WHAT NOW????

India a have been knocked out of the world cup but it is still not the end of it. Chappel has retired. Jumped before he was pushed. The nation is calling for the retirements of Sachin and Saurav. However, what right do we have to decide these men's fate. The most important thing for now India is go to Bangladesh and convincingly beat them. Restore lost pride. There will be no Sachin or Saurav but instead Manoj Tiwary and Rajesh Pawar. If India win that then look one step forward. The tour of England which consists of 7 ODI. Sachin and Saurav will probably be an automatic selection for that irrespective of how Manoj or Rajesh play. If India win there then there will only be a few matches left to our final goal, the twenty20 world cup. We have to blood young players in games like these for example against South Africa in Ireland. Win these and the Natwest series and we will sure be flying to South Africa on a high. The team picked for The twenty20 world cup should be on the bases of these matches. Fielding is just as important an batting and bowling We need the right mix. If all this goes our way we might be the first twenty20 world champions.

The problem with Indian cricket

This is a very important period in Indian cricket. If we don't evolve to the newer faster version of cricket we will get left behind like we did in hockey in the 80s. If we watch a game between Australia and South Africa we see a whole different ball game. Fielders diving at slip cordon, batsman trying to covert ones to twos, fielders trying to make two one. For Ganguly and Sachin when there is a two they get one and if Dravid tried to get two runs of a two run ball he will get himself or his partner run out. The next thing is passion which most Indian cricketers lack. If you watch Bangladesh or Ireland play you will see their passion. How happy the are when the get a wicket or win a game. Indians act like celebrities and winning and losing are all part of the game for them. Sreesanth is an Indian with a lot of passion. He will not make a good captain but he inspires the team. Dravid and Chappell made a huge mistake by not picking him for the world cup team. Another problem is this automatic selection policy. Sachin, Saurav and Dhoni have automatic selection to squad irrespective of form. I and the rest of India are surprised that Sachin and Saurav have been rested for Bangladesh tour. Munaf Patel is a good player but he looks like he is 124 not 24. That to me is a lack of passion. Fielding is as much of a part of cricket as batting and fielding.