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General Cricket => Players => Topic started by: Buzz on September 27, 2012, 07:33:44 AM
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m.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/wants-the-prize-but-unwilling-to-pay-the-price/article3940512.ece/?maneref=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.espncricinfo.com%2Fsurfer%2F
FEELING THE STRAIN:Virender
Sehwag did not know how to
dedicate himself to disciplined
training. It was only during
periods of relative poor form
that he was prepared to spend
time getting things back on
track.— PHOTO: PTI
Like many others I am sure, I
was saddened to see Virender
Sehwag left out of the Indian
team this week. Despite my
frustrations with him during
my tenure as Indian coach I
could not help but love him. He
is, after all, a loveable rogue.
And he can bat better than
most.
In fact, he is the most gifted
ball striker that I have seen. I
remember well the first time I
was able to watch him up close.
It was in Bangalore soon after I
began as national coach.
Viru arrived early for an
Indian team camp at a time
when 30 of the best pace
bowlers from around India
were finishing off a camp of
their own. He asked if he could
have a hit against some of them
in a centre wicket session.
We were on the NCA ground
which is wedged in the triangle
formed by the confluence of
Cubbon and Queen Roads to the
side of Chinnaswamy stadium.
The wicket was well grassed
and bouncy, but he walked in
with a new bat and hit
everything sweetly from the
middle.
Considering the wicket and that
the bowlers were swinging,
seaming and bouncing the ball
disconcertedly, this was as
awesome a display of menacing
power and precision batting as
I had witnessed. I was excited
about working with someone
with such sublime skill.
To say that Viru was one of the
great frustrations of my time
with the team is an
understatement. Sadly, he
continues to disappoint and is
in danger of squandering his
God-given talent. The person
who is least likely to be fazed
by all of this is Virender
himself.
What I soon learned about him
was that Viru did not want to
dedicate himself to taking his
talent to its zenith. He was
happy to turn up and play and
accept what came his way. No
amount of cajoling from me
could shift him from his
insouciant way.
This often happens to those
with the greatest gift. Because
he had never had to work hard
at developing such a skill, Viru
did not know how to dedicate
himself to disciplined training.
It was only during periods of
relative poor form that he was
prepared to spend time getting
things back on track. As soon
as he made some runs he
slipped back into old habits and
appeared content to practise in
the same old profligate way;
until his form evaporated
again.
His idea of a practice session
was to hit the bowlers as hard
and as far as he could as often
as he could.
Most balls were hit in the air
with no regard to whether or
not they were out. I tried to
encourage him to work on
developing his range by playing
each ball on its merit and
developing some power shots on
the leg side against pace.
Because Viru was so strong on
the off side and only wanted to
play on that side of the wicket,
teams bowled very straight to
him to deny him room to free
his arms to hit the ball through
that side.
I tried to explain to him that, if
he was prepared to work on
developing leg side options
against the faster bowlers, it
would, in fact, force them to
bowl more to his strength. He
wasn’t interested.
Frustrating
The other area of frustration
for me was that he did not keep
himself in good shape and
would often be troubled by a
back ailment that restricted
him in the field and made him
even less likely to want to put
time into expanding his ability.
Apart from his batting skills, he
is a very talented off-spin
bowler and he should have
been the best slip fielder in the
team, but he eschewed the
responsibility at every
opportunity.
Strangely, for someone who
only wants to play the game on
his terms, he harbours a desire
to captain his country. I have
no doubt that he could do it for
he understands the game well,
but what he fails to grasp is
that with the honour comes
responsibility. In fact, the
responsibility to show personal
leadership has to come before
one can earn the higher
honour. He wants the prize, but
has been unwilling to pay the
price.
The surprising thing was that
when Viru got runs in 50-over
cricket, India often lost. For one
thing, he seemed more
concerned with his strike rate
than the bigger picture. He
would play shots from the first
ball and not stop until he got
out, which was often just when
the team needed him to go on to
a big score.
