What we have definitely missed is Zaheer Khan's leadership in the bowling department. He has a much greater impact on our bowlers than Dhoni does, and for a valid reason too. He knows what he is talking about and seems to have an aura about him to bring the best out of our quicks. He's often seen setting fields, spurring on the bowlers and tell in them where to pitch the ball. He's the bowling captain, and IMO should be granted vice captaincy way above Yuvraj.
We missed his bowling, too. With him in our side we have real bite, with his mastery in control and swing.
Harbhajan was a disappointment. We needed him to step up and fill Zaheer's role as leader and as the prime wicket taker. With the number of matches he's played and the favorable conditions he should have made a better effort than what he has produced this series. He's back to his crappy flat trajectory and is easy pickings for the batsman. It's time for something new, Ojha deserves a call.
Jadeja, although saved us from utter humiliation and showed grittiness today, does not deserve to be in the starting XI. He's too much of a bits and pieces player and needs a lot more time in the domestic circuit. It's way too early for him. He's not sure of his role in the team - a bowler, an allrounder, or a batsman? He's batting way too low for his style of batting and there is no room in the top order for him to slot into. His bowling isn't good enough to warrant a place. I'd go with Abhishek Nayar, he's an aggressive batsman and gives us a medium pace bowling option. If not, a specialist in a person like Manoj Tiwary, or maybe even Robin Uthappa.
The middle order needs to wake up. I've said this before, Dhoni and Yuvraj need to learn how to bat with different people. If they fail, we fail. This is a team, this should not be the case. There is something wrong here.
I'd also consider pushing Gambhir back to his spot opening and bring Sehwag down to six. There he will have the freedom to open his arms and attack without putting us in tough situations early. But we can keep the Sachin-Sehwag duo for a bit.
Overall, gutless performances from India this series. We had some tough losses, but that was to blame for ████ bowling, preposterous fielding, and the lack of support from the middle order. We deserved the big loss.
Against a 9th string Australian side too. :doh
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