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[kban1]

Sehwag out of ODIs, ‘batting terribly wrong’
 
K SHRINIWAS RAO         
 
Posted online: Saturday, January 13, 2007
 
 
Nashik, January 12:
Before the selectors sat down on Friday to pick the team for the first two one-day internationals against the West Indies, it was reasonably clear that Virender Sehwag would be dropped.
For them, the only thing left to do was convince skipper Rahul Dravid about it. This didn’t take much doing.

The script was clear when the batsman with an aggregate of 4,756 runs from 163 matches and a career strike rate of 95.95 lost his job as vice-captain. What cost Sehwag his place in the team was certainly poor form, and, probably also his “aggressive behaviour”.

 
“In the last three or four months, watching him play suggested as if he just cannot bat. There’s something terribly wrong with his batting and he has to take time and sort that out,” said a senior selector.

Coming back from South Africa, Sehwag has already managed a century in the Ranji Trophy. “He has to spend time at the nets. Go back to where he started from, talk to people who he believes know his game. Sourav Ganguly did that and there can’t be a better example,” the selector added.

If bad form was not reason enough, BCCI insiders say, there were many. Sehwag managed to rub a few high-ranking men in the organisation on the wrong side. “He’s been argumentative and outspoken about certain things and that’s also a prime factor why he was dumped,” said a board official.

When the Board issued gag orders to the Indian team on the tour of West Indies and South Africa, the main target was Sehwag. He, sources say, was the one who talked tough on money with the Board.

But board officials said “he is surely a performer on a given day and petty politics wouldn’t stop him from coming back either”.

Anyway, Sehwag is among the 30 probables for the World Cup.
 
http://cricket.expressindia.com/fulliestory.php?content_id=20803

[kban1]

Only the cream, and those who perform
 
Stock reputations fail to matter as selectors pick squad for first 2 ODIs

SWARUPKARPURKAYASTHA         
 
Posted online: Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 0000 hours IST
 
Rajkot, January 12:

The biggest story is about three big-time players.
Virender Sehwag, vice-captain and opener, is not in the Indian squad for the first two one-dayers versus the West Indies. Neither is stalwart tweaker Anil Kumble. But back in style is ex-skipper Sourav Ganguly.

Then there is the story of Irfan Pathan and Mohammed Kaif. Two stars of the recent past, now badly out of form. The BCCI selection committee has found them unfit.

Lastly, there is the story of hope, in Rohtak’s seamer Joginder Sharma, the season’s best opener Robin Uthappa. Both into the squad again from the fringes, with huge Ranji Trophy performances.

The selection committee today chose the squad for the first two ODIs (from January 21 at Nagpur) and the 30 probables for the World Cup. Choices are purely on the basis of current form.

However, chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar said it is not the end of the road Sehwag. “He is out of form now. He needs to sort things out at the nets. He will again be in contention for the remaining matches of the West Indies series,” he said.

A source says that despite skipper Rahul Dravid rooting for Sehwag to be retained, Vengsarkar prevailed. “Dravid did not want Sehwag to lose his confidence as he is an integral part of India’s scheme of things for the World Cup, by dropping him from the team,” said the source.

Also Vengsarkar wanted Mumbai’s young promising batsman Rohit Sharma in the first 15, but Chappell was in favour of Suresh Raina because he already has international exposure. On this occasion, the coach won.

The selection committee has also sent a clear message by bringing back players like Sourav Ganguly (who already made a comeback in the Test squad), Joginder Sharma and Robin Uthappa: that performance at the domestic circuit will not go in vain. “Ganguly has been a proven performer in ODIs and he is in great form now, hence his selection. Joginder Sharma and Uthappa have been performing extremely well in this domestic season, so obviously they could not be ignored,” said Vengsarkar.

The exclusion of Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman, who was flown in to South Africa for the last one-dayer as a last measure to bail Team India out, leave a lot of room for speculation. “Laxman is a fine batsman, no doubt about it. But his fielding and running between the wickets went against him. And Kumble has been rested. He will be back in contention for the last two ODIs,” he said .

