Watch highlights – India vs Netherlands – the Group B game from the 2011 World Cup
Scoreline: Netherlands 189 all out – Peter Borren 38 (36) | Zaheer Khan 6.4-20-3, Chawla and Yuvraj 2 each
India win in 36.3 – Yuvraj Singh 51 no, Sehwag 39 | Seelaar 10-1-53-3
One of the main things I was looking forward to in this game was how Seelar would go against the Indians. Seelaar along with Dockrell from Ireland has looked like someone who could make the squads (if not playing XI) of quite a few of the other teams here. Dockrell had a pretty good game against India while Seelaar coming into this game had blocked up Chris Gayle and been taken down by AB in the SA batting powerplay. It was irrelevant if he got hammered vs India (even Swann got hit the other day). What was more interesting to see was how he’d react.
You could spend your cricket-viewing years looking at games from an individualistic player point of view, but when a World Cup comes around, you tend to look at how your team is going. So as an Indian fan it made me a little nervous to hear overconfident commentators, Kohli-Harbhajan dancing after the initial burst and the early introduction of Yusuf. Almost like India thought they could pummel this game into submission.
Ideally, the stutter India had today will sober them up and keep them from buying into all the external hype around them. You look at Sachin. For most of his career he’s been aggressive, dominant and dismissive (in his strokeplay); but there wouldn’t be a single game in that career, where a respect for the sport and opposition would be missing.
There is the other perspective of course, which would be something like – stop being such a pessimistic wreck. Yusuf at 3 and India’s overall attacking game was merely a tactical decision to make the best of conditions before the ball got old and everything went slow. Ok, maybe.
Other than that, very very gratifying to see the management sticking with Chawla. Given the Indian bowling and Harbhajan’s indifference so far, Piyush could well be the bowling equivalent of a Yusuf Pathan.
*picks self up from floor*
You are one true lover of cricket, great summary, I’m wiping a little tear, also muchly appreciate your eye for the interesting details (like anthems and sideshow antics and so on), fantastic job, thanks
Indian batsmen would do themselves a great favour if in the next couple of games they show some discipline and come up with plans against short pitch stuff that would eagerly await them. I am not too sure if West Indies and South Africa would actually target the Indian batsmen with short Pitched stuff in the league games. Assuming that they will, display of discipline is of utmost importance for the Indian batsmen.
Sticking with Chawla is certainly an important factor especially till India plays against a subcontinent team. would love to see some aggressive body language from him. His body language, as a leg spinner, has to improve. Chawla definitely could prove a match winner during the knock outs. Add to that, he is a relatively very good fielder, especially when it comes to catching. One reason India never has good all rounders is that India never gives their players a chance enough!! Can’t expect Chawla to win you a game with the bat if he does not get a knock during the early stages of the tournament. I wish all the Best to Chawla and India.
Admin rightly mentioned about overconfident commentators and dressing room, why not add exceptionally overconfident crowd. I can never digest Indian crowds going berserk when opposition is hitting sixes. (Yes, if that appreciation is genuine it won’t be as big a pain, but that cheer is out of overconfidence and with a wish to see a longer Indian batting stint. Can’t forget that game at Gwalior where Indian crowd kept cheering Kenyan Sixes and then went back home with tears in their eyes!!!!)
It is a very good opportunity for India now to settle down and play positively in the remaining games in the leage stage and try to top the table with professional disciplined performances. It would not only ease up their nerves but also would obviate the need of playing relatively stronger teams in the Quarter Final stage. No room for complacency in the next two games!!! Especially as these teams might meet again later in the tournament then the psychological edge would really come in handy!!!
I eagerly await how the Indian batsmen go against short pitch stuff that would be dished out in the knock outs even on these slower pitches. Even bowlers like Shane Watson, Darren Sami would be very liberal with short pitched stuff against Indian batsmen. If they have not improved that facet of their game, then…… well then better just stick to the IPL!!!!!!!!!!
Wish all the best and all the luck to the Indian team!!!!!!!!! Would be overjoyed if they can pull this world cup off!!!!!!!!!! Surprised, but really overjoyed!!!!!
Sincere thanks to Admin. I really enjoy and appreciate your work and I really enjoy your comments. Thank you very much.