Is Team India Better Off Chasing Targets????

India
March 15, 2011 11:09pm CST
Dear All, I was wondering, will it not be better for the Indian team to chase a target than to defend one??? (that is "of course" if the Indian Captain wins the toss). Looking at the team's performances in the previous matches and the combination of its bowling attack, the team does not have a second strike bowler. Apart form Zaheer all others are bowlers who look to contain. This reminds me of the World cup winning Sri Lankan team of 1996. They too did not have too many strike bowlers. They had Chaminda Vaas and a "then" new Muttiah Muralidharan. Apart from Chaminda Vaas, every one looked to restrict the batsmen from scoring... And yes, they were very good chasers. Off late the two big scores that the Indian team put up, the bowlers were not able to defend it. But when the Indian team bowled first, they were able to restrict their opposition to an achievable score. I do agree that both these teams were minnows and the batsmen did struggle in getting the target. But that was more due to complacency than anything else. The Indian team does have the batting fire power for sure. But, the team lacks bowlers who can successfully defend a target, small or big. So why not bowl first and then chase the target. Yes of course the pitch conditions matter, but on Indian conditions, unless it is a wicket that crumbles, the dew always helps a team while batting second. Share your views... Balu.
1 person likes this
6 responses
ram_cv
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
16 Mar 11
I think given the fact that our bowling is poor, it does look as the better option. But we are not that great at chasing the scores as well as the middle order is suspect under pressure. I think that if our bowlers improve a bit, then setting a target is the best way forward for us as the pressure of a big score is a major plus for a bowling side. Cheers! Ram
balu_maris
@balu_maris (240)
• India
17 Mar 11
Dear Ram, I know that "Historically" we have not been good chasers. But off late, the Indian team has done some impressive chases. Yes, they have fallen short at times too.... But what I am trying to say is that, given the condition of the bowlers who cannot defend a big total well, it is a better option to chase. The team has the batting to do a successful chase. Yes talking about it and doing it out there is completely different. I just wish that the Indian bowling improves. That would remedy a lot of problems...!!!! Share your views... Balu.
msdivkar
@msdivkar (23359)
• India
16 Mar 11
I defer with you balu. Historically India is not a good chasers they always succumb to pressure even under small targets. There are a few instances when India successfully chaged big targets. They are well off in setting the targets. Even in two matches you are talking about India was poised for another 50-60 runs but their so called as strong batting line caved in under the pressure. India could have won both these matches had we scored another 20 odd runs.
balu_maris
@balu_maris (240)
• India
16 Mar 11
Dear Msdivkar, I know Historically they have not been good chasers. But off late they have been chasing successfully. And plus, with the bowling that the team has, they might do a better job restricting the opposition batsmen when bowling first. Now a team to win the world cup should be able to chase targets also. I mean the team has good enough batsmen. It is a matter of doing it out there.Unless it is a crumbling pitch. Well... it was just my thinking any ways...!!! I could be wrong...!!! Share your views... Balu.
K.Rajib G.
@krajibg (11923)
• Guwahati, India
16 Mar 11
Hi balu, You have hit on a rather important point so far team India's performance goes. Since India has bowling weakness ( It is persistently there )better they opted for fielding. Even if the other team scores more than 300 runs India would be able to chase that. There are so many instances when India succeeded in chasing runs than defending it. That day had South Africa batted first India would have chased the target. But not always. Exceptions are not rules anyways.
raj7shot
@raj7shot (838)
• India
22 Mar 11
India is having very hard batting line-up to chase the targets as well as to set a big targets... We cant do in all matches and we cant expect from one in all matches since it is a team game everyone must to provide/contribute their strength to the team either by bat/ball/field...
jhonnysherlin
@jhonnysherlin (179)
• India
16 Mar 11
Some are saying the dhoni is the best captain for ever and some are saying dhoni is the best but they take decisions of their own thats why it leads to the certain disasters facing towards chasing targets. In world cup even the south african bowler hit a six in asish nehras bowling and a four some time the decisions are better to chase the targets but in some extents they are never been better. At that match they will give the bowling to the zaheer khan india wins easily. But dhoni gives the bowling to nehras then we lost the match what i am saying means even a bowler hits a six in a experienced bowler what do u think of this one. In my opinion in last match india will chased the targets but if sachin falls or anyone falls they are falling continuously to chase that target in last match total 3 players scored 267 runs but remaining eight players scored 29 runs see how disaster it was. It seems to be very dissappointment for every Indian
vijayroy
@vijayroy (212)
• India
16 Mar 11
Yes, Its better to chase a target than to defend. Because we have very poor face bowling attack apart from Zaheer. But we have spinners to defend some what level. But Dhoni not using these spinners properly. In last match against south africa India won the toss but Dhoni choosen batting first. I was shocked when watching team on that day, We all know South African batsmen good against face attack but dhoni taken 3 seamers, Dhoni supposed to take another spinner instead of one seamer. Why Dhoni not giving chance to Aswin. He is good in batting, fielding than Nehra. With poor bowling attack we have another disadvantage ie fielding. In my openion another disadvantage is field setup, I think dhoni failed to set fielders in right positions in this world cup.