In another surprise move, Sachin Tendulkar, who opted out of the captaincy after losing a series against South Africa in 2000, has been made the vice-captain of the team. Said Vengsarkar: “Sachin has 17 years of experience behind him. So we have given him the responsibility. Besides, if Dravid is injured or unavailable for a match, Sachin can take over.”

SQUAD FOR FIRST 2 ODIs

Rahul Dravid (capt), Sachin Tendulkar (vice-capt), Robin Uthappa, Sourav Ganguly, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Kaarthick, Suresh Raina, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, Ajit Agarkar, Joginder Sharma, Ramesh Powar, Harbhajan Singh, Rudhra Pratap Singh.


WORLD CUP PROBABLES

Rahul Dravid (capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif, Mahendra Singh Dhoni , Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Sreesanth, Ajit Agarkar, Suresh Raina, Ramesh Powar, Anil Kumble, Rudhra Pratap Singh, Dinesh Mongia, VRV Singh, Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Kaarthick, Sourav Ganguly, Parthiv Patel, Zaheer Khan, VVS Laxman, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, S Badrinath, Ishant Sharma, Rajesh Pawar, Joginder Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara.

http://cricket.expressindia.com/fulliestory.php?content_id=20748

[caught and bowled]

Uthappa’s gain could be
Sehwag’s loss

Vijay Tagore
Saturday, January 13, 2007  00:23 IST
 
MUMBAI: The door is not shut on Viru, Dilip Vengsarkar said at Rajkot on Friday. It is unlikely that the selection committee chairman has spoken the whole truth about Virender Sehwag.

DNA has learnt that the majority of the selection committee, which has included him among the 30 World Cup probables, does not seem to be favourably disposed towards the former India vice-captain.

“We really don’t need, if we have an alternative,” a colleague of Vengsarkar confided to DNA. “Surely not in the present form.”

The committee, it is learnt, wants to stick to Robin Uthappa. The selectors want to give him more than two matches which means the Karnataka opener is sure to get a look-in for at least two more ODIs. “If Robin does well in at least two matches, Viru is gone,” were the candid words of a selector who seem to be equally unhappy with Irfan Pathan.
However, the selection committee wants to try the Baroda all-rounder out at some stage before the World Cup.

One of the most interesting aspect of Friday’s selection committee meeting was the appointment of Sachin Tendulkar as the vice-captain.

One may note that for home series, the committee does not appoint vice-captains. Vengsarkar had suggested that it was just a default appointment as there is no senior in the team but one selector had admitted that the chairman had consulted Tendulkar before coming to the meeting.

The appointment is a sort of foreboding things to come after the World Cup. It may not be far fetched to imagine that Tendulkar will be the back in the saddle. Once again.

The return of Ganguly was a foregone conclusion but the difference this time was the complete absence of any resistance.

It had the approval of even Greg Chappell who, it is learnt, had maintained a low profile at the 45-minute meeting.

The Indian coach did not talk of the groupism which he is believed to have mentioned in a report to the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
 

[caught and bowled]

Sehwag should emulate Ganguly

BOBILLI VIJAY KUMAR

TIMES NEWS NETWORK


RSS Feeds| SMS CRI to 8888 for latest updates

MUMBAI, Jan 14: Virender Sehwag's century against Haryana came a week too late; if he had scored one in South Africa itself, he would have saved his place in the Indian team and become a hero all over again. Thank God he didn't. Chances are he would have slipped back into complacency.

The decision to drop Sehwag for the first two One-dayers against West Indies is a good move: coach Greg Chappell and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar will be hoping that the fearless Viru too will return a transformed player and a better team man. Just like Sourav Ganguly.

Yes, long after Chappell is gone, this drop-and-shock policy will go down in Indian cricket lore as the Ganguly-effect. The symptoms are similar in Sehwag's case: he too has become a victim of his own cockiness; he too had started believing he had become indispensable.

This belief, sadly, had been fuelled by some people around him. Their faith in his 'outrageous' talent and match-winning abilities has made him lose perspective with reality.

