Lessons to be learnt from Dambulla Loss

It was a very bad day at office for the indian cricket team on the night of 10th August. This night shall remain in the memory of MSDhoni for quite some time.Once the score board looked that India needed to score 289 to win the match at Dambulla the writing was always on the wall that India would be loosing the match. The surprise element was the margin of defeat.

There were many changes in the Indian team, which should have brought a new energy into the dressing room. I would again make a point here that playing in srilanka has its own challenges. Its a real test of fitness and stamina. The conditions are hot and humid,sapping lot of energy.This was one of the reasons why before any srilankan tour india used to have conditioning camp being held at chennai which have similar conditions.

The ODI sqaud was announced much before the Srilankan triseries started. Those of whoom had their names in the ODI squad ideally should either have come much before to colombo to get adjusted to the conditions or should have gone to chennai and played some cricket like it is done in a conditioning camp. Due to lack of these kinds of preparations we always do not get accustomed to the new conditions fast as a result we need to face these kinds of defeats.

Its a new learning for the Indian Cricket Team as well as the management to try and find out the reasons for failure and see that we do not repeat the same mistakes again and again.I am very sure that this cricket team shall bounce back in the coming cricket match and make a score which is definetly above 270 runs and shall again bring back laurels.

Science and Tradition: A prelude to the triseries

Science and Tradition: A prelude to the triseries

A prelude to the triseries

As the curtains came down on the exciting Micromax Test series, there was a satisfaction at last that the dull second test match gave way to an thrilling last test match. Test cricket truly lived upto its expectation on the last test match where the seasaw battle between the Bat and Ball happend. Now the focus slowly moves to another form of cricket which is now under threat of loosing its importance and presence i.e. the ODI's. As the T20's gain more and more importance the ODI's are slowly loosing their sheen.

There must be some thing done in the ODI's format so that it keeps its audience.In the recent past some changes have been made like the power plays, the substitution rule getting experimented as a result the ODI is still able to get its share of audience. Nevertheless coming to the upcoming triseries starting from the 10th of August, much will depend on how the teams get adjusted quickly to the conditions in srilanka. Dambulla cricket stadium in which the cricket matches are being played.It is one of those tricky stadia's in the world where the Toss does play a vital role in the end result of the match. The lights in this stadium is not that great and the ball does move under the lights.

The teams must evaluate their composition and study the conditions before announcing their teams. Horses for courses should be the approach that needs to be followed. The most flexible team which asseses the conditions better shall come out with flying colors. As a heads up i shall go with Srilanka as favourites to qualify till the last stage of this Triseries.

All the very best to teams, and I hope to see cliffhanger matches coming up.

Science and Tradition: Pakistans instability woes

Science and Tradition: Pakistans instability woes

Pakistans instability woes

As the second test at Edgabastion starts on the 6th of August, Salman Butt must be coming to terms with the fact "How difficult is to captain Pakistan Cricket Team?". People some times say that its difficult to be the captain of Indian Cricket Team, but i feel the most difficult part is to be the captain of the Pakistan cricket team. The difficulty is not only being able to manage the on field cricket activties like taking the right decisions at the right times but also off field activities such as overcoming the fear that till "When will my job as a captain last?". In case i loose this match "How many enquires i need to face?" "What kind of match fixing allegations will come up?" etc.

Its not just cricket thats bothering Pakistan team but more of these external questions. The Pakistani players are talented enough to be named as "Mercurial Giants". They can do wonders on a given day. The only thing that Pakistan lacks is consistency. The lack of consistency is mainly because the players always live in fear. I heard once Saqlin Mushtaq, whoom i consider was a guy who could have given a real run to both Shane Warne and Murali say "I play every match as if it is my last match". This statement itself talks about the fear of Instability in the Pakistan Cricket team. When Greg Chappel was inducted as a coach of the Indian Cricket Team he tried to introduce this kind of turbulence into the Indian Team and the results every one knows.

Pakistan cricket now needs more of a psycho therapy rather than a capable cricket coach or a manager. The players do not have faith over the administration. The fear of not only loosing the place in the cricket team but also the fear to face the numerous enquires in case of non performance is hurting pakistan cricket. It would good for Pakistan cricket if they give time for the team to settle and the necessary psychological support for their team to perform. In case these steps doesnt happen then Pakistan will not only be loosing good players but also be loosing the number of younger talented players would not like to play for their country. As a result it will go the way in which West Indies and Zimbabwe have gone.

Its a wake up call for the Pakistan Cricket administrators rather than to the Pakistan Cricket Team.