sign up also in the forseeable future seeming your International career seems to have stalled ?
Complain about this postI agree with you Prashant.
One isn't only looking towards 550 runs being scored. Some of the best ODI matches of my memory are the low-scoring ones where the players fought hard.
India vs WI in Australia, India vs Pakistan in Sharjah (the 129 or so one), and who can forget that 183 at Lord's all those years ago?
There are many such instances in ODI's that elicited the best out of the players.
Perhaps 550+ is given these days...not many teams can hold opponents to defend a lower total. I'd like to see ODI's where even 220 means you still have to fight to get there. Sure, India makes a fight of it chasing such totals often, but I'd like to see it the other way around too...see them defend a total of 200-220. That for me brings out the best out of a team.
Complain about this postDear Dilip #23
It's a little premature to say anything about the ICL. About me, well, I'm not joining as I'm hoping to play for India soon. I've had a good first class season back home and if I score enough runs this season, I'm hoping to make it back.
Cheers,
Aakash
Complain about this posti think indias team should line up as so...
Uthappa
Tendulkar-
Ganguly-how it used to b when sehwag was there
Dravid-
Yuvraj
Dhoni(wkt)
Kartik
Chawla
Zaheer Khan
Rudra Pratap Singh
Munaf Patel
Going back to the kind of line up india had when they were unbeatable! uthappa replacing sehwag (who need some form back)
india will miss Harbhajan Singh the most he has been in good form for surrey and has earned a call up back into the side! they also need pathan back in form so india can truly go back to the flexible batting line up they once had with him in the team and take early wickets at the top of the innings to get the ball rolling for india.
Complain about this postthe two best finishers? i think not...how bout a word for micheal clarke,micheal hussey or andrew symonds. Im a sri lankan supporter and i gloat just as much as anyone else when the aussies loose,But you have to call a spade a spade. I mean there are a few batsmen around the world i would rather play out my teams last ten overs than yuvraj singh and dhoni.
Complain about this postSome very interesting points there, but the question on everyones lips is whether or not Woodesket will continue their winning ways into the Grand Final next week?
Complain about this postDear Aakash,
Would you as a former (and hopefully, returning) Test Opener prefer to bat with someone like Dinesh Kaartik as your partner or Virender Sehwag?
The former appears to score in the 30-60 run range more often, while the latter's runs seem to vary between massive triple digit scores and single digit ones. Considering that you appear to be in between them, I was wondering which you would prefer to bat with.
Sincerely,
Orko
Complain about this postNathan ponders a question, but i feel he is wrong with Magic we can't lose
Complain about this postAm I the only one who thinks this series will not be won comfortably by India? They look strong on paper but one-day cricket does not provide enough time for middle order batters to grit it out like they did in the tests after the top order gets swung out. Unlike tests, a short passage of play can heavily influence the result, which is why minnows like Bangladesh have been able to (even once) beat monsters like Australia.
We might have played swing well so far but it wasn't at the pace Flintoff can generate. All in all, we're in for a fairly even series even though 7 one-day games is two too many.
Complain about this postIf India is the superpower of world cricket and they dictate that seven one-dayers have to be played, then cricket is in trouble.
Didn't the tense, thrilling Test cricket we have seen between these two sides speak for it itself? -what a crying shame that a proper, epic, five-test series has been sacrificed on the altar of spread-betting profits or somesuch nonsense.
Absolutely no-one will remember the outcome of the one-dayers in a year's time, but I'm sure India's hard-fought and well deserved triumph in the Test Series will be.
Complain about this postLets be honest. Both India and England hardly set the world alight at the World Cup and I think both sides are as bad as each other and would get whooped by the Aussies. The winner will be the best of a bad bunch.
Complain about this postthis time india won test series in england. what about one day series.
Complain about this postAussie Scott - typical...
What you're saying is that there's no point in any game being played if it doesn't feature Australia. This would really help other teams "try" to close the gap wouldn't it?
And yes, i rose to your bait - that's the only reason i can think why you would have posted your article.
Either that or you're arrogant, bad winner, etc etc. But i'm sure you're not.
Good article Akash.
Complain about this postOur Team India has been in the UK for quite some time. Fifteen days of test cricket, Five ODIs, and some three day fixtures have provided them with ample exposure to have a final go on this last leg of their eventful tour to Great Britain.
Our batsmen need to carry on the good work by building good partnerships and putting up huge totals. Our bowlers have been bowling good line and length. They need to keep an eye on the 'extras' .
Sachin, Saurav, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Karthick and Gambhir have shown good appetite at the crease. Let us wish Rahul and Co. all the very best this afternoon.
