A Stubborn Captain And Some Inspiration
Why would you choose to bowl first on a seam-friendly track and then open with your spinners twice in a row?
Are they batsmen, are they bowlers, are they in the team to just make up the numbers, does the captain not like the other players warming the benches? Why were Jadeja and Pathan playing against WI after repeated failures?
Were these mistakes repeated just so that the stubborn captain could try and prove that his tactics and team selections were actually a work of genius, and just did not work in the match against Australia for some reason? Is this one of the reasons why we are almost out of the tournament??
Why…why…why would the batsmen in a team, who are supposed to be “the strength of the team” no less, not even try and apply themselves when chasing a decent score? Twice in a row?
Screw you Men In Blue. Pfft. I’ll follow the girls instead. You would do well to take some inspiration from them yourselves. Two S/F appearances in two T20 WCs. (Dear reader, did you see what the girls did to SL today, yet?
Btw, the senior members of the One day team have rebelled big time against BCCI. They can’t stand playing SL anymore, so they’ve pulled out of the Triangular tournament in Zimbabwe altogether. I know. I know. The BCCI is trying to avoid this scandal by saying stuff like “We are resting the seniors” etc. But trust me. That’s all boo-hockey. Revolt is in the air.
Among other things I’m particulary in agreement with you on “these mistakes repeated just so that the stubborn captain could try and prove that his tactics and team selections were actually a work of genius”.
Of late, Dhoni has increasingly taken the “man with a Midas touch” too seriously. And that costed us. If we say our strength is batting; then we should be batting first as a policy; with exceptions when really needed.
In short if winning is difficult; why put extra burden by chasing a score set by the opposition; by thrashing a bowling attack, which we say is weak.
[Reply]
Megha Reply:
May 11th, 2010 at 13:37
Cheers Anil. You know what they say..those who dont learn from history are condemned to repeat it. If Dhoni doesnt learn even now, we will see a repeat of last year. No S/F berth for India. I do admire Dhoni, yes. But as you say..he needs to stop taking his “man with a Midas touch” status too seriously.
[Reply]
A Bisht
11 May 10 at 12:48
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CricketUA CARTOONS, Megha. Megha said: At SillyMaidon – A stubborn captain and something to cheer about http://bit.ly/dmdyER [...]
Tweets that mention A Stubborn Captain And Some Inspiration at Silly M(a)id-on -- Topsy.com
11 May 10 at 13:40
I have to completely agree with you..I also want to see what is Yuvraj up to! I think he has decided to take his revenge by scoring 1 run every match!
[Reply]
Megha Reply:
May 11th, 2010 at 22:36
oh…how could i forget fatboy?? he hasnt stopped sulking yet it seems
[Reply]
Anusha
11 May 10 at 19:54
Hi,
I too agree with all of you. Dhoni’s belief that he has the “midas’ touch” is his weakness. I remember him once boast of his “gut sense” leadership. When i would expect a captain to lead by good cricket sense.
This has also been a team failure. Big names with little contribution.
Two reasons jumps to mind.
1. the entire team (exc RJ) were involved in the IPL, playing in that hot humid atmosphere for 6 weeks is bound to leave them exhausted, even the young legs.
2. They have also been given a comfort zone in the IPL. Once contracted, regardless of how awful they play for the national team will not affect their huge earnings.
[Reply]
Megha Reply:
May 11th, 2010 at 22:56
Hello
good to see you back!
I’m no fan of IPL myself (although I suspect we have different reasons for not liking it
). But even so, I wouldnt put blame on IPL solely. Bcoz if the team wouldnt have been playing IPL, i’m sure they would have been playing something else somewhere. And getting exhausted.
Whether the IPL earnings mean that players dont give impc to national duties remains to be seen. Bcoz as of now, only good performances at the international and domestic level will get players good contracts. So the incentive is there to play well.
[Reply]
©hinaman Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 15:59
Hi Megha,
nice to know am still remembered.
I will take it a step further to say I am not a fan of T20. I watched a few IPL matches and hold onto my convictions.
But I am worried about Team India in general. As many of the T20 players will also be representing India in the longer formats.
Dhoni has blamed the IPL partynights – that is part of the problem.
I believe in burnouts. As it is more prevalent in tasks with lesser incentives – IPL will effect our players physically and also psychologically. Their priorities are bound to change.
The IPL was held when India had no fixtures in the FTS calendar. But the players had 6 weeks rushing around, 7 away matches with return journeys. For some away from home. Even if fatigued, they will opt not to rest during IPL – (I do not grudge them for it) – but there will always be a price to pay. This is the second time T20WC followed IPL and our team played below their potential.
BTW, Yuvraj I do not think is well – physically or menntally. He should not be playing. I saw him during the IPL matches – he is not his usual self. A strange vacant look on his face even on the field. Something is seriously wrong with him.
[Reply]
Megha Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 23:45
In general, yes, the IPL concerns me too. Agree with u re the points that u raised. 6-7 weeks, 90-odd matches (from what we hear for IPL4), players reluctant to skip IPL even if fatigued. We can only hope that IPL is not extended beyond these 7 weeks, and the Board does not cram each and every vacant day with pointless series after pointless series, allowing players time to recover.
Yuvi i think, needs some rest. A timeout to get back in shape and rediscover his mojo. Though I dont see him as a Test prospect, he is a valuable limited-over player, imp to India’s plans for WC2011.
