The Asia Cup Matters
By Gaurang
February 23 2014
We all know that India won the World Cup in 1983 and then in 2011. How many know that India are five time Asia Cup Champions? I would bet not many. It is indeed an irony that the championship of the region that represents nearly half the world's Test nations, and over three fourth of the world's cricket fans is so poorly followed not just by the Western media, but by media, and hence fans in these countries as well. It is undoubtedly a remnant of our colonial past and a hang-up that we automatically devalue a tournament that has been played consistently since 1984 and is now in its 12th edition.
The defending Champions Pakistan, are once again the favorites in this edition of the Asia cup, especially since the tournament is once again being played in the same venue as last time, Bangladesh. Sri Lanka who have been in Bangladesh and just blanked the home team 3-0 in their bilateral tournament are also likely to do well in the tournament, and can be said to be second favorites. And if they do happen to win the tournament, they will join India with the most Asian Championships at 5.
The third favorites are India who are without their talismanic ODI captain, M.S. Dhoni who had to pull out of the tournament due to a side strain, though ugly rumors that he was asked to sit out, pending IPL match-fixing allegations are also doing the rounds. The young side led by Virat Kohli will definitely not go in as the favorites. Some would argue that the turmoil with the Indian side means that Bangladesh should be favored over India, as they are playing at home, and last time they defeated India, and ran Pakistan very close in the finals to finish very close runners-up.
The undoubted dark horses are Afghanistan who are making their first appearance in the Asia Cup, after winning the associate level tournament. They are undoubtedly capable of surprising any of the established "Test" nations on their day, but the fact that the tournament is being played in Bangladesh in conditions that will likely blunt some of their edge in pace bowling as well as present hostile hot and humid conditions, mean that they are definitely the long-shots.
With each team playing every other team in the lead up matches, and the top two meeting in the finals, the tournament is well designed to give every team a chance and also ensure some key matches like the much anticipated India v. Pakistan clash will generate a lot of excitement. I think Bangladesh v. Afghanistan in its own way will also be very exciting. In fact all the matches are enticing prospects and one looks forward to this edition with much anticipation. May the best side win, and earn the bragging rights to be considered the Champions of Asia.
The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Indian Cricket Fever (IP Logged)
Date: 23/02/2014 22:24
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:03:14:01:54:07 by Birbal.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:03:14:01:54:07 by Birbal.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 24/02/2014 15:32
I will be surprised if India even make the finals...
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 24/02/2014 22:17
Quote:Birbal
I will be surprised if India even make the finals...
Yes without DHONI this team can't go anywhere...
Bangladesh have banned Shakib for 3 ODIs as a result of the obscene gesture on screen... so it remains to be seen how well they perform without him.. I think SL will win this cup..
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 25/02/2014 06:22
SL may win it... but Pakistan are defending champs and are also favorites...
Amazed that Bangladesh would ban their best player... in this important tournament...could ban him, or fine him later...
Amazed that Bangladesh would ban their best player... in this important tournament...could ban him, or fine him later...
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 25/02/2014 18:03
Pakistan the defending champs lost their first game against SL by 12 runs with 3-4 batsmen having brain fade as usual.. Maling cleaned up the lower middle order by claiming 5 wickets..
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Akbar (IP Logged)
Date: 25/02/2014 19:45
As much as I want India to win, it seems SL are the strongest(after today's win over Pakistan).
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 26/02/2014 03:17
Sri Lanka have everything... Spin, pace, batting, fielding... yes after todays game they are looking like front runners...
As I said, I will be surprised if India even make the finals..
As I said, I will be surprised if India even make the finals..
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 26/02/2014 17:08
Yet another hundred in a chase by Kohli.. captain knock earns him win in Asia cup..
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 27/02/2014 00:04
Now Kholi has 8 wins in 8 matches as captain... a perfect 100% record...
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 27/02/2014 01:18
He has 19 hundreds out of which 13 have come while chasing.. only 1 in lost cause.. freakish so far..
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 27/02/2014 04:09
the highlight of the day was batting by Rahane.......his style is bets suited for opening....but did well today....to evolve himself.
In tests as well as ODIs he should move up the order....to No.2 or3 in ODIs..and no.5 in tests
India should have use this opportunity to bring in sanju samson.......but DK is the captain of India Cements cricket team hence got the preference
In tests as well as ODIs he should move up the order....to No.2 or3 in ODIs..and no.5 in tests
India should have use this opportunity to bring in sanju samson.......but DK is the captain of India Cements cricket team hence got the preference
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 27/02/2014 18:22
I have been saying this for quite a long time now - Rahane needs to bat higher than Rohit be it ODIs or tests...
