Bobji, Author at Cricket Critique

The Kohli Gambhir spat

Posted on 6 May 20231 January 2024 by Bobji

If we are under the impression that cricket at the highest level is played amongst men and women who have matured enough to represent their respective countries or states or franchise, Kohli and Gambhir have proved us wrong. It was childish for 2 grownups to be arguing in full view of the media and thereby the wider audience. It is immaterial what said what and who started it. The fact of the matter is that young boys and girls, who were watching the game, are bound to be misled because of such ridiculous behaviour. It also made for ugly viewing on the TV. The media will not mind stooping too low either just to enhance their TRP. This is my view on the Kohli Gambhir spat.

Both of them does not seem to realise the impact or seriousness of their actions. Gambhir is not an ordinary cricketer or a coach of a franchise. He is a MP of the ruling government and as such his behaviour in public is expected to be of a higher standard. For someone to gesture to the Bangalore crowd to keep their mouths shut speaks of arrogance. It is afterall a bloody IPL game. This was not even an international fixture. Ofcourse, such behaviour must not be condoned anywhere but this was at the very basic, a game between 2 Indian franchises played mostly among Indians.

Both of them abused and insulted Indians

Gambhir and Kohli by their rude gestures have insulted every Indian. It is the plain fact. Gambhir first of all must not have gestured to the crowd. His job is to ensure that his franchise wins the most number of games to qualify for the playoffs and perhaps win the title. Nothing more nothing less. The interaction of any player with the crowd is quite minimal. They are performers who are expected to perform to the best of their ability and soak in the accolades that may come their way. That is the extent of their interaction with the crowd. The crowd can be abusive, they can be intimidating. If every player reacts to everything that is being said beyond the boundary, there will only be mayhem and not a game of cricket.

Kohli’s continued intransigence

Kohli on the otherhand, is downright abusive to anyone and everyone on the field of play. If he is not playing for the most powerful sporting body on the planet, he would have been banned a longtime ago. His arrogant and pompous attitude has rubbed many the wrong way. This wasn’t the first time he has gestured to the crowd. He has done that in multiple countries. He somehow gets away with it every single time. Not long ago, he was seen shouting at the stump mic in South Africa. It not only made him look ridiculous but it embarrassed the entire country. He was made fun of for his stupid act.

Gambhir had tweeted following that game, “This is really bad,” he said. “What Kohli did: going near the stump mic and reacting in that manner that is really immature. This is not what you expect from an international captain; from an Indian captain.”

The same Gambhir, being an MP has done exactly the same. His tweet is applicable to him. This is not what you expect from an MP, a ruling party MP.

The punishment must be severe

It is time to stop saying that that is how he plays. This must stop and stop now. It will not be wrong for both Kohli and Gambhir to be made an example. The 100% match fee fine is nothing for either of them. Especially Kohli who earns in the millions. The punishment must be severe. Both of them must be fined 10 CR and banned from the IPL for the entire season. The ban must be further extended until the money is paid. They must be hit where it really hurts. Players are all role models for the younger generation but if they are not at their best behaviour, they must be shown their place by means of strict action.

Faf disappointing and careless statement

Faf Plessis cannot escape responsibility either. He is the captain and as such he is required to handle such things in a mature way but his reaction after the incident was a big letdown. “Aggression is the best version of Virat, isn’t it? To see him pumped up like that, that’s when he is at his very best. So it is really awesome to be a part of it and my job is to keep things calm on the field, which I thought that I did really well,” Du Plessis chuckled during the post-match interview.

When I first read that, I just couldn’t believe my eyes and then I consoled myself that Faf does not really care. Afterall, it is just an IPL game and it does not belong to his country. He is here in India as a mercenary and once the job is done, he will go away. He does not have anything to lose.

What about the Indian board?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is equally responsible for Kohli’s continued abusive behaviour and the ugly spat. If only they had taken action against Kohli a few years ago, things would not have descended to this low. The fact that he usually gets away with everything he does, has actually emboldened Kohli to continue with such outrageous behaviour.

The board which is the custodian of Indian cricket is duty-bound to enhance the image of Indian cricket and its players. They cannot wash their hands off everytime by imposing a token fine. Something drastic as I had mentioned above must be done to improve behaviour. Nothing of this sort must ever be seen on live television ever again. Both the players, especially, Kohli, must be made an example out of. No matter how great a player you are, if your behaviour is not satisfying, you deserve what you get.

Midseason review of the IPL 2023

Posted on 29 April 20231 January 2024 by Bobji

Half of the games are completed in the IPL, with Rajasthan Royals leading the way. There were some close games but overall, this has been a tournament for the batsmen as usual. Just that this season, the batsmen have dominated the season even more than in the previous seasons. The number of 200+ scores is incredible and those scores being chased down are even more mindboggling. These games are driving home the point that bowlers are becoming irrelevant in the game. I will leave that for another day. For now, midseason review of the IPL 2023.

Delhi Capitals

Contrary to expectations, Delhi has completely gone off the boil. They have flamboyant batsmen from the top in Warner, Shaw, Marsh and a good finisher in Axar Patel. For some reason, they have not prospered as they were expected to. Prithvi Shaw, it is increasingly becoming clearer that he is not international material. He refuses to work hard and is adamant not to change his game. Ofcourse, he will go back to Ranji Trophy and thrash all those hapless bowlers to all parts of the ground but even in the alright standard of IPL bowling, he is found wanting.

