World Cup or Worst Cup 2015 for India

I am hoping for Yuvraj Singh, Virendra Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan along with Irfan Pathan. Well, if you think I am against Dhoni, then I am not. If you think I can think more than him, then also I can’t but what I can do is analyze the all rounders in the Indian teams of 1983, 2003, 2011 and 2015 World Cup. The reason is simple that in all three cases we were in the finals and in two instances we won. But let us analyze the team before we move ahead. Let’s look at the all rounders-

1983 World Cup - Kirti Azad, Kapil Dev, M Amarnath & R Binny

2003 World Cup – Sehwag, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh

2011 World Cup -  Sehwag, Yuvraj, Tendulkar , Raina

All these players were actually a choice for the captain when main stream bowlers will not perform in full swing (obviously not Kapil Dev because he was a genuine all rounder). This tells us that in all three world Cup, India was not playing with only 3 or 4 genuine bowlers but India had amazing batsmen that can bowl whenever required to break a partnership. This is very crucial for any captain. We saw how Sachin, Yuvi and Sehwag used to bowl in the middle overs during various one day internationals (not only during the World Cup). And whole of India was happy to see the team putting a fight, they used to fight like a warrior, thirsty for blood and ready to kill. Every single player had his own flavor as well as they would be ready to participate in all possible ways. It was amazing to see the balance of Indian Cricket team as a fan.

But come 2015 world cup and who are the All rounders?

2015 World Cup – Stuart Binny & Ravindra Jadeja or maybe Suresh Raina

We all know about the experience of Stuart Binny. So in short only two, but even Ravindra Jadeja have that capability of bowling equivalent to Sehwag or Sachin? Now let us assume that we play with 3 seamers and one spinner and one all rounder (it is Australia so 3 seamers would be necessary). So this will make 7 batsmen and 5 bowlers (including Ravindra Jadeja or Stuard Binny). In this combination the 5^th bowler will always be at risk because Jadeja is good, but not as a genuine bowler. For god sake, if any of our bower misfires or goes out of balance, then who will bowl as 6^th bowler? Virat Kohli? Rohit Sharma? Shikhar Dhawan? Ajinkya Rahaney? MSD?  So in short, we have an actual dearth of bowlers who had enough practice. It is hard to believe that some magic will happen and our 5^th and 6^th bowler will start to bowl great. And if we will go with 5 genuine bowlers then we will have only 6 batsmen. But then the question remains the same, does those 5 bowlers will perform as five bowlers. It is a real hard task.

I want to be optimistic and will pray for a miracle. Looking at the experience and last three years performance (in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa), I am really shattered. No victory in the last 3 years in those fast pitches, it is just not acceptable. I am wishing for the World Cup, but looking at the squad it is kind of near impossible. But as a cricketing fan, let’s hope for a miracle. With players suffering from injuries it is so disheartening to see the state of the team. I wish Umesh Yadav & Ishant Sharma will bowl at 140 Kmph otherwise it would be difficult to put pressure on other teams. Even when I will look at our batting, then it is dependent on Kohli and Raina, even Dhoni wasn’t playing the way he was used to play during the last World Cup. Are these just misnomers or a sign of a tornado that will tear the Indian Cricket Team apart. If India will not  be able to play well at that stage, then who will be responsible? Let’s Hope for the best. Come-on India!