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India v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Kolkata
Kolkata offers more hope for India
The Preview by Siddhartha Talya
January 2, 2013
Match facts
January 3, 2012Start time 1200 (0630 GMT)
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India face pressure of a must-win
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Related Links
Matches:
India v Pakistan at Kolkata
Series/Tournaments:
Pakistan tour of India
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Big Picture
India are again left needing to come from behind, third time in their last four series. A superb display of swing bowling by Junaid Khan crippled India's batting line-up on an overcast Chennai morning before MS Dhoni rescued his team with a fighting century. Such a procession of batsmen to the pavilion appears unlikely in Kolkata, where overhead conditions haven't been as bowler-friendly and the curator Prabir Mukherjee has promised a "typical one-day wicket with lots of runs" with the side batting first having an early advantage. But the visitors have been practicing hard to seal their team's first bilateral ODI series win over India since 2005.Pakistan's seamers bowled extended spells at the nets on Tuesday, with Umar Gul, Junaid and Mohammad Irfan aiming at one stump. India, on the other hand, missed a session on Tuesday and have an optional one on the eve of the game. They may be short of adequate preparation for a game they cannot afford to lose.
Form guide (Completed games, most recent first)
India: LWWWLPakistan: WLWLL
Players to watch
Shoaib Malik was initially picked only for the T20s but has been retained for the ODIs and played a good supporting hand in Chennai. He's had a good tour so far, guiding Pakistan to victory in the first T20 before giving Nasir Jamshed company in his team's successful chase on Sunday. A former Pakistan captain, Malik has struggled to keep his place in the side for a while but his experience has come in handy in this limited-overs series.After his century in the first Test against England in Ahmedabad, Virender Sehwag has failed to fire. He was not picked in March last year for the Asia Cup, and could be under pressure to perform, given he's had just one half-century in his last 10 innings in ODI cricket.
Team news
Rohit Sharma's poor run of scores in ODIs continued in Chennai and India could consider replacing him with Ajinkya Rahane. However, there is uncertainty over Virat Kohli's availability, as he limped off the field after slipping while bowling in Chennai. MRI scans revealed no serious damage, but his condition continues to be monitored.India (possible): 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Virender Sehwag, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Rohit Sharma/Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Suresh Raina, 7 MS Dhoni (capt and wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Ashok Dinda.
It seems unlikely Pakistan will make changes, even though Mohammad Irfan proved expensive in Chennai.
Pakistan (possible): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Nasir Jamshed, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Shoaib Malik, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Junaid Khan, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Irfan.
Stats and Trivia
- Rohit Sharma is 22 short of reaching 2000 runs in ODIs.
- Kamran Akmal is 70 short of scoring 3000 in ODIs.
Quotes
"If he keeps on doing that then we will find another great left arm fast-bowler of Wasim Akram's type."
Younis Khan on Junaid Khan
"We are used to playing with part-timers. Now it's difficult for them to bowl 10 overs with five players inside the circle. So you've to assess whether six batsmen are enough or seven [are needed]."
MS Dhoni says the new ODI rule, which permits only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle in the non-Powerplay overs, creates problems for teams that lack genuine allrounders
Siddhartha Talya is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
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© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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For heaven's sake have a genuine 5th bowler who could be an all rounder or simply a strike bowler. Enough of the 7+ 4 formula and the parttimers going for plenty. If Kohli is not fit, then Rohit may get a chance. If he does not perform, this should be his last innings in international cricket. Ashwin should also bowl to take wickets and not wickets of no balls! Our support is there for the team but no one would back a lack luster performer.
India Should create bowlers just like Australians do, because you can`t always win with your batsman, i mean select some bowlers with their merit not "Parchi System" and assist them with some great foreign coaches to make them world Class Bowler like Mcgrath, Rawalpindi Express"Shoiab Akhter", Sultan of Swing"Wasim Akram & James Andreson" etc. so than their team will be more powerful and will have 100% ability to beat any side. India have much talent but it can only useful if they utilize it correctly.
After first one day the flat track will not be a good thing to see,but mind it toss has an important role to play in the last game and Pakistan had the advantage.On this pitch players from both the teams, bowlers and batters have actual chance of proving themselves,, an excellent bowler and a good batsman always thrive on whatever resources are available to them, i must say batters will have an upper hand and bowlers will have to work hard but a quality bowler can produce an excellent spell and a adjust to the pace of the pitch easily, I love to see some assisstance to the bowlers now a days in Odi's and T20, but may the better team win. both have resources to apply themselves. best of luck!
No doubt India has outstanding bating line up and dead wicket to support to India but Pakistani players gets the advantage whole conditions how? yes if win the toss take bat first and try to score 260-270 or more. Pakistani bowlers has the ability to use bad patches on the wicket, Ajmal and irfan take the advantage for bad patch on wicket. Only one advice for irfan don't try to get wicket by power just maintain your line and length and usage foot steps of bowler and bats man and slower is key ball for irfan
Congrats to Pakistan Shaheen on winning at Indian soil.
Posted by atuljain1969 on (January 3, 2013, 8:22 GMT)Fail to understand why they need to carry on with - GAMBHIR AND SEHWAG, when they repeatedly failed. Why SHAMI AHMED not given chance at home venue ?. Why tire out Ishant before Australia series ?
There are so many other players who can be given an opportunity to debue and impress. There should be pool of at least 50 players to play for the country anytime reqd.
Posted by SherjilIslam on (January 3, 2013, 7:54 GMT)Today i am feeling angry over team management and selectors.Why you choose players if you are not going to give him any chance. Dhoni is switching over Rohit Sharma/Jadeja.I don't know on what merits Sir, Ravinder Jadeja is been selected today.Is he world class bowler or a world class batsman or a genuine all rounder????
Posted by Dhana-is-hector on (January 3, 2013, 6:40 GMT)why again jadeja for that its better to have sreesanth
Posted byWith India its always a talk of playing conditions, top teams in the world rely on their resources and equip them well to play in any given conditions. Once Asian teams polish their players in a way that they are able to perform in any conditions, only then we will not see the humiliating performances such as Indian and SL's recent tour to Australia and Pakistan's 2010 tour to Aus. England/SA/AUS have beaten Asian teams in Asia on several occassions just because they have raised their game to play in any given conditions.
Posted byBatting first. To day is really test of Pakistan ability to bat and bowl. India is favorite to day. If India loses to day, it not only means end of Dhoni captaincy but India will lose psyclogical advantage against Pakistan. I will not be surprised if Pakistan regain position in which they were after Miandad famous six in sharjah.
Best of luck to Pakistan.