Ponting by now must have lost his patience with Shaw. Before the start of the tournament, Ponting expected a refreshed Shaw but what transpired was the same old one. Warner’s struggle at the top and Marsh’s inability to score had added to their woes. They are not in a position to qualify for playoffs; at the halfway stage, their tournament is over.

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians

As for SRH, nothing seems to go right for them. For 3 seasons in a row. The unceremonious sacking of Warner a couple of seasons ago, from then on, it has been slide. The top order is not scoring runs as well as the middle-order. Bowlers are not able to restrict the opposition. Kumar, usually a dependable bowler for SRH, has been out of sorts. The multi-million dollar signing of Harry Brook bore fruit in one game. Spectacularly at that but has generally found the pitches tough for his strokeplay. To make matters worse, he even commented against the Indians which was not in good taste. Sundar, I have always said he is a good batsman than a bowler. Ofcourse, he may have been a misfit in T20 but if he is in the squad, he must bat in the top order.

Mumbai Indians have gone off the rails. With so much firepower missing in their ranks, like the Pandya brothers, it is not surprising to see them languishing at the bottom. Bumrah’s absence is telling but he could not have done anything to improve the scoring.

Royal Challengers Bangalore, Lucknow Supergiants

RCB’s batting is exceptionally brittle. The stalwarts Faf Plessis, Kohli and Maxwell are amongst the runs but they are incapable of chasing tall scores. They need support in the middle order and at the moment, it is not forthcoming. Rajat Patidar’s injury is a big blow but the management must utilise the existing resources properly. Shahbaz Ahmed does not know what his role in the team is. It is time to look beyond Harshal Patel as a death bowler. Perhaps, Karthik can open the innings with either of Faf or Kohli going down the order to bolster the middle-order. With the existing batting and flawed thinking, I do not see RCB proceeding to the playoffs.

Rahul is at it again. He is a complete misfit in T20. It is clear as day. Opponents are happy to let Rahul bat as long as he can because they know pretty well that he will make the chase difficult or setting a high score difficult. I have often said this. Rahul in white-ball cricket is a good middle-order batsman but a complete novice as an opener. The Indian selectors finally realised that have dropped Rahul from T20. The Lucknow management may not drop him but atleast must remove him from captaincy and make him play at number 5.

The table toppers

Hardik Pandya has not done his chances of leading the Indian white-ball teams in the near future any harm. Placed 2^nd with 5 wins in 7 games is an impressive record. Sai Sudharshan has been a revelation this season. In a team of explosive hitters, he has left his own imprint.

For some reason, CSK always performs. There was one season during which they finished at the bottom from mostly, CSK has been a consistent side. They are the Germans of IPL. Always finishing in the top 4. Moreover, discards from other squads, perform well when they are in CSK colours. Rahane who hardly played while in other side, has unveiled his aggressive side. Same with Shivam Dube who literally could not lay a bat on the ball and is now scoring 50s at will. Moeen Ali, though not as successful this season, was the mainstay in 2022. Something really clicks in that franchise. Ben Stokes hasn’t played in a majority of the games yet, CSK find ways to win.

Rajasthan Royals are the team to defeat. Buttler is in blazing form and so is Samson but the find must be Dhruv Jovel. Having spent the entire season on the bench in 2022, he has shown his skills with the bat.

Wrapping up the Midseason review of the IPL 2023

CSK, RR & Gujarat are more or less assured of a spot in the playoffs. The remaining one will be a tight race between RCB, Lucknow and the rest.

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Kohli livid at RCB’s yet another loss

Posted on 29 April 20231 January 2024 by Bobji

Virat Kohli, the stand-in captain of RCB in the absence of Faf Plessis was quite critical of the team after their loss to KKR in Bangalore. Perhaps, he is right but that does not change the fact that RCB has probably the most imbalanced side and lack of good batsmen in the middle. It is not of much use if you blame the players alone when the whole combination is completely skewed. It is tough to see RCB progressing to the playoffs with such a combination, leave alone winning the tournament. Kohli livid at RCB’s yet another loss.

Kohli’s words

“To be honest, we handed over the game to them,” Kohli told the host broadcaster after the match. “We deserved to lose because we weren’t professional enough in the field. The bowlers hit decent areas, but we didn’t hold on to our chances. That’s what you call a freebie in T20 cricket and we literally handed them a victory, which for me is not ideal because we take pride in the way we play and tonight we weren’t up to standard and something we are not shy to admit. “[There were] a few instances where we didn’t capitalise during crunch moments. In the field, there was a period of four-five overs where we dropped the chances and that costs us about 25-30 runs in the end.”

All of this is true. Siraj did drop the easiest catch at mid-wicket when Rana had scored only 5. Rana went onto smash 48 of just 21 deliveries. He was again dropped in the very next over. These runs ultimately proved to be the difference in the end.

What is the role of some players?

