Dhoni posted a strong post match comment saying some of the players were playing for crowd (indians) rather than team. Actually, it is quiet true, not just for one player but most players within team. There is hardly anything called "TEAM" when team India plays; Its always individuals. Personal glory and milestones matters more than a team victory. Some fans consider, giving Nehra the final over was a ridiculous decision, I bet Had Dhoni thrown a ball to Bhajji and he would have went for 13 runs, same group of people would have criticized and revesed their statement asking; "Why Bhajji"?
It wasnt the final over where India lost the game. India for more than decades have one major problem, They do not have bowlers who can bowl at the death overs. We dont have it, not even Zaheer Khan is good enough consistent bowler to bowl at the death overs. Yes, he was lucky enough to give only 4 in second last over of the match however same Zaheer khan in his 9th over gave away 17 runs to put S.Africa right back into the game. (40th over Zaheer conceded 17 runs after which S.Africa needed 79 runs in last 10 overs with 7 wickets in hand , kind of cake walk).
India knows very well, they do not have bowlers who can defend in last 10 overs. Its very important for India to post over 350 runs target every time they bat first in sub continent pitches. With over 350 runs on board, while chasing, opposition team is more likely to make more mistakes in first 40 overs and hand over Victory to India. IF the team has lost just 3 wickets and 80 runs are required in last 10 overs, India is never going to be able to defend it.
While batting as well; there were lot of mistakes made. First 15 overs when India batted; there was not a single mistake from either Sehwag or Tendulkar. However thats when India had a chance to make a move. India should have took "BATTING POWERPLAY" on 16th over. G.Smith was clueless when India posted 128 runs with no wickets down in first 15 overs. Wouldnt it be great to just push him at the corner, I wonder. Smith was hoping that India do not take the power play and he can bring his spinners and restrict India to under 350. Batting powerplay at that time, could put India well within the reach of 400 runs.
Sachin Tendulkar scored 50 in 33 balls. After 15th over he was 37 balls 57 runs. Till that time, he was playing for Country and he was playing great. Compare 37 balls 57 runs against 92 balls 100 runs. From Strike rate of 154 to 108; thats a lot of change. If this is not playing for your own records, playing for scoring centuries, playing for Crowd, playing for Indians then what it is? Now Quickly lets glance through S.African scoreboard, Did anyone scored a century? Every one contributed to the Team's Victory. Not to forget, Sachin Tendulkar denied India 10 runs through his "defensive", "unfit" running between the wickets. However, Lets forget Tendulkar for a while, because Tendulkar's batting is not the concern for Team India. After all, he still hit a century with more than run a ball strike rate. Its what happens, after Tendulkar gets out in this particular game was horrifying.
Sending Pathan after the fall of Tendulkar's wicket was a bad move. Pathan hits the ball so powerfully and can clear the ground easily, he does not need to play inside the Power Play. In fact had Pathan not there in Power Play, fielder who caught might not even be there and it would have been a easy single for him. Lets give credit to Yuvraj and Dhoni for playing cautiously for couple of overs once they lost Pathan, Gambhir and Tendulkar in power play. Lets not blame Yuvraj too much for going for a shot on the last ball of a Power play, after all he did hit the six in previous over.
What happens after 43rd over, is clear lack of application from Indian lower order. Specially the dismissal of Kohli and Bhajji and Zaheer were just not acceptable. There needs to be a bit of blame need to go to Dhoni as well over there. He was in the middle with them and if he can not motivate them to play for India, then he is failing as a captain and as a premier batsman. He should have been talking with them every ball, and what is the requirement of Team India. From 283 for 5 to 296 all out is lack of determination.
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