Cricket: India vs West Indies Third Test.

It was a weird kind of a test match. Indian bowlers started well only to give away the advantage back to the host. Sarwan and Ganga hit some solid knock and Gayle and Samuels contribute mean while Chanderpaul will score runs against India even a blindfold. Indians not learning from the mistake ad repeating it again and again meant India was not creating chances to win the test match. India’s balance is really tilted by the shear weight of batting talent. There is only Kumble (Harbhajan was not played in first two test) who has loads and loads of experience. West Indian batsmen would have backed themselves to score against Indian bowling after having a measure of them in the One-Days.

Ordinary Umpiring.
I remember last time India went to West Indies, an umpire requested the third umpire (Eddie Nichols) was called for adjudicate over a run out call on Carl Hooper. He was without doubt out of his crease but umpire some how managed to give him a green signal and Hooper returned the favour by notching up a double century. The English umpire managed to slip out some ordinary decisions. They did have a bearing on the game.

Lara defends and exposes chinks in the armour.
Indians were lucky not to be asked to follow on. I think even if they would have then too they were good enough to draw this match. West Indies have not been tested enough. Kumble alone can’t be expected to contain, defend and attack. Munaf looks good but needs time. Sehwag has done a brilliant job and looks good. West Indies have to continue to do well. Lara himself has to give it one last go so that he ensures Indians have nothing worthwhile when they return back home.

If wishes were horses.
Everyone has been crying foul over weird exclusions and inclusions along with passenger who never may manage even a tour game. India have to play five bowlers. I would love to see Dravid one down. I think if some one asks me my team would be (in batting order) Sehwag, Jaffer, Dravid, Laxman, Kaif, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, Bhajji, VRV and Munaf. These five batsmen have weight of runs behind their back. This gives Dravid the option to actually have eight batsmen and six bowlers. Dhoni, Pathan and Kumble have to contribute atleast 70 to 80 runs. Bhajji can handle the bat, whatever VRV and Munaf score is bonus. Yuvraj looks out of place in this test series. In batting department, each player is perfect foil for the player around him. Indians should look to bat the second new ball and score off it. Indians have to bat only once if they have to win this test.
  
     

About: Sweet Dreams and Heart Breaks.

Italy vs Aus final score 1-0 looks alright. It is here that the numbers never tell the full story. Italians would have to call themselves lucky winners rather then deserving winners. There was nothing the Italians or Aussies could do for 90 minutes as the match seemed headed into extra time.
There was a penalty in the dying moments was awarded, rather a harsh one on the Aussies who would have really stretched the Italians in the extra time that wasn’t to be. The penalty was awarded and Totti completed the formalities for Italians making in 1-0 in favour of Italy.
It is a heart break for Aussies. This is exactly what’s sports is not about. Aussies are down and out. The game of Football is the real loser, Aussies meanwhile can keep their chins high. It would be remembered as a sad day for the game of football.

Cricket: Third day, Third test.

If 666 is devils number then is 333 his offspring’s date of birth? Well who knows? But I am just blogging about the third day of the third test and the third One Day played between Sri Lanka who is on tour of England and total number of goals scored between Argentina and Mexico were 3. This post is about test between India and West Indies.

The reason of West Indian decline.
I am slowly releasing what’s the reason of West Indies continuous decline in the game of cricket. There is no impetus to take bold and hard decisions. I think if anyone has to succeed he has to see some hard times and swallow some hard truths. I think West Indians are still in the delight of how well they use to play. There are no more burly huge fast bowlers who use to hurl speeding thunderbolts after thunderbolts and come ask the battered batsmen if he saw something. The fact it was ages ago and West Indies although have the talent to be a decent time but there is no substance to it. The fact that they batted and batted from almost two thirds of the day yesterday took pressure off Indians. I agree the pitch is a flat, but so is the West Indies bowling attack.
I think it will be a run carnival for Indians today and Laxman and Yuvraj should justify their selection by keep on batting as long as they want. Rahul Dravid may be looking to add to his tally of away centuries and Kaif would have slept in his cricketing gear on.

