Team India's pathetic performance in WC2007 was enough to draw me out of hibernation. The fact that we were knocked out early was worsened by the fact that it was our Asian neighbors who were responsible. Honestly, I was pretty hopeful of our teams chances this WC. A mix of age and experience, a balanced bowling lineup, tons of class......what went wrong ? Perhaps-and this only a psycho-analyst can tell-is the fact that the WC didnt really mean much. Sure its the biggest event in the game, but coming as it did after tons of faceless onedayers meant we had jaded and flat players, instead of zest and verve. Compared to Aussies of the Lankans we look like a bunch of oldies out for a stroll rather than teenagers on a sprint.
I hope Sachin now quits ODIs. He has been a part of 5 campaigns and has served India with more distinction and honor than anyone else. But after 300 plus games the biggest prize in cricket still eludes him and while that is no reflection on the man himself, it is a fair commentary on his and his teammates inability to rise over the ocassion when required. In 96' SL knocked us out on a that treacherous track in Eden Gardens, in 2000 Aussies showed us the door in the SuperSixes and in 2003 we couldnt even start the chase. All do-or-die games where we came up short. Its time seniors give way to some young blood and Sachin will hopefully recognise that. He had one thing left to prove and now that chance is lost. While that will not diminish him, hanging around for another season and scoring in meaningless ODI's will surely not add to his luster. Karl Malone doesnt own a NBA ring, Pete Sampras never won the French though tennis is an individual sport.
A revamp at the domestic level is required. Ranji cricket is now more competitive, but top teams and players need to play against more often rather than once or twice a season on fair tracks. BCCI needs to stop treating ODIs as a cash cow. A look into the season schedule is required. The amount of cricket needs to be cut down to less ~30 ODI's per season along.
I hope Sachin now quits ODIs. He has been a part of 5 campaigns and has served India with more distinction and honor than anyone else. But after 300 plus games the biggest prize in cricket still eludes him and while that is no reflection on the man himself, it is a fair commentary on his and his teammates inability to rise over the ocassion when required. In 96' SL knocked us out on a that treacherous track in Eden Gardens, in 2000 Aussies showed us the door in the SuperSixes and in 2003 we couldnt even start the chase. All do-or-die games where we came up short. Its time seniors give way to some young blood and Sachin will hopefully recognise that. He had one thing left to prove and now that chance is lost. While that will not diminish him, hanging around for another season and scoring in meaningless ODI's will surely not add to his luster. Karl Malone doesnt own a NBA ring, Pete Sampras never won the French though tennis is an individual sport.
A revamp at the domestic level is required. Ranji cricket is now more competitive, but top teams and players need to play against more often rather than once or twice a season on fair tracks. BCCI needs to stop treating ODIs as a cash cow. A look into the season schedule is required. The amount of cricket needs to be cut down to less ~30 ODI's per season along.
