Cricket

[AneRu]

Maybe but bowlers also need some scoreboard pressure to help them out. If your batting line ups getting bundled out for low scores, it's really hard for them to build any consistent pressure.

And bowling at really high intensity to artificially create some pressure on the batting line up is very tiring - especially if the wicket itself doesn't offer a whole lot of support.

That's the thing though, Australia also don't have the batting quality to bat out a team as their batting line up is still in transition. Both teams have strong bowling units and inconsistent batting though Aussie might edge out the bowling case I don't rate Sirag as a proper Bumrah partner.

I think India have a chance and are still favorites in my book. In Jaiswal, Pant and Gill they have a new core that's emerging, they need someone who can occupy the crease for long periods to come in at 6. I am also not reading too much into the New Zealand series, they just had a couple of spinners that played out of their skins and gained belief from that. I don't think it's a changing of the guard type of result yet.

 

[Ahmer Baig]

Great bowling from Pakistan to restrict Australia to a total of 163.

 

[Ahmer Baig]

Pakistan beating Australia by 9 wickets. Good batting by Saim scoring 82.

 

[TheGame]

 

[hasanejaz88]

Shocked Pikachu face

Makes our decision to go to India for the WC more stupid. Though I understand two wrongs don't make a right, it's still frustrating that we're not showing a bit more backbone in this. There was no way India would've come here for the CT.

 

[Skills]

Shocked Pikachu face

Makes our decision to go to India for the WC more stupid. Though I understand two wrongs don't make a right, it's still frustrating that we're not showing a bit more backbone in this. There was no way India would've come here for the CT.

I mean that's quite unfair. India can only do this because they have pull and then financial power to do this.

 

[Habs]

Pathetic, but as expected.

The correct decision here for the ICC is to move on with the tournament without India. Anything else and you’ll risk this happening again and essentially completely undermines the ICC.

Unfortunately, that most likely isn’t going to happen and they’ll be accommodated

 

[ha_rooney]

Disappointing, but expected. ICC & the other Boards won't have the balls to upset BCCI so they'll move it out of Pakistan.

 

[zing]

The Indian team in Pakistan are a potential terrorist target. It is a country where the Sri Lankan cricket team was targeted by terrorists. India have a history with Pakistan which Sri Lanka do not, and any potential harm to the Indian team is an extremely enormous incentive for malicious actors.

To ignore this and say it is because the BCCI is powerful is missing reality. I wouldn't be surprised if India (rightfully) don't play cricket in Pakistan again in my lifetime.

 

[Skills]

The Indian team in Pakistan are a potential terrorist target. It is a country where the Sri Lankan cricket team was targeted by terrorists. India have a history with Pakistan which Sri Lanka do not, and any potential harm to the Indian team is an extremely enormous incentive for malicious actors.

To ignore this and say it is because the BCCI is powerful is missing reality. I wouldn't be surprised if India (rightfully) don't play cricket in Pakistan again in my lifetime.

This is also a fair assessment.

 

[zing]

This is also a fair assessment.

It will kick off a war if anything happens to the Indian cricket team. Even the prime minister is replaceable, the cricket team at a point in time aren't. There's nothing more important to India, the country, than cricket. It would be madness to send our team to Pakistan.

Pakistan travel here and it is their safety assessment that tells them it's OK. If it doesn't, they should definitely not travel here either. But the logical framework for that should not be "you didn't travel, so I won't".

 

[AshRK]

The Indian team in Pakistan are a potential terrorist target. It is a country where the Sri Lankan cricket team was targeted by terrorists. India have a history with Pakistan which Sri Lanka do not, and any potential harm to the Indian team is an extremely enormous incentive for malicious actors.

To ignore this and say it is because the BCCI is powerful is missing reality. I wouldn't be surprised if India (rightfully) don't play cricket in Pakistan again in my lifetime.

Well put. But with irrational stance would not understand or appreciate it.

 

[TheGame]

SL needed 8 from 6 balls against NZ in their T20 and lost 3 wickets in the last over and lost by 5 runs. What a finish.