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 27/02/2014 21:03
[www.espncricinfo.com]
a good observation by Maninder.....our spinners are bowling negatively...."to restrict"
a good observation by Maninder.....our spinners are bowling negatively...."to restrict"
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2014 16:01
afganistan upset BD...well done.
those at the start of the game that might have put money on Afganistan stand to gain handsome returns
those at the start of the game that might have put money on Afganistan stand to gain handsome returns
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2014 20:22
Congrats to Afghanistan... they are improving with every outing...unfortunately not the same can be said of Bangladesh.. who have not improved all that much in over a decade of ODI and Test cricket...
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2014 20:34
India v. Pakistan coming up... but there seems to be little of the traditional BUZZ for this match...why?
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: MNightShyamalan (IP Logged)
Date: 01/03/2014 23:17
No interest in these games when we know that this team cannot perform outside of the subcontinent. This just feels like the same old stale cricket that we see most of the year.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 02/03/2014 02:02
I have little faith left in BD, Pak and IPL game results
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 02/03/2014 16:33
Quote:Birbal
Sri Lanka have everything... Spin, pace, batting, fielding... yes after todays game they are looking like front runners...
As I said, I will be surprised if India even make the finals..
Another DK Fluff behind the stump and India LOSE a close one AGAIN...
Million dollar butter finger strikes again!
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 02/03/2014 16:35
DK also flopped with the BAT...
India still have no replacement for Dhoni the player.
India still have no replacement for Dhoni the player.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 02/03/2014 16:50
Quote:Birbal
DK also flopped with the BAT...
India still have no replacement for Dhoni the player.
they should have tried sanju samson...DK has gotten so many chances to show what he can and what he can't.
India lose a close one making afridi the heor again...Mishra bowled well.....but dhoni doesn't like Mishra so he will sit out next game
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 02/03/2014 19:13
Quote:Birbal
DK also flopped with the BAT...
India still have no replacement for Dhoni the player.
The player, the WK and more importantly THE CAPTAIN... The immaturity of Kohli was quite evident but to his credit he is improving every game.. I would say Rohit will make a better captain than Kohli...
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Indian Well Wisher (IP Logged)
Date: 02/03/2014 21:27
^ Dhoni in ODI is irreplacable...He is a real 3-in-1 combination, and our best ODI bat, at par with Kohli..
It is tests where we should just immediately drop him as the captain..that will bring us forward, and send a strong message to Dhoni..
On Asia cup, agree with Shilpa that Sanju Samson should have been tried..DK is pernenial flop, too impatient and inconsistent player..Heck even Parthiv is better for ODI..for tests, Saha is the back-up..
Lastly, with us out of Asia cup, India should change the combination and have to try Pujara starting with last ODI..The right team with WC in mind will be Rahane & Dhawan as opener, and Pujara as no 4 after Kohli..with Rohit dropped..Pujara has to be 20-25 ODI before WC for us to have any chance there..
But won't happen, and this is one more of those 5th bowler in tests discussion..
It is tests where we should just immediately drop him as the captain..that will bring us forward, and send a strong message to Dhoni..
On Asia cup, agree with Shilpa that Sanju Samson should have been tried..DK is pernenial flop, too impatient and inconsistent player..Heck even Parthiv is better for ODI..for tests, Saha is the back-up..
Lastly, with us out of Asia cup, India should change the combination and have to try Pujara starting with last ODI..The right team with WC in mind will be Rahane & Dhawan as opener, and Pujara as no 4 after Kohli..with Rohit dropped..Pujara has to be 20-25 ODI before WC for us to have any chance there..
But won't happen, and this is one more of those 5th bowler in tests discussion..
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2014 10:22
The problem is we cricket lovers have been manipulated....by the talk of world cup two years before it started.
and locking the captain down.
and then he locks the team down to his favorites.
and now we are told...it's even closer to world cup.