Chanderpaul stranded.
I saw the match and while listening to commentary of Tony Cozier on “Ten Sports”; even he was baffled about why West Indies are not declaring. Chanderpaul and Samuels took control on a batting pitch and added 156. They played some lusty shots to keep bowlers at bay and somewhere lost the plot of burying India. They somehow never went into kill. The session which followed next Indian wrapped up the last five wickets. Harbhajan justified his selection by claiming five wickets.

Sehwag show again. Indian batsmen making merry.
When he bats he score runs and when he bowls he takes wickets. Sehwag is in good form and may be kicking himself of getting out the way he did. There was a century for the taking but he was out before completing a fifty. Bravo sucked in Jaffer who edged a lazy drive to eager hands of Lara. India was two down. Dravid came and looks like he has to stay if India has to avoid a flow on.

Look who is responsible?
India and West Indies both have selection problems. India is paying the price for not going in with their full strength. It was a big mistake to drop Agarkar who could have helped the young bowlers to play through. There is very limited experience that the Indian seamers have at this momet. Then playing with four bowlers is a bit of conservative strategy. I think playing an extra batsman has hurt the Indian cause. I agree that firth bowler might be under utilized but at least the captain has an option to go in with a specialist bowler. Harbhajan would have enjoyed bowling to West Indian left handers.
West Indies for their lack of imagination are in some ways responsible for this boring test. I don’t see Indians getting out in today’s first two session and hopefully they will draw this test. Are the West India bowlers good enough to take 18 more Indian wickets? I think the answer is No. I will be happy to see if this test match yields a result for any of the sides. India though is one team which can make one sided affairs exciting. They have done so in the past and can do it again.

Meanwhile just a note on Lara. If you are watching this match keep a look on Lara and what he does while he is standing in the slips. I noticed him moving about in standing in the slips while Indians were batting, I wonder if it is allowed. If its n’t then why has it not come to notice.

Cricket: India vs W.I. Third Test.

There was no doubt that this would have been the weakest West Indian team that India would have faced in ages but my doubt is whether if the Indian team is good enough to beat even this West Indian team. I say some ordinary and at times baffling team selection pulled India down and we have yet to see a result. The chances of this match are as great as chances of not raining at Saint Kitts. There would be some excitement if Lara decides to declare the innings. I don’t think there is not too much in the West Indian bowling either which can claim India wickets twice, but then Indian batsmen flounder often so won’t stick my neck and say this is cake walk for Indian batsmen.

Sehwag is inconsistent; then Gayle is a Gayle.
If one talks of Sehwag and Gayle they are together linked with inconsistent. There is inconsistency in the runs they score but there is no inconsistency in the power they use to score. They both are stand and deliver stuff.

Good opening spell undone.
Munaf and Sree Santh started well. The ball thud into Dhoni’s gloves and there was an extra movement and carry. Gayle though had different ideas he hammered a sixer and a boundary in a Sree Santh over. He hammered 5 sixes and 8 fours in all of 83 runs and would be kicking himself not to register a ton. He and Ganga put on a first wicket stand of 143 runs before Munaf dismissed Gayle. The agony continued for Indian bowlers as Sarwan walked out of pavilion and bad form. He is all about touch and so good to watch . At the days end West Indies were 207 for one.

Day two: Same story.
Ganga and Sarwan kept on the temp and agony continued. Munaf was hit for 25 in an over. Six fours and a no ball. He came back to bowled Ganga who played on and Lara who was trapped in front. The West Indian score read 356 for 3. West Indies racked upto 420 for 5 before rain stopped play.

About: Next Change.

