Really embarrassing

Posted after Greg completed one year as India's coach. Really embarrassing.

After the advent of Greg Chappell, lot of things have happened in Indian cricket. Both good and bad. Majority of them are constructive ones.

--Fielding has improved a lot. Thanks to Suresh Rainas and Sreesanths. We need to find some good slip fielders. Greg, considered to be one of the best slip fielder, will be very useful in this aspect.
--Competition for every single spot.
--An ageless spinner in Anil, an aggressive Bhajji and few other spinners are coming among the ranks.
--A good batting lineup.One problem is that we have to induce a lot of youngsters and no one should be given a free ticket.
--But the big plus is in the fast bowling department. Now we have a quality allrounder cum swing bowler in Irfan (Irfan sr, his brother, is not a bad all rounder). Enthusiastic bowler in Sreesanth who can be used as an understudy for any bowler. Swing bowler in L Balaji who has returned from Aus today after undergoing treatment for stress fracture. Highly promising pace bowlers in Munaf Patel who can send 140-145 kmph delivery with good accuracy. VRV Singh, who is performing consistently in the domestic circuit. He looks like a wicket taker who cares least about runs. Today he rocked the Bengal middle order with 4 wickets, though Dada stood tall and made sure Bengal reaches Semis. Another bowler from Kashmir Abid Nabi, who can bowl at 145-150 kmph is also in the scheme of things.

From here onwards Indian cricket should improve, play good cricket and produce good consistent result for the next four years, provided no controversy, no politics, no biased selection, no match fixing and no Dalmiyas interfere in their way. This is our best chance to dominate the world cricket as we have a good blend of youth and experience and variety. Also there is a lot of enthusiasm among the people and young cricketers. Revenue (TV rights has been sold to nimbus for 3678 crores thus making BCCI as the one of the richest sporting body if not the richest) has never been a problem for Indian cricket. Also other teams, mainly Australia, have started their downhill journey. Only India and England are showing some promise.

Really we have to keep our finger crossed. I feel India will do well if we persist with Greg Chappell for two more years after the 2007 WC.