Australia vs. India (in Australia)

I don't entirely agree with BP, although he is correct in stating that McKay's bowling was very poor - this was indeed the case. The fact is though, when you're in a high pressure situation, even a bad ball can get you out. If you've ever played any cricket BP, then you'd know exactly what I mean. I think Dhoni's apathy (for lack of a better word) to losing means that when he's in that situation, he just plays the same way as usual. Failure doesn't scare Dhoni, and for the reason he's a good guy to have out there in those situations. On the other hand, Bevan was an intense, calculating character and he had a more classic Australian determination to win.

I'm not a huge fan of Dhoni and I'm not defending, if anything, it was a veiled criticism to say that he is apathetic towards losing. But it is definitely fair to conclude that he is absolutely ice cool in pressure situations in limited overs cricket. I do find though, that he is the kind of guy in tests that makes all of his runs in pointless situations or in lost causes...

Australians look very tired... They have played constant cricket since the World Cup, hopefully they can turn things around.

I think there's a bit of mental fatigue that has set in - the whole group looks wary, fielding is the number one indicator of that. It's more of a lapse of focus than physical tiredness.

A completely miserable display from India and a rather polished effort from AUS.

Rohit Sharma has failed to kick on from his success against W.I. so he is the big disappointment on the batting front. Bowling-wise, the attack is so bad. Firstly, why is Vinay Kumar still in the side? Surely PK is yards ahead of him. Umesh Yadav is too expensive to play ODI cricket and what is the point in playing Jadeja if you aren't even going to bowl him? Might as well have played Tiwary or someone at number 7 because Jadeja isn't going to get in the side as a batsman alone. In ODI cricket nowadays, it's just suicide to rely on bit-part all-rounders like Jadeja. If you wouldn't get in the side as a pure  batsmen or pure bowler, you shouldn't be in the team. Just play specialists and get the bowlers to bat a bit (like Pathan and Ashwin for example).

AUS are looking good but Ponting is back to being out of nick so he is the only real disappointment. I must confess though that I am not too keen on Forrest. He is a bit slow and I just don't think he has anything special about his game. He is your typical average middle order player, I think someone like Callum Ferguson is miles better. I wonder what will happen when Watson returns to the ODI set-up. Watson, Warner, Ponting, Clarke, M. Hussey, D. Hussey, Wade. A bit harsh on Christian though to leave him out, he has done really well to be fair to him. Also, aside from Doherty as the spinner, who are their main three quicks? They have so many options - Bollinger, Lee, Johnson, Cummins, Pattinson, Harris, Hilfenhaus, McKay.

I would agree with both the posts above by BP and mystery, Ponting, me too a big fan, should concentrate only on tests and there I think he can easily play until the home Ashes series. In ODI's he needs to go and give younger players a chance.

Champion cricketer indeed, although I desperately hope Ricky continues to play test matches for Australia, at least till next years Ashes. In ODI's it's fair to call it a day, Aussies have very good young batsmen ready to take over. I and I'm sure the entire world of cricket will desperately miss Ricky if he calls it a day tomorrow.

Relax mate, he didn't retire.

Delighted that he's continuing to play test cricket!!! Delighted!!! 

Sehwag is probably one of the worst captains I have seen. How can you bowl two part-timers for the final two overs of the innings? Not even part-timers who had bowled previously in the innings, literally tossing them the ball for the first time in the innings in the 49th and 50th over. That's just so poor, I can't even begin to explain it. You don't even need to know anything about cricket with decisions like that, it's just common sense. I honestly can't believe there were reports a couple of months ago stating that people in the dressing room wanted Sehwag to be captain over Dhoni.

It's not just the total lack of common sense, the difference in captaincy also showed through field settings. Jayawardene brought the field up even when the powerplay was over, forcing the Indians to hit over the top and take more risks. Sehwag was just handing out ones and twos, even after a wicket had just fallen. Then, after a complete disaster as a captain in the field, you would think he would show some responsibility and try and bat India into a position of some strength but instead he chases a short, wide one and gets caught third man off the second ball of the innings. Just insane that this guy scored 219 not so long ago, he looks a complete joke at the moment.

Sri Lanka should really qualify now and I agree with sam, AUS shouldn't lose having been bolstered by the returns of Clarke and Watson. The way things are going, SL should beat IND in the remaining game between the sides, setting up a SL vs AUS final.

Luck might run out for Warner this time and he might be out of the next match with Watson replacing him and i really dont like Hilfenhaus in the ODIs they already have so many bowlers they dont really need to try him.

Originally posted by sam_ahmed but he took a 5 for against IND Mystery!

India done and dusted, they will be coming home early.

No Miky i dont think they will drop(rest) him becuz they are already struggling with Raina, Nohit and Tendulkar. So first thing they need to do is get Tendulkar to do a Ponting.

Originally posted by spin wizard Mystery, are you serious?  How long has Ponting been out of touch compare to Tendulkar?  Remember many ah men in 2008 called for Sachin's retirement when he average 15 against Sri Lanka.  Check his records since then.  Everyone goes through a bad patch, and Tendulkar will only leave on his own terms, no one in the setup is stupid enough to attempt to chase out Tendulkar.

I'm not saying becuz he is out of touch(which i think he is not he is in good form just missing out on big scores) but the reason is he is already 39 in 2 months and they need to start for the World Cup and even Tendulkar i think have done it all no goal are left for him he should play Test matches till he gets 45 but from ODIs he should go.