He felt there was nothing wrong with his game, that his next innings would be a glorious hundred and would shut everybody up. Just like Ganguly.

Chappell had seen the writing on the wall; he had the courage to read out the riot act. One just wonders why he took so long in showing Sehwag the door. Or, for that matter, Irfan Pathan.

Ganguly, after being dropped, went back to the basics: he worked on his fitness, uncluttered his mind and rediscovered the hunger within. Today, if he is looking as refined as the old Prince of Kolkata again, he has to thank his stint away from the spotlight, if not Chappell.

Does Sehwag also have that burning desire? Does being dropped from the team also hurt him badly enough? Will he also work on his game and his attitude? Will the Ganguly-effect work again? We hope so. He is a great batsman and a huge asset to India when hes in full flow.

Sehwag has been dropped for only two games; he'll be hoping that he's back after that. But there is one minor change now: he can't take his place in the World Cup squad for granted anymore.

The message has been delivered: you are not indispensable any longer; if you continue to throw away your wicket after tiny cameos, there will be no coming back.

When a batsmans younger, his reflexes are quicker, he sees the ball faster. But with age and other teams figuring out his weaknesses, he needs to work on the chinks in his armour, even if that means changing his game.

No one can afford to rest on his laurels. Perform or perish, that’s the new mantra. Variable pay/bonus will help instill this philosophy further.

About three weeks ago, the team management had taken an even bolder decision: it packed off Pathan in the middle of a tour. Chappell and Ian Frazer had done everything to prepare him as a batsman. They saw potential and helped develop it.

India too needed a good all-rounder (after all, Kapil Dev started off as a bowler and became an all-rounder). Not having one in the team is a weakness; it makes team selection more difficult when it becomes a choice between specialist batsman and specialist bowler.

The fact that Pathan lost his form as a bowler was really nobody’s fault but his own. If he retrieves his bowling ability quickly enough, India will have a serious all-rounder in good time for the World Cup.

Again, it is all a question of the fire inside; how hard is he willing to work and how far can he take the fight? The good thing is he is still young and strong; success and public adulation had dulled his competitive instincts. Being away from both could well be the perfect antidote. 

[prfsr]

The fact that Pathan lost his form as a bowler was really nobody’s fault but his own.

And Mr Vijay Kumar knows this for sure -- how? Coaches have often messed up  young players. In IP's case a certain Pakistani ex-player protested as soon as IP was being asked to bat up the order. His fears have indeed come true.

It may or may not be IP's fault. Stating an opinion as the obvious truth is perhaps acceptable from weekend writers or bloggers, not people who write for major agencies/newspapers.

-P

[MockTurtle]

Sehwag should emulate Ganguly

BOBILLI VIJAY KUMAR

TIMES NEWS NETWORK


RSS Feeds| SMS CRI to 8888 for latest updates

MUMBAI, Jan 14: Virender Sehwag's century against Haryana came a week too late; if he had scored one in South Africa itself, he would have saved his place in the Indian team and become a hero all over again. Thank God he didn't. Chances are he would have slipped back into complacency.

where are the patriots of this forum? a journalist, from a reputed newspaper is HAPPY that sehwag failed! can you believe it? come out with your best insults - form a feminine name for him, abuse his mother, etc.

The decision to drop Sehwag for the first two One-dayers against West Indies is a good move: coach Greg Chappell and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar will be hoping that the fearless Viru too will return a transformed player and a better team man. Just like Sourav Ganguly.

a better team man? what did Sehwag do now? he too 'played politics', 'lied about injuries'?

Yes, long after Chappell is gone, this drop-and-shock policy will go down in Indian cricket lore as the Ganguly-effect. The symptoms are similar in Sehwag's case: he too has become a victim of his own cockiness; he too had started believing he had become indispensable.

you mean, his 'my way or highway' policy? but who will guard the guardians? ChappellWay has turned out be a FailureWay. time to question Chappell about his cockiness and belief that his way is the only way?

This belief, sadly, had been fuelled by some people around him. Their faith in his 'outrageous' talent and match-winning abilities has made him lose perspective with reality.

who are these 'people'? the captain who fought for him in the last test? why not name names?

