By Gaurang
November 4 2009

A series written off as "masala" and pointless has provided interesting cricket played in front of packed crowds, who have been treated to some excellent cricket. This is quite a contrast to the over-hyped Champions League which generated much less interest.

What this shows is that the demise of the ODI as a viable format has been greatly overstated.  What was also oversold was the interest in the Champions League which is basically domestic club teams playing each other albeit on the international stage.

This once again highlights the point that the best and most watchable cricket is played between national teams, where pride of representing your country is a major factor.  Watching Jacques Kallis, for example, playing for Bangalore Royal Challengers, is nowhere as interesting as watching him play for South Africa, and this is regardless of whether you are a South African supporter or not.

Anyway, the current series is nicely poised and though the Australians have been losing their pace bowlers at an alarming rate, they seem to have enough capable reserves to challenge the Indians.  What will challenge both teams is the unimaginative itinerary that will see the team zig zag from Hyderabad, to Guhuwati to finally land in Mumbai for the final ODI.

India should win it 3-0 or at the worst 2-1 in what has now become a best of 3 series.

All Tied, Three To Go

Discussion started by Indian Cricket Fever (IP Logged), 04/11/2009 18:18

Indian Cricket Fever
04/11/2009 18:18

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:11:05:19:47:39 by Birbal.

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Max
05/11/2009 11:21

Australia have made an excellent start to 5th ODI. Watson hammered 93 and Shaun Marsh is batting on 75. 198/1 in 34.3 overs. Indian bowling has suffered on a flat batting pitch. Aus look firmly in control of the match.

India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!

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amit
05/11/2009 13:05

all 5 odis have been played in front of jam-packed stadiums with interesting cricket in all matches. none of the matches have been boring till now & never anyone seemed a drag. this has been better than the overhyped champions league which had 50% of the stadium empty even when the ipl teams were playing & about 90% empty when no ipl team was involved. in delhi, the champions league was played in front of empty stadium, whereas for odis, the tickets were oversold & ppl later adjusted inside

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Birbal
05/11/2009 16:56

amit what does it mean "people later adjusted inside"...

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MNightShyamalan
05/11/2009 17:31

One of the most disheartening defeats I've ever watched

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Birbal
05/11/2009 19:47

And Dhoni and Co MUST win the next 2 or else... it will be MIGHTY embarassing...

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Birbal
06/11/2009 17:34

India have lost two games by 4 runs each...that is AWFULLY poor... these they should have won...

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amit
06/11/2009 18:11

1st match loss wasnt bad. we nearly won from a position we were losing from. the last match was bad, we lost from a winning situation. 9 times out of 10, a team would win from 19 needed off 18 with 4 wickets in hand & 1 solid batsman batting

and "people later adjusted inside" means that people sat on the staircases as well despite having bought tickets

and this series has been 1 of the best bilateral odi series. the ind-pak series of 2004 & aus-sa of 2006(which had that 434-438 match) come close

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Birbal
06/11/2009 18:15

Yeah amit...I know what "people adjusted on inside" is all about... I lived in India for many years...and took and stil take local train in Mumbai when I visit... so "adjustment karna padta hain"...

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Birbal
07/11/2009 16:27

Regardless of outcome of series...it has been one hell of a good series of matches... much better than the 6-1 CREAMING that Aussies inflicted on England ...

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