India have capped off their excellent run in One Day Internationals with another series victory in New Zealand.
With this series victory, India have won against Australia, Sri Lanka (twice), England and New Zealand, the best of the top-ranked teams in the last year and a half.
An ODI series against South Africa, who are presently ranked the #1 side (a position that India might take over, owing to this series victory) should pretty much settle the scores for the top position in the one day format.
MS Dhoni’s side has been very consistent, and the Indians have proved themselves in different conditions around the world for more than a year now. The presence of Sachin Tendulkar has bolstered a team that is already replete with match winners.
The consistency of Sehwag, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Raina and Gambhir has helped India to extend their dream run.
If there is something India would look to strengthen, it is their bowling department. They need Sreesanth and RP Singh back to challenge the regulars Zaheer, Ishant and Praveen and help build up a reserve strength that can replace the regulars when the need may arise.
Just like Philip Oliver pointed out in the previous article, India are the side to look out for in the ODI form of the game.
4 responses so far ↓
theoldbatsman // March 12, 2009 at 1:01 am |
I think India have that touch of magic that SA don’t, though. It’s strange too that Sehwag and Gambhir are such a beautifully balanced pair, and probably the best in the world, and yet they’re not first choice when the Master plays.
12th Man // March 12, 2009 at 10:38 am |
Batting at 3 won’t do Gambhir much of a harm, though, I admit he is at his best when he opens with Sehwag.
The master has been opening ever since that NZ tour of 1994-95. Though he was pushed to No:4 under the Chappell experimentation, bulk of his 43 hundreds (almost 35 i think) have come at #1 or 2.
Gambhir and Sehwag are settled test openers, and the selectors would not tamper with that.
Leg Break // March 17, 2009 at 3:54 am |
OK then 12th;
Who are you picking to be top run scorer for India in the tests over the next dew weeks.
Contrary to most, I’m picking The Little Master.
And Ryder for NZ
12th Man // March 17, 2009 at 10:41 am |
I expect Sehwag to do well in two of the six innings.
Gambhir might chip in with 3 half centuries, but not convert any.
The Little master will contribute, and I am with you on that.
Dravid and Laxman are wild cards. So I won’t back them. But there is every chance they’ll fire too.
I back Dhoni and Yuvraj to fail.