Ofcourse these dropped catches cost RCB the game but it does not have to be it if only they had good cricketers. RCB’s is top heavy. In an effort to avoid that, Maxwell has started to come in at number 4 but who do they play at number 3? Shahbaz Ahmed. If I were the opponent captain, I will be smiling to see Shahbaz come in at that spot. I will ensure that the bowlers bowl as much as possible to him so that the asking rate raises. What sort of management will send Shahbaz at that crucial spot? What is his exact role in the team? He does not bowl his full quota and whenever he gets a chance to bowl, he is literally shown every corner of the ground.

RCB seriously need to rethink the contribution of Shahbaz. They can very well argue that the unexpected injury to Rajat Patidar has taken their planning for a toss but just one batsman’s injury should not affect an entire side. IPL’s rules state that any franchise is well within its rights to opt for a replacement incase someone is injured.

RCB must realise that T20 is a high-risk game. It simply is not possible to survive with just 3 batsmen. Moreover, Maxwell will have to take much more responsibility than just trying to hit every delivery out of the ground. In 8 games, he has scored 3 50s but in four games, fell for single-digit scores. In the absence of proper middle and lower order, the onus is on Maxwell to bat right through.

Prabhudesai, is he a batsman? If so, what is he doing so low down the order? It is simply poor planning.

Wrapping up Kohli livid at RCB’s yet another loss

With this batting, it is difficult to see RCB progress to the playoffs. Nothing less than a miracle will be required.

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Gavaskar feels Rohit needs to rest

Posted on 29 April 202329 April 2023 by Bobji

Mumbai Indians are struggling in the ongoing IPL 2023. They started disastrously by losing all 4 games but improved, only slightly, winning 2 games. Rohit at the top of the order is not able to provide the team with flying starts with Ishan Kishan too playing sedately. Gavaskar feels Rohit needs to rest. Perhaps, there is merit in such an argument. More than IPL, it is India that needs a fully fit and committed Rohit Sharma for the WTC Final at Lord’s. If taking a break from cricket will do him a world of good, so be it.

“I would like to see some change in the batting order [for Mumbai Indians],” Gavaskar said on Star Sports after Mumbai Indians lost by 55 runs to Gujarat Titans on Tuesday. “Honestly, I would also say that Rohit should maybe also take a break for the time being, and keep himself fit for the World Test Championship [final]. [He can] come back again for the last few matches, but right now, [he should] take a little bit of a breather himself.”

Rohit’s game does not suit T20

Rohit is not a natural at T20 cricket. He is someone who needs time to get into a groove before unleashing the range of shots that he is capable of. T20 cricket is a complete anti-thesis of how Rohit plays. Viewed from that angle, it is only natural that Rohit has not been at his fluent. Not just this year but over the last 2-3 years. Added to that is his lack of fitness. He is not a natural athlete.

In T20, in keeping with the modern trend, he tries to go overboard way too quickly. Contrary to how he wants to proceed. As a result, either he gets out too soon or he does not go onto a bigger match-defining score. He clearly is out of sorts in this format of the game. It was all too visible while playing for India and now, it is becoming increasingly visible in the IPL too.

There are bigger things ahead

Captaincy has come to Rohit towards the end of his career. He made his debut much before Kohli but his inability to perform consistently ensured that he was not the natural successor to Dhoni. Instead, it was Kohli who usurped him.

The WTC Final will be held in the 2^nd week of June. 10 days from the end of the IPL. This is the game that is much more important than any IPL Trophy. India has not won any ICC tournament in 10 years though they have repeatedly threatened to do so. Rohit had a couple of opportunities to set the record straight but in both tournaments, India fell short.

Rohit is in the twilight of his career. He is unlikely to be around in any format in a couple of years from now. Already, he is not in the scheme for the Indian T20 squad. Pandya has taken over the mantle from him for T20. Every scenario points to Pandya leading India in the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies. If Gujarat Titans win the IPL 2023, it will be confirmed.

Under such an eventuality, Rohit has only a couple of opportunities to leave an imprint on the Indian cricketing scene as a captain. He missed that one opportunity to win a series in England and become only the 4^th Indian captain to do so. He again missed a golden chance to win a series in South Africa and become the first-ever Indian captain to do so. Yes, he has won quite a few series against Australia, England and New Zealand but they have all come at home. Rohit desperately needs a tournament win so that his legacy is intact. Inorder to do so, he has got one opportunity in just over a month.

Mumbai cannot qualify

There is no way Mumbai will be able to qualify for the playoffs. They are all but certain to be ruled out. They will have to win all their remaining games to atleast be in contention but judging by their progress so far, that is ruled out. Hence, Rohit will do well to heed Gavaskar’s advise. Gavaskar himself has commented that, “It’s going to be a miracle that’s going to make them qualify [for the IPL playoffs],” Gavaskar said. “The way they are at the moment, yes, they could conceivably finish [at number] four, but they will have to play some extraordinary cricket, both batting as well as bowling.”

Not long ago, Rohit himself talked about the importance of winning the WTC Final and keeping the players fresh for the summit clash. Let us not be in any illusion of us winning the last couple of Test series in Australia. In England that too with The Ashes coming up, Australia will be completely prepared. They will be tough to defeat never mind the recent series defeat in India. India needs to be at their best to defeat the best and Rohit must lead the team from the front. He was the standout Indian batsman during the 2020 England tour. He has come a long way after starting to open the innings. With the suspect Pujara, Kohli and Rahane in the squad, everything depends on the start Rohit provides the team with.

