Beyond the Blues
The flawed selection of the A team
Undoubtedly, India A cricket catches my fancy like nothing else, more than even an odd international tournament here and there
Aakash Chopra
25-Feb-2013
Undoubtedly, India A cricket catches my fancy like nothing else, more than even an odd international tournament here and there. In fact, I found myself tracking the scores of the current A team in England more closely as opposed to the tournament in which the seniors were engaged in, in the Emerald Islands. And hence the observations.
In the first game, Yorkshire fielded as many as three teenage debutants in the match against India A. Obviously, Yorkshire didn't take this game seriously. After all it was a side show for them and perhaps an unnecessary match scheduled by the ECB. India A being the guests could only expect better competition. If the hosts decided to play spoilsport, then so be it.
But what irked me more, was the India A team make-up. A couple of players in the side had got a promotion without ever playing a single first-class game. Apparently these players were picked on the back of their performances for the India Under-19 and IPL cricket. Representing their respective states and playing against the seasoned campaigners in the Ranji Trophy wasn't considered important enough while fast-tracking them into the big league.
Full postCricket should learn from football
I was in Zurich when Switzerland defeated Spain in one of the league matches of the ongoing World Cup
Aakash Chopra
25-Feb-2013
I was in Zurich when Switzerland defeated Spain in one of the league matches of the ongoing World Cup. The entire city had come to a standstill for those 90 minutes and every positive move of their men on the field in South Africa was enjoyed to the hilt. When they scored the solitary goal of the match, it felt as if the city screamed in unison. And the celebrations became wilder as the evening progressed. The roads were blocked and the trams were stalled, which caused problems for commuters, but no one complained. After all, their country had scored an unexpected win over a stronger opposition in the World Cup.
I couldn't help but think - why are the cheers back home not loud enough? Yes, we do celebrate our wins in the World Cup, yet not every win and definitely not in this manner. And I'm sure India is not alone in this. Most cricket-playing countries can perhaps never match the euphoria of a soccer-playing nation after a win. So, what's the difference? Are the people from football-playing nations more patriotic? Or is it the popularity of football worldwide that builds the excitement? It's neither the patriotism nor the popularity - the reasons lie elsewhere.
Football is mainly a club-oriented sport played in various competitive leagues. Countries don't play against each other that often and hence, whenever they do, fans are bound to get involved.
Full postWhere are the Indian fast bowlers?
The strength of our fast bowling department or the lack of it is a serious concern and must be, in my view, addressed at once
Aakash Chopra
25-Feb-2013
The strength of our fast bowling department or the lack of it is a serious concern and must be, in my view, addressed at once. The writing has been on the wall for quite some time and two consecutive failures, first in the World T20 and recently in Zimbabwe, just reinforced the gravity of the situation.
A lot of critics felt that one of the major reasons behind not winning a single match in the Super Eights of the World T20 was the absence of an extra quick bowler on seamer-friendly conditions in Barbados. And perhaps, it was an apt assessment. Understandably, not many could either understand or approve this rather baffling decision made by the captain. His lack of faith in a rookie could perhaps be the only reason that somewhat explains the move of not playing a fast bowler. I refuse to believe that he couldn't assess the pitch conditions accurately.
But why was a rookie picked to play in the World T20 anyway? What happened to the players in whom the selectors had invested their trust in the lead up to the world event? Well, obviously, selectors have lost faith in the Ishants and Munafs of Indian cricket. Point taken! But do we have their replacements ready? If the recently concluded tri-series is anything to go by, we are far from it. The second string of fast bowlers looked far from impressive.
Full postIndia need Rohit Sharma to live up to his promise
Has Rohit Sharma finally arrived?
Aakash Chopra
25-Feb-2013
Has Rohit Sharma finally arrived? That's the question people and pundits ask every time Rohit plays one of his trademark brilliant knocks - mostly in the IPL. But a good knock, or a couple of good knocks, are always followed by a series of low scores and the same people who hailed him start baying for his blood. To be fair to the critics, they're absolutely right in expecting talent to be complimented by performances on a consistent basis.
