Are you guys ready for 9/11?
Er.. I did not mean that.
I meant the tri-series where the big bad Team India plays the two nice guys of international cricket, NZ and SL.
I am looking forward to the series but I wonder how much fun it'll be?
Meanwhile, most people have now declared ODIs dead (or dying).
And, here I think DP is saying don't even bother. I think.
I first heard about the death of the ODIs back in 2007, right after India won the T20 Wc.
It was on NDTV; while the rest of the cricket "experts" wondered if T20s would kill Test cricket, Ajay Jadeja categorically stated that T20 cricket would impact ODIs and not Tests.
Anyway.
The last time I really, truly enjoyed an ODI series was the CB Series. Sure the buildup to the finals was slow (too many league games), but the two finals were something.
But now, in hindsight, I think the series meant something because of the whole Sydney-Bucknor-TMK-Monkey saga.
I mean, you had to support your team. Pride was involved.
For some, the entire series and its outcome meant a validation of what you stood for.
If you supported India, you wanted the bullies (i.e Team Australia) to be taught a lesson.
If you supported Australia, you wanted the whinging men in blue to be given a thrashing.
And the media added to the buildup.
Of course, now we can all laugh at it. I hope.
EDIT: Some people were unable to view the video.. so I've taken it out. Click HERE.
LOL! (Thanks S.)
A friend recently mentioned that she had great fun watching the last ODI series between Australia and South Africa. And she is not even an Australian or a Saffer.
But, again, I think it had something to do with the buildup.
Remember the way Smith walked out to bat with a broken arm on the last day of the Sydney test?
The entire drama of the Test series helped sell the ODIs.
And if I look back at the 90s-early 2000s, Indo-Pak encounters generated that type of interest.
But, again, there was drama involved which was beyond cricket. Those series meant something. Supporting your national team was an exercise in patriotism.
The way India and Pak view each other right now, the equation has changed and I think that spark has gone.
I think that is thing with the ODIs... unless they truly matter, they don't.
Know what I mean?
Anyway, lets see how this series goes!
Taking Stock
1 hour ago
29 Maidens bowled!!:
This one's gonna be a blink-n-you'll-miss-it type of series.
but, india's back after a much deserved break.
don't care if its odi, t20 or tests.
Prafs,
The fact that India is playing after soooo long is what makes this exciting.
But whether the series will sustain intrest or not is another thing.
I hope it does.
Oh, my..... LOL :)
I LOVE the video, Leela.
Brandon
Brandon,
LOL indeed!
:-)
There's an ODI series about to start? Oh well. :-)
JQ,
:-)
Who knows we might see a smashing 100 by RD at the SR of 125.0!!
I'm afraid this tri-series would give us a better idea why ODI is dying.
Som,
True.
If nothing, at least in India we'll know for sure whether ODIs work or not.
I think india will win this series
Live cricket score
I didn't realize Rahul Dravid had made the team. I just assumed that naming him in the 30 probables for the Champions Trophy was window dressing by the selectors to show that the newbies better shape up.
After I read your comment I went to CricInfo...RD has an integral role to play in the team. Wow. Amazing that he came back after a 2-year hiatus without resorting to pleading his case in the media to be reinstated.
Also, I find it interesting that when an injured Delhi batsmen cannot make it, he is replaced by a recently-injured Delhi batsman. Got to maintain those zonal quotas, don't we?
I think the ODI is still a relevant format, which can be improved with a little imagination (of which the ICC has none). The (Indian) media, having tasted the promise and success of T20, seems to be on a mission to make the format obsolete.
I would simply blame the ridiculous playing schedule. In 2001, there was a tri-series featuring the same three teams in Sri Lanka (remember Viru's maiden ton?). The games were low-scoring but the tournament overall was fascinating. The difference was that the teams were playing after a long break, and it was not serving as preparation for a champions trophy.
Mohsin,
I hope so!
JQ,
I wish the BCCI would do away with this whole zonal quotas and regionalism crap.
But I guess that's expecting too much!
In SA our domestic ODI's are 45 overs but it has been announced that CSA will change it to 40 overs as well.
Brandon
Suhas,
I would simply blame the ridiculous playing schedule.
Yes I agree too.
For instance we seem to be playing SL a lot lately. And if you take away the Mendis factor from the past two series', what was there?
And all those ridiculous tournaments like Kitply Cup??
I am still on the fence on the issue of whether ODIs are relavent or not.
If India is playing, I still find myself watching. However, like I said in my post, I really got involved (and stressed out!!) during the CB series.
:-)
Less said about the media, the better. Did you see the Bhajji episode?
I wanted to put that in my post, but was too embarrassed for the TV channel.
Brandon,
I've been hearing a lot about Pro40 lately. I wonder if India will ever try it.
Remember they were soooo reluctant to tru T20?
And then T20 WC happened, and the rest, as the cliche goes, is history!
I personally think that Kohli should have been in the initially named team as I rate him higher than Raina. I do not see Kohli as a zonal quota selection.
However, I also think that a regular opener should have been named as Gambhir's replacement - perhaps Rahane or Vijay/Uthappa. Not that the latter two have done anything to push their case forward. Uthappa's 157* in the KPL does not count.
Er... I meant the Corporate Trophy. Here's the scorecard -
http://www.cricinfo.com/bccict/engine/current/match/422227.html.
Adverbin,
I prefer Kohli to Kartik... but I guess Kartik did do well in the Windies.
Actually one can make a case for a whole lot of players right now; Vijay, Rahane, Kartik, Uthappa, even Rohit.
I guess this says there is quite a talent out there OR that there is no one exceptional out there!!!
:-)
hi you blog is fantastic
http://mixx-sports.blogspot.com/
Live ICC CHAMPION TOPHY
Thanks Zeeshan!
The difference between a real #1 and a rankings #1 was shown up today. Aussies look to win every game, however meaningless it is. One could almost sense this defeat coming, once Jayasuriya took off. The intensity to win was just not there.
JQ,
Remember.. ODIs are dead/dying?
;-)
I am glad I decided not to watch this match live, and catch up on my sleep since Ind have already qualified for the finals; plua couldn't have taken yet another Jaysurya carnage!
Hope the men in blue put up a better show on Monday.
Leela, After watching Serena implode on the big stage, I have all kinds of sympathy for the cricketers who have such timid reactions, in comparison, when things don't go their way! Can you believe that Serena is going to get a 10,000 dollar fine and that's it for her outburst!
I am going to wake up early tomorrow to watch the final. Got a good feeling about this one.
JQ,
Did she really?
:-)
I seriously hope Ind manages to win this one.
I just wish the timing was a bit better; waking up at 2:00 am to watch a match is quite taxing. And if India lose... I'll be super cranky.
Okay, it turns out Serena could get more sanctions her way from tennis's governing body.
I am hoping for a winning ODI, too. Unlike you, I get to sleep in all the way to 4am. :-)
I actually want Sri Lanka to bat first and then us to chase it down as too many demons are riding on top of each other here for the Indian team - finals jinx, chasing jinx, etc.
Whoever wins the toss (and bats first) will win the match. Neither India nor Sl are as bad as NZ to lose a day nighter at the Premadasa after batting first.
You may as well go back to sleep after the toss.
Adverbin,
You may as well go back to sleep after the toss.
:-)
JQ,
Congratulations!
Your prediction came true.
:-)
Post a Comment