India have been eliminated from the World Twenty20 2009 tournament. It is a huge disappointment, no doubt, for the defending champions. But, the beauty of any sport is its unpredictability. If everyone can predict the result perfectly, then we would not be able to enjoy the game.
My Predictions went wrong
My predictions had gone wrong for the semi-finalists of the ICC World Twenty20 2009 tournament. I had predicted with confidence that South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand to reach semi-finals. I have also thought the fourth spot would be a fight between India and West Indies and predicted India to edge out West Indies. But, it turns out that India had been eliminated. From the other group, either Sri Lanka or New Zealand will go through. Pakistan has surprised me completely by qualifying as the first team from group F. Sri Lanka is in a very similar situation to South Africa's position in 2007. That time, South Africa was the stronger team coming in undefeated for the last match of the super eights. India defeated them by a big margin and they were out of the tournament. Sri Lanka also comes undefeated, but they are in a must-win situation now due to their poor net run rate.
Is Dhoni to be blamed?
Everyone started to blame Dhoni for the elimination. Many of his decisions were questioned in hindsight. The decision to field first, the decision to drop Ojha and include Jadeja, sending Jadeja ahead of Yuvraj Singh and so on. It is easier said than done. I cannot but sympathize with Dhoni and Jadeja. Jadeja is a good player and he contributed in the bowling department. He picked two of the most valuable wickets, Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Bopara. Yes, he has consumed 35 deliveries for his 25. I should agree a 25 ball 25 would have been ideal. He has taken 10 extra deliveries, which could have been decisive in the end.
Jadeja at No. 4
I have to be honest. When I saw Ravindra Jadeja walking in at No. 4, I was quite happy. I thought the situation demanded some calm and cool play with good running between the wicket. Yuvraj Singh likes to be aggressive and if he fails earlier then India is gone. So, Jadeja is suited for the job and situation, but he failed to become the hero.
Instinctive Captain
Let us not forget that the margin of loss is just three runs, just one hit to the boundary. So, stop complaining and be with the team when they need you the most. We had seen Dhoni take several peculiar decisions earlier, which had paid off. Think about Joginder Sharma bowling the final over in ICC World Twenty20 2007 or bringing Piyush Chawla late in the VB series tournament in Australia. We all said Dhoni is a captain by instinct. Your instincts could fail on a day. This is one such day.
Bye Bye England, Hello West Indies
Let us forget it and move on. With the last match against South Africa today, we will bid good bye to England and start concentrating on the next series. Just ten days break before India takes on West Indies in the one-day series that begins on 26 June 2009.
My Predictions went wrong
My predictions had gone wrong for the semi-finalists of the ICC World Twenty20 2009 tournament. I had predicted with confidence that South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand to reach semi-finals. I have also thought the fourth spot would be a fight between India and West Indies and predicted India to edge out West Indies. But, it turns out that India had been eliminated. From the other group, either Sri Lanka or New Zealand will go through. Pakistan has surprised me completely by qualifying as the first team from group F. Sri Lanka is in a very similar situation to South Africa's position in 2007. That time, South Africa was the stronger team coming in undefeated for the last match of the super eights. India defeated them by a big margin and they were out of the tournament. Sri Lanka also comes undefeated, but they are in a must-win situation now due to their poor net run rate.
Is Dhoni to be blamed?
Everyone started to blame Dhoni for the elimination. Many of his decisions were questioned in hindsight. The decision to field first, the decision to drop Ojha and include Jadeja, sending Jadeja ahead of Yuvraj Singh and so on. It is easier said than done. I cannot but sympathize with Dhoni and Jadeja. Jadeja is a good player and he contributed in the bowling department. He picked two of the most valuable wickets, Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Bopara. Yes, he has consumed 35 deliveries for his 25. I should agree a 25 ball 25 would have been ideal. He has taken 10 extra deliveries, which could have been decisive in the end.
Jadeja at No. 4
I have to be honest. When I saw Ravindra Jadeja walking in at No. 4, I was quite happy. I thought the situation demanded some calm and cool play with good running between the wicket. Yuvraj Singh likes to be aggressive and if he fails earlier then India is gone. So, Jadeja is suited for the job and situation, but he failed to become the hero.
Instinctive Captain
Let us not forget that the margin of loss is just three runs, just one hit to the boundary. So, stop complaining and be with the team when they need you the most. We had seen Dhoni take several peculiar decisions earlier, which had paid off. Think about Joginder Sharma bowling the final over in ICC World Twenty20 2007 or bringing Piyush Chawla late in the VB series tournament in Australia. We all said Dhoni is a captain by instinct. Your instincts could fail on a day. This is one such day.
Bye Bye England, Hello West Indies
Let us forget it and move on. With the last match against South Africa today, we will bid good bye to England and start concentrating on the next series. Just ten days break before India takes on West Indies in the one-day series that begins on 26 June 2009.