No No I am not short of change, (छुट्टा) infact at present my wallet has (छुट्टा)
T change of every kind.It has been lot happening around the world and there is a lot that can be blogged about. The coming weekend may help me to actually sit and write something. I have been busy with my first love, my sleep, after being physically exhausted and mentally discharged I just blog hop to see whats around.
As the weekend is free for things I love to do I would make sure that there is enough to catch up to the world. About catching up I suddenly realise that I have not been in touch with my friends I will try to scrap/mail them declairing I am in good health and doing well at best.
The start of the day has been good.Me gets up early and has sufficent time to plan out my day. I hope I get enough time to "scarp" in couple of post atleast. A cricketing post is definetly on the way along with a few other like "Imagine this." "Month of Gemini".
This post will be edited before the date changes to 24 June.
Meanwhile some of you would love to check this site out, it is Amul's ("uttelry butterly delicious Amul") site and they boast of some really good cartoons one must check it out if they wish to tickle their funny bone.

Cricket: India vs W.I. Second test.

I hoped that it won’t rain and Lara will make runs. It rained and Lara made runs. The fourth day washed out India’s hope to go up in the second test. Let us not curse the factors which are beyond one’s control, the bare fact that we have not got what it takes to bowl out oppositions twice. Indian selectors dropped the best bowler on view in the One Day series. Pathan was battered out of form in the One Days by Gayle and rest of the seam bowling won’t fetch 20 wickets. This is where we struggle.

Morning Session.
India had a good start with taking two quick wickets of Ganga and Sarwan. Then came in Chanderpaul, “He came, He saw He stuck” his batting manta against India. He has scored a million runs against India. He will continue to do so, he has not made a century as of yet but there are four innings coming up so I back him to get atleast one if not more.
He and Lara piled on the agony as India did not have the firepower plus luck to dislodge them.

Lara can still play.
Lara is perhaps the most mercurial batsmen you may ever wish to see. It was his day yesterday. He played and played and bought back the sinking West Indian ship in the harbour of safety. He is currently on 32 centuries. He will make some more before he retires. He was rock solid in his exaggerated defence and gave no chance what so ever to the bowlers. What’s up for the next innings?

Kumble and Sehwag.
As long as Sehwag picks up wickets there is a slim chance of Harbhajan playing? They did well together. Sehwag’s good form with the ball, saw VRV Singh fall out of captain Dravid’ radar. I think he could have bowled more than 11 overs. He has pace and makes the batsman rush into his shots.

The problems are a plenty for India.
The West Indian team would have thanked the heaves for gifting them a Lara and thunder showers for a day both helped West Indies team draw the test match. There are many positives for West Indies apart from Sarwan’s poor run. There are many problems for Dravid as a captain even though the team has done well. I expect West Indies to put up a better show. They will have everything to play for. They have the home advantage. I fear the next pitch to be seamers paradise and Indian batsmen’s nightmare.

About: A forward.

One spents life and experiences things happening at unexpected times, so when I just was settled into thinking that almost all forward mails are shear junk, I got this from a friend of mine {Thanks Bawankar}. I have not posted a blog since ages, last time around it was couple of snaps and quoatations. You have to read this one.

It is just before the England v Brazil match. Ronaldinho goes into the Brazilian changing room to find all his teammates looking a bit glum.

"What's up?" he asks.

"Well, we're having trouble getting motivated for this game. We know it's important but it's only England. They're sh*te and we can't be bothered."

Ronaldinho looks at them and says, "Well, I reckon I can beat them by myself. You lads go down the pub."

So Ronaldinho goes out to play England by himself and the rest of the Brazilian team go off for a few jars.

After a few pints they wonder how the game is going, so they get the landlord to put the teletext on. A big cheer goes up as the screen reads " Brazil 1 - England 0 (Ronaldinho 10 minutes)". He is beating England all by himself!

Anyway, a few pints later and the game is forgotten until someone remembers, "It must be full time now, let's see how he got on." They put the teletext on.

"Result from the Stadium 'Brazil 1 (Ronaldinho 10 minutes) - England 1 (Lampard 89 minutes)."

They can't believe it; he has single-handedly got a draw against England!! They rush back to the Stadium to congratulate Ronaldinho. They find him inthe dressing room, still in his gear, sitting with his head in his hands.

He refuses to look at them. "I've let you down, I've let you down."

"Don't be daft, you got a draw against England, all by yourself. And they only scored at the very, very end!".

