CricDigs Blogs

I really feel that something about Yuvraj has changed ever since he has hit those 6 sixes in an over in the T20 WC. It almost seems to be that the T20 success followed by the success against Pakistan (at home) has gone to his head. I could be wrong here but my thoughts are genuine.

There is not doubt that Yuvraj is extremely talented and powerful cricketer, but I am not sure if I would call him an intelligent one. As the time goes by the bowlers would figure out how to bowl to him and get him out cheaply. e.g. exploiting his HUGE back-lift and at times uncontrollable aggression. If on-song he can be an absolute match winner and can change the course of any match single handedly, but figuratively speaking he has been more off-chord recently than on-song. This argument of mine might sound odd following his aggressive knock against SL that helped India win the match. But quite honestly, I think India won the match mostly because of Dhoni than anyone else. If Sangakara was not adjudged Man Of The Match (which he thoroughly deserved) Dhoni would have been my choice.

Now coming back to Yuvraj, I read somewhere that when asked about his position in the team, he replied by saying that his position in the team was never in question. Now if that statement came from the captain then it could be considered as “showing confidence/faith” in a player, but coming from the player himself seems a bit over-confident (but then I am a little old-fashioned) and pompous. I have no doubt that if India had lost the match and Yuvraj would have been out without playing according to the situation (like he did against Australia) he might not have gone to the press making such statements.

One other peculiar thing I have noticed about UV in the recent ODI series is his fielding position. From what I remember, Yuvraj has always fielded at Point (unless there is no one at Point), but these days I see him fielding either at Mid-Off, Mid-On or in the deep. Why? Is he carrying an injury or losing his confidence in fielding in such a crucial position?

I can totally understand and expect that there is not much respect for Greg Chappell within Indian Cricket fans, but the way he summarized Yuvraj makes a lot of sense to me. Greg C had categorized Yuvraj as someone who had too much talent for his own good. Interesting way to put it.

Yuvraj in the icon player for Mohali’s IPL franchise and would make a ton of money and fame in the recent future, but I am not sure what his long term future would be holding for him.

Am I totally off on this one?

I watched the match almost in entirety and here are my thoughts.

1. Terrible Umpiring: I know we have discussed this a lot at CricDigs like how it all evens out etc. etc., but the fact is some bad decisions have more impact than others. Symonds being not given out in the Aussie first innings and Dravid & Ganguly given out in India’s second innings made a difference in the outcome. No doubt in my mind about that.

2. Opening Partnerships: In the all important second innings Hayden and Jaques were able to thwart the Indian attack and get Australia to a good start. India failed to do that in both the innings.

3. Spin bowling and batting against it: Though it is claimed Indians have a better spin attack and their batsmen play spin comfortably, it was the Aussies that scored high in both the departments. Both the Hussey/Hayden & Hussey/Symods partnerships in the second innings florished in conditions that favored the spinners. That allowed Australia to build a lead that was out of India’s reach.

4. Better bowling attack overall: Ponting could make the decision to build a big enough lead to make it impossible for India to get and was still confident that he had given enough overs to his bowlers to get India out. The attack of Lee, Johnson, S Clark, Symods, Hogg & last but not the least, Michael Clarke was far superior to India’s

5. General Match Preparedness: The Australians are a tuned squad, whereas India has tried to put together a playing 11. Australians always seem to be on their game whereas Indians look completely lost every now and then. The running between wickets, ground fielding, catching, fielding arrangements, being aware of the match situation and playing accordingly.

It all added up for India to lose a close match. It is sheer superlative performances by a few individuals that made the match this close, otherwise the overall gap in these two teams is as wide as the British Channel.