Videocon Cup Final: India vs. New Zealand at Harare, 6th September

[Zainub]

I don't know if I should appluad or me amazed at the continued faith Ganguly gets from the Indian selectors, and seemingly from some of the Indian fans as well...

India's loss means they mantain their record of losing tournament finals, plus this keeps their dismal one-day record in the last 12 months intact as well.

How things have changed since 2003 - that was one heck of a year for the Indian team, first doing so well in the World Cup, then going on and doing even better Down Under, and then following it all up in early 2004 by wins against Pakistan. It has all gone down hill since then...from looking like potentially the most well balanced side to challange Australia, India have gone on to become a hit-and-miss side also lacking leadership...all of which goes to prove that if reaching the top is tough, staying on top is even tougher.

Serious questions need be asked and tough decesions be taken if India are to turn around their fortunes. No one is doubting Ganguly used to be at a time one of the best batsmen in the world, his over all record still is quite remarkable. But in the last 2 years he has only played one or two innings of note against quality attacks. And you can wait arround for a while if some one is short of runs to give him time to rediscover his form, but 2 years? And as much as we can talk about Ganguly's tough cookie image being a good attribute to his leadership skills , nothing can inspire a team more then the captain leading from the front, Ganguly just hasn't made the runs. And it's not like we can say he's been unlucky either. He's just hasn't made a case, and he needs to go.

However Ganguly is not the only person whose performances need to be scrutinised. Ajit Agarkar needs to be told what is role in the side is, he looks confused to me for the better part. Yuvraj Singh is another Ganguly clone in the making it seems - only gets runs when the pressure is off, and only knows one way to get the runs, a one-dimensial flat track bulley that I believe has been in the side far longer then he should have been, India would be well advised to groom some one younger, more diversided a player in his place, I think. Sehwag too must get more runs at the top of the order, and more consistently. And Balaji needs to come back in the equation, some how I've always rated him better then either of Pathan, Nehra or Khan.

India fans though can take heart from Kaif's performances. He's one hell of a team player, and should now be batting at 3 for quite some time. And in case Ganguly does get dropped (hopefully), Kaif can be a good deputy to Rahul Dravid, who by the way had his first off tournament since I don't know when.

[vvvrulz]

The turning point of last nights match was Sehwag's dismissal, and as so often happens with the indians, all it takes is one defining moment to transform them from spectactular to the downright pathetic.

I've harped on about Ganguly needing to go, and his aimless slash that dismissed him yesterday SURELY will have nailed his departure. Well knowing the BCCI, probably not.

Leaving Balaji and Kumble out left me clueless, and its about time they settled on a batting line-up rather than chopping it around almost every game. Consistency is what they need, and so greatly lack.

[Doink]

Zainub bhai saheb we all live on hope! If there weren't hope there would be no purpose to live...Ofcourse Ganguly has failed time and again but werent Kaif and Yuvraj doing the very same. Only beacause they had a good African safari doesnt mean that their past sins have been washed off. I dont think it would be right to say that those two atleast contributed with their fielding. If that was so we could have had India U-19 field for the seniors! I never have liked Ganguly but that doesnt mean that we lose faith in him when he isnt doing so well. Not everyone can get 10,000 runs in ODIs. I dont know what the future holds for him as captain but I'm very sure he's gonna make a lot of people eat their words!

[rineet]

Originally Posted by Doink

Not everyone can get 10,000 runs in ODIs. I dont know what the future holds for him as captain but I'm very sure he's gonna make a lot of people eat their words!

Well, one musn`t gloat on Ganguly's past laurels. So what if he scored 10,000 runs. Does that mean that he can play for India till he becomes 40 years and keep failing match after match. Also, one should take into account the number of matches Ganguly has taken to score his last 1000 runs. It is meaningless to criticize Kaif and Yuvraj even after they have started to perform. Every cricketer has a zenith period and for Ganguly, that period is over. The whole world knows he can never become the player that he once used to be. So in the interest of the country and also the team, I think Ganguly can stop playing for India. If anyone thinks that Ganguly is the best captain, then why hasnt the team won finals?? I think anyone can captain India, the way Ganguly is captaining. It is not an acheivement to take the team to the finals of triseries, where the third team is present just to make up the numbers.

[Django]

Until the Indian media, Indian Corporate world and the Indian public continue treating the Indian cricketers as Gods, I do not belive there is going to be any change in the results of matches involving India. The cricketers are interested only in the monetary benefits from the game.

[Doink]

Originally Posted by rineet

I think Ganguly can stop playing for India. If anyone thinks that Ganguly is the best captain, then why hasnt the team won finals?? I think anyone can captain India, the way Ganguly is captaining.

Dude, who said he's the captain India need, that just has to be Rahul Dravid, someone who's not biased and can lead with example. I just have a gutt feeling Ganguly-The Batsman will be back, whether I'm right or wrong only time will tell. And dont forget Indian cricket is not what we call 'ideal'. Ok we have a better person to take over as captain but can one batsman from the fringes come out and prove that he's ready to take Ganguly's place or atleast give a hint that he deserves the big break...I dont like ganguly's attitude but I just have a feeling that it isnt the end of him, you just havent seen the last of him.