No, no, I have, I've let you down. I got sent off after 12 minutes."

Cricket: India v.s. W.I, Second Test.

India failed to win the last test, They were just three wickets away when West Indies were seven down three to go. Indian bowlers could manage all but one wicket. I don’t think Indians would have saved this test if Indians were in such a position. Indians having rested key bowlers would have found themselves in surprising position of beating the West Indians. The fire power was missing as the combine Indian seam attack was had all of four matches and then there was Kumble. Chanderpaul and Gayle looked in no fuss. Chanderpaul, well his shot selection makes up for his unusually style of play which often looks very irritating to watch.

Day One.
The “Sehwag” show.
When he hits they remain hits. He is a big innings player and makes up lack of technique by scoring big, meaty centuries. He has done so all over the world against every team. He has a special liking for Pakistani attack. The pitch was green with bare patches scattered all over the place. A green pitch is where I back Sehwag to get a century. He looked focused and hungry and wanted to make up for getting starts and not converting in the first test. He smashed a whirlwind 180 which knocked the winds out of West Indians sails. He slowed down after a mini collapse and then he along with captain Dravid resurrected the Indian innings.

Mini collapse.
Jaffer was against sucked in t play away from the body. He should have left it alone. He played well though and made sure Sehwag stole the show. Laxman played a nothing shot. He paid the penalty and was out nothing against his name. Yuvraj Singh looks to leave the ball which he must play. The leave can sometime be an attacking move but Yuvraj thinks otherwise. He is trying to play a game which he is not accustomed to playing. H was looking anything comfortable. He was bowled of a beautiful delivery. His dismissal was a example of out of sorts batsman getting a magic delivery. Yuvraj was caught napping.

Dravid and Kaif carry it further.
Three Indian wickets fell around Tea. Dravid and Kaif came in together and make sure then drive home the advantage of a big opening stand. They shut all doors, with Dravid looking very majestic. The day ended with Dravid not out on 95.

Day Two.
Indians look to keep West Indians on the mat.
Dravid and Kaif batted to continue pile on the agony as India was able of maintain a run-rate of nearly four and over. Kaif and Dravid painting a very glossy picture and perhaps emphasizing how cheaply Indian batsmen had played in the One Days and the first innings of the first Test. A few injuries to key West Indian bowlers did not help matters either. Dravid looked to go well beyond 150 but played a tired shot and was out on 146. Kaif meanwhile was playing to make sure he is there in next match too as he guided the Indian team beyond 550. I was so happy for him. I hope he is not dropped for the next match.

Kaif and Yuvraj; Dravid and Ganguly.
I think the comparisons are obvious. It is a comparison of Yuvraj flamboyance versus Kaif’s talent. It is Yuvraj’s flamboyance versus Kaif’s assured form of game. It is a comparison of Yuvraj’s unlimited ability versus Kaif’s willingness to learn and improve. It is in some ways comparison of Ganguly’s protégé to that of Dravid. I hope their (Yuvraj and Kaif) careers don’t pan out as that of Ganguly and Dravid. There was no one who would have backed Dravid to do whatever he has done so far.

Indians make inroads.
Munaf Patel bowled some magic balls to take wickets of consecutive deliveries and created a huge dent. The dismissal of Ganga and Sarwan will same and it looked very difficult to find a difference in the two dismissals. Lara was leg before to Kumble. Kumble by the way has to have a big say in this match if India have to win this one.

Day three.

Indians get a firm hold.
The West Indians looked very brittle at 65 for 3 with 523 more to get and 323 to avoid the follow on. Gayle hit Kumble over the boundary for a six only to get out, caught behind the next Kumble delivery. Kumble looked in control. Chanderpaul was piqued by by a Pathan Yorker. I hope to see Irfan doing more of this in near future. VRV impressed without registering wickets against his name. Sehwag is enjoying West Indies. He is not only making runs but he is also busy taking wickets. He wiped of the tail with some old fashioned off break bowling. Harbhajan and Powar might exchange a few points from him. Kumble, Sehwag and Patel shared the three wickets while Pathan claimed the priceless scalp of Chanderpaul.