Wrapping up Gavaskar feels Rohit needs to rest

Gavaskar is right in suggesting Rohit take a break until the WTC Final. Perhaps, a few games in English County can help him to get into the red-ball groove. Well, this is against taking a break but a red-ball game, away from the eyes of everyone, if Rohit can score runs there, it will not only increase his confidence tremendously but it will also help the Indian team enormously. Rohit must remember that he does not have too many tournaments in him to imprint his legacy as an Indian captain.

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Rahane is back in the Indian team

Posted on 29 April 202329 April 2023 by Bobji

Ajinkya Rahane, the much-beleaguered Indian batsman, is back in the Indian squad for the WTC final in England in June. First, it was Pujara and now, it is Rahane. Both the batsmen were dropped after the disastrous series in South Africa when it was no longer tenable to continue with the senior cricketers who were past their prime. The struggles of both Rahane and Pujara were simply unbearable, to say the least. Both of them were part of some historic wins. They have contributed handsomely. However, over the last 4 years, the runs have dried and so have the wins alongwith Kohli’s form. It was left to the bowlers to perform Houdini act most of the time and they weren’t successful. Now, Rahane is back in the Indian team.

It must be remembered that not long ago, Rahane was completely removed from the Indian players contract. He did not even find a spot in Category C. At that time, I had written that despite his being dropped, he must still be given a contract because it wasn’t that long ago. Never did I imagine that Rahane will find his way back into the squad.

What did Rahane do in the intervening period?

Well, he turned out for Mumbai during the hiatus period and emerged as the leading scorer with 634 runs including a double century against Hyderabad and a 191 against Assam. Now, it could be argued that both the oppositions has a weak bowling attack. It is true. For that matter, most if not all, of the teams in the Ranji Trophy have weak bowling attacks. The standard of Ranji Trophy is quite low but we will have to live with what we have. Now, these are impressive numbers but would that be enough for someone who is on the wrong side of the 30s and who had traditionally struggled, to be recalled?

Let me take the case of Pujara. He was quite flamboyant and extremely successful for Sussex in the English County Championship Division 2. He scored more than a thousand runs in a short period and those runs came at a fair clip. Pujara was so successful that he has now become the captain of Sussex. Perhaps, the only Indian to captain an English County side.

The curious case of Pujara

The board, the selectors and the team management were impressed and so were the rest of the country. There was a clamour for his recall into the side. He was recalled for the lone Test at Edgbaston. The result, there was absolutely no difference between the Pujara before he was dropped and the Pujara who was subsequently recalled. He struggled to time the ball and he struggled for scoring opportunities. His bat did not move beyond the hip. He stood rooted to the crease and for all that he has done for Sussex, this display at Edgbaston conclusively proved that the standard of English County is not that high. Though Pujara scored a hundred against Bangladesh, he wasn’t fluent at all against Australia.

I am not saying that a similar fate might befall Rahane but all I am saying is that is there any merit in choosing him? Perhaps, the selectors were handicapped because of the injury to Shreyas Iyer and the unimpressive Surya Yadav in the longest format. Also, the unavailability of Pant must have tied the hands of the selectors but none of these points to a recall for Rahane. India cannot keep going back to the tried and tested players whenever the selectors are in doubt. Sure, WTC Final calls for experience and the team has that in abundance. Kohli, Rohit, Pujara, Jadeja have been playing the game for over a decade. It would have made sense to blood-in a youngster in this game. If there isn’t anyone ready, it is the fault of the BCCI and the selectors for not producing enough talent.

A pitch that will help bowlers

The pitch will carry a lot more bounce than usual. ICC over the last several tournaments has ensured that the bowlers have a fair amount of support from the surface. That is the reason it is not that easy to find scores of over 325 that easily in ICC ODI tournaments when on the same ground, in other bilateral games, teams would have easily scored more than 350 and still felt vulnerable.

As such, it calls for 6 proper batsmen with 4 bowlers being enough. A youngster could have utilised this opportunity to play alongwith a Kohli or Rohit or Pujara to understand the nuances of the game at the highest level. Afterall, 5 experienced batsmen could easily shield a youngster. Now that chance has gone unutilised.

Now that Rahane is back in the squad, there is every chance that he will be part of the playing eleven. If the management decides to play 5 batsmen, Rahul will perhaps keep wickets instead of Bharat. I am afraid that this Indian team and Indian management and the Indian Board are running like headless chickens. They do not seem to have a plan for the future. Their actions are more like reactions than anything else. It is a shame that in a country with millions of cricketers, India is not able to find one batsman who could have been drafted instead of Rahane.

Wrapping up Rahane is back in the Indian team

Now that he is back, what are the chances of his longevity? Everything depends on this one performance. If he can perform a good job with the bat, he will continue for the next 2-3 years but India will be setback by 7-8 years because Rohit, Pujara, Kohli and Rahane are of the same age and are expected to retire with less time inbetween.

Please let me know what do you think of Rahane being in the squad. Do you think he deserves his spot or has the selectors blundered in not selecting a youngster who could go onto serve the country for a longer time?