Usually, if he got a start, he
would get away to such a flyer
it would get everyone at the
ground excited, including his
team-mates who would then
think that they should score
300 plus. Once Virender got out,
the good start was often
squandered by the loss of
multiple wickets as others tried
to maintain the frenetic run-
rate and generally the game
would slip away. Seven years
on, nothing much has changed.
He has worked on his fitness
and appears to be in better
condition, but on the evidence
of his training in Australia
early this year he still practises
the way he has always done
and the results, unsurprisingly,
are similar.
It is unlikely that Sehwag will
ever change. It is probably too
late now. But, if Dhoni and the
selectors have decided that
enough is enough and that they
have a better chance of
winning the World Twenty20
without him, I reckon the
Australian bowlers will breathe
a little easier on Friday.
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So what we are saying is trying to whack every ball is a bad thing?
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No, wasting your talent is though!
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Great article, thanks Buzz. I just wonder how many of the Indian side this applies to aside of Sehwag. I just feel that their whole attitude stinks of arrogance and the feeling that all they have to do is turn up too win, especially at home.
I don't want to come across as vindictive but I thoroughly enjoyed watching Cook, Anderson et al dismantle them in the Tests, and the sweetener of Morgans 6 in the 20/20 was the icing on the cake. I hope we can repeat these feats in the ODI's just to finish the job!
Not being vindictive but I just feel they need to be pulled down a few rungs and there's no better place to do that than in their own backyard.
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As an Indian fan...this article is brutally correct, and Charlie you're right that it seems all of our team needs to work harder and be brought down to Earth. However I despise Greg Chappell for almost ruining our squad not that many years ago.
With the huge talent pool we should be winning far more than we are in recent times, especially at home. I hope the selectors get their acts together and give opportunities to youngsters, so they can keep the regulars on their toes.
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Once you lose to your greatest rivals ie Pakistan there was always going to be changes. I do believe that himself along with Gambir, Yuvi, and koli need to e bought down a peg or 2 as they seem to think they are bigger than Indian or world cricket themselves. Although when you have a billion people treating you like a god I imagine it would affect a lot of people in that way.
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I think some of this criticism is a bit harsh, Sehwag is obviously one of the most gifted players in the modern game at the minute. He is one of only 4(I think) people to score two 300's in tests (and a 290) to boot. The attitude of many players across different teams to practice has always varied, some just do not see the need to practice, a la Warne. For some people, practising can be the problem, over thinking etc. However as a batsman, it only takes a few low scores before everyone is on your case, whereas someone like Warne can make a mistake and its just 4 runs. As he has got older, it is obvious he is losing his eye, and he has always had flaws, but name me one batsman who hasn't had any?
He should still be remembered as part of the golden Indian generation and as a world class entertainer.
I am in no way a fan of Indian Cricket or Sehwag, but I do dislike when the media jump on the back of players who have had excellent careers, and someone who is a real hero, if not a legend, in the Indian game.
What annoys me more with India is the arrogance of players like Yuvraj and Kohli who haven't really achieved anything of note in the game, but act like they have (6 6's apart for Yuvraj). Atleast Sehwag has in many ways "earnt" his reputation
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Great article, thanks Buzz. I just wonder how many of the Indian side this applies to aside of Sehwag. I just feel that their whole attitude stinks of arrogance and the feeling that all they have to do is turn up too win, especially at home.
I don't want to come across as vindictive but I thoroughly enjoyed watching Cook, Anderson et al dismantle them in the Tests, and the sweetener of Morgans 6 in the 20/20 was the icing on the cake. I hope we can repeat these feats in the ODI's just to finish the job!
Not being vindictive but I just feel they need to be pulled down a few rungs and there's no better place to do that than in their own backyard.
I am Indian and I think I was happier than you were mate, any true fan of Indian cricket will tell you that we are horrible right now and a lot of it is do with attitude and not skills. I think India needed this kick on the backside, lets just hope they take it as a lesson..
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I am Indian and I think I was happier than you were mate, any true fan of Indian cricket will tell you that we are horrible right now and a lot of it is do with attitude and not skills. I think India needed this kick on the backside, lets just hope they take it as a lesson..