He felt there was nothing wrong with his game, that his next innings would be a glorious hundred and would shut everybody up. Just like Ganguly.

were you the pastor when he visited the confession box?

Chappell had seen the writing on the wall; he had the courage to read out the riot act. One just wonders why he took so long in showing Sehwag the door. Or, for that matter, Irfan Pathan.

one also wonders why he could not inspire him/correct his technique and bring them back to form. now, Sehwag has 'behavioural issues' but Pathan - all he lost was 'confidence'. could not the ruthless aussie and his man friday instill back that quality? oh, these are questions no one must ask!
 

Ganguly, after being dropped, went back to the basics: he worked on his fitness, uncluttered his mind and rediscovered the hunger within. Today, if he is looking as refined as the old Prince of Kolkata again, he has to thank his stint away from the spotlight, if not Chappell.

No, go out and say it. He has to build a shrine for Chappell for showing him the 'path'. The Clique will embrace you.

[

b]Does Sehwag also have that burning desire? Does being dropped from the team also hurt him badly enough? Will he also work on his game and his attitude? Will the Ganguly-effect work again? We hope so. He is a great batsman and a huge asset to India when hes in full flow. [/b]

well, you know what - sehwag hasn't been treated as nicely as SG was. where is that damning email from the coach -the ultimate source of inspiration? have you and other journalists written enough about  his 'injuries', 'politics' and other assorted cheap shots? why deny him the full package?

Sehwag has been dropped for only two games; he'll be hoping that he's back after that. But there is one minor change now: he can't take his place in the World Cup squad for granted anymore.

The message has been delivered: you are not indispensable any longer; if you continue to throw away your wicket after tiny cameos, there will be no coming back.

what was Chappel's reaction to that? is he going to give us some consistent results? 

When a batsmans younger, his reflexes are quicker, he sees the ball faster. But with age and other teams figuring out his weaknesses, he needs to work on the chinks in his armour, even if that means changing his game.

No one can afford to rest on his laurels. Perform or perish, that’s the new mantra. Variable pay/bonus will help instill this philosophy further.

i like the idea of not paying chappell until we have a 'successful' worldcup campaign. not an ignominy like being a losing finalist but bring home the cup, in its full splendour. anything less, no money for him except for an year's supply of boiled vegetables, maybe.

About three weeks ago, the team management had taken an even bolder decision: it packed off Pathan in the middle of a tour. Chappell and Ian Frazer had done everything to prepare him as a batsman. They saw potential and helped develop it.

ah, you forgot to mention their doing everything to destroy him as bowler. bouquets and brickbats go together, don't they not?

[sudzz]

Sehwag should emulate Ganguly

BOBILLI VIJAY KUMAR

TIMES NEWS NETWORK


RSS Feeds| SMS CRI to 8888 for latest updates

MUMBAI, Jan 14: Virender Sehwag's century against Haryana came a week too late; if he had scored one in South Africa itself, he would have saved his place in the Indian team and become a hero all over again. Thank God he didn't. Chances are he would have slipped back into complacency.

where are the patriots of this forum? a journalist, from a reputed newspaper is HAPPY that sehwag failed! can you believe it? come out with your best insults - form a feminine name for him, abuse his mother, etc.

The decision to drop Sehwag for the first two One-dayers against West Indies is a good move: coach Greg Chappell and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar will be hoping that the fearless Viru too will return a transformed player and a better team man. Just like Sourav Ganguly.

a better team man? what did Sehwag do now? he too 'played politics', 'lied about injuries'?

Yes, long after Chappell is gone, this drop-and-shock policy will go down in Indian cricket lore as the Ganguly-effect. The symptoms are similar in Sehwag's case: he too has become a victim of his own cockiness; he too had started believing he had become indispensable.

you mean, his 'my way or highway' policy? but who will guard the guardians? ChappellWay has turned out be a FailureWay. time to question Chappell about his cockiness and belief that his way is the only way?