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RCB and their nemesis CSK

Posted on 29 April 20231 January 2024 by Bobji

Have we not seen the script unfold time and time again? Royal Challengers Bangalore against Chennai Super Kings more often than not, ends up in favour of CSK. With last night’s win, CSK has won 50% more than RCB. It denotes significant domination on the part of CSK. The only difference was that this time, it was a high scoring contest. The game itself was breathtaking for some astounding shots. Cricket is a game for the batsmen and T20 more so at that, pitches like these will only kill the game sooner than expected. RCB and their nemesis CSK

RCB seems to be having problems everywhere. Lack of support for their main batsmen and a lack of quality bowlers. Every opponent realises that it is just a question of 3 wickets and the entire team will fold. That is exactly what happened last night at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The partnership between Faf Plessis and Maxwell was incredible. They scored 126 runs in just 61 deliveries. That is more than 2 runs for every delivery. Chasing a tall score, it was very much required. So long as both of them were at the crease,

RCB believed that they can pull off an incredible chase. However, at the back of their minds, they knew that one wicket could spell trouble and their fears turned out true. It just beggars belief how brittle the RCB’s batting order is. You just cannot have Shahbaz Ahmed walk in at number 5. The absence of Rajit Patidar is a major blow for RCB but it should not mean that the entire batting becomes somewhat suspect.

Problems for RCB

There are far too many liabilities in RCB. It really is a surprise that the management has persisted with these players for so long. Shahbaz Ahmed, I really do not know what is his role in the team. He does not bowl his full quota of overs. He does not have the power batting that is required from someone who comes in down the order. After the belligerence of Faf & Maxwell, it was purely down to Shahbaz’s wastage of deliveries, Bangalore fell behind the asking rate. Until Faf & Maxwell were batting, the asking rate was not only in control but it dropped by a couple of runs but Shahbaz’s batting brought the pressure right back on RCB.

Harshal Patel is another who is overrated. He had a fabulous season a couple of seasons ago and he was rewarded with a spot on the Indian side because of that. Thereafter, he was utterly exposed. The slower deliveries were became quite easy to pick. There is a big difference between bowling one ball at 145KMPH and the very next one at 115KMPH.

The batsman will be flummoxed. Whereas Harshal’s pace is around the 125KMPH mark and his slower ones around 115KMPH. There isn’t much difference at all. The batsman will always be able to adjust. To make matters worse, he bowled a couple of high full tosses that he was banned from bowling. That final over cost the game for RCB. You just cannot bowl a 10-ball final over. It is a crime. CSK made complete use of such largesse.

Wicket keeper batsman will have to change

Dinesh Karthik is another liability. Sure he had a fantastic 2022 IPL. Last season, he had the luxury of a Patidar above him who batted almost throughout the innings in the company of Lomror and as a result, Karthik was left with only the last 2-3 overs to create mayhem. However, in the absence of Rajat Patidar, Karthik just cannot stick to his old methods. He needs to take more responsibility and bat according to the situation. He just cannot say that he is a finisher and that he will bat only during the fag end of the innings. It is time Karthik adapts his method or he is shown the door.

Bowling is another worry

If the batting is a concern, bowling is even more of a worry. The injuries to Reece Topley and Hazlewood have definitely impacted RCB’s bowling plan. Especially Topley but the bowling leaves a lot to be desired. Hasaranga and Siraj are probably their best bowlers. Perhaps, it will be better to allow Maxwell 4 overs so that one more batsman can be picked. Somehow, just somehow, they need to find a way to replace Harshal. He is expensive and is not the same death bowler any longer.

Wrapping up RCB and their nemesis CSK

The Bangalore pitch curator must prepare pitches that suit RCB’s strengths. They have bowlers who can make use of a fast pitch and the batsmen are adept at facing fast bowling. This is what they must target to maximise home advantage. This sort of placid batting tracks will only comeback to haunt RCB.

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Some of cricket’s greatest rivalries

Posted on 14 April 20231 January 2024 by Bobji

Cricket is a game that thrives on rivalries. Sport for that matter thrives on rivalries. Otherwise, there is no connect with the game. This article looks at some of cricket’s greatest rivalries.

India vs Pakistan

The India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense sporting rivalries in the world. This rivalry goes beyond just the sport, with a long-standing political and cultural conflict between the two nations. Whenever these two teams meet on the cricket field, it is a high-pressure affair that is watched by millions of fans around the world.

The history of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry dates back to 1952, when the two teams played their first test match against each other. Since then, the two teams have played each other in a total of 199 matches, with India winning 131 and Pakistan winning 74. The two teams have also faced each other in six ICC World Cup matches, with India winning all six.

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is known for its intense matches, with both teams fighting hard to win. One of the most memorable matches in the history of this rivalry was the 2007 T20 World Cup final, where India defeated Pakistan by just five runs. This match was watched by millions of fans around the world and is still talked about today.

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is not just about the matches played on the field. The rivalry goes beyond cricket, with both countries having a long-standing political conflict. This conflict is reflected on the cricket field, with matches between these two nations often becoming heated affairs.

