Great performance by Pakistan.
We just did not turn up today. Pandya was exceptional today but still do not agree with him playing as the 3rd seamer. India did not make the best of the bowling resources they have. Playing 2 fingerspinners against Pakistan is another huge blunder. We got away with this defensive decision making in the previous games but not today. The difference today was that Pakistan bowled to take wickets and we bowled to contain. Ashwin and Jadeja are not wickettaking options in ODIs. Also, its timr to look beyond Yuvraj and MSD. They have been great servants of the game but seem lost now. We need to blood in young players in their place. Pandya can slot into Yuvraj's spot and possibly Pant replacing Dhoni.
Congrats to Pakistani fans. You guys deserve to celebrate. Remember this event as one tournament where Indian fans rooted for Pakistan right through, except for the finals. Hope Pakistan cricket regains its lost glory.
Knee-jerk reactions.
First of all, Pandya qualifies ahead of Jadhav as a No.6 alone. Common perception was, Jadhav is a batsman capable of rescuing us from 100-4 but Pandya isn't. Rubbish! I'm not doubting Jadhav, but just because Pandya's style is to attack and attack hard doesn't mean he's not fit for the job. We have an obsession with numbers and statistics. Just look at each innings that Pandya played in the IPL and prior to that in the domestic ODI's and T20's. He strikes them CLEAN. A lot like MSD in his prime. He needs to be developed and tempered in the right vein under the guidance of MSD. For me, he's a no brainer @ 6.
Secondly, Yuvraj was the guy who won us the game against this same attack in the first game minus Wahab Riaz. (boy did I miss him today!) MSD's keeping as usual went unnoticed in this series which generally means your keeper has done a terrific job and he was once again able to make a few contributions of substance with the bat. I think he's priceless at No.5 and I would gladly have him for the 2019 WC, even on current form. I have repeatedly said that Ashwin is a LIABILITY in limited overs! Hell, I won't buy his test accolades till he does something outside the dust bowls he bowls on! Jadeja needs to go as well. He can't be in the side for his fielding! He doesn't qualify as a batsman, and doesn't qualify as a bowler either!!
In my honest opinion? I don't rate either of Dhawan's or Sharma's runs in this tournament. Let's face it. India hardly played a quality attack this series. The SA game was over already when India trundled out to bat!
My honest, unbiased ODI team for India is as follows-
Pant
R Sharma
Kohli
Yuvraj
MS Dhoni
Pandya
B Kumar
K Yadav
M Shami
J Bumrah
Y Chahal
I'd have Dhawan and Jadhav as back up batters.. U Yadav as back up seamer and may be Axar Patel as someone who I can introduce instead of Chahal if the batting doesn't click!
