Group B Discussion

What a match! Great show from both sides and a fair result in the end. Happy with the point.

Around 680 runs, 18 wickets, lot of tense moments, a tie blah blah blah...End of the day both the teams would not be pleased with their performances. They have to lift their game quickly. Else they may not go beyond QFs.

First, after getting such a solid start, India should have posted 360+ runs if the middle and the lower middle order had played decently. That is something India should work on, but a problem which could be resolved with some sensible thinking.

Then started the major problem - The attitude while bowling and fielding. More than the skills in bowling, it was the attiude which was worrying. They bowled and fielded like, we have scored 340 - so however we bowl we will win. If they continue this attitude, it is going to hurt them badly. With additional batting powerplay, and the introduction of new ball after 34 overs, 300+ scores are chaseable. They have to get it into their heads. Field placements and bowling changes were poor too. Strauss and Bell were taking singles and a boundary per over at will for most part of the game. With respect to the changes in the team, once Nehra comes back in the QF stages, I am sure he would replace Chawla which would be a right move.

Coming to England, they had a tough ask at the begining of the chase, but they managed to reach a commanding position by the 40th over or so. They had around 70 runs to score in around 60 balls with 8 wickets in hand. Nasser was shouting the commentary box.."Don't take the power play. Indians are confused and they don't know what to do" He was absolutely right. Once the attacking field was set, they were awful. Not sure whether it was a panic or the lower order is not good....But from that position, on an excellent batting pitch, with a bowling attack as bad as Indian attack, it should have been a walk in the park. Still they went to an almost losing position from then. Thanks to the 3 sixers in the last two overs which ensured that, they didn't lose the game. w.r.t the changes, once Broad is back, they should replace Anderson. Not sure whether Anderson is suited for subcontinent conditions unless it swings. I feel it is better to replace Collingwood as well. Brensan and Yardy were excellent under pressure.

The last run of Zaheer Khan was one short :-) What would have happend if he completed the run? Either of the team would have won instead of a tie probably because, the england no.10 would have tried to hit rather than just sneaking a single if 3 runs were required of the last ball.

Finally, something other than cricket. When will the Indian crowd learn to be silent. There were two probable thin edges from Strauss which even keeper and bowler couldn't hear due to the noise.