ICC World T20 India 2016 - March/April 2016

[AliB]

He is always a character. Love him as is the case with full Afghanistan team. Plus with Inzi as a coach, I always look forward to this team playing. And there he goes.

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I hope others may continue the momentum he has given.

 

[Pinch hitter]

good effort from Afghanistan ... SA really need to recheck there bowling strategy before big games...

 

[abhi_jacko]

LOLL the crowd is crazy here - chanting "We want Gayle" before every ball now

 

[abhi_jacko]

That could hurt SL - that appeal turned down by Aleem Dar. Was plumb

 

[CerealKiller]

Kulasekara is the most hated man in Bangalore right now.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Kulasekara is the most hated man in Bangalore right now.

What an amazing dramatic moment it would have been if Gayle had walked out in front of a crowd that desperately wanted to see him .. Kula ruined it

 

[cricket_icon]

Oh the West Indies are playing the cricket of our dreams. They are loud, brash and they swagger to wins. Definitely the team of the tournament so far.

NZ have looked methodical, England good, India uneven, Pakistan ok...but the Windies have just looked imperious. Now I know that India are a genuine threat and once they get into rhythm, nothing will stop them on these flat tracks but the boys from the Caribbean are lighting up this world t20.

 

[SaiSrini]

Oh the West Indies are playing the cricket of our dreams. They are loud, brash and they swagger to wins. Definitely the team of the tournament so far.

NZ have looked methodical, England good, India uneven, Pakistan ok...but the Windies have just looked imperious. Now I know that India are a genuine threat and once they get into rhythm, nothing will stop them on these flat tracks but the boys from the Caribbean are lighting up this world t20.

Except for the Wankhede, I haven't seen a flat track anywhere in the vicinity. Everything has been turning, slow turn, rank turn, etc. I was hoping Bangalore would be a high scoring ground, but today's game seems to say its not so.

New Zealand and West Indies have looked the top teamss. It would be depressing for both these teams if either of them doesn't make the semis (they still can lose out on the spot - that's how their groups are and also the format).

 

[Rehan_24]

Sometimes when you take up things too seriously you end up loosing and performing like this. Shahid Afridi Off-late has been under tremendous pressure and the pressure was there visible in him throughout the match. What costed us the match was more the pressure than the team selection, The selection was definitely not good, While Imad has to be there, There was on cricketing culprit I have been pointing out long before match and that was Sharjeel Khan. He was the wrong pick in the team in the first place since Asia Cup. Apart from Pitch Behaviour, I personally feel that it was a nervous start by both Pakistani Openers, Ahmed Shehzad while looked a bit confident and was trying to overcome the pressure with singles, doubles and was busy in construcing the innings, It was Sharjeel Khan who with limited talent and temperament didn't allow to set the mood for the innings. He was categorically uncomfortable playing both spinners and fast bowlers.

Overall, Pakistan lost because of unable to handle the pressure. I also have serious doubts on team unity and Afridi's captaincy was pathetic, The bowling changing was too bad and except Aamir none of the bowlers bowled well. I won't be surprised seeing Wahab getting thrashed all over the park while Sami performed more than his ability due to luck. The team management clearly misread the pitch and we were missing Imad Wasim and Muhammad Nawaz there.. India could have been in trouble...

Virat Kholi has earned a lot of respect and He is genuinely one of best batsmen in World Cricket these days. He is a match-winner and shows his class in this match one more time.

With Pakistan's leading singer forgetting the National Anthem was a clear sign of nervousness at this best and peak.

And then we come across with a rubbish statement by Chairman of PCB announcing that Afridi won't be the Captain after this World T20 and Pakistani Nation should not expect much from this team in the tournament. Big round of applause and LOL for this selfish statement. Thanks for adding more controversy and pressure before 2 crunch games ahead, despite knowing that the tournament is still ON and Your team is still ahead of India in the points table. Pity.....

PS: Really happy for Pakistan's Women Cricket Team. Congratulations Girls! You Rock!!!

 

[SaiSrini]

I understand the nervousness of Pakistan, considering that their next two games will be up against the ongoing tournament favorites, New Zealand and the always dangerous Australia. Pakistan are in a similar situation to where Sri Lanka is in the other group (started with a win against a relatively easier team, then came up wanting against a slightly stronger team).

But I wonder why Pakistan is letting out news right now that Afridi will be sacked irrespective of result in this tournament, Waqar will be replaced by Aaqib Javed as coach, etc. I mean come on, you still have a tournament to win and you cannot be destabilizing your team like this in the midst of the tournament. Afridi is anyways leaving and so what's the need to say "he will be sacked irrespective of result". Did his comments about "love from Indian fans" play a part of this announcement? If so, this would be very a poor and disgusting act from whoever has leaked news about the PCB contemplating such actions.

