India lost the final test against Pakistan so the knives are out :-) And who else to bash up most except Sachin Tendulkar, who for the Nth time failed when we "needed" him to succeed. Let's just take a quick look at what he has done from 2004 until now.
If you consider Tendulkar's last 15 matches (and 20 or so innings) in the last 2 years, he has scored 916 runs at an average of 45, which is respectable. But statistics are like mini skirts right? Remove the Bangladesh double century and his average in the last 15 minus 1 (14) matches plonks down to 33 - THIRTY THREE. His average when India loses is a piddly 19 - NINETEEN, when India wins is 42 and when India draws is 33.
In the last 19 matches (minus Bangladesh double-hundred match), 1200+ runs at an average of 49, respectable again. First innings is 55 and Second is 37. Drawn match average is 72 (courtesy the double hundred against Australia), average in matches "won" is 61 (fantastic), and average in matches "lost" is 17 - SEVENTEEN.
His average in the last 15 matches (minus Bangladesh of course) is 20 runs less than his career average. He is a great batsman, no doubt and I am sure he will score a century soon. But I thought the difference between a great batsman and a good batsman is the number of opportunities a great batsman needs to dig himself out of a hole. Isn't 15 matches enough?
He is my favourite player in the world, but based on his preformances I have to ask, why is he in the team? He is a better fielder than Ganguly but as a leader and a motivator, doesn't quite match up to the bong. While we talk about Ganguly's failing form, why is Tendlya not measured by the same yardstick? And please don't make excuses for him now like the ball was unplayable or the ball kept low or the umpiring did him in.
Come on Tendlya, do something quick or retire instead of hanging around like Kapil well past his best. Would hate to see you go the Ganguly way.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Steady decline or just a glitch?
Thursday, February 02, 2006
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16 comments:
Angoor bahut meethe hain!
I completely agree with you on that. If there is a metric for inclusion in the team, it should be applicable for every irrespctive of the fact how bigger a star he is.
Apart from this, I have been a regular of this blog, but just too lazy to post any comments. But kudos 2 you TCP for this excellent work. It brings memory of good old days.
Infact I would like to share another thing with every1 here. Love for Indrajaal has been there in my bloodline. My father had once the first edition of Phantom published in India, which I being the notorious of the lot from my family lost it. My parents r coming next week at my place I plan to show the downloaded comics to my DAD as a surprise package. I hope he'll be very pleased to see this (I seriously think that very pleased is an under statement). Will let u all know his reaction.
I remember reading a Phantom comic called Daldal ka dasyudal in Hindi. Nebody out there having it please send it for posting.
Sorry TCP I don't agree! To a great extent what you say make sense but you know what, when India loose, everyone looks for a scapegoat!
I am a cricket lover like any other Indian and can take defeat graciously but when it comes to Pak, it is a No-No with me!
Anyways, even in defeat it matters how you go down! If you go fighting, that shows character! That is what Gangualy did while he was the captain!
It is painful to see India lose to Pak but it was more hurtful to see the manner it lost! No body fought! Lets not blame Tendulkar! We go ga-ga over Triple century, double centaury of Shewag and company, but what they have done! They may not be able to save matches, but look how they bad when it is 'required' to apply themselves.
Case in point, read the following article by Sunit Gavaskar. This sums up my feelings. "http://deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb22006/sports19755200621.asp"
I don't mind Indian team loosing, but I hate them loosing lik
e a bunch of sissies!
Indian Malang
sorry for the typo.. (Still angry at the loss). I meant Sunil Gavaskar!
well, sachin is a great player, but we do need to measure up everyone's performence, not only sachin, but everyone in team, on the same yardstick which is used now a days with Ganguly. i hate to say, but there are two standards, one for Ganguly and another for all others.
No... I don't agree....What I see is we don't allow our players whom we regard like demi-gods to go out and say good bye in style like Steve Waugh! What we do is, like to snub them like their services of all the pervious years do not matter!
Like in case of Gangualy, the cricket board should have kept all the 'drama' inside the house, talked to Gangulay privately, give him the opportunity to prove himself in the pak series and let him say good bye in a nice fashion. No instead, they dropped him uncermoniously only to pick him up, like licking their own spit! That is what Indian cricket board is famour for! Anyway, this is just my opinion!
