15 Non Stop

All India critics pay attention. India has set a world record for the most successful consecutive chases (15) by winning their 4th ODI against England in Kochi. Once termed (chase) chokers, India under Dravid and Chappell have come a long way. 6 months ago India was a dilapidated ODI outfit. Some change in methods and personnel and now India are rocking. A thinking captain who decides to delay Powerplays based on the opposition energy levels, youngsters given responsibility, the same youngsters performing under pressure and a flexible batting order are the norm.

Kevin

Kevin Pietersen is a player totally different to what the typical English batsman mould is. England are privileged to have a player like him. His attitude towards the art of batting is very clever. That demoralizing the bowler is a part of batting is known to very few and Pietersen is one of them. His attack to the spinners is what makes him largely successful. Playing spin traditionally has not been Englands forte. Rather, players like Pietersen have not been English forte! His attitude is the pillar of his success. A lions share of the English triumph in the Ashes has been the manner in which Pietersen has dealt with Shane Warne.

Licence To FAIL

Presently various Indian players have a unique licence. The licence to fail. Under this licence players are allowed to consistently fail and still retain their spots in the playing eleven. While it is good in some cases it is questionable in others. Heres a look at who is who:

Licence To Fail Memberships

Life Member:
Sachin Tendulkar

Active Membership:
Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble

Not offered Membership yet:
Robin Uthappa, Suresh Raina, Ramesh Powar, Munaf Patel, Venugopal Rao, S Sreesanth, RP Singh

Membership Revoked:
Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar

Membership Expired due to non-availability:
Ashish Nehra, Laxmipathi Balaji

India and 400+ score ODIs

Now that the storm of the most exciting ODI match in history is over, I have a few observations regarding such high ultra-high scoring games. I think with Twenty20 (PRO20) matches being played, batsmen are developing a capability of non-stop hitting. Its no more a question of hitting when the field is up or when the PowerPlays are on. Its about constant hitting. Being an Indian fan I am concerned about this. My basic reason of worry is that BCCI has declared that India will NOT play Twenty20 games at all since its an 'absrurd' format. Fair enough. But what about the constant-fast-scoring ability other Twenty20 playing team players are inherently developing? Can Indian players match up with such peers? Its not an immediate crisis but something worth pondering.

According to me, India will get in a win/win situation if they decide to play Twenty20 matches with an alternate squad. The likes of Dravid, Tendulkar need not play these games. Sehwag, Yuvraj, Raina, Ramesh Powar and others who are young and can be honed to gain multidimensional capabilites can be included. Not only will it improve the current players game, but it will introduce new hitters for a stint in ODIs.

Wreck-ord

What just happened will go down as the best revenge anyone has ever had (or maybe will ever have). South Africa has been jolted too many times by Australia in the past. Being so near is actually being most far from the final target. SA have experienced this more than any Cricket playing nation. But that is history. New history is now written.

SA successfully chased a target of 434 against Australia. (That they did it in 49.5 overs with only 1 wicket remaining are mere details which will be forgotten). Herschelle Gibbs played the innings of his life slamming 175 off just 111 balls. Graeme Smith ably supported in the mammoth run-chase. In essence, what SA did to Australia is equivalent to what Andy Dufresne did while inside the Shawshank prison to Warden Sam Norton in The Shawshank Redemption. First let Australia set a World record and then not only break it, but set a twin record of the highest score and highest chase in the history of ODIs.

As statistics tumbled, an unimaginable result ensued when the likes of Van der Waath and Boucher steered SA to victory. Now you either bask in the victory glory or search reasons for why all this happened!