2011 World Cup : Indian Winning Strategy - Part II

The Indian team for the world cup 2011 has the following batting and bowling members.
============
Batsmen
============
Sachin
Schewag
Gambhir
Yuvraj
Kholi
Dhoni
Raina
Pathan

============
Bowlers
============
Zaheer
Harbhajan
Sreesanth
Patel
Chawla
Aswin

There could be three different strategies that could be employed during this world cup looking at the bench strength we have got.

1. Safe game strategy against higher ranked teams Strategy
2. Explosive strategy against lower ranked teams
3. History based strategy
=========================================================================
1. Safe game strategy against higher ranked teams Strategy
=========================================================================
7 batsmen, 1 pinch hitter cum bowler plus three bowlers will be the proportion of the team in this strategy. The following table illustrates the so called Safe Game strategy. This could be implemented during important league and knock out matches.

A lot will depend upon how the middle order bowling department is handled here. Yuvraj, Pathan,Schewag and Sachin can be effectively used. If some of them click during the league phase of the tournament, this strategy can be continued. I would strongly recommend this strategy for at least 80% of the league games and some of the knock out games.

1. Sachin ( Opener ) (2 overs max ) ( Slip/Out Field )

2. Schewag ( Opener ) (4 overs max ) ( Out Field )

3. Gambhir ( 1st down ) ( Nil ) ( Out Field )

4. Kholi ( 2nd down ) ( Nil ) ( Point or mid wicket )

5. Yuvraj ( 3rd Down ) (7 overs max ) ( Mid wicket or Point )

6. Dhoni ( 4th Down ) ( Nil ) ( WicketKeeping )

7. Pathan ( 5th Down ) (7 overs max ) ( Out Field )

8. Harbhajan( 6th Down )(10 overs max)

9. Zaheer (7th Down ) (10 overs max)

10. Sreesanth (8th Down) (10 overs max )

11. Munaf (9th Down) (10 overs max )

=========================================================================
2. Explosive strategy against lower ranked teams
=========================================================================

The proportion here would be 8 batsmen, 1 pich hitter cum specialist bowler plus 2 more specialist bowlers. Definitely worth trying in the final if we win the toss and bat first. Mind you, Mumbai pitch is not so famous for second innings batting.

The following table illustrates the so called Safe Game strategy.

1. Sachin ( Opener ) (2 overs max ) ( Slip/Out Field )

2. Schewag ( Opener ) (4 overs max ) ( Out Field )

3. Gambhir ( 1st down ) ( Nil ) ( Out Field )

4. Kholi ( 2nd down ) ( Nil ) ( Point or mid wicket )

5. Yuvraj ( 3rd Down ) (7 overs max ) ( Mid wicket or Point )

6. Dhoni ( 4th Down ) ( Nil ) ( WicketKeeping )

7. Raina ( 5th Down ) (7 overs max ) ( Out Field )

8. Pathan ( 6th Down ) (7 overs max)

9. Harbhajan (7th Down) (10 overs max)

10. Zaheer (8th Down )(10 overs max)

11. Sreesanth (9th Down)(10 overs max )


=========================================================================
3. History based strategy
=========================================================================
This is something that any team management would be worried about. Factors that will influence the strategy include the following. Final team selection will depend a lot on these factors. Such a strategy may be used only during the league games.

****** Pitch information
****** Weather forecast
****** Previous win/loss record in that venue
****** Specific Player's favorite hunting ground

I conclude my strategy presentation here. I wish each and every player and support staff all the very best. Go India Go!!!

I have also started a community to spread this true winning spirit.
http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?rl=cpn&cmm=107406520

Best wishes!!
kind regards

A true Indian