Blogs CB Series Final: India’s Playing 11?
February 26th, 2008 by prashantThe main question is whether to choose 4 bowlers or 5? The other way of looking at it would be 7 batsmen or 8 (Pathan would count as both a bowler and a batsman)?
In the bowling department Ishant Sharma, Pathan and Praveen Kumar (after being MoM in the last match) are certain and if Sehwag is to be selected then who would be out? Uthappa?
Should India leave out Bhajji? so bring in Sehwag instead of Bhajji and Sreesanth in place of Munaf. ?? I am not terribly impressed with Bhajji’s bowling, especially in ODIs. He does not look like as if he is going to get any wickets. So if his job is just to contain then Sehwag might be able to do that job.
So my take for the playing 11 is either
Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Pathan, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Munaf (Sreesanth), Bhajji
OR
Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Uthappa, Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Sreesanth (Munaf)
February 27th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Tough choice as I think currently, Sehwag seems to be better bowler than Bhajji and Bhajji seems to be better batsman than Sehwag! They have sorta exchanged roles, go figure…
February 27th, 2008 at 1:57 am
I think Sehwag should come in and Praveen Kumar must be dropped. I know, he was the man of the match and all that. But still, Sydney wicket is conducive for spin bowling and Sehwag, apart from his bat, can contribute significantly with the ball. Praveen might be considered for the second final. And I don’t think Sreesanth should be given a chance. Munaf might be an average fielder, but a better bowler, especially in the limited overs version of the game. He understands the field positions better than Sreesanth and bowls in the right areas, not trying anything stupid like Sreesanth often does.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I think Yuvraj should be dropped making way for Sehway and Bhajji. Sresanth should be left out for Munaf. Fielding aside he is a much better bet for consistent bowling.
Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Dhoni, Uthappa, Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Munaf, Bhajji
I think Yuvraj will fail against the aussies unless he gets lucky ( as they usually do).. But we know thats not going to happen;
Amol
February 28th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I think Sreesanth should play the first final and not Munaf. Even though Sreesanth might do things that may look stupid, I believe that he is definitely a better/faster bowler than Munaf. He has a better average and strike rate coming into the finals than Munaf. Plus, he has looked more like taking wickets than Munaf. I would much rather see Sreesanth take 2-3 wickets at 5-6 runs per over than Munaf going wicketless at 4. Also, I still have some issues with Munaf’s commitment. One thing I can say about Sreesanth is that he is very passionate and committed to do well for his country, but Munaf looks more like trying to play it safe and make sure he doesn’t get dropped. So, my vote goes to Sreesanth to play in the first final.
As far as Praveen Kumar goes, I agree with Kris. I don’t think he will play the first final.
As far as Yuvraj is concerned, he did show a semblance of coming back to form in the match against SL. Add to that his 76 earlier in the series and he looks like a certainty to play the finals. Plus, Dhoni has tremendous faith in Yuvraj and calls him his ‘trump card’. So, I don’t think Yuvraj will be dropped. If there is a toss up, then it will be between Uthappa, Praveen Kumar and Munaf.
Whether India will go with 4 or 5 bowlers will depend on the wicket. For the first final at least, I think India will go for more batting depth.
So, here is my take on the playing 11 in the first final -
Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Rohit Sharma, Dhoni, Uthappa, Pathan, Harbhajan, Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma
I think Bhajji will play the first final because of the recent controversy . India leaving Bhajji out will be seen as a sign of weakness! Plus, Bhajji will have a point to prove after being called an obnoxious weed!
March 2nd, 2008 at 10:59 am
I think everyone was surprised to see Piyush Chawla in the team, playing his first match of the series and that too the first final. He bowled extremely well and also took a smart catch to dislodge Hayden. Now the question is which 11 will India field for the Second Final at Brisbane?
Would they sit out Yuvraj and bring back Sehwag or even better Raina? Would they still play 2 spinners or get back either Munaf or Sreesanth?
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Chawla was brought in because of Sydney’s reputation as a pitch that turns a bit. Brisbane is not that kind of pitch. So I think India will get a fast bowler instead of chawla. Also, since Ishant hurt his finger, and we do not know what the status of the injury is, both sree and munaf might be playing in the second ODI.