 

[TheGame]

It will kick off a war if anything happens to the Indian cricket team. Even the prime minister is replaceable, the cricket team at a point in time aren't. There's nothing more important to India, the country, than cricket. It would be madness to send our team to Pakistan.

Pakistan travel here and it is their safety assessment that tells them it's OK. If it doesn't, they should definitely not travel here either. But the logical framework for that should not be "you didn't travel, so I won't".

I can understand this, could neighbouring matches be played in Bangladesh as it's closer or would that be the same issue?

 

[iKnowNothing]

Bangladesh is also not that peaceful recently.

 

[Samid]

Is quality of batting at an all time low? These kinds of scores seems to be the norm in all formats the moment there is something in it for bowlers. Batters can only score on roads nowadays.

 

[2mufc0]

The Indian team in Pakistan are a potential terrorist target. It is a country where the Sri Lankan cricket team was targeted by terrorists. India have a history with Pakistan which Sri Lanka do not, and any potential harm to the Indian team is an extremely enormous incentive for malicious actors.

To ignore this and say it is because the BCCI is powerful is missing reality. I wouldn't be surprised if India (rightfully) don't play cricket in Pakistan again in my lifetime.

That attack was 15 years ago, plenty of other teams have toured since and they usually get military level security following the Sri Lanka attack. Also, the war on terror era made Pakistan a really dangerous place it's a lot safer compared to then.

 

[MDFC Manager]

The Indian team in Pakistan are a potential terrorist target. It is a country where the Sri Lankan cricket team was targeted by terrorists. India have a history with Pakistan which Sri Lanka do not, and any potential harm to the Indian team is an extremely enormous incentive for malicious actors.

To ignore this and say it is because the BCCI is powerful is missing reality. I wouldn't be surprised if India (rightfully) don't play cricket in Pakistan again in my lifetime.

What you said is fair, but the actual reasoning seems to be the political stance especially post the 2019 military standoff. This government will never want to be seen as normalising ties with Pakistan, certainly not the point where they'd send cricket teams to Pakistan.


The amusing thing amongst all that is somehow bcci gets its way to have a blockbuster India Pakistan match though. Money gotta be made regardless of poltics

 

[Scottynaldinho]

It will kick off a war if anything happens to the Indian cricket team. Even the prime minister is replaceable, the cricket team at a point in time aren't. There's nothing more important to India, the country, than cricket. It would be madness to send our team to Pakistan.

Pakistan travel here and it is their safety assessment that tells them it's OK. If it doesn't, they should definitely not travel here either. But the logical framework for that should not be "you didn't travel, so I won't".

Modi is that you?

 

[TheGame]

Is quality of batting at an all time low? These kinds of scores seems to be the norm in all formats the moment there is something in it for bowlers. Batters can only score on roads nowadays.

The SL v NZ is being played on a raging turner. From watching the Australia highlights, they were batting poorly but have also been rotating players.

 

[zing]

That attack was 15 years ago, plenty of other teams have toured since and they usually get military level security following the Sri Lanka attack. Also, the war on terror era made Pakistan a really dangerous place it's a lot safer compared to then.

Modi is that you?

You guys are delusional. India Pakistan is not a conflict that goes back 15 years and it's not your average neighbourhood scuffle.

 

[dpansheth]

side topic @zing, Gambhir looks rattled, I dont think its going to work out. Given his own temperament and where the team is, I think he was not the right choice. What you and Ash have to say?
Believe he'll be done in a year.

 

[hasanejaz88]

The Indian team in Pakistan are a potential terrorist target. It is a country where the Sri Lankan cricket team was targeted by terrorists. India have a history with Pakistan which Sri Lanka do not, and any potential harm to the Indian team is an extremely enormous incentive for malicious actors.

To ignore this and say it is because the BCCI is powerful is missing reality. I wouldn't be surprised if India (rightfully) don't play cricket in Pakistan again in my lifetime.

Nonsense, there is nothing to suggest the Indian team will be a target. What happened to Sri Lanka was 15 years ago and since then every other team, including Sri Lanka, has toured without issue. Indian teams from other sports have also come and gone without problem. Hell, you have an open corridor for Sikh pilgrims, which would be an easy target in itself.

