Can someone please tell me what the point was of the two-match series with Pakistan?
A series played for charity, that pays the hosting association $1 million (about Rs 4.5 crore) and has a 45 kg precious stone-encrusted trophy makes my eyebrows go up.
I don't know about you, but this overdose of Indo-Pakistan matches is making interest levels go down. It was clearly visible during this meaningless series.
I got a lot of flak and some support for my last posts against Ajit Agarkar. I agree that he bowled brilliantly in the two matches against Pakistan -- especially in the first match. If he keeps bowling like that, I have no problems with him continuing in the side. But he goes off boil too often for my liking. That's the problem.
I also like the look of Ramesh Powar. The man is a gutsy cricketer. His bowling is competent. He is not afraid of batsmen attacking him -- in fact he seems to relish that. Also his batting is a bonus. In fact in the Mumbai team, when there is a batting crisis, they say, 'send Ramesh Powar'. A team man who needs to be around in Team India's World Cup plans.
I also like the fact that they have stuck with Kaif for the West Indies tour. The man is a proven performer but undergoing a bad streak. He deserves another chance. And the energy he brings to the fielding is always a bonus.
I hope the debate about Sehwag's place in the side is over for now.