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is also known for its passionate fans. Both countries have a huge fan base, with fans from both nations often traveling long distances to watch their team play. The matches between these two nations are always played in a packed stadium, with fans from both sides cheering their team on.

In recent years, the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry has been affected by political tensions between the two nations. The two teams have not played a bilateral series since 2012, with their only meetings coming in ICC events. However, the rivalry between the two nations is still as intense as ever, with fans eagerly waiting for the next India-Pakistan match.

In conclusion, the India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense sporting rivalries in the world. It goes beyond just the sport, with a long-standing political and cultural conflict between the two nations. Matches between these two nations are always high-pressure affairs, watched by millions of fans around the world. Despite the political tensions between the two nations, the rivalry between India and Pakistan on the cricket field is still as intense as ever.

England vs Australia

The rivalry between England and Australia in cricket is one of the oldest and most intense in the sport. The two nations have been playing against each other for over a century, and their rivalry has become one of the most celebrated sporting rivalries in the world.

The rivalry between England and Australia is often referred to as “The Ashes” due to the tiny urn that is awarded to the winning team of the Test series between the two nations. The Ashes series has been contested since 1882, and it is one of the most fiercely contested events in cricket. The rivalry between England and Australia is not just about cricket. It is a rivalry that goes beyond the sport, with a deep cultural and historical significance. England and Australia have a long history of political, economic, and cultural exchanges, which has influenced their cricket rivalry.

The England vs Australia cricket rivalry is known for its fiercely competitive matches, with both teams fighting hard to win. The two teams have played each other in a total of 353 matches,

with Australia winning 144 and England winning 109. The remaining matches have

been drawn or tied. One of the most memorable moments in the history of the England vs Australia cricket rivalry was in the 2005 Ashes series. England won the series 2-1, with the fifth and final test match being one of the most intense and closely fought matches in the history

of cricket. The match went down to the wire, with England winning by just two runs, which is still considered one of the greatest moments in the history of cricket. The England vs Australia cricket rivalry is also known for its passionate fans. Both nations have a huge fan base, and fans from both sides are known for their witty and at times ruthless banter during the matches. The Ashes series is played in packed stadiums, with fans from both sides cheering their team on.

In conclusion, the England vs Australia cricket rivalry is one of the most intense and celebrated sporting rivalries in the world. The two nations have a deep cultural and historical significance, which has influenced their cricket rivalry. The Ashes series is fiercely contested, with both teams fighting hard to win. The rivalry between England and Australia is not just about cricket, it is a rivalry that goes beyond the sport, with a deep cultural and historical significance.

South Africa vs Australia

The rivalry between South Africa and Australia in cricket is one of the most intense and competitive in the sport. The two nations have a long history of playing against each other, and their rivalry is often marked by fiercely contested matches. The South Africa vs Australia cricket rivalry dates back to 1902, when the two nations played their first test match against each other. Since then, they have played a total of 104 test matches, with Australia winning 51 and South Africa winning 27. The remaining matches have been drawn. One of the most memorable moments in the history of the South Africa vs Australia cricket rivalry was in the 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final. In a closely contested match, Australia defeated South Africa by just one run, which is still considered one of the greatest matches in the history of cricket.

The South Africa vs Australia cricket rivalry is known for its fiercely competitive matches, with both teams fighting hard to win. The two teams have a similar style of play, which often results in high-scoring matches with fast-paced action.

The South Africa vs Australia cricket rivalry is also marked by the intense atmosphere in which the matches are played. Both nations have passionate fans who fill up the stadiums and create a lively atmosphere. The matches between these two nations are always played in front of a packed stadium, with fans from both sides cheering their team on.

In recent years, the South Africa vs Australia cricket rivalry has been affected by controversies and clashes between the players. In 2018, the ball-tampering scandal involving the Australian cricket team in a test match against South Africa created a huge controversy and strained the relations between the two nations.

In conclusion, the South Africa vs Australia cricket rivalry is one of the most intense and competitive rivalries in the sport. The two nations have a long history of playing against each other, with matches often marked by fiercely contested action. The rivalry is known for its intense atmosphere and passionate fans, with matches played in front of a packed stadium. While controversies have sometimes strained relations between the two nations, the rivalry between South Africa and Australia on the cricket field remains one of the most fiercely contested in the sport.

The role of a cricket captain

Posted on 14 April 20231 January 2024 by Bobji

Cricket, like any other team sport, requires strong leadership to succeed. The captain of a cricket team is responsible for more than just making on-field decisions. They are the face of the team, the link between the players and the management and the driving force behind the team’s success. In this article, I will dwell on the various roles and responsibilities of a cricket captain. The role of a cricket captain.

On-field decision making

One of the most crucial roles of a cricket captain is to make tactical decisions on the field. They have to read the pitch, the conditions and the opposition team and make decisions that can swing the game in their team’s favour. Once these things are studied, analysed and accounted for, the crucial decision of what to do if the toss is won must be decided. Here the captain can invite free and frank discussion with the team but the ultimate decision rests with the captain. There are so many instances of the captain being vilified for choosing the wrong option after winning the toss. The most famous instance is that of Nasser Hussain opting to bowl at the Brisbane Gabba all those years ago only for Hayden, Langer and Ponting to pummel the English bowlers into submission.