We all know Rohit is a special talent and seems to have what it takes to succeed at the highest level. But sadly he's let his contemporaries steal a march over him. For way too long he's remained a future prospect, showing only trailers of what, perhaps, could be in store. In my humble opinion, talent without performances is as good or bad as having no talent at all.
Now with two consecutive centuries in the tri-series in Zimbabwe, he has settled the debate for a while. Yes, the runs came against lesser teams but his nemesis was never the opposition but the challenge within. He always looked at ease against the best of bowlers, pace and spinners alike, both at the international level and the IPL. He seems to have more time than the rest to tackle rapid pace and the technical know-how to handle quality spin.
Full postMore tours for the A team
So, what's the best way to know whether a player is ready for the highest level or not?
Aakash Chopra
25-Feb-2013
Did India's loss against Zimbabwe in the opening match of the ongoing tri-series hurt you? While a few people might argue that it didn't matter because it wasn't our full-strength side anyway, the rest are bound to feel a little deflated.
Wonder why we didn't field our best side? Well, the reasons are simple. This series was not considered important enough, which I too think it isn't. There's a gruelling international season lying ahead, and this is the only possible window to rest our key players. Fair enough.
But are the viewers too demanding in expecting the Indian team to win all the time? Perhaps, yes. While it isn't possible to win on every occasion, the least a fan can expect, and a team can do is to give itself the best chance to win. After all, the spectators are the real stakeholders of the game and have every right to feel cheated.
Full postDomestic T20 leagues have a lot to offer
State T20 leagues based on the IPL model, like the ones in Karnataka and Maharashtra, have a lot to offer, both to the IPL franchisees and the players involved.
Aakash Chopra
25-Feb-2013
Karnataka was the first to do it; a year later, Maharashtra followed suit. Soon more states will have their own Premier Leagues based on the IPL model, albeit a lot smaller. These leagues have a lot to offer, both to the IPL franchisees and the players involved.
First the IPL teams
So far the IPL teams have been picking players on the basis of their performances in the domestic season. Since very little T20 cricket is played in a year, the selection was seldom based on their showing in this format. Hence, they had to rely on feedback from their scouts or senior cricketers. But now these leagues are giving the franchisees an opportunity to watch little known players in competitive match situations. These leagues are also bound to unearth a few T20 specialists.
Full postMore Twenty20 games please
Australia, England or Pakistan - three editions in four years and we still cannot be a 100% sure about which team rules the roost in this format
Aakash Chopra
25-Feb-2013
So, which is the best Twenty20 side in the world? Didn't last night's game pretty much answer that question? Ironically though, I'd still be wary of putting my money on the winner. Isn't Twenty20 cricket all about a given day and not so much about a particular team? Success and failure is anyone's call. Which teams will have a field day can hardly ever be determined on the basis of the playing XI. Hence, both Australia and England should be kept on the same pedestal for their brilliant showing in the tournament.
But how can we possibly throw Pakistan out of the race? Runners-up in 2007, winners in 2009 and semi-finalists in this edition, Pakistan have proved to be one of the most consistent sides in a format where inconsistency is the only consistent thing. If you don't believe me, ask our Men in Blue. Australia, England or Pakistan - three editions in four years and we still cannot be 100% sure about which team rules the roost in this format. Is it the nature of this format or is there more to it?
Before going into the reasons, here are a few statistics to lay the ground for my argument. India, for instance, play no less than 30 ODIs and more than four to five Tests in any given year. The more the number of matches, the more it helps a player hone his skill and become a specialist. On the contrary, the ICC has put a cap of seven [international] Twenty20 matches a country can play in a year, barring the World Cup. Oddly enough, the reason for this cap is to discourage teams from taking Twenty20 too seriously and hence safeguard the 50-overs format.
Full postWhat's hurting the ICC World Twenty20?
Why compare the ICC World Twenty20 tournament with the IPL at all?
