Wed, 09 Mar 2011 - India vs Netherlans, World Cup 2011, 25th match Group B - Preview

Netherlands look to avoid mismatch

Preview

Group B Match

India versus Netherlands

Venue: Ferozshah Kotla Ground, Delhi

Start Time: 14:30 (IST)

 Wednesday encounter is another classic example of weaker team pitted against big boys of world cricket. Going by the strength, experience, class and skill levels of home team, India another mismatch can be expected with Associate Nation, Netherlands their opponent.

But people keep us reminding uncertain nature of this great game and Netherlands would hope to add to that by staging an upset against mighty India.

Their recent form though tells that they can only hope against hope. After giving a good fight to England, Dutch surrendered against might of West Indies and South Africa to disappoint their fans.

This time they will have to confront gigantic Indian batting line-up, jam packed Kotla stadium and spinning track to confront with and a good performance under these conditions can only enhance their reputation in world cricket.

Game against Netherlands provides India with an opportunity to fine tune its combination and try to rectify certain loopholes in their game. India might be tempted to test its bench strength and chances are fit Ashish Nehra and off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin finally might get a game.

 Weather in Delhi is predicted as clear skies for Wednesday and going by the matches played at Ferozshah Kotla one can say a spinning track is awaiting inexperienced Dutch.

India

Strong batting lineup has lived up to its reputation of being best in the world by posting 300 plus scores in two matches in the tournament so far. Opening pair of Sachin Tendulkar and destructive Virendar Sehwag would be keen to make most of the inexperience of Dutch bowlers to pile up the runs.

If India get a good start from their openers, Dutch bowlers will be in for some stick from powerhouse middle order batsmen and home crowd for special treat.

Bowling has turned out to be chink in the Indian armour with most bowlers, barring Zaheer and part-time Yuvraj Singh; havent looked menacing and have been easily scored off.

MS Dhoni’s pick, leg spinner Piyush Chawla has looked very nervous and leaked too many runs and ace off spinner Harbhajan Singh is yet to do any damage in the tournament. Munaf Patel has been inconsistent and followed a good performance against Bangladesh with not so good efforts in two matches.

Yuvraj Singh’s left arm spin has been a positive though. Not only he is been able to take wickets but put lid on scoring rate in the middle too.

Fielding is the area where India would desperately want to improve on as fielders continue to give away easy runs in the outfield.

Squad
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt./wk), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Sreesanth, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla, R Ashwin, Ashish Nehra.

Coach: Gary Kirsten

Netherlands

After giving a good account of themselves against England in their opening game but since then it has been a downslide. They have crumbled meekly against West Indies and South Africa and need to up their game if they want to be anywhere near India.

Dutch side has got some players who have shown that they belong to the league. None better than their all-rounder Ten Doeschate showing his class by scoring a terrific century against England and chipped in with the ball as well.

Left arm spinner Peter Seelar is another player who has impressed with his control and variation not letting batsmen to score off him freely. South Australian Tom Cooper is one to watch for the future.

It would be very difficult for inexperienced batting line up to perform on turning track at Delhi and if they do well against strong spin department they will do their credentials a world of good.

Bowlers will have a humungous task ahead of themselves to contain Tendulkars, Sehwags, Yuvrajs, Dhonis and Pathans who have tore apart the bowlers around the world.

Squad

Peter Borren (Capt), Adeel Raja, Tom Cooper, Ten Doeschate, Alex Kerveeze, Eric Scwarczyncki, Tom de Grooth, Bas Zuiderent, Bernard Loots, Bradley Kruger,  Muddasir Bukhari, Peter Seeilar, Berend  Westjidk,  Atse Buurmen, Wesley Barreesi .

Coach: Peter Drinen