Once, the team is on the field, he is all alone. Sure, the captain can always consult with the teammates but the flow of the game will be such that he will be required to take instant decisions based on nothing more than a hunch. The captain has to decide which bowler to use, when to change the field and when to declare or set a target. A good captain can sense the momentum of the game and make decisions that can turn the tide in their team’s favour.

Team selection:

The captain plays a vital role in team selection. They have to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their team and pick the right players to fill the various positions. They have to consider the pitch and the conditions while selecting the team. They also have to factor in the form and fitness of the players before making a decision. A captain who can pick the right team can give their team a significant advantage. Being the captain is a thankless job. Far too many times, they are required to take some tough decisions.

That is the reason Ganguly’s and Kohli’s decision of leaving the highest wicket-taker of their sides out of the playing eleven was hard to digest. They were based on sound cricketing logic rather than anything else.

Motivation and inspiration:

A captain is also responsible for motivating and inspiring their team. They have to instill a sense of belief and confidence in their players, especially during tough times. A good captain can lead by example, displaying a positive attitude and working hard on and off the field. They have to encourage their players to give their best and never give up. Captains lead by example is a phrase often heard in cricketing circles. It is not without reason. Motivated and performing captains often inspire the entire team to achieve greater heights that they may not have otherwise.

Media and public relations:

A cricket captain is also the face of the team in the media and public. They have to attend press conferences and interviews and handle questions from journalists and fans. They have to present a positive image of the team and communicate the team’s goals and objectives. They also have to handle criticism and negativity in a professional manner. Captains can never lose their composure. The media may invent non-existent rivalries or rifts. Captains will have to deal with them calmly.

Role model and mentor:

Finally, a cricket captain is a role model and mentor for their players. They have to set an example in terms of discipline, work ethic, and team spirit. They have to mentor the younger players and help them grow and develop their skills. They have to create a culture of excellence and teamwork within the team.

Far too often, Asian teams, especially Indian teams have this habit of seniors and juniors. The Indian teams of 70s, 80s and 90s were faction driven. Juniors were not treated well and as equal by the seniors. The situation was quite bad until the turn of the millennium. Ganguly changed all that. Now, it is a team of equals.

Wrapping up the role of a cricket captain

In conclusion, the role of a cricket captain is multifaceted and complex. They have to make tactical decisions on the field, select the right team, motivate and inspire their players, handle media and public relations, and be a role model and mentor for their team. A good captain can make a significant difference to their team’s success, and their leadership skills can be the difference between winning and losing.

Delhi’s struggle in IPL 2023

Posted on 14 April 20231 January 2024 by Bobji

4 games 4 losses. That is Delhi’s record so far this season in the IPL. It is something that Delhi would not have anticipated before the start of the season. Leave alone the players, it must have come as a shock for the supporters of Delhi Capitals. Least of all, their coach, Ricky Ponting. The season so far has been disastrous for Delhi Capitals. It is true that they are missing their regular captain, Rishabh Pant but Pant, even during the best of times, wasn’t that good a T20 batsman. Hence, his absence should not really matter. Yet, Delhi’s struggle in IPL 2023 is nothing short of legendary.

Ricky Ponting, the coach is not used to this performance from his side. He afterall is the most successful international captain. He captained Australia to great heights the likes of which this world has seldom seen. Not even the mighty West Indians or the wily South Africans can match the performance of Australia under Ricky Ponting. The same Ponting must be really disappointed and angry at his team. Perhaps, great teams make great captain is true.

Delhi must move along

Delhi needs some aggressive batting throughout and more so at the end. They also need someone who has the capability to bat for a major part of the innings. It probably is time for Warner to drop himself down the order. The middle order needs stability. Warner is searching for consistency and he is not the same Warner of yesteryears. He just cannot muscle the ball any longer. Also, he has just returned from an injury. There are talks of the WTC Finals, being his last international game. It will be helpful for Delhi if someone else takes care of bludgeoning the ball at the top.

Whom could that be? Phil Salt, the English batsman is in the squad. IPL’s limitation of allowing only 4 foreign-born players in the playing eleven is something that must be taken into account. With Warner moving down the order, Salt can replace Powell in the eleven. He has all the necessary shots to provide a flamboyant start at the top of the order. Someone who is equally flamboyant will have to partner with Salt at the top. That leads me to Prithvi Shaw.

The curious case of Prithvi Shaw

However, it is Prithvi Shaw who will have to standup to be counted. He has got an explosive style of batting. He is not afraid to hit through the line or go over the top. One cannot deny the fact that he is a precious talent though his technique for Tests leaves a lot to be desired. Having said that, he is quite at home in white-ball cricket and particularly in T20. Pitches around the world encourage batsmen to play their shots. This is the format that is ideally suited for Shaw. Ricky Ponting, the DC coach believes everyone can witness the real Prithvi Shaw.

“He’s trained harder and better than I’ve ever seen. I’m pretty sure leading into an IPL, he is in better physical shape than I’ve ever seen him before,” Ponting told reporters in Delhi on Friday. “And I spoke to him the other day about his attitude and the way that he’s working and how things are going. I honestly feel that this is going to be his biggest season ever in the IPL.”