Day Four.
What will happen?
I hope for once it does not rain. Indians looked in total control with Gayle out for two runs. He was caught behind of a beautiful Pathan delivery. There is an opportunity for Ganga to score some runs. Lara can make runs anytime. Indians have to plan to look to attack Ganga. Chanderapul has to be got in early then only there is a chance of Indians getting to victory. Chanderpaul plays well then we just might have to settle in for an unlikely draw. Bravo looks good but then offers chance. The tail wag put then VRV, Munaf and Pathan should use their ability to get them out.
I can just pray that India wins the test.

About: One World One Sport.

If anything cuts the borders and strings people from far corners of the world it is the game of football. If English is the universal language, American Dollar is the universal currency, then universal sport is Football, from cold back alleys of Oslo to sweltering beaches of Copacabana, from just a recognizable goal post in Abidjan, Ivory Coast to a well manicured pitch in Melbourne, Australia. The sport has fan equalling the world’s population.

My take on the game.

The stars of the games are perhaps life inspiring to some and a challenge for others. I follow were little football but I can name a few people like Pele, Maradona, Platini, Zico, Socrates from the by gone era. I can name a few more from the current age courtesy “UEFA”, “English Premiere League” and “TV news Channels”. The whole galaxy of footballers will be on show in the world cup Germany 2006, in few hours. The blogging community will obviousl be there, so I hope I get to see some nice blogs around the matches being played.
The host themselves are favourites along with Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Paraguay to say the least. It wil be interesting to see some matches where lots of flair on display. This makes all the matches in which Brazil plays. I think Brazil have unique strategy; they don’t mind conceding a goal provided they can score at least a couple back. Then there are conservative styles of play seen mostly in Europeans.
I won’t stick my neck out to say which team may win the world cup. The whole issue is a bit tough to answer coz my limited following of the game. I think the things will automatically be obvious one the first round is done away with, till then lets enjoy the mystery.

The social issues to be addressed.

The FIFA World Cup also brings together important people who can decide about what to do about Social issues which are ragging all across the globe and no region in particular. This includes health, education, poverty, peace and development of World through sport. The game of football can in many ways be a tool for improving the quality of life everywhere.

I will try to see as much of football as possible. May the best team win.

Cricket: An enthralling end.

West Indies managed to draw India towards a draw. I lot could be done but then we have settle for the result which in hind-sight is a fit result. It is also perhaps a metaphor about the way this series in general will be meandering. It will be series in which the momentum will continue to shift and this will go back and fourth till the end of series. West Indies have to do a lot in order to claim the series.

Slow start, quick wickets.
Gayle and Ganga were hell bent on “defence only” they did it well till there was 40 minutes to go for lunch. Ganga prods a Kumble delivery with stiff hands. The ball took the inside edge the ball popped as a regulation catch to square leg where Yuvraj made it look really flashy. Ganga gone India was looking nine more wicket taking deliveries.

Dravid backs Sreesanth no bounds.
It was amazing to see Sreesanth to come back and claim wickets. He was blown away by a Gayle in first innings. It was time to claim so lost pride. Sarwan drove at a ball on the up away from the body. The balls took the edge of his bat and landed up in Kumble’s safe hands. Sarwan was out for one. Lara was to be next. Lara left couple of Sreesanth deliveries only to be trapped plumb in front. Asad Rauf the umpire took some time giving it out. So from 67 for no loss they went in 74 for 3. India in control.

A diminutive Chanderpaul stands tall.
Chanderpaul is the difference between the two teams. He is all about weird ways of batting something which the budding cricketers must not see. He keeps it simple. He prefers scoring in boundaries. The more time he spends in the middle the more solid he gets. He has an amazing eye. He can change gears to go from defence to attack and then back to defence in matter of minutes. He is the key batsman if India has to win this series. He was dropped on nought of Sreesanth and managed to bail out West Indies with a good 62.

