Former skipper writes off Ganguly’s troops
Bishen Bedi, a former Indian captain, has dismissed India’s chances of returning home with the World Cup, citing lack of commitment and an over-emphasis on money as the primary reasons.
The legendary left-arm spinner added that the team should concentrate on actually winning the tournament and not just qualifying for the next round.
“We don’t even have five per cent chance of winning. Our sight should be on the Cup, whereas we are just thinking of qualifying for the Super Six,” Bedi said on SABe TV.
Bedi also revealed his strong opinions on current skipper Sourav Ganguly.
“Anybody who rates himself bigger than the game is not the right person to lead. He does not own up his mistakes, and that is what irks me,” Bedi commented.
Bedi added that the controversy surrounding the personal endorsement drama in the approach to the tournament had not helped the team either. He feels that the players are focusing on the economic side of the game.
“This is a massive distraction. Their principle is to play good cricket and profits will follow automatically, but the case here is that they are thinking of profit ahead of principles,” he said.
**Bedi then displayed his feelings that Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan should be banned from the game for his dubious bowling action. Muralitharan has been cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“In my book, he is not a bowler. He should have been throwing javelin at the Asian Games or Olympics as he is a good athelete.”**
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
For once I thought he will get off Murali’s back! :hehe: :hehe:
Interesting article. Though I doubt if it has much credibility. Bedi may think of himself as a great spinner, but I saw him at the fag end of his career and he was fairly ordinary, plus he was himself a bad captain. Now to see him picking faults with everyone under the sun, is kinda stale.
He does make one good point about over-commercialization of cricketers in India. Many people have pointed it out. Cricket, as a game should be played to enjoy and win. Not primarily for securing mega-buck sponsorship deals. I think in the huge business of cricket sponsorship, playing good cricket is taking a back seat in Indian team. This is unfortunate, though not wholly unexpected.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *
The legendary left-arm spinner added that the team should concentrate on actually winning the tournament and not just qualifying for the next round.
"We don't even have five per cent chance of winning. Our sight should be on the Cup, whereas we are just thinking of qualifying for the Super Six," Bedi said on SABe TV.
[/QUOTE]
I think, they gotta get to the Super Six first to go ahead and win the cup. What the heck is Bedi trying to say. One step at a time, and in cricket terms, one match at a time. First Super-6, then semi finals and then finals. Thats the way, the tournament is structured. Unless Mr Bedi has a secret strategy through which Indian team can skip the Super-6 and jump right into the Finals. The dude, kinda lost me there.
Point about Murali is valid. Without going into a lot of technicalities, if Murali claims he has a medical condition, then he should play in the "Special" cricket team. To put cricketeing rules in suspension to allow him to play just bcz he is medically unfit to follow the rules is a big farce .
I honestly think that India is a good side..better than England, Pakistan and Zim....ppl are too harsh on them...looking at their two matches..their batsman seems to be short in score..but all of them look in great touch..middling the ball( not like our Pak batsman).
For the first time Indian bowling is stronger..w/ Kumble (he is a very good player)..and Zaheer Khan (atleast India got rid of Parsad--good for nothing)...Srinath is experienced and bowling well...Harbajaan is a great plus is Indian bowling...W/ Sachin all determined to perform well..I doubt that any team would discard Indian chances...
ABOUT MURLI: anyone can tell by looking at murli bowling that he throw..he should be banned....the reason why he get so much spin is bend in his hand (u all guys who had played cricket in streets know that by throwing ball a person can swing more w/ better control...no wonder Murli is getting so many wicket...even a kid throwing ball can swing more! The only spinner i admire is Shane Warne..he can fox any batsman w/ his control and swing
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Jerablade: *
I honestly think that India is a good side..better than England, Pakistan and Zim....ppl are too harsh on them...looking at their two matches..their batsman seems to be short in score..but all of them look in great touch..middling the ball( not like our Pak batsman).
For the first time Indian bowling is stronger..w/ Kumble (he is a very good player)..and Zaheer Khan (atleast India got rid of Parsad--good for nothing)...Srinath is experienced and bowling well...Harbajaan is a great plus is Indian bowling...W/ Sachin all determined to perform well..I doubt that any team would discard Indian chances...
[/QUOTE]
India is not a bad side but saying its better then Pakistan .... conisdering the results so far in the world cup just doesnt make any sense. I have no idea where you are coming from. Pakistan lost to Australia so did India but Pakistan actauly did have Australia in trouble at one point. Agaisnt India they just walked all over them, India never had them in any kind of worry. Our win agaisnt Namibia was pretty convincing.
I dont know what matches you have been watching but Younis Khan has been striking the ball pretty good so far... he does not have a big score to show for it so far but he is middling it just fine. Youhana too seemed good against Namibia. Agaisnt Australia even Dravid and Sehwaq didnt have a clue where the ball was. I dont think they played a single convincing shot. Sachin is the only one who looks in good touch for India.
Comparing our bowling to theirs is not even something I'm gonna waste my time with. Everyobdy knows the difference.
How can u conclude that??? Neither on paper, nor through recent performances can u argue that india is a better side then pakistan , though i feel they are better then the other 2 u mentioned.
I don’t know about bedi’s comments…but whatever is said about shoiab is damn true. Guys…realise that our team is not upto the level that it can qualify to super sixes. Look at them how they batted against Namibz…like they were facing Holding or Garner. I will not be surprised if we finish 11 out of 14 teams in the world cup.
Look what Great Khan, Sarfaraz and Miandad are saying for last two months. Tauqeer Zia should resign for not consulting the REAL CRICKETERS’ advise. Ba…*!
Shoaib is not a cricketer he is perfect for Grade 2 officer ‘KUNDI MAN’ in local municiplity…cleaning the gutters in Rawalpindi.
I hope we will bring new blood in the team. We have plenty of talent…all we need is a good coach who can give them strength to play fearlessly like Amir Sohail, Saeed and Inzimam used to do in 90s.
even though Bedi had no real reason for feeling or saying such things about the Indian team, he brought a very important thing for India - he will bowl 100s and 100s of maiden overs day after day and ensure India does not lose. He had little attack and that was always provided by the other great India spinners of his time.
However he shouldn't let such bitterness affect hin
, though i feel they are better then the other 2 u mentioned.