Complain about this posthi akash,
Complain about this postwith the ICL going great guns ( as of now) and weaning away the top crickters away from BCCI, affliated matches. Do u see a Kerry packer type
situation developing now
regds
kandarp
whats happened to cricket, it was a 5 day affair, came to 3 day matches , we had 60 over matches in England, then it was slashed to 50
and now 20 20 matches.
what are we heading to 5 5 match?
Complain about this postThe concept of 550 runs being used as a yardstick for a good game seems to be a bad one. As a fan I would far prefer to see bowlers containing the powerful hitters and tactical nous being deployed and a side defending a low total - thanks to astute captaincy, fine fielding and accurate and incisive bowling.
Granted the TV viewers apparently seem to be wooed by the sixes flayed to all corners of the ground - Ruud Gullit would doubtless make them the staple of "Sexy Cricket". For me, however, the most exciting clash of all still remains an attritional one, which is not necessarily high-scoring and one in which maybe there is a tussle with a first innings total defended successfully despite only 350 runs on the board. Sadly they are few and far between...
Complain about this postWell India have just been murderedi n the first ODI by England, so much for India having the edge.
Complain about this postDhoni is one of the best finishers in the game????
You have got to be kidding me. He's a slogger and he always will be.
When you think if great finishers, you think of people like Bevan who have all the strokes and use them to control the pace in a calculated manner.
Dhoni just blasts away and hopes.
Complain about this postAakash, after the result of the first one day, i seriously think that Team India need 5 full time bowlers as England are always going to try to take advantage of the part-timers and it is going to cost too many runs...
how about in this order:
Karthik
Tendulkar
Ganguly
Dravid
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Powar
Khan
Rp Singh
Munaf
Sreesanth ( i know he is not in squad but we need him back!)
Can you send this line up to the India team?
Complain about this postAlthough Karthik was very good in the test series, don't we think that someone like Pathan will be better for the ODIs. A case can be made that Pathan is better suited to bat at number seven. Besides, he can bowl too.
Complain about this postINDIA will bounce back in the one day series
with England, and will win the series 5-2.
INDIA just needs to bowl well.
And 2002 Natwest final is still fresh in our minds
Complain about this posti agree with tapas my large wicket haul is very impressive
Complain about this postDefinitely, India has become a more stable side. But they should start looking forward to life without players like Dravid & Tendulkar.....
Complain about this postAussie Scott a bad winner? Surely not, it can't be the same Aussie Scott as last winter can it?! ;-)
Complain about this postIn repsonce to point 41 by Adam.
Dhoni is indeed one of the best finishers of the game, and your suggestion that Dhoni is a slogger shows you havnt seen him and India play that often and becuase he plays the big shots sterotype him as being a no brianer slogger.
The one day series against Pakistan where he came in at 4,5,6 and took india to da finsih line to win 5 matches is just one example.
Matches against Sri Lanka also come to mine.
Please only make commnets about players you see regulary.
You only embarass yourself if you make stereo type conclusions about them.
Complain about this postIf its true embers is out and Shane is in there could be a weakness in the batting order. Embers has been a run machine of late
Complain about this postKandarp: You say the 2002 Nat West final is fresh in your minds, how about the World Cup 2007?
Complain about this postYes those were the days of Dada Ganguly leading Team India to glory. Those were the days when Nawab of Najafgarh was firing it on all cylinders! Those were the days when we were winning matches.
Lets hope that those days comes back soon.
-Stella Roy
Complain about this postAgarkar looked listless, lacklustre & hopelessly out of touch.
Agarkar did not have the bite in his bowling, neither was accurate. he needs to show more verve , cmon he is playing for his country not for his school or college club.
No wonder is is not a regular of the side, he does not need any pity.
Complain about this postIn Response to Stevie Hull Question
Well the 2007 World Cup? It was one bad match and some poor thinking did us in. We will like to forget that as a bad dream. WORLD CUP 2007 FINAL Between SL & AUS was a huge anti climax,
wasnt it? Its a tournament we all would like to forget.
Not to worry, India will win the on going series
5-2 or rather 6-1 maybe.
bye
Complain about this postWill the selectors now accept that Broad is a much better prospect than Tremlett be it in one day matches or a Test. He bowls with more fight and better direction and determination. He is a better fielder and a much better batsman.
Complain about this postThe boys let me down last night, i've been preforming to very high standards but feel others have let me down in my quest for a trophy
Complain about this postakash sum interestin comments i belive that the thing that lost us the gme yesterday was the feilding i was there and the likes of ian bell and paul collingwood and kevin peiterson were excellent while india made sum very bad fumbles also i belive that agarkar shud hav played he is the onli speacilast death bowler and he strengthans the batting but im sure we will pick ourselves up frm our defeat and win the series. cummon india!!
Complain about this post