Problem with Indian selectors and management is that they go for the big names rather than the ones who actually perform! Looking at Ishant Sharma's form today and (in recent times) he really doesn't deserve to be in the playing 11 as of now! He just cannot get his line and length right. Even the bowl to which he got Hussey out was very short and wide. I'm sure there are many more talented youngsters who should be given the opportunity as they have the hunger to perform. Even Karthik and Nayar should have been given a chance. Really do not understand Dhoni and co.'s tactics here! Maybe the problem lies with the fact that they don't have many options to start with. Indian team really needs some specialist pace bowlers like the likes of Shane Bond, Johnson, Lee, Steyn etc. We are a country of more than a billion people and I find it hard to believe that we can't produce a single front-line fast bowler who can consistently bowl at over 90 mph..

Totally agree with "nicric" here. Either the Indian selectors need to be changed or its just politics! They are making the same mistakes over and over again. Raina is a good bowler who has always bowled tidy spells under a pressure match. Don't understand why is not being used at all. Virat Kohli has been given too many chances to which he hasn't proved himself so why not give AM Nayar a chance??!! He can bowl too and is a good allrounder. If i remember correctly he played well in the practise match. I don't see a point in playing Sharma also again and again. I think his form is questionable and is just deteriorating since a while now. Sad being an Indian supporter but I wouldn't be surprised if we loose this one and are out of the tournament. I think Mr. Kris Srikanth needs a new job!

Its a dream for every Indian to see India victorious tonight. This is a crunch match and the pressure is on Team India. If India make a score around 300+ always stand a chance to win tonight. Playing an additional spinner is also good. MS shouldn't repeat the mistake he has done in last match (not giving Suresh Raina a bowl and not taking the batting power play when Pathan came to bat) Indian Management should also think about some Rookie pacer when they go to countries like South Africa/Australia and West Indies. I was very impressed with the bowling and fielding of West Indies even though they are considered as 2nd or 3rd strings in this tournament. I wish all the best to Team India, If they apply themselves and put maximum effort in the field still have a chance in Champion's Trophy 2009

whatever the case guys we have to win today..the last 4 series have been won by india but have been either bilateral or triangular..If we want to be no 1 in the actual sense we have to win a icc event and its starts with champions trophy. I was disapointed with our performance against pakistan but it was a off day..sachin has to step up and lead us today as he has done for so many years. i hope bhaaji has the aura and the performance to indimidate pointing and his lads..lets just hope we win today after all its dussera..lol

Congrats to Younis and Pakistan. Younis is a thorough gentleman and a pleasant personality. Dhoni on the other hand is a good leader and has a good sense of the game but that is when the going is good for India. In order to be a successfull captain, let's wait amd see how he copes with failure.That is the time to test how good you are. Indians, mainly the media, over-reacts to short term result - take a cue from Peter Roebuck. Ishant and RP are good. They need some guidance. With Zaheer around that is missing. You cannot win each and every game - you can only try to. Having said that it amazes me how fickle minded some of the comments are. India is not a great team though they may have acheived the number one status. It's a good team. Remember this Indian team is a slow starter. I hope Yusuf is played and we retain the same team but change our strategy for the Aussies by having Pathan/Kohli open with Sachin as he is always there to provide valuable tips and calm. Have a go India.

Is anyone reading or editing this drivel? I understand that given the pace of online publishing mistakes will be made. However, is it too much to ask for a carefully constructed sentence from a writer once in a while??? We can't all be Neville Cardus but Mr. Bal short, simple sentences would not hurt.

well i think team india will perform to win today no matter yuvi and sehwag are missing and y ishant still in team and sreesanth in india doing nutting if any one seen him playing for warwick sreesanth was in v good form and they call him back to india.........anyway GOOD LUCK india

Dear Editor, I write this in an effort to offer some constructive criticism to a website that I frequent as a avid cricket fan. My complaint relates to the frequent massacre of the English language by several of your "journalist's" that often render's their reportage on this most beautiful game almost unbearable. For an example of what I mean I refer you to an article entitled "Spin could be India's weapon" by a Mr. Bal. I have extracted the first two paragraphs of the delightful prose in question below. My comments appear in brackets.

In response to Mrgupta: Sir, with due respect, i would say tht according to your observations, one like you should only pray tht India winning toss and batting first and they would win the match easily like other teams did. My dear, it is not only the case, someone has to stand up and make efforts like of Dilshan (116) Malik (128) etc.

One thing india and dhoni are miscalculatuing, i have followed raina as a cricketer since his under 19 days and he is a decent bowler, he is not a part-time bowler and certainly bowls better than yusuf pathan. he bowls quick flat off spin that is not easy to get away on any track. This has been poroved in the ipl and the compaq cup also. he bowled some 7 overs and went for around 25 odd runs. dhoni missed a easy trick and did not even try him for a single over against pakistan. raina has real potential to be an all-rounder and anyway he is a terrific fielder. He will only get better by bowling more overs in internationals and perfectly compliments harbhajans loopy off-spin. We should not be negitive and not bluntly get an extra bowler since depleting indias batting strength against australia is dangerous especially if we are chasing. Same goes with nayar. he could also bowl some good skiddy medium pacers. his bowling reminds me of guy whittal the former zimbabwe all rounder.