The Great Indian Debacle

Or is it?? I must ask -- who honestly thought India was going to bring back the T20 World Cup for a second year in a row?! Sure, we were optimistic, we had high hopes, and some of us even found the time to pray that they would do so. It only takes one look at India's T20 record since the 2007 triumph to realize India's true place in the world of T20. They lost 3 of the 5 T20 internationals they played between the two World Cups, including 2 consecutive losses to New Zealand during their recent tour to the Kiwiland. In both those matches, it was India's star-studded batting line-up that fell apart, bar a face-saving innings in each match from Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh respectively. Moving on to the IPL, how many Indian players really stood out and consistently performed throughout the tournament?? It was the foreign contingent that stole the show in South Africa, and our desi boys tumbled into oblivion, with the Delhi duo of Sehwag and Gambhir leading the way.

The fall-out from the WC will go on for weeks and weeks to come, until and unless the Indian team redeems itself during its tour of the West Indies next month. Two years ago, we were heaping praises galore on MS Dhoni for his calm and innovative style of captaincy that helped us bring home the inaugural T20 WC. Now, the very same man, on the very same stage, is being crucified mercilessly for some suspect decisions, which, had they turned out successful, would have been hailed as inspired. Instead, they didn't work -- it's that simple. Yes, he took a gamble by promoting Ravindra Jadeja. It was like giving Joginder Sharma that last over against Pakistan in the final two years ago -- the difference being that move worked, this move didnt. Such decisions need to be made, and when they don't work, the captain has to take responsibility. As such, although MSD must shoulder a significant portion of the blame for India's loss, I wouldn't really play him out as the villain in the whole episode.

Nasser Hussain put it rightly: The Indians are out of this World Cup because they have been technically found out - they cannot handle short-pitched deliveries. Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma looked completely out of sorts with the ball nipping around and over their shoulder. The team failed to follow the golden rule of T20 - NO DOT BALLS, rotate the strike! Ravindra Jadeja, that was for u, in case u didnt get it! And finally, and not the least, the 10 wides that Harbhajan gave away was what I think made the difference ultimately - they were completely needless, and moreover, atrociously careless by a bowler of the class and quality of Harbhajan Singh.

Well, MSD could've looked at his own advertisements for guidance:
1. He could've used his Aircel Pocket Internet for Facebook and listened to the FB users!!
2. Or else he should've gone for PSPO - Promote Singh, Produce Onslaught! :D

Anyway, in a way, I'm glad the Indian team lost out on the T20 World Cup this time.....I want them to save the magic for 2011, the big WC, in our own country. Hopefully they can carry the momentum they have generated in the ODI arena through and be a little consistent, because I believe this is probably the best chance we shall have of winning the ODI World Cup, even more than 2003. Save the hype and hoopla for 2011 folks!!

Until the next (post i.e, not year!)..