Locking the captain down was OK...but the objective should have been to keep winning....and find winning combinations.
we have been conned into keeping Rohit, ishant and raina.
and any team that fools itself throuhg agenda based selections......will not do well.
and we saw that in SA and NZ......we were wihte washed.
my squad of 15 for the world cup would be starting with the preferred 11 and batting order:
1) Pujara
2) Dhawan
3) rahane
4) Kohli ( he's gotta bat at 4 and control the game from there)
5) Rayadu
6) Dhoni
7) Jadeja
8) Ashwin ( might throw in Pandey or Aaron ahead of him depending on conditons)
9) Zaheer
10) shami
11) Yadav
12) Samson
13) Pandey
14) aaron
15) Binny / Nayar / Rishi Dhawan...basically a batsman who can bowl seam up
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:03:03:10:28:19 by shilpa.
and locking the captain down.
and then he locks the team down to his favorites.
and now we are told...it's even closer to world cup.
Locking the captain down was OK...but the objective should have been to keep winning....and find winning combinations.
we have been conned into keeping Rohit, ishant and raina.
and any team that fools itself throuhg agenda based selections......will not do well.
and we saw that in SA and NZ......we were wihte washed.
my squad of 15 for the world cup would be starting with the preferred 11 and batting order:
1) Pujara
2) Dhawan
3) rahane
4) Kohli ( he's gotta bat at 4 and control the game from there)
5) Rayadu
6) Dhoni
7) Jadeja
8) Ashwin ( might throw in Pandey or Aaron ahead of him depending on conditons)
9) Zaheer
10) shami
11) Yadav
12) Samson
13) Pandey
14) aaron
15) Binny / Nayar / Rishi Dhawan...basically a batsman who can bowl seam up
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:03:03:10:28:19 by shilpa.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Akbar (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2014 16:36
What do you think about Jadeja - he is such an accomplished batsman but he bats at No 7/8.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2014 17:05
I would replace Rayadu with Raina and Zaheer with Dhawal Kulkarni/IKPathan..
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2014 19:44
Quote:Akbar
What do you think about Jadeja - he is such an accomplished batsman but he bats at No 7/8.
No.7 is OK for him in ODIs and No.8 in tests.
7 is a difficult slot to bat....raina did well at no.7 and only no.7 ......and he declined when bhai tried to make him a "proper batsman" and move him thru Nos. 4 to 6.
Now he cannot even return to No. 7 as jadeja owns that spot in the team because of his bowling skills.....probably the best 5th bowler in the world now.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Akbar (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2014 21:30
Thanks Shilpa.
Talking about captaincy, Dhoni does not show his emotions. With Kohli, he is a bundle of emotions and it can have adverse impact on team members.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:03:03:21:30:46 by Akbar.
Talking about captaincy, Dhoni does not show his emotions. With Kohli, he is a bundle of emotions and it can have adverse impact on team members.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:03:03:21:30:46 by Akbar.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2014 22:38
Kohli can have adverse impact with emotions...but he can also FIRE them up...
His field placing and bowling changes were also more aggressive and imaginative than Dhoni... wants to make things happen, instead of just waiting for them... ideal for Tests... not so much for ODIs...where max only have to bowl 50 overs.. and it doesn't matter too much if you take 5 wickets or 10...the total is more important
His field placing and bowling changes were also more aggressive and imaginative than Dhoni... wants to make things happen, instead of just waiting for them... ideal for Tests... not so much for ODIs...where max only have to bowl 50 overs.. and it doesn't matter too much if you take 5 wickets or 10...the total is more important
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: MNightShyamalan (IP Logged)
Date: 03/03/2014 23:07
Exactly, I think Kohli would make a fine test captain, he's so proactive unlike DHoni who just follows the ball with his field placements.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2014 16:05
Kohli under instructions from control center... doesn't give a chance to Pujara and Pandey... even in nothing match against Afghanistan...
This is unbelievable...
This is unbelievable...
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2014 17:11
Atleast he or whoever opened with Rahane and immediately saw the reward albeit against a minnow but still not bat.. This is how the batting order should be..
Meanwhile - Gavaskar raises some good questions.
[www.espncricinfo.com]
Meanwhile - Gavaskar raises some good questions.
[www.espncricinfo.com]
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2014 19:53
Actually one could look at it negatively...
Against Afghanistan whose only real bowling threat is with the new ball if Rohit had flopped the FAVORITE's place would have been in question...
Here if Rahane flopped no problem...and if he didn't could say it was only Afghanistan...
Against Afghanistan whose only real bowling threat is with the new ball if Rohit had flopped the FAVORITE's place would have been in question...
Here if Rahane flopped no problem...and if he didn't could say it was only Afghanistan...
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2014 20:10
all this manipulating that Bhai and his mai baap are doing...cannot go on forever.
they have to deliver wins.