It is clear that Shaw does not really learn from his mistakes. He has continuously failed to deceive. Whether he even works hard is open to questioning. If reports are to be believed, he was warned by the BCCI repeatedly for poor fitness and poor attitude but he does seem to change.

Perhaps, Mitchell Marsh could partner with Salt at the top.

Yash Dhull, the newly minted Delhi captain in Ranji Trophy, alongwith Warner and Manish Pandey can man the middle overs with Rilee Rossouw, the explosive South African providing the finishing flourish in the company of Axar Patel.

On the bowling front, perhaps it is time to blood Ngidi for Mustafizur. Ngidi performed pretty well for CSK and he could be the same force for Delhi.

This IPL is not the same as the previous ones. Scores in the range of 180 are not enough. A minimum of 200 is required. The impact player criteria have meant that teams are willing to take even more risks.

Wrapping up Delhi’s struggle in IPL 2023

Delhi is among the 3 teams that have never won the IPL title in 15 years. As things stand, they do not look like winning this one either. It is not all doom and gloom for Delhi. They still have time. They can affect a turnaround. Inorder to do that, they will have to think within the box. They have the players but how those players are utilised in the overall scheme of things is what Delhi will have to plan. If Delhi fails to go beyond the playoffs, I suspect Ponting will not want to continue. He is too proud a cricketer and he wouldn’t stand repeated failings.

Should Rohit Sharma drop himself?

Posted on 8 April 20231 January 2024 by Bobji

The Mumbai Indians captain, Rohit Sharma, is under pressure straightaway. Right at the start of the 2023 IPL. There are growing voices, mainly supporters of Mumbai Indians who would want to see Rohit dropped from the team because of poor form. He is the 3^rd highest scorer in the history of the tournament with more than 5700 runs. However, those runs have come at a strike rate of 130. For an opening batsman, that too in a tournament where the quality of the opposition bowling is not that high, it is not an acceptable strike rate. Among the players who have scored that many runs, Rohit’s average is the worst and the strike rate the 2^nd worst. So, should Rohit Sharma drop himself?

It is not difficult to fathom. There is a precedent and that too within Mumbai Indians itself. Ricky Ponting, the then captain of MI, dropped himself from the team on account of poor form and handed over the captaincy to Rohit. MI till that point didn’t win a single IPL trophy. Rohit effected a complete turnaround and Mumbai has since then won, 5 titles. All of them came under Rohit. Now, Rohit cannot be denied his credit because to win 5 trophies in close to 10 years is nothing short of incredible. However, all good things must come to an end.

Rohit is not a natural in T20

Rohit’s T20 cricket is not his strongest forte. He is not even among the good when it comes to the shortest format. Even when he plays for India, he seldom provides a quick start. Ofcourse, Rahul is also to be blamed but the expectation of Rohit is much higher. Rohit cannot be blamed for not getting off the blocks quickly because he does not belong to the current T20 generation. His game is tailored around Tests and ODI and at his age and with his fitness, it will not be practical to expect him to transform himself into beast mode. There is nothing wrong with that.

Having said that, it probably is time for him to step aside. It is unlikely that Rohit will again be considered for the Indian T20 squad. There are enough indications to the contrary. Hardik Pandya will likely take over the white-ball captaincy at the end of the ODI World Cup. Rohit Sharma and the likes of Virat Kohli will have to settle for Tests alone. Especially, if their performance with the bat deteriorates even further.

Under utilised powerplay overs

Not just in international cricket but even with IPL, Mumbai Indians have consistently not been able to make full use of the fielding restrictions. Ishan Kishan has been struggling since last year and coupled with Rohit’s inability to accelerate and score heavily, the powerplay invariably ends up below par. A quick 15 or 20 is not enough from the opening batsman. Again, it is unfair to expect that from Rohit who is not a natural T20 cricketer.

When Rohit won the 5 trophies, he had an explosive side in the Pandya brothers, Surya Yadav, Pollock and Bumrah and Boult with the ball. Over the last couple of seasons, Bumrah has been missing in action and there aren’t too many hitters down the order. This has resulted in Mumbai not having a successful run. A captain is only as good as the team that he leads has so far proved to be correct.

Agreed that it is not possible to win the trophy every year but what will worry the Mumbai management is the number of losses that the team is enduring. In 2022, they lost 7 straight games. It was unprecedented in the annals of the franchise.

Could there be a relation between not being at his best with the bat or with being the captain after he became the Indian captain across all the formats? It is not easy to be the captain and one of the main batsman game after game throughout the year. Virat Kohli found this though his batting did not suffer in the initial half.

“When as a team you are not able to win games of cricket, then obviously the pressure is highest on the captain I would say, so that does burden you,” added Zaheer.

Wrapping up should Rohit Sharma drop himself?

Dropping the Indian captain after what he has done for the franchise may probably be an extreme step but the time is here to move Rohit down the order. However, it is time for him to be removed from the captaincy. Every captain has a shelf life. Rohit is certainly past that. I am afraid he does not have anything more to offer Mumbai Indians. At the sametime, I do not think that the Mumbai Indians management is courageous enough to take such a stance at the beginning of the tournament. They will wait to see whether the franchise can qualify for the playoffs and if they fail to, Rohit will probably not be the captain for the 2024 season.

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