India (already out mentally) out of 3 Nation tourney

Teams	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
Australia	7	4	3	0	19	0.553	1687/323.0	1425/305.1
Sri Lanka	6	3	2	1	15	0.426	1419/273.3	1370/287.4
India	7	2	4	1	10	-0.887	1472/328.2	1783/332.0

We are at the fag end with two matches left – the field is not wide open as could be read from the above table. Whether India would ever sneak in, only the hard believer is nursing some hope for India getting a possible 3 final matches on Mar 4, 6 and 8^th – reality appears bleak as India won the toss and put Lankans to bat desperately seeking that elusive win as also a bonus point. 

Certainly another tour which the Indian fan would like to forget for the disappointments kept coming.  Bowling has appeared weak, batsmen have not been scoring – their ego and reputation battered and bruised, the team would return to the shores for Asia Cup followed by IPL 5. 

Sad that the team appears to have given up quite early and not keeping up their pride – a misery which the  Teams of early 90s and earlier nursed.   The man who recently broke the World record scoring 219 is not firing – he has scores of f 23, 10, 20, 0 and 5.  Sachin has bee failing – no order in the middle.  There has been no century from any Indian batsmen in the whole tournament and things are only looking bleak.         

An article in Cric info by Sidharth Monga condemned the Team for not doing the basic – not on the field – off it.  India have a head coach, a fielding coach, a bowling coach, and other support staff that includes an analyst, a trainer, a physio, and a masseur. Then there are 17 cricketers. Between them not one had bothered to check the playing conditions and inform the captain that India were still alive in the tournament - only just, but alive.

It looks a Team ready to travel back rather than fight by the skin of their teeth.  The younger brigade -  Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja  have not done any justice to the opportunities heaped on them.   In end, India has looked a very ordinary side incapable of thinking of a win, which is very sad for ardent followers like us. 

So, is there still hope of India chasing and winning in less than 40 overs to gain that bonus point and a place in the Finals of the Tri Nation tournament

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.