This belief, sadly, had been fuelled by some people around him. Their faith in his 'outrageous' talent and match-winning abilities has made him lose perspective with reality.

who are these 'people'? the captain who fought for him in the last test? why not name names?

He felt there was nothing wrong with his game, that his next innings would be a glorious hundred and would shut everybody up. Just like Ganguly.

were you the pastor when he visited the confession box?

Chappell had seen the writing on the wall; he had the courage to read out the riot act. One just wonders why he took so long in showing Sehwag the door. Or, for that matter, Irfan Pathan.

one also wonders why he could not inspire him/correct his technique and bring them back to form. now, Sehwag has 'behavioural issues' but Pathan - all he lost was 'confidence'. could not the ruthless aussie and his man friday instill back that quality? oh, these are questions no one must ask!
 

Ganguly, after being dropped, went back to the basics: he worked on his fitness, uncluttered his mind and rediscovered the hunger within. Today, if he is looking as refined as the old Prince of Kolkata again, he has to thank his stint away from the spotlight, if not Chappell.

No, go out and say it. He has to build a shrine for Chappell for showing him the 'path'. The Clique will embrace you.

[

b]Does Sehwag also have that burning desire? Does being dropped from the team also hurt him badly enough? Will he also work on his game and his attitude? Will the Ganguly-effect work again? We hope so. He is a great batsman and a huge asset to India when hes in full flow. [/b]

well, you know what - sehwag hasn't been treated as nicely as SG was. where is that damning email from the coach -the ultimate source of inspiration? have you and other journalists written enough about  his 'injuries', 'politics' and other assorted cheap shots? why deny him the full package?

Sehwag has been dropped for only two games; he'll be hoping that he's back after that. But there is one minor change now: he can't take his place in the World Cup squad for granted anymore.

The message has been delivered: you are not indispensable any longer; if you continue to throw away your wicket after tiny cameos, there will be no coming back.

what was Chappel's reaction to that? is he going to give us some consistent results? 

When a batsmans younger, his reflexes are quicker, he sees the ball faster. But with age and other teams figuring out his weaknesses, he needs to work on the chinks in his armour, even if that means changing his game.

No one can afford to rest on his laurels. Perform or perish, that’s the new mantra. Variable pay/bonus will help instill this philosophy further.

i like the idea of not paying chappell until we have a 'successful' worldcup campaign. not an ignominy like being a losing finalist but bring home the cup, in its full splendour. anything less, no money for him except for an year's supply of boiled vegetables, maybe.

About three weeks ago, the team management had taken an even bolder decision: it packed off Pathan in the middle of a tour. Chappell and Ian Frazer had done everything to prepare him as a batsman. They saw potential and helped develop it.

ah, you forgot to mention their doing everything to destroy him as bowler. bouquets and brickbats go together, don't they not?

Mock very well written, applause

[MockTurtle]

Mock very well written, applause

danke - applause to you for applauding me.    if only people who smite me are also so forthcoming, i cd return that favour as well!

[dave_dj]

Applause to you, Mock for good dissection of the article and your commentary. 

[Cover Point]

Mock very well written, applause

danke - applause to you for applauding me.    if only people who smite me are also so forthcoming, i cd return that favour as well!

hey just smited you .... #53... hope u enjoyed it ... am just here to please you

[MockTurtle]

Mock very well written, applause

danke - applause to you for applauding me.    if only people who smite me are also so forthcoming, i cd return that favour as well!

hey just smited you .... #53... hope u enjoyed it ... am just here to please you

danke - i love being smitten 

i have a good strike rate now in my smites. pliss to help me reach my 100 soon!

[MockTurtle]

Applause to you, Mock for good dissection of the article and your commentary. 

applause to you too   

[Cover Point]

Mock very well written, applause

danke - applause to you for applauding me.    if only people who smite me are also so forthcoming, i cd return that favour as well!

hey just smited you .... #53... hope u enjoyed it ... am just here to please you

danke - i love being smitten 

i have a good strike rate now in my smites. pliss to help me reach my 100 soon!

u will need to find someone else for that. way too much work. I dont get drunk every day