Four years before we entered the WC final.Today we have an shamefull early exit.Instead of blaming cricketers based on regional bais lets see what was the cause as far as we can see. In 2003 the bowlers were able to take 10 wickets in a game in every match.All the fast bowlers were bowling at more than 140 kmph consistently.The opposition teams were not able to make even 200 (leave aside australia and pakis).We had a steady batting line up with every body knowing their responsibilities at any situation of the game.The team was much fitter and their fielding was much better (remember the runout of Knight by Kaif against England).While in the field it looked like a close unit with every body eager to share their thoughts to get wickets(we saw kaif,yuvi,sehwag and all the senior players consulting with ganguly).At that time India played so many one day internationals outside the sub continent giving the players a fair experience of playing in alien conditions.Now coming to this WC..let's see.... our fast bowlers can't even get bangladesh out in 50 overs.They seldom have a speed nearing 140 kmph.Their feilding reminds us of the 90's.The opening batsmen came into the team in feb 2007-with one player having no experience of one day internationals outside the sub continent and the other one making his comeback,knowing that if he does not perform its back to square one for him.The number three batsman was out of form in the last year and there was so much drama for his inclusion.Same goes for the (once a)little master.The captain does not know whn to bat and how to bat(he does not come when early wickets fall to steady the innings neither is he usefull in late overs when we need huge sixes).Yuvi just came to the team after the long layoff.Dhoni played some huge knocks previously.But he made those knocks here in placid wickets .He didn't face Murli outside india.More over we never had the bench strength in the WC squad(except Dinesh Karthick.. we dont know why he was there without being in the team after such a good show with the bat).And then we never saw any consultations among the players in the middle of the match.Even the vice caprtain was not involved(leave aside the other senior member who is still the most successfull captain of India).It again reminded me of the 90's team when players were there in their own dreamland and the captain was in his own.This team were not winning for almost the last one year. Only this feb they defeated a depleted West Indies and Sri Lanka without their two main strike bowlers(who took 5 wickets in that WC match) in India and we started to beleive that this is a World cup winning team.This is not just their fault.Tell me are any of these points invalid?