Agreed and there have been some major changes with all the retirements in the Indian team. India does have a good pool of batsmen but bowlers is the area which is worrying more as we don't have any world class spinner now and every single pace bowler gets injured after 6 months.
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Agreed and there have been some major changes with all the retirements in the Indian team. India does have a good pool of batsmen but bowlers is the area which is worrying more as we don't have any world class spinner now and every single pace bowler gets injured after 6 months.
I'd lay blame on BCCI here, I won't wholly bash IPL but since the board is entirely aware of the fact that fast bowlers in India are scarce then they should be preserved, look at Dale Steyn and how South African board is handling him, thats how things should be in India. Offer hefty financial incentives for the fast bowlers, preserve them.
What annoys me more with India is the arrogance of players like Yuvraj and Kohli who haven't really achieved anything of note in the game, but act like they have (6 6's apart for Yuvraj). Atleast Sehwag has in many ways "earnt" his reputation
I was truly astonished when I saw Yuvraj Singh's celebration when he claimed Mohammad Hafeez which lead India to victory over Pakistan in third ODI. Your team was on verge of a white-wash, you had poor series with bat, ball and even field prior to this and I felt that his celebration were wholly infantile.
As gifted Virat Kohli is, I'm always left in state of denial seeing his arrogance, whenever he is dismissed you would see him cussing out for no reason, even at misfield he'd start cussing, even at reaching 50/100 he would start cussing and so on. I mean what the heck is wrong with him!!
One can't admire Sachin Tendulkar enough, despite achieving all records he still managed to the composure and he started playing at way too young age, younger than these two who haven't earned fraction of what SRT has.
I feel quite bad for MS Dhoni, poor man is getting all slacking due to his team poor performance, an extremely absurd practice among sub-continents fans/media.
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I was astounded watching Indias celebrations in avoiding a 3-0 whitewash.
Have their standards slipped that low? Pakistan have a really good allround ODI team.
I still see India beating England and winning the ODI series though ;)
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Not surprising really. .... viru hardly has the technique to sustain his performance when age slows his reactions, while guys with more classical techniques can endure much longer.
He's has been a fantastic bat and scored runs all over the world. We should enjoy it for what it was in its prime, not bemoan him trying to have some footwork and become dour after 9000 test runs at a SR of 80 odd.
The rest of the Indians....... different story.
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Viru has entertained us like nobody else and I rate him alongside Gilchrist, Jayasuriya, Gibbs, and Sachin for the pure excitement he generated opening the innings in ODIs although he played identically in Tests an averaged 50. I dont recall another Test opening batsman playing this way and coming off that often although David Warner seems to have a good start.
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As an Indian fan...this article is brutally correct, and Charlie you're right that it seems all of our team needs to work harder and be brought down to Earth. However I despise Greg Chappell for almost ruining our squad not that many years ago.
With the huge talent pool we should be winning far more than we are in recent times, especially at home. I hope the selectors get their acts together and give opportunities to youngsters, so they can keep the regulars on their toes.
I am Indian and I think I was happier than you were mate, any true fan of Indian cricket will tell you that we are horrible right now and a lot of it is do with attitude and not skills. I think India needed this kick on the backside, lets just hope they take it as a lesson..
Thanks guys I was half expecting to get quite heavily disabused for this! :)
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Pakistan
Does the word Pakistan get automatically censored for being racist?
I wonder how our Pakistani friends here feel about their national self identification being treated like a common swear word?
Zindebad Pakistan!
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why is my name showing up as tushbottomhgal when someone quotes my post?? hahaha gotta love the filters ;)
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why is my name showing up as tushbottomhgal when someone quotes my post?? hahaha gotta love the filters ;)
Just had to test that, haha
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Just had to test that, haha
oh lord!! i am about to become the most quoted person on here ;)...i wonder if you loose percentage points just to quote my post :D
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(No Racism Please)stan
Does the word (No Racism Please)stan get automatically censored for being racist?
I wonder how our (No Racism Please)stani friends here feel about their national self identification being treated like a common swear word?
Zindebad (No Racism Please)stan!
:)
Just testing...(No Racism Please)stan..
Edit: Thats wired admins....???
