Akash Chopra on Sehwag

Akash Chopra is a columnist for Cricinfo. He writes well albeit most of his articles talk about the correct cricketing techniques, which may not be palatable to most cricket aficionados. However, the current article in not only well written but also gives insights to Sehwag's lackadaisical form. Only Sehwag can tell what is going through is mind right now but Akash, as a former opening partner, may have thrown some good thoughts.

Read on...

Memo to Sehwag

VVS Laxman

The effect of VVS Laxman announcing his retirement

India is Very Very Sad

Australia is Very Very Satisfied

Can this be the reason for India's recent performances?

The Indian team went to SA just before the World Cup 2011 and put up a decent show against one of the best teams in world cricket today. The SA show was followed by World Cup triumph.

However, India's cricket team has had an horrendous run in recent past. An average show in WI (one of the lower ranked teams in test cricket), abysmal show in England and Australia. So, what could be reason(s) for string of unceremonious defeats, nay, abject surrender?

Think about it the team, the captain, support staff and (of course) BCCI's whimsical ways have all remained same. The team has the required pedigree. If I think about it only one major change has happened after SA tour - change in coach.

Only time will tell if this is the real reason...

India should be proud of recently concluded test series in England

India in England 2011

India lost 4 match test series 0-4 and also lost the No. 1 mantle to England

What is there to be proud of after this abysmal showing? Well, before the series a certain self proclaimed best spinner of the World GP Swann was most vocal; he claimed that India will find difficult to play his bowling and he will come out on top. The results are for everyone to notice. Swann's figures -
4 matches - 142 overs - 529 runs - 13 wkts @ 40.69

At least Indians have dented number 1 claim of Swann. This too when the Indian batting collapsed in all 4 test matches.

It hurts to capitulate in this manner...

'West Indies aiming for top five by 2015' - Sammy

WI captain Darren Sammy has laid down team's vision. And voila...what do we have?

'West Indies aiming for top five by 2015' - Sammy

A management theory says that one should have achievable goals; so we have WI captain gunning for top 5 in a group of 9 test playing nations. I wish them all the best.

Best/Worst sledges as compiled by Yahoo!

The strange thing is that 8 of the 9 sledges have an Australian in it.

http://cricket.yahoo.com/photos/Ten-of-the-best-worst-sledges_12973135905794#1

Dhoni's strange ways

Indian team captain MS Dhoni is on a path to become the most successful captain of India. Under his leadership, the team is winning matches and it has become number 1 ranked team in test matches. Although there will always be naysayers and doubters about the number 1 ranking but there is no denying that he is a good leader of people and that he leads from the front.

The media has, in fact, has already anointed him as Captain Courageous. And he has actually become very courageous or so it seems.

Consider this:

• During 2009 ICC T20 World Cup when media questioned the team unity after Sehwag's unfortunate injury, rather than clearing any doubts or misgivings, he took the whole team out to the ground for a photo shoot. He  just wanted to show that the team is united.
• During 2008 Hero Honda Cup one day series when selectors selected Irfan Pathan ahead of RP Singh for last 2 matches, there was a alleged leak from an unknown selector that Dhoni threatened to resign during the selection committee meeting. It was said that Dhoni preferred RP Singh. In response to these allegations Dhoni challenged the so called selector to come out into open and proclaimed  that, because of the selector's blunder, it will now be difficult to manage team unity.
• And recently in ongoing SA-India test series he wanted Kirstein to stay as India's coach even after the World Cup 2011.

Family may keep Kirsten from renewing contract - Dhoni

These are the kind of things no-one in Indian cricket team has done or can dare to do. But then we are talking about Captain Courageous. May his courage wins us more matches than create news headlines.