Aakash Chopra
25-Feb-2013
Why compare the ICC World Twenty20 tournament with the IPL at all? Anyone who knows and understands his cricket would give his right arm for the bigger, mature and more accomplished contest of the two. Of course, grumbles about the Twenty20 World Cup being a bit humdrum are growing. No doubt, the ICC version comes across as the plain-Jane of the Twenty20 format, especially after a dekko at the swankier IPL. The reasons though, could not be cricketing but purely commercial and logistical.
Timing
The World Twenty20 is happening on the heels of the IPL, which is certainly quite an overdose of this format. However much you like the sport and the format, there's bound to be some viewer fatigue. Devout followers will still watch, but even they would choose their games. People who started following the sport only because of the IPL are most likely to give it a miss.
And it's not just the timing of the tournament but also the timings of the matches which are detrimental to its following. To cater to the Indian audience, matches start at 9.30 am local time. But is it fair to expect the locals and tourists to flock the stadium? For example St Lucia, where India played their league matches, is a small tourist destination. How can you expect the tourists to wake up and be at the ground at 8am for the morning match? With hardly any live audience the atmosphere in the stadium goes for a toss. Unfortunately even starting that early isn't solving all the problems. The second game starts at 11 pm IST and which means the match goes on till 2.30am. Regardless of how good the match is, most of the Indian audience will turn off their TV sets after midnight during weekdays.
Full postThe Afghan who could not take singles
I'd first met Mohammad Nabi in England in the summer of 2007
Aakash Chopra
25-Feb-2013
I'd first met Mohammad Nabi in England in the summer of 2007. I had driven from Stoke-on-Trent to Arundel to play a three-day match for MCC against Sri Lanka A. If you're playing league cricket in England, first class matches are fairly hard to get by and hence I was excited about the prospects. After all, it was my first first class match in England. It was Nabi's first class debut as well. Nabi had preferred to not speak much until I arrived, for he wasn't too fluent in English. We ended up chatting a lot during the course of the match.
He was spotted by the MCC during their visit to Afghanistan and was given a scholarship for the summer. MCC sponsored his stay in England and also gave him opportunities to play cricket at a decent level. He was made to go through a rigorous fitness regimen during the weekdays and would get to play matches for a local club in London on weekends. In between, there were a few matches for MCC like the one we were scheduled to play in a few hours.
Nabi was anything but nervous on his first class debut. I realized that I was more keyed up for the match than him. After all it was my only first class game in the summer and my lone chance to send out a message to the touring Indian team. For him though, it was just another game of cricket. And voila, Nabi knocked everyone for six, and literally. He opened his account with a whopping six on the scoreboard and carried on in the same vain to score 43 with three sixes before trying one too many. I'm pretty sure not many players can boast of getting off the ground in their first class career with a six. If that was not enough, he opened his account in the second innings with a six too. A record of sorts there.
Full postFive for keeps
There's no denying that IPL 2010 has indeed left a bad taste in one's mouth
Aakash Chopra
25-Feb-2013
There's no denying that IPL 2010 has indeed left a bad taste in one's mouth. Still, the old school romantic in me prefers to turn its back on the cesspool of 'alleged' dirty dealings the tournament has got mixed up with. For me, the game is still intact because it is bigger than any given individual, situation or a particular tournament. And so, at the end of this season, I choose to draw my attention to those bits that spelled cricket all the way. While there were a lot more moments but I'd stick to my top five.
David Hussey's catch: There were quite a few inimitable catches taken in this tournament, but Hussey's catch to dismiss Paul Collingwood was my favourite for a couple of reasons. First of all, it was a flat shot that didn't give him too much time to balance himself or react. Second, at one point of time both his feet were in air while pushing the ball back into the playing field. Since both feet were outside the line, had he touched one foot, it would have been a six.
Robin Uthappa's switch-hit six: What an absolute visual marvel it was to see to Uthappa hit that six off Ajantha Mendis. It's one thing hitting a reverse-sweep with power behind the shot, but a switch-hit goes one step ahead. You need to change your guard and grip completely and then play like a southpaw. It needed balance, strength and good connection. And it had all three.
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