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Sehwag is immensely gifted player and a real match winner. Lot of criticism about his technique, no foot movement etc? Without any technique his top 3 scores in test cricket are 319, 309 and 293 test avg 50 plus with a strike rate of over 80. Holds the record of fastest triple century (300 off only 278 balls). He is also holding the record of highest ODI score, 219 off 149 balls. Come on guys, what else you expect from this humble guy (not arrogant like other Indian players, kohli etc). My favorite batsman!! love to watch his batting.
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Sehwag is immensely gifted player and a real match winner. Lot of criticism about his technique, no foot movement etc? Without any technique his top 3 scores in test cricket are 319, 309 and 293 test avg 50 plus with a strike rate of over 80. Holds the record of fastest triple century (300 off only 278 balls). He is also holding the record of highest ODI score, 219 off 149 balls. Come on guys, what else you expect from this humble guy (not arrogant like other Indian players, kohli etc). My favorite batsman!! love to watch his batting.
Welcome to the forum mate, yes his past record is something else and he is a phenomenal batsman when he wants to be, but therein lies the crux of the problem, you only need to look at his last few internationals he's scored one ton and all the other scores are under 50. Aside from that ton you then have to go back to 2010 for his last test century (against New Zealand) and his last ODI century was in 2011 against The Windies in India. Look at his behaviour in the slips during the series against England, he looked bored and disinterested (which in my eyes if you're representing your country smacks of arrogance), either he needs a long rest or decide if his priorities are now just to play the shorter formats of the game.
As I said in one of my earlier posts I have nothing against Indian cricket in general, but what I don't agree with is a team getting whitewashed and then saying wait until you come to India!
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I am with you charlie. Last couple of years his performance not up to mark but surely he will sort out his problems and will perform to his potential in 2013.
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As an Indian fan...this article is brutally correct, and Charlie you're right that it seems all of our team needs to work harder and be brought down to Earth. However I despise Greg Chappell for almost ruining our squad not that many years ago.
With the huge talent pool we should be winning far more than we are in recent times, especially at home. I hope the selectors get their acts together and give opportunities to youngsters, so they can keep the regulars on their toes.
A guy at my cricket club met Greg Chappell at a coaches conference in Adelaide and he asked him about his tenure as Indian coach. GC tried to adopt more of an Australian way of training in terms of a greater emphasis on physical fitness, fielding, running between the wickets, eating properly, etc, etc. This was met by a great deal of reluctance by the more established players in the team, principally Ganguly, Sehwag, Laxman, Tendulkar. I think the only one of the guns who did take note was Rahul Dravid. Being an outsider made it difficult for GC to try and implement his methods on a group who were happy to just rely on their natural talent and not work properly on their games to improve as a unit. One thing he said was that India were not a team, in fact just 11 individuals who cared more about themselves and their own averages, etc.
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A guy at my cricket club met Greg Chappell at a coaches conference in Adelaide and he asked him about his tenure as Indian coach. GC tried to adopt more of an Australian way of training in terms of a greater emphasis on physical fitness, fielding, running between the wickets, eating properly, etc, etc. This was met by a great deal of reluctance by the more established players in the team, principally Ganguly, Sehwag, Laxman, Tendulkar. I think the only one of the guns who did take note was Rahul Dravid. Being an outsider made it difficult for GC to try and implement his methods on a group who were happy to just rely on their natural talent and not work properly on their games to improve as a unit. One thing he said was that India were not a team, in fact just 11 individuals who cared more about themselves and their own averages, etc.
The problem with Greg Chappell was more of clash of ego.
Indian team has worked mainly with foreign coaches and i am sure all of them emphasized on physical fitness, fielding, running between the wickets, eating properly etc. Indian team had a superb run with Gary Kirtsen.
I think Greg Chappel was never a right fit for the team. Till day he keeps on making writing all these articles with negative comments about the team.
Greg chappel has to blame to some extent for indian team's debacle of 2007 world cup. It did work out as a blessing in disguise as there some major changes done in the team after that event.
A coach is also responsible to keep the team together as a group and Greg Chappel failed in that.