[Reply]
©hinaman
11 May 10 at 21:32
Speaking of IPL, When CSK had a tough time reaching semis..And Dhoni punched himself when they finally made it to the semis..He said that the franchises spend so much on them players and they are expected to atleast reach the semi finals..
I wish they played the WC with the same spirit..
I hope they play the WC with the same spirit..
[Reply]
Megha Reply:
May 12th, 2010 at 17:42
I hope so too dear..I hope Dhoni understands the kind of time and energy and emotions us fans invest in these players. Perhaps we also deserve to see our team in the semis at least?
On another note, I cannot believe the kind of things Dhoni has been saying for the past few weeks. Part of it makes no sense at all, he contradicts himself sometimes, and some of it is just the usual banal stuff ppl usually say. What happened to the refreshingly honest Dhoni??
[Reply]
Anusha
12 May 10 at 00:48
what disappoints me the most is the fact that dhoni is actually finding excuses against his failures, and of course he were to pick up IPL as an excuse, you are safe, as everybody bashes the tournament..
I am disappointed with msd, big time!
[Reply]
Megha Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 23:12
Ankit, if you are talking about his “party” quote, I’m not sure that is what he was getting at. I think he has been misunderstood on that one. I’m disappointed in him too, that he chose to give these vague reasons like “This is the best we’ve got” etc. He should have admitted the mistakes that were made.
[Reply]
Ankit Poddar
13 May 10 at 03:31
megha,
be great and allow all padded up on your blog roll.. you are on theirs…. for a long time!
http://all-padded-up.blogspot.com/
[Reply]
Megha Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 23:21
it’s already there sire! been for a long time too
[Reply]
Ankit Poddar
13 May 10 at 03:33
Never saw the whining side of MSD. Someone plz tell him Indian cricketers always partied, official or not. I know G Viswanath was once so drunk that he missed the bus to Kotla and by the time he was ferried into the ground, he had to pad up. GV returned with a century against his name in that match. Not preaching alcohol and lack of sleep are sureshot ways to score a ton. But blaming IPL parties for T20 debacle in WI won’t find much taker, MS.
[Reply]
Megha Reply:
May 13th, 2010 at 23:20
Interesting story re GV. tbh, i have no issues with players partying away as long as they understand their capabilities. As in, if they know they can handle partying/drinking/etc and return to the field the next day or next week or whenever and be their best, more power to them! I would be concerned if
a) they arent in the best of form, and instead of putting in time in the nets, practising, they give more impc to partying, OR
b) they didnt want to attend those parties but were forced to (there were such reports even before the WC, dont know if they are to be believed or not)
[Reply]
©hinaman Reply:
May 14th, 2010 at 00:36
@ Som,
I am not contradicting what you say. There are similar anecdotes about Ian Botham. There will always be some who are lucky to be able to hold focus on the field regardless of the excesses of the night before.
But in Vishwanath’s days, they did not play such hectic schedule of international matches – (no mushrooming silly ODIs or the various ‘geometrical’ ODI series.
Besides, cricket was a day time sport. Now matches are not just day night, but also late late night to midnight. Its madness. Must screw up their physiological body clocks.
Every players has the choice how they behave.
So does the selectors. They do not have to pick players based only on reputation.
[Reply]
Som
13 May 10 at 07:28
Hi Meg,
have a read of this,
http://www.hindustantimes.com/ipl-parties-the-inside-story/article1-543348.aspx
Even if half of it is true, it is sickening.
Its not just a matter of late night drinking during test matches, this is a frantic 6 weeks of booze, sex, ?drugs, travel and then without any rest expected to play again.
And fifty days of it, just a week before the WC.
Madness!!!
[Reply]
Megha Reply:
May 19th, 2010 at 14:26
Chinaman
Thanks for the link. If anything, this just reiterates the fact that the onus is on the players to understand their bodies and what they can or cannot do during tournaments (or even otherwise) to keep themselves match fit. If they know they have to travel, they have other sponsor commitments that they are contractually obligated to do, they have a match the next day, it is upto them as to whether they want to attend these late night parties or not. I’m sorry but the excuse that “you don’t want to be called “boring” ” or younger players being blinded by all the glitz and glamour just doesnt cut it with me. There are millions of youngsters who are exposed to such a party culture as a result of moving to a bigger city/abroad and face similar pressures of partying frequently or being seen as boring. Not everyone chooses to do it. I have no sympathy for anyone who isnt strong-willed enough to do what is right for him.
[Reply]
©hinaman Reply:
May 24th, 2010 at 21:44
I agree with you Meg.
Every player is an adult. Leastways presumed to be so. They are entirely responsible for their own health, welfare and career.
The responsiblity for the nation’s cricketing standards and performance lies with BCCI. It is their role to kick butts of players selected to represent the national team if they indulge in activities that will affect adversely. Hence during every tour or tournament there are strict curfews. Why was their no curfews during IPL?
Arjun Rampal in his interview has said the idea of the parties was so that ‘fans’ could (pay Rs 32000 per ticket) to get to meet and socialise with the players. To make that happen the IPL management had to ensure that players were present to party.
I accept the analogy of the youngsters being exposed to glitz and glamour. I also accept that is is hard to find sympathy for the weak who succumbs to temptations. But if that weak minded youngster is your child, would you not ground them?
If Dhoni has blamed the IPL parties, we should take that as a note of caution and not ridicule him.
[Reply]
©hinaman
19 May 10 at 13:12