If the Indian government were acting in good faith regarding their security concerns they would send a security team to assess the situation and arrangements Pakistan would provide, but ofcourse they aren't so they make a blanket statement that it isn't safe. It's clearly politics coming into play with the Indian government seemingly okay with sending their other sports team, who have much less visibility in the Indian public but would have much less security, to be in danger in Pakistan but won't send their most high profile team, who will be provided the highest level of security.

We're typically going to be spineless about this and make grand statements that we won't ever travel to India again, only to have our tails between our legs and go there in 2026.

 

[Ayush_reddevil]

Nonsense, there is nothing to suggest the Indian team will be a target. What happened to Sri Lanka was 15 years ago and since then every other team, including Sri Lanka, has toured without issue. Indian teams from other sports have also come and gone without problem. Hell, you have an open corridor for Sikh pilgrims, which would be an easy target in itself.

If the Indian government were acting in good faith regarding their security concerns they would send a security team to assess the situation and arrangements Pakistan would provide, but ofcourse they aren't so they make a blanket statement that it isn't safe. It's clearly politics coming into play with the Indian government seemingly okay with sending their other sports team, who have much less visibility in the Indian public but would have much less security, to be in danger in Pakistan but won't send their most high profile team, who will be provided the highest level of security.

We're typically going to be spineless about this and make grand statements that we won't ever travel to India again, only to have our tails between our legs and go there in 2026.

Agree about this. I think the reasons for not traveling should be made clear here. If you clearly state that you are not travelling due to security concerns then it's important to get independent assessors who can give you a proper assessment. This isn't really a security thing though, this is basically the government knowing that if they allow Indian team to go then it shows a softness to Pakistan which affects their voter base. Really sad but I don't think that India & Pakistan will play bilaterals ever again because of this same reason

 

[2mufc0]

You guys are delusional. India Pakistan is not a conflict that goes back 15 years and it's not your average neighbourhood scuffle.

You talk like the Indian cricket team has never toured Pakistan before without being attacked.

 

[hasanejaz88]

Agree about this. I think the reasons for not traveling should be made clear here. If you clearly state that you are not travelling due to security concerns then it's important to get independent assessors who can give you a proper assessment. This isn't really a security thing though, this is basically the government knowing that if they allow Indian team to go then it shows a softness to Pakistan which affects their voter base. Really sad but I don't think that India & Pakistan will play bilaterals ever again because of this same reason

Yea. I don't understand how people can say this isn't political but rather are due to legitimate security concerns when Pakistani players aren't even being selected by IPL owners in other leagues, let alone the IPL, as well. What rational would there be to that other than political?

Bilateral tours regardless, that I think is the bigger issue for Pakistani cricket because we will see more Indian owners take over teams from other leagues and continue to restrict access to them, and it's revenue, for Pakistani players. The Hundred has had a fair few Pakistani players but with them opening their doors to private investment I'm sure IPL owners will come in.

 

[zing]

side topic @zing, Gambhir looks rattled, I dont think its going to work out. Given his own temperament and where the team is, I think he was not the right choice. What you and Ash have to say?
Believe he'll be done in a year.

I thought he would be a good hire because he has been successful in the IPL. So far, it's not looking so. You may be right that his temperament is not the right choice for an international team.

I don't think he has an easy job. Like Rohit losing to NZ and the focus on his captaincy, I think Gambhir is in charge of the toughest transition our team has done in a long while. When Sachin, Dravid etc retired, they were guys piling on runs in domestic cricket to call upon in Rohit, Pujara, Rahane, while Virat was already making runs in ODI cricket.

Dravid did a great job with the team, but he had Rohit/Virat on their last legs. I think now it's entirely up to the next set of players, and there aren't any clearly great ones.

Yes Gambhir might fail, but it's not clear to me that anyone else will do significantly better. Gill is the top player of this gen, but he's like 30% of the player relative to the ones that he will be compared against. There aren't many other top batters.