The Wickets tumble around tea again.
likely hood of a wicket tumbling around team is the highest. Chanderpaul and Gayle denied India a sniff of wicket in the second session. Gayle picked up some boundaries and dented some hug sixes. He fell to Kumble after tea.
West Indies four wickets down. India needed six more.

Last Session, India fail to push a victory.
India managed to rock the West Indies at regular intervals. The last three wickets last for more than 21 overs and denied Indians a victory. Bradshaw and Mohamed kept on pegging away. India did well of the meagre resources on their disposal. Sehwag chipped in with 2 wickets and looked in awesome touch. Kumble tried to hard to complete a five wicket haul. Colleymore and Edwards denied them a chance. I wonder if Indian tail ender could do the same thing if they were in a similar position.

The team for next test.
Sehwag, Jaffer, Dravid, Laxman, Kaif, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, Harbhajan, Sreesanth, Munaf. We need to play in five bowlers in alien condition if we are looking to “win” a series. VRV Singh and Yuvraj can be “rested”. The two things where India failed to push the advantage were failing to pitch in five bowlers, dismal first innings and an hour after tea on the fourth day.

Cricket: Indians consolidate.

It was a good day for Indians, their batsmen played as if they were possesed. India started a day with a slender but meaningful lead of 88 runs. The Captain Rahul Dravid picked up the gauntlet and made sure that he defended allowing Jaffer to cream the hapless West Indian bowling. They managed to go to lunch without a wicket which meant that West Indies had to do a lot of catching with likes of Yuvraj and Dhoni still to come.

Jaffer banks on century.
Jaffer played some of the handsome strokes. He is in no way similar to Sehwag. He looks very sedate, but his shots are anything but sedate. He played some very good strokes some of the cut shots would have made Dravid proud. The straight drives were a scintillating as any. He carried on the good work. He was beaten by some very good balls outside the off stump but went ahead with his shots when opportunity presented itself.
Jaffer being a big innings player kept on scoring rather freely and registered a very impressive double century. There was a very impressive thing about the double was the fact that he remained quiet unfazed. H was not looking edgy or fidgety unlike many other batsmen who tend to fiddle a lot when nearing a personal landmark. He calmly place a single to raise up a double and entered a special bracket of openers (legendary Gavaskar and dashing Sidhu before him) to register a double against West Indies in West Indies.

Something about breaks.
It is amazing no matter where in the world is cricket played or among whom it is played there is always a probability of a wicket falling around tea. It is one of the amazing phenomenon observed in the game of cricket.

Yuvraj and Kaif show a bit of immaturity.
Yuvraj and Kaif have been playing international cricket for some time now but the showed their immaturity, if that’s the word that can be used when it came to accelerate after Tea. There was a period when Indians managed only seven runs in nine overs. I guess it was a lull before the storm was to hit ARG. Why they could not accelerate baffles me? This may cost India the match.

India high on MSD.
I think waking up in the wee hours of the night was worth it. I think it was the most unbelievable “cameo” innings I have seen in some time. India looking to accelerate. Kaif and Yuvraj tried to accelerate with a boundary each in an over. This happened after a very boring cricket which went on for almost 30 minutes. Yuvraj and Kaif started hitting the straps. Yuvraj played a very weird innings; He was out to a very good catch by Chanderpaul clinging on to a stinger. Yuvraj’s end bought Dhoni onto the crease. It was all Dhoni after that time. India last 100 came in just 15 overs. Dhoni responsible for that.
Dhoni creamed Gayle for some forceful cut shorts some cheeky flip shorts over the keeper’s head of Gayle. He was just hell bent to hit anything and every thing that Dave Mohamed had to offer. Dhoni hit five sixes of Mohamed in last 12 balls he faced. Only to be holed out on the boundary trying for his fourth consecutive sixes. He hit two sixes in a row. The first of them was a miss time short that went sailing. The second was a delight full one which never looked like dropping in the boundary.
The next Dave Mohamed over saw Kaif taking strike for the first delivery. Kaif in a mood to enjoy the Dhoni show took the single of the first ball. Then came four lustily blows which were all out of a cannon called Dhoni. The first six was a signature Dhoni shot the saw the ball sailing straight towards the end of the stands. The second ball was bowled flatter Dhoni smashed that out of park. There was only power in that shot and the ball had to be retrieved from outside the stadium. The third was a short delivery which Dhoni hoiked behind square leg.

