Indo-Pak series: The Giant-killers

[akpower]

Breaking down the team into so many diff factors [openers, mid order, fast n spin bowlers] is not a true representation of strength/weakness of the side. The bottom line is that a team needs run [either they come from openers or mid order bats] and a team needs wkts [either they comefrom spinners or pacers]. So the batting lineups shd be looked at in their totality and same applies for bowling.

Indian batting slightly has the edge while Pakistani bowling I think is defintely better then India's. Here is my take on things, I could be wrong.. but this is just my view:

Sehwag n Dravid - Indian's two top-order bats who are among the best in the business. Rana n Shoaib consistently ran thru English top-order in the previous series. If they can do the same here, India will be looking down the barrel.

Tendulkar - a genius who is past his best. His reflexes are visibly slower and his judgement weaker. But the class act that he is, he can still play a grinding innings against the best of bowling attacks. However, he isn't particularly on a high due to his struggling form and failure to perform in major games over the last couple years. Nonetheless, he will be always be a bit of a threat.

Yuvraj - A definite dark horse in the Indian batting lineup, I think he will be the future of Indian batting order. He still drives and fishes a little too often outside the off stump but has all ingredients to be a world class batsman. Still has to play consistently in a few of big series that will put him right up there with the best.

Ganguly - Will be facing a lot of pressure and as a result will fail against the likes of Shoaib n Rana. I dont see him doing something dramatic. Pakistan will benefit from the instability he provides in the middle and inside the Indian dressing room.

Kumble - most certainly India's trump card. I dont see India winning if Pakistan somehow manages to tame this seasoned veteran.

Harbhajan - might find it tough on Pak pitches which give little if any support to spinners. Doesn't has the variety to trouble Pak batsmen, unless ofcourse they start throwing away their wkts, which is always a possibility with them!

Pathan - has improved alot after the hiding he got in the last indo-pak series. However, with the kookabura ball, he will only get so much seam movement [his main strength]. He might find it tough in Pakistan.

Again, cricket is a funny game, and all my or anyone else's predictions can all be wronged. But this is how I analyse the Indian team. To me if we can "control" the 3 giant killers in the Indian team: Sehwag, Dravid n Kumble, we will win the test series in a scamper.

Pakistan's is soon to follow...

[akpower]

Pakistan lineup is as balanced as it has been in recent memory. Batting has quite a few players that bring stability into it [although Inzy's absense still causes panic within the batting order]. In bowling as well, Pak has enough options to down any team in the world. And no I am not being over confident, I am just saying it how I see it.

Salman - Slowly establishing himself @ the top of the order, his dedication and commitment is unflinching. The way he curbed his natural instincts against England in teh tests was admirable. If he does the same against India, who have a pace attack, I think he'll be in for a whole bunch of runs.

Malik - hasn't got alot of runs in last few matches. Has all the potential to come good sooner rather then later. A little factor going is way that he is playing against his fav oposition.

Younis - Has had a poor trip series againt England and will want to better it against a team which he man-handled in the last indo-pak series.

Yousuf - Had a good solid test series and needs to continue on that to relieve some pressure off the big man. Should not be bothered by Pathan or Agarkar. But with him you never know which Yousuf will come out to bat.

Inzamam - Don't need to say too much about him. He's 36 and ailing, almost always playing with a niggle, is captain of Pakistan, also is part of the batting line-up which crumbles in his non-availability, under pressure of 150 million people who expect him to perform in every game. The remarkable thing is that he's done just that! He is he best batsman in the world today and has been for the last 2 years at least, if not more.

Kami - Already has 4 international series. Still pretty young, but IF he can continue like that with bot his bat n gloves, he'll be the best keeper-batsman Pakistan has ever produced. Has had a great series against the Poms, and there is no reason to believe why he cant repeat his feats.

Shoaib - Brilliant brilliant comeback to intl cricket. If he can play with the same passion, attitude n vigor, Indian batsmen could well be due for a mediocre series. I dont think anyone would disagree that when in full flow he is a one-man team able to decimate the best of batting orders. He did the same against the english bats, who just came here with the ashes under their belt. Imagine what would happen if he bowls his slower ball, that looks like a beamer, to sehwag 1st up!

Rana - You cant stop appreciating what this man brings to the table. The guy's commitment is uncomparable, plays his heart out, has improved his pace with improved fitness levels [can easily be called a fast-medium rather then vice versa], has 3-4 diff slower balls, and will get the most seam/swing movement on both sides. He constantly troubled the mighty English, and yes, he is better then Pathan.

Kaneria - Saying that he is one of the best spinners in the world will not be a stretch. He put the Indians in a spin during their last series, and might do it all over again!

I do believe Pak is stronger on paper and based on recent results. I think India will be under greater pressure because they dissapointed in the last Indo-Pak series and because they know Pak's is on a considerable high. From Pak's viewpoint, if Shoaib n Inzy [Pak's 2 giant killers and perhaps even Kaneria] click, I'm afraid India would find it very tough to match Pakistan.

[sam]

Why isn't Afridi in that list of giant killers?

Or are u planning to just list the human giant killers in both the teams and then proceed to write an entire post on the sole beast in both the teams?!

[akpower]

lol

totally forgot abt him.