I thought KL could be that person who allows the team to blend experience..

 

[NicolaSacco]

India 283 in their 20/20 with South Africa. Fantastic score.

 

[arnie_ni]

India 283 in their 20/20 with South Africa. Fantastic score.

Didn't see it but must have been a good watch

 

[AshRK]

side topic @zing, Gambhir looks rattled, I dont think its going to work out. Given his own temperament and where the team is, I think he was not the right choice. What you and Ash have to say?
Believe he'll be done in a year.

Gambhir was always a risky choice. I had predicted with him that either it will be a huge success or a pure disaster, no middle ground with him. I feel he will be fine in t20s and 50 overs but test is not his cup of tea.

 

[dpansheth]

Gambhir was always a risky choice. I had predicted with him that either it will be a huge success or a pure disaster, no middle ground with him. I feel he will be fine in t20s and 50 overs but test is not his cup of tea.

He was an average test player as well. Feel that if Board offered Dravid to just stay as the test coach it would have worked.
I also think Gambhir's support cast is not good, especially batting coach.

Edit: if someone can pull out a stat how many catches Bishnoi & Chakravarthy have dropped in their careers? will be a fun read, horrendous fielders given current standards

 

[TheGame]

What a score by India in their T20 match against SA. 283/1

 

[Utd heap]

South Africa often throws up some ridiculous white ball scores. It has some unique conditions.

 

[Bertie Wooster]

Is quality of batting at an all time low? These kinds of scores seems to be the norm in all formats the moment there is something in it for bowlers. Batters can only score on roads nowadays.

I think the money in the Twenty20, and now The Hundred, type competitions has certainly made recent batsmen prioritise developing an attacking game rather than a technically sound defensive game more suited to Test Cricket and tricky batting conditions.

That said, for all the 'it's a batsmen's game' type attitude I think there's always been a bit of a 'damned if they do, damned if they don't' type situation when it comes to high scores. If teams rack up high scores, you rarely hear the bowlers criticised - just 'wow, must have been a batter's paradise. It's a batsmen's game all right'. But teams get skittled out for low scores and rather than slate the bowler friendly pitch or conditions you often just get 'the bowlers did their job but the batsmen let them down. There's a bit in the pitch but it was mostly just good bowling and poor shot selection', etc.

 

[zing]

Is quality of batting at an all time low? These kinds of scores seems to be the norm in all formats the moment there is something in it for bowlers. Batters can only score on roads nowadays.

Bolded bit seems 100% true. The moment there's a pitch with a bit of nip, everyone gets bundled out.

It's odd because in test cricket, the pitches have been great(the right amount of bowler friendliness, except in India) for over 5 years. It is just that the batters aren't adapting to it. Like @Bertie Wooster said, adapting to T20 is being prioritised as number 1.

 

[MDFC Manager]

India 283 in their 20/20 with South Africa. Fantastic score.

IPL auction must be coming up...

 

[AshRK]

IPL auction must be coming up...

Well both Samson and Tilak are already part of RR and MI, so for them auction becomes meaningless. Yes, for those SA bowlers it was not a good showing.

 

[IRN-BRUno]

There's a 13 year old listed for the IPL auction

 

[zing]

There's a 13 year old listed for the IPL auction

He's 15 I think - remember reading this. Lying about age is/was a thing to get an advantage in age group cricket.. still happens, but the BCCI is pretty strict about it

He hit a 60 ball 100 in a 4 day game against Australia A last month. Must be a talent.

 

[Bertie Wooster]

He's 15 I think - remember reading this. Lying about age is/was a thing to get an advantage in age group cricket.. still happens, but the BCCI is pretty strict about it

He hit a 60 ball 100 in a 4 day game against Australia A last month. Must be a talent.

This seemed amazing, given the A teams usually feature established domestic players, often with full international experience.

Just looked up the story and can see one about a 13 year old (though maybe it's turned out he's 15?) scoring a century v Australia U19. Is that the one? That seems more likely, as that level means they'll all be fellow inexperienced teenagers. Still a very good effort to do it at that age against older teens.