The cricket controversy of the match.
Dhoni was hell bent on belting Dave Mohamed out of the park. He was not content with three sixes what was to come degraded into dog fighting for the bone in the back alley. Dave Mohamed after being three sixes bowled one way short, way out of leg stumped, Dhoni hit a skier which seemed to be sailing out of the boundary, to dismay of all Ganga was posted on the boundary and caught the ball in mysterious circumstances. Then the dog fight started between Lara and the umpires. Rahul Dravid did the right thing by declaring the innings. Dhoni did a good thing by accepting Ganga’s words.

Lara should be penalised.
Lara was under the hammer as West Indies was being belted by Dhoni. Everyone seemed to have gave up. Then the last ball of the Indian innings saw a cricket controversy which challenged the law of the game crept up there were too many cases to be considered. Lara behaviour was very unruly and unwarranted. He snatched the (now disfigured) red cherry from the umpire and seemed damned rude and baffled. This behaviour is least expected from Lara. While walking out of the park he just rudely threw the ball away. I think he should be penalised. It will be interesting to see if he is penalised at all.

Which way is the match is heading?
This is a speciality of test cricket. India has managed to turn the table around. I think the match can be won by any team and other results could a draw or a tie. I am saying so coz India is more than a bowler short. It will be interesting to see how our inexperienced seamers fare. Kumble obviously has to play a big hand. Sehwag will do a good job if he is to pick a couple of wickets again this time. It is a fifth day pitch and anything can happen. I think Kumble would be looking to do what Jaffer did while batting.

Cricket: India vs W.I. First Test.

So far both teams have complete an innings each and at present India has a very marginal lead of 85 runs. The balance is just in favour of India. The West Indians still have a chance. A lot depends upon the type of knock both captains play.
This is the review of the match so far.

Indian First Innings.

The Indian captain looked at the pitch and then did the first good thing; he won the toss and decided to bat first on a pitch which was a batsman-friendly-seamer’s-pitch.
Let me take some time to the italicised term. It is a pitch that will respect batting from attacking batsmen like Sehwag, stroke players like Laxman and Yuvraj grit players like Kaif, smasher like Dhoni. Dravid will graft on any given pitch going by his records for past three years. It will also respect bowlers like Colleymore who are willing to put the ball in right places. The first day is always tough as it often makes or breaks the test match.

Poor start and a downhill drive from then.
Indian once again started poorly with Jaffer coaxed into playing at a ball which he could have left on the merit of length and the height of the ball. The “length” pertains to the place were the ball pitched and the “height” refers to the bounce of the delivery at the point of impact with the ball. There was movement all day batsmen left a lot to be desired when it came to application.

Dravid’s grit grinds India to halt.
Dravid has been so good that sometimes his “good” turns their back to him and begin a game of Chinese whispers. The players have to release that Dravid’s role is to keep them safe and they have to rock the opposition by exchanging strikes, running hard, and make sure the pace of the innings is sustained. Dravid batted and batted for ages for making his 49. It is good to stay on the wicket but it is more important to rotate the strike and make runs. Dravid sometimes seems hell bent on allowing the bowlers to bowl to a batsmen and over after over is allowed to go away. He should be more proactive in rotating the strike and making sure the extra run is always eagerly accepted.

India pass the initiative back to the host.
Indian batsmen passed on the initiative back to the West Indians after a very ordinary start. Laxman and Sehwag both were looking good. The problem is both are stroke-players and they both seem to offer chances throughout the innings. Sehwag and Laxman both would have done well if they had chosen the right ball. Both could have left the ball on the merit of length alone. They also seem to have got out after getting the starts. Yuvraj always looks susceptible to spin. Kaif is wasted at four down. Dhoni played couple of shorts more then required. The good thing about the batting was the tailed wagged and helped giving the score some sense of respectability.
The Indians passed out after making 241. It was after India chose to go in 6 regular batsmen and a very good batting-wicket keeper.

