Pride goes after the fall !!!

With Indian team being shown an early exit from the T20 world cup, all that was left for the them was to play for pride.... The last match of the super 8 against the undefeated South Africans was just a formality...Rather some kind of a practice match for them...Perhaps arrogance or faith made Dhoni decide to keep the side unchanged...Yes, he decided to play with the same side that lost to England...I guess that he wanted to prove a point...That this team could win....But this was not the day for Dhoni...The South Africans were guided to a modest total of 130 in 20 overs by AB De Villiers on a slow and turning pitch...The pitch being a spinner's paradise....

The total seemed too modest for the mighty Indian batting line up....But they were made to work hard for their money...!!! Batting second, India struggled against the opposition spin attack, losing wickets at critical junctures of the game....Finally like always, it came to Yuvraj to steer the ship home....But he too succumbed to pressure and the Indians submitted...The Proteas keeping the winning habit going...

In the after match press conference Dhoni made some statements which have shocked every cricket fan in India....Dhoni stated that in the squad chosen for the tournament, a majority of the players were not 100% fit....Doesn't that mean that the selectors have been cheating the fans?? If this is true then I must say that its inhuman...Fitness is a major factor in a player's performance...And if fitness is compromised then any team is bound to lose....

The Indian team is going through some harsh times....Times that can test a man's character....Even the mighty Aussies, four time world champions had to catch an early flight back home...Every team has its ups and downs...

Inspite of the fact that India were out of the tournament, there was terrific support for them.....The fans just wanted their team to perform.....But they collapsed like a pack of cards...Adding agony to shame....It was like adding salt to wound....But sometimes tough times can make you tougher within....Hope that is the case with the Indian team...

Ahead of the Windies tour, the Indians will have to get their confidence back and forget about the past...Without Sachin, Sehwag and Zaheer it will be a test for the Indian captain and his troops....Lets hope that the team does well in the Caribbean and gives their fans something to cheer about...