Lessons from the Hyderabad ODI

The Indians lost yet again in the ongoing India v Australia series by a close margin in Hyderabad. Despite Sachin Tendulkar’s pyrotechnics, the Indians could not get their 3^rd win in the series.

It panned out in such a way that Praveen Kumar was trying yet again (thrice in this series has he tried and failed) to single-handedly take India through the finishing line. Shane Watson proved to be the thorn in India’s flesh, just like Mohali.

Where did India fail then? 2 Australian actions on view were very interesting to watch:

• The run-out of Ravinder Jadeja. Forget the young man’s suicidal tendencies to run for anything and everything. The ball went to Cameron White and he could have tried to become a hero by throwing down the stumps. Instead, he reduced the chances of failing to almost none by throwing it to the bowler Clint McKay who was doing the right job by running to the stumps.
• The run-out of Praveen Kumar that ended the match. Nathan Hauritz fielded the ball cleanly and threw the ball to the gloves of Manou before PK could reach the crease. There were no fumbles by both the players involved.

Both these actions showed that in pressure, the Australian team could think straight and clean. This is essentially the difference between winning and losing. Probably, this is what MS Dhoni was referring to, in his post-match conference. Obviously, talent and temperament are other factors that matter in a close battle like this, as well. But, the ability to do their tasks (fielding, deciding where to throw the ball back) is something that the Aussies do better (even if it was a debutant like McKay).

SRT should be praised for the great innings he played last night but the innings was destined to end as the 3^rd highest score in a losing cause. The fact that Sachin has six of the top seven scores in a losing cause says something – obviously, lack of support at the other end (like yesterday) would be the first reason. One only hopes that Sachin will get enough reasons to celebrate his records in the near future, if his team-mates can learn from the master innings that was on show in Hyderabad.

The fact that Australia could put up a score of 350 itself is reason for worry. Agreed that the pitch was doing nothing – but this was the same pitch where Harbhajan Singh and Shane Watson bowled with discipline.

For the next match, what should MSD do?

• Ask his team to field in the same way that they have done the last 2 matches,
  
• Start taking their catches,
  
• Replace Munaf Patel with Amit Mishra. The Aussies have not been able to score against the spinners as much as they have against the faster bowlers. Why not pack the bowling with spin options?
  
• Suggest the batsmen to make their starts count, especially Viru Sehwag. Also, the batsmen should ensure that they stay at the crease till the last ball is delivered. No point in getting out before the overs are exhausted.

Lets hope the Indians come back in the next match and make the final ODI meaningful.

PS – One day earlier to the match, 12-year-old Sarfaraz Khan blasted 439, the highest individual score ever made in the Harris Shield tournament (best known for the 664-run stand in 1988 that brought Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli into the limelight). Is there a future Sachin in the horizon? Maybe not – check this piece.

D-day at IPL2

After 58 matches, the D-day has arrived. 2 players who have retired from international cricket are at the helm of the teams who have qualified for the final. Players who haven't been given the chance to captain their country for a long period (for whatever reasons it might be). In fact, they were not the first-choice captains for their franchisees also!!! Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman captained last year whereas Kevin Pietersen was the first-choice for Bangalore this year.

Teams who were placed at the last 2 positions in IPL1 have proved that they have learnt the lessons and implemented the action-items this year. Nobody would have given them any chance this year after the way both teams flopped last year. Except the team members themselves. There is a right mix of experience and youth in both teams. Both teams have the essential ingredients to succeed:

• Overseas players who add to the balance of the team - Adam Gilchrist, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Symonds, Ryan Harris for the Deccan Chargers whereas Mark Boucher, Ross Taylor, Kallis, Van Der Merwe provide the charge for the Royal Challengers
• Indian players who provide the backup strength to the team - Rohit Sharma, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha for Hyderabad whereas Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Anil Kumble give adequate strength to the Bangalore team

The Bangalore team has won 5 games in a row - have they peaked just before the finals? The players might have their off day today - the law of averages might work against them also. Will Bangalore bring back Steyn for the finals?

The Hyderabadis could find themselves against a team that has worked very well as a team. It has depended on the individual brilliance of Gilchrist or Symonds or Rohit. Their failures might expose them in the final. Did Adam Gilchrist's knock come a match early?

The pitch is another aspect that will play a big role. How will the slow bowlers perform, especially the non-regular ones? I would say that there is a 50-50 chance for either team to win the final - no one starts as clear favorites. A good contest is on cards today - let us hope everyone gets their money's worth.

If pushed to a wall, I would choose 'Deccan Chargers' to win the title. Wait and Watch!!!