Bitter end

Sir — This year has turned out to be a poor one for the Indian cricket team. The players performed dismally in South Africa and in New Zealand. This is because they were exposed to playing conditions that are different to the ones in the subcontinent. But what explains India’s loss to Sri Lanka in the ICC World Twenty20 final? India were beaten comprehensively by the Sri Lankan team by six wickets (“Sri Lanka are the T20 champions”, April 6).

Although Team India played well till the final, the selectors ought to sit up and take note of a few developments. It is fairly evident that the Indian team depends heavily on a few key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The rest of the batting order had not been tested sufficiently throughout the tournament. The bowling attack was weak to begin with. Apart from Kohli, none of the other batsmen performed to the best of their ability. If the Indian cricket team intends to win the ODI world cup next year, it has to find bowlers who are effective in the ‘death overs’. Players like Yuvraj Singh need to make way for younger and more dynamic performers.

Yours faithfully,
Ambar Mallick, Calcutta

Sir — One can say that Yuvraj Singh’s poor form might have contributed to India’s loss in the final. Singh consumed too many deliveries — 21 balls — for his 11 runs. His poor strike rate hampered India’s run-rate. Moreover, Singh’s batting also affected Virat Kohli’s game. Kohli was kept waiting at the non-striker’s end for his turn for far too long. Singh has played numerous memorable knocks that have helped India win. But now he is a pale shadow of his former self.

Singh was once an energetic and agile fielder. These days he drops catches consistently. Singh seems incapable of boosting the morale of his teammates. His form and confidence have taken a severe beating. Now is the time for him to hang up his boots.

Yours faithfully,
S. Vijay Sagar, Calcutta

Sir — The performance of the Sri Lankan cricket team in the T20 world cup in Bangladesh was praiseworthy. The team played very well against India in the final. Kumar Sangakkara — unbeaten on 52 — and Mahela Jayawardene — he played a crucial knock of 24 runs — were the principal architects of the Sri Lankan triumph. This win must be special for them as they have finally broken the jinx of losing the finals of big tournaments. Sri Lanka also managed to settle scores with India — the team had lost the 2011 World Cup final against the same team. Runs scored in the middle overs are of great importance. But Yuvraj Singh slowed down the momentum of the Indian innings.

Yours faithfully,
R. Gururajan, Ooty

Sir — ‘Hard-hitters’ like Yuvraj Singh and M.S. Dhoni failed to do well in the final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Their batting reminded viewers of the way tail-enders bat. The Indian batsmen struggled against the Sri Lankan pace attack. Lasith Malinga did a commendable job for the winners.

Yours faithfully,
Arunodoy Bhattacharyya,

Calcutta

Sir — India lost the chance of becoming the champions of the Twenty20 format for the second time. The batsmen could not do much against the powerful death-over bowling by Sri Lankan bowlers. Only Virat Kohli stood out with his 77 runs off 58 balls. He was also adjudged Man of the Tournament. Kohli was the highest run-scorer, with a total of 319 runs that included four fifties. Yuvraj Singh, who had emerged as the hero after the 2011 World Cup, put up a lacklustre performance in the final. Shikhar Dhawan and Mohammed Shami were a part of the squad. So it was surprising to see M.S. Dhoni include Mohit Sharma at Shami’s expense. Sharma is a relatively inexperienced player. It would have made more sense if Shami was chosen instead of him. Sri Lanka played superbly and made sure they gave a fitting farewell to Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara who played their last match in the shortest format of the game.

Yours faithfully,
Haran Chandra Mandal,

Barrackpore

Parting shot

Sir — It is heartening to read that the threat of Taliban violence has failed to hold back Afghan voters from exercising their right to choose a new president. Polling closed without any news of major attacks anywhere (“Afghan turnout high as voters defy Taliban”, April 6). Even women had come out to cast their votes as the photograph accompanying the report shows. But the scenario was different in rural areas. Polling centres there remain closed. People hardly ventured out of their homes (“Different tale in rural Afghanistan”, April 7). The odds notwithstanding, the people should have cast their votes to bring change.

Yours faithfully,
Ranadhish Choudhuri,

Calcutta