By the way, seeing the way the SL v WI game has panned out, all hopes of a good batting pitch for the India v Bangladesh match probably washed out. Its probably going to be another spinning deck with 120-130 scores ruling the roost. I wish we can get to Wankhede for that second semifinal. Would love to see our batsmen on a batting beauty. If SA and Eng can dish out that kind of entertainment, India with its batsmen and with home support can do better.

 

[Pinch hitter]

easy win for WI... suddenly WI looking as top contender for world cup...

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Not suddenly but WI have been a top contender. The T20 format is just a perfect match for West Indies. They have the perfect set of players. Wish there was Pollard Narine and this side would be the one to beat.

I wouldnt be sad if New Zealand, West Indies or South Africa win this thing.

 

[Pinch hitter]

I wouldnt be sad if New Zealand, West Indies or South Africa win this thing.

i like to see New Zealand win this cup... Kane turning out as a good captain for long time... West Indies can easily make the knock-outs but playing in the final, i doubt... South Africa need major fix in there bowling, they giving too many extras and lose bowl to hit...

 

[Saroj padhy]

New Zealand have good bowling unit. But they don't have any strong middle order batsman. Taylor , Elliott can't hit hard. They are taking time to set up. So they are completely depending on top 4.

South Africa have huge batting depth and all of them are hard hitter. But their big issue is bowling. They have legends like Steyn. Morris did well last match.

West indies also have hard hitters (except Ramdin ) Don't know whats wrong with him. Gayle, Bravo, Russell is enough, And Fletcher found his place after last match. And their bowlers are also doing good.

Australia have huge batting depth , All of them are experienced, But don't know whats wrong with them. Australia still have chance in the tournament. They just need to take it seriously.

India's batting completely depending on Rohit and Virat. And Yuvi too but he always comes in a difficult situation because of Dhawan and Raina's cheap dismissal. Rest are just for timepass. Bowlers doing great job except Pandya. And captain also don't have brain. ["Dabba h Dabba, Dhoni Uncle ka brain Dabba"] . Yes he is batting a bit later on. But very very poor captaincy.

England have poor bowling unit. But yet they have chance because they are going to face Afg and Sri. Afg is still a challenge.

Afghanistan Srilanka Bangladesh Pakistan have no chance in this tournament.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

A good post to read! I too dream of the day when I can watch a live game in the stadium when India plays. Two of my dream places to watch them is - one in my hometown Chennai (at the Chepauk - I actually dreamt to see Sachin play there as its his favorite ground, but that wish will remain unfulfilled) and the other one would have to be the MCG.

Nice to see you also agree that Dhoni's captaincy was very average yesterday. He gave his excused post match, but this is not a one off thing with him. He seems predictable in recent times. He is being helped on the top order's rollicking form in recent times. When the top order (especially Kohli fails), Dhoni's captaincy seems exposed.

Watching highlights again (even though I watched it all live - who doesn't like to re-watch their team win a high profile match). Sachin's reactions were so amazing and joyful. And the way he waved at the team and looked at them from the stands, his eyes showed that he missed being amongst them. And Kohli's gesture to Sachin after his 50 and after the win were just graceful and utmost respect. You diss Sachin all you want (call him "the guy who failed under pressure", "the guy who was selfish" etc.), but the love and respect he has from his previous generation, his current and his future generation tells you he is the big daddy of Indian cricket and will remain so. He might not be the greatest allround cricketer, but the most respected and loved of all time - he takes the cake! And that's priceless to have for any sportsperson, I would say.

I hope you get your wish.

Coming to Dhoni's captaincy, I absolutely agree. I think half the people in my stands knew that Raina was going to be introduced when he was. What we didn't know was that Ashwin wouldn't bowl out and Yuvi wouldn't get a look in. MS seems to have a blueprint when he leads these days. I think Pandya has been very good, but looking at the conditions of late, I'd be very tempted to bring in Negi. The only thing which is going to negate that is the fact that there is always a Yuvraj to fall back on if we need another left arm spinner. I also agree that the top order and surprisingly the bowling has been making Dhoni look good lately.

I respect SRT a lot. His contribution to Indian cricket more than his runs are products like Rahane, Sharma, Kohli etc. who grew up wanting to be cricketers looking at him. I don't always buy into all the hype around him, but like you said, he is the boss of Indian cricket and he deserves it. I can tell you, the roof came off when he was being felicitated along with Amitabh Bachchan.