@Joe of Bangalore: IP is @Fabmall - Surf Excel Silk & Woollen ad.
@obiwan: Merko samjha nahi?
@horizon the lazy one: Am dying to hear what your dad says :-)
@indianmalang: Started with a smiley that the knives are out, didnt I :-) I guess we always go down without a fight. I am not talking about a scapegoat here, everyone failed in their effort I guess, but Tendlya is a bit more consistent in that :-) And I dont give a hoot about the selectors and the board. Tendlya is failing a bit too much
@TCP -- Give him some time! He has just come out from tennis elbow! He is Lambi race ka Ghora! Unlike others!
I agree with you that he is failing too often but remember, we, Indian people, always expect 100 from him...50+ runs are never good for us!
I agree, he has to delieve more..
I see him playing more mature cricket rather a wild one!
Pakistan You are being Warned!
Here comes Tendulkar!
Hi TCP, I am a great fan of Sachin and his current form leaves a lot to be desired. But you have to admit after so many years of playing this is probably the first real loss of form whereas most players have some good seasons and can never achieve the kind of consistency that he has achieved. But, sadly he has never been a big scorer (like Brian Lara or Sehwag for that matter) in tests and that is something he needs to work out. The high average he has when India wins a match is precisely that he has had a hand (a major contribution in most cases)in winning the match....I rest my case. "Tendlya will be back with a bang"
tcp, on your last post, i'd lost out in the race and later said i was just giving others a chance. to which indianmalang had replied with- "angoor khattay hain"(a case of sour grapes for losers)! This is my reply, since I have won the race for the first comment, once again!
what readers say,
just go thru this survey results of hindustan times
Should Sachin be dropped after his failure in Pakistan?
Yes 66.01 %
No 32.14 %
Can't Say 01.85 %
February 01, 2006
Do you support Ganguly's omission from ODI squad?
Yes 32.81 %
No 65.61 %
Can't Say 01.58 %
We Indian's are ficklet.. what can i say! But lets read these articles where people are saying balanced views! what about that!
I would say people are reacting to the result that is what! Ask them to reason and you will get another result!
I mean ficle! God!!!!!!!!! Didn't know this was a such a touchy subject for me!
Sorry for the typo!
lure of the lucre is too great for any player to have integrity in any sport these days... so why pick on the "poor" cricketers alone? They just happen to be one of the pack of greedy sports idols in the world!
btw, great blog... and i like it best for the indrajals... of course it's your call to write about other stuff... loved your review of the movie ... you should do more of the stuff.
Cheers mate!
Ur observation regarding Sourav Ganguly is WRONG! As Sourav is yet to cross his prime whereas your beloved Tendlya crossed his prime YEARS back. In addition, dont make casual remarks on the all time best captain of India
@omm: No re. it looks like it's over. Hope I am wrong because for one last time, I am dying to see him demolish oppositions like he used to.
@obiwan: I understandeds now
@manu: would like to see him in ODIs but he hasnt quite performed there as a batsman lately, plus he is a pathetic fielder. You had a blog about Saurav right? Did you delete it?
@indianmalang: yeah man, we are fickle. Maybe we shouldn't be. But when we take a day off from work lying to our bosses about that great-aunt that is sick to watch our team play and win, and they simply capitulate, i don't blame us.
@anon: thanks mate! :-) I wont call them greedy coz like rs once pointed out, they have a limited lifespan and they have to make the best of it. They cant work till 58 you know :-)
@truebluebengali: I clearly said that Tendlya can never match up to Saurav when it comes to motivation and leadership, yet you make this ridiculous comment? Casual comments about Saurav: good heavens..then here I go with what I posted in another blog: "It's not about cricket alone..sure..but cricket is not about SG either and that's how SG tried to play it. Live by the sword..die by it. He tried to play the system...manipulate it to his advantage which led to a really horrible episode in Indian cricket. I liked the way SG led the team, but he screwed up. Would love to see him back in the team and blast the opposition with his sixes and offside shots. Doesn't seem to be happening though". Dude, people who do what SG did in Zimbabwe may be CAPTAINS but NOT LEADERS.
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