Champs Trophy ’09: ‘India’s bowling attack is the weakness’

Speaking at an event held in New Delhi,Harsha spoke about how T20 cricket (despite the promise of “incessant action”) could never match the drama and thrills that the 50 overs format has to offer.

ICC General Manager Campbell Jamieson,representing the sports’ governing body,was a bit guarded on his views but supported the fact that the 50 overs format will thrive and survive.

“Champions trophy will be the acid test for the format and the verdict should be reserved till the culmination of the event,” he said.

Edge of India-Pak contest

India will take on Pakistan on September 26at the Centurion in a Group A clash,and with Australia and a second-string West Indies being the other teams in the group,the winners of India-Pak clash is likely to book a ticket to the semis.

Add to this the fact that it’ll be the first time the sub-continent giants will meet since the Mumbai terror attacks,you’ve a nerve wracking contest,where the ‘war minus the shooting’ phenomenon of old will return to haunt the players taking the field.

A veteran of many such clashes,Wasim Akram tried to play it down by suggesting that it’s good for both the countries to play against each other again. But he agreed that the pressure would be manifold as compared to any other match and for the young players in both the sides,a good performance in this match would go a long way in enhancing their career.

The favourites

Sanjay Manjrekar sounded an ominous note by saying that,“India’s bowling attack is the weakness” of the squad,with Harbhajan Singh being the only bowler who’s going in to the championship with wickets in his pocket. With the South African pitches expected to offer a lot of zip and bounce,the onus would be on the Indian batsmen to get the runs and compensate for the bowling shortcomings of the team.

Wasim seconded Manjrekar’s point and suggested that for India to perform well,young Ishant Sharma would have to rise to the occasion to fill in for Zaheer Khan’s absence.

Wasim didn’t put his money on Pakistan’s success in the tournament,as time and again he pointed towards their lack of match practice in the run up to the tournament. He,however,stuck his neck out to support the hosts South Africa,but only till the semi finals!

On a more serious note,almost everybody on the panel agreed to the fact that facing Graeme Smith’s men,in their own backyard,would be a formidable task.