***Official** Malaysia Tri-Series

viktor said:

SJS is talking of replacing Bhajji with Powar. I think its definitely worth a try, esp since I think Powar can get us a few more wickets

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Well yeah but it's unlikely that Harbhajan will sit out for too long as he's pretty established. Powar should definitely play in our 3rd match (versus the West Indies).

adharcric said:

SJS, I certainly rate Ramesh Powar about as much as I rate Harbhajan Singh. I wouldn't mind him getting a game, but I don't see it happening against the Aussies if we're only playing one spinner. With Tendulkar, Yuvraj and Sehwag in the side, I'm not sure if we need 2 specialist spinners.

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I also dont think its going to happen but its worth a try. Powar has played in most of the matches India has played this year and his performance has been consistent.

Bhajji on the other hand is not the destroyer of batting line ups that he used to be.

Bhajjis' advantage is the doosra though his doosra has not been as effective of late. On the other hand his off spin is not causing concern to top batsmen. He is now resorting to flighting less in order to check the runs. This shows a decline for an off spinner.

His flight and trajectory that makes the ball appear to be a tempting half volley that dips at the last minute has ceased to exist. The moment he does decide to flight batsmen are taking him on because the flight is not deceptive and without flight he is not the bowler he was.

The problem with Bhajji is not impossible to rectify but Bhajji is unlikely to go to the masters like Prasanna and take advise (prasanna is on record saying how can I help him unless he asks me) and this is not something Greg Chappell is going to be able to teach him.

When an off spinner loses his 'loop', hed becomes a regular off spinner and murali, Harbhajan (in his earlier daysd) and Saqlain are not just regular spinners.

Lose the loop and a Prasanna becomes a Venktraghvan and thats a HUGE difference.

Harbhajan's droppping can actually do him good if it makes him think he has a problem. But he seems to think that its just that his luck is not favouring him. Thats a tragedy.

Powar has a natural loop. Its what makes him so easy to look at but still so rarely is he collared.

One more thing, Harbhajan is having lots of problems bowling to left handers which is a bad sign not only because off spinners should 'feed' on left handers but also because there is an unusually large number of left handers amongst the top order batsmen in the world today.

Can't believe people are wanting to try someone in place of turbinator.

Turbinator isn't particularly threatening most of the time, but he keeps it very tight (how many other bowlers keep their ER near 4 these days?) - surely that's the sort of bowler you want when you supposedly have such a strong batting lineup? Score 300+ regularly and strangle the opposition, or keep the opposition down to 250ish and chase them down comfortably. I really don't see a problem with having two front line spinners playing either, certainly a lot better than having the likes who played against West Indies who get pummelled on a regular basis.

I know if India played England in a World Cup tomorrow I'd sooner have an attack with AA, MM Patel and RP Singh playing and giving up 5+ an over without the batsmen even trying.

Bringing in Powar would be a huge risk to take against a team like Australia. We should try and have are most expericend players here as they will be more mentaly fit

Dravid said:

Bringing in Powar would be a huge risk to take against a team like Australia. We should try and have are most expericend players here as they will be more mentaly fit

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I agree. If they do bring Powar they will do it in the return game against Windies. Although, if you knew Powar you wouldnt worry about his 'mental' toughness The guy is made of ice.

He could be made of Ice but he could melt right there if he might end up bowling to someone like Ricky Ponting. I'm not saying hes not a good bowler, but it would be best to keep him only for the West Indies game right now.

viktor said:

Remind me again, what he did in the last 5-6 ODIs?

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I dont know what Pathan did in the last six games but I do know what india did- they lost five of the six games with the sixth being washed out !

A lot of people won't know what I'm on about, but does anyone else think 'Tesco value' everytime they load Cricinfo and there's that picture of Ricky the chimp in that Travelex cap?

Keeps me amused anyway.

Small things.....

SJS said:

I dont know what Pathan did in the last six games but I do know what india did- they lost five of the six games with the sixth being washed out !

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And?? you think that is because Pathan did badly? or enough excuse for Pathan doing badly? or just a general comment?
couldn't quite understand your train of thought there...

grecian said:

Small things.....

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Lets leave your err... oh... it's a family forum isn't it.

Pathan to silent all his critics this game watch......

viktor said:

And?? you think that is because Pathan did badly? or enough excuse for Pathan doing badly? or just a general comment?
couldn't quite understand your train of thought there...

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Just a general comment.

I am not one of those who thinks Pathan should be dropped or that his recent poor form with the ball is the sole reason for India's recent bad run. Its worrying nevertheless.

Whats more worrying, I feel, is the coaching staff's 'apparent' inabilty help the bowlers with problems.

1 hour 2 go can't wait.

Tendulkar to make less than 25..

Pretty crazy how Pathan just randomly got crap. Doesn`t make any sense.

Powar is definately worth a run for mine. Seems to have a good temprament and sticks to what he`s good at. I don`t pretend to be an Indian cricket expert, but Singh looks to have a lot of potential. In fact, the best thing about the Indian bowling unit is that they have age on their side. Chawla (sp) looks to be a good find as well. Pathan is still young, as is Munaf. A lot to look forward to.


Why hasn`t Collymore been picked? Absolutely ridiculous to me.


And I reckon Bracken will run riot tonight. Hopefully.

An absolute joke Collymore hasn't been picked.

It was raining a while back. Now it says "partly sunny". Hope it stays that way.

Cosgrove opening with Jaques, and Hogg and Clark in for Cullen and Bracken. Looks like I was right about them retaining Mitchell Johnson, but no Lee again is a bit of a surprise.

Should be a pretty good wicket for Clark at least, if it's the same one as the last two games.

Hopefully Watson bats @ 5 today

No Haydos?