I can bet you..with these agenda loaded teams we cannot win T20 world cup
they have to deliver wins.
I can bet you..with these agenda loaded teams we cannot win T20 world cup
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2014 22:23
we cannot win T20 if we don't have UV type batsman/player in our lineup no matter who the captain is..
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Akbar (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2014 23:08
I wonder what kind of sick mentality drives this kind of selection. They are putting self-interest before team.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 06/03/2014 02:27
Jahapannah... you know this type of "sick" mentality has been going on in Indian cricket for almost its entire history... with a few brief spells where it receeds... like in 1971 then again in the early to mid 80s.. and then in the 2000s before Srinivasan took control of BCCI
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 06/03/2014 09:57
Quote:Meet_New_Mr_India
we cannot win T20 if we don't have UV type batsman/player in our lineup no matter who the captain is..
Hmmm...the captain get the credit ( as he did wehn he won the inaugral world cup) and
the blame if he cannot
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 06/03/2014 16:57
Yes he does credit for taking India to #1 in tests.. And good to see you are acknowledging the fact that captain was the one that won the cup.. And not the usual@#$%&that "it was first such WCup"
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 06/03/2014 20:04
Quote:Meet_New_Mr_India
Yes he does credit for taking India to #1 in tests.. And good to see you are acknowledging the fact that captain was the one that won the cup.. And not the usual@#$%&that "it was first such WCup"
--there is credit in winning...even though it was the least competitive T20 world cup
--taking India to No. 1 is a red herring statement......every one wins home tests.....and we are No. 2 inspite of losing 10 out of last 12 overseas tests.
so I say No.1 is a red hering.
--he gets the credit for winning one test in SA and one in NZ....
--and the blame list is long...I am sure you know it by heart now
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:03:06:20:06:33 by shilpa.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Meet_New_Mr_India (IP Logged)
Date: 06/03/2014 22:58
[q]--taking India to No. 1 is a red herring statement......every one wins home tests.....and we are No. 2 inspite of losing 10 out of last 12 overseas tests.
so I say No.1 is a red hering. [/q]
In "OFFICIAL" test ranking India had been #1.. period... say what you will... BTW we just got displaced by Aussies.. so the rankings are pretty reflective..
[q]--and the blame list is long...I am sure you know it by heart now [/q]
--the only valid loss is home loss against England.. For others I am sure you know the reasons.. ;-)
so I say No.1 is a red hering. [/q]
In "OFFICIAL" test ranking India had been #1.. period... say what you will... BTW we just got displaced by Aussies.. so the rankings are pretty reflective..
[q]--and the blame list is long...I am sure you know it by heart now [/q]
--the only valid loss is home loss against England.. For others I am sure you know the reasons.. ;-)
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 07/03/2014 01:48
MNMI c'mon... you can't brush aside 0-8 as not being valid...
It is as valid as any wins the team has achieved under Dhoni...
It is as valid as any wins the team has achieved under Dhoni...
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: MNightShyamalan (IP Logged)
Date: 07/03/2014 12:27
It's not just 0-8, the record now is 0-10 with 2 draws.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 08/03/2014 16:53
Congrats to Sri Lanka...went UNDEFEATED in the tournament... they deserved to win
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 08/03/2014 20:40
a very flat uninteresting tournament.
I do not exepct even the T20 world cup to be any more exciting.
I do not exepct even the T20 world cup to be any more exciting.
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 10/03/2014 12:06
Quote:
I am not a lankan fan.
I see Indian cricket stuck in a vicious circle of Srinivasan-bhai-Rohit-Raina-ishant......sub standard ODis and pathetic tests....
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: Birbal (IP Logged)
Date: 10/03/2014 16:21
There is a bit of a malaise in the Indian system... no doubt, but how can you blame the Asia Cup for that..?
This is one of the more venerated competitions in the world... and should be given its due
This is one of the more venerated competitions in the world... and should be given its due
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: shilpa (IP Logged)
Date: 10/03/2014 19:12
Quote:Birbal
There is a bit of a malaise in the Indian system... no doubt, but how can you blame the Asia Cup for that..?
This is one of the more venerated competitions in the world... and should be given its due
battle of FTBs
Re: The Asia Cup Matters
Posted by: bhagatghavri (IP Logged)
Date: 03/05/2014 05:46
Indian team has good records in Asia Cup. Team has good player like Kohli, Rohit etc. who perform very well. If Dhoni is not in team, will not effect on the team.
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