West Indian First Innings.

The West Indians would have started their innings on a very positive note. The new that trio of Indian pace bowlers together had played 4 matches in between them. Irfan was “rested” and Agarkar who always looked busy either restricting was dropped sighting “One Day Only” tag. Ganga was LBW by a very good delivery by Munaf. Gayle looked threatening and looked very much at comfort against the new ball attack, I think he would have licked his lips and said to himself “I m lovin’ it”. He began tonking and ran amock between the Indian pace trio he kept smacking them all over ARG. He has grown a certain liking to Indian pace attack. The same liking can be seen in many other left handers all over the world of cricket, Hayden, Jayasuriya, Sayeed Anwar, Chanderpaul to just name a few.

Starring Kumble, in a double role.
Kumble has been so good in Indian pitches. He has started looking threatening on foreign pitches as well after the last Indian tour down under. In the forced absences of Pathan and Harbhajan and stupid exclusion of Agarkar, Kumble might have found himself in a double role where he had to plug the haemorrhage of runs, tie the batsmen downs. He did his job wonderfully by claiming Gayle and Sarwan and finishing off the innings by polishing Colleymore. He has always continue to amaze even when the Indian batsmen have sometimes got the credits for winning series at home.

Sehwag pitches in with a couple.
Sehwag pitched in with couple of wickets plucking out Chanderpaul and Bravo with some very impressive off-spin show. The dismissal of Bravo would have pleased even Harbhajan Singh. It was a flighted delivery at a teasing length with Bravo reading “heave at me” instead of reading the spin and the bounce of the ball. Dhoni took a brilliant take and whipped the bails in a flash while Bravo never managed to come back to the safety of the crease. Bravo at this moment in time can’t do no wrong I am sure he will play a crucial part if West Indies have to win this series along with Chanderpaul, Gayle and Colleymore.

The Indians control the wagging West Indian tail.
The lower West Indian batsmen are no easy to dismiss. Bradshaw can play under pressure, Ramadin looked in control till the point he got out to a very taxing Munaf delivery. VRV pitched couple of short balls directed at the body and managed to rattle a couple of wickets. Kumble came in and gave a very clinical finish to the innings. The Indians restricted the West Indians below the psychological 400 run mark and West Indians managed to grab a decisive lead of 130 runs.

Indians Second Innings.

The Indians started well with Sehwag and Jaffer going great guns. The matter were also helped by Fidel Edward’s being forced to go off the field. It lead to West Indian attack with out the edge of a very good fast bowler in the middle of a hostile spell. Sehwag who looks susceptible at any stage of the match again like in first innings got a start and then played a lose short to be caught behind a sad end to a promising innings.

Was it Laxman?
VVS Laxman is all out wrist class and elegance. He hit couple of boundaries which were pure delight to watch and I would watch them all over again, this is ver Laxaman often hurts. The follow up to awesome shorts is often ordinary. He all of a sudden looked weak against spin. If anyone managed to see a complete highlights package try watching couple of shots he played before he got out, he gave out some negative wibes and looked like getting out to anybody. He was trying to manufacture some shots and looked very ugly while doing so. He feel to Mohamed try to play a cross batted shot which looked half heave and half sweep and manage an easy take to Bradshaw stationed at long on. It was a very ugly and very unlike Laxman shots. It is easily one of the most awful shot that Laxman has ever played as a batsman.

Raise a toast to Wasim Jaffer.
He is a typical Indian batsman. He is very wristy, prefers legside and looks vulnerable while driving/defending on the offside. He managed to stay focus even after being beaten many times. He helped the team not only to wipe of the deficit but also gain a marginal lead of 85 runs. He should look to add atleast 50 more runs by himself.

Dravid, a key to all locked victories abroad.
Dravid has to guide Indian batting line to safety so as to ensire that we don’t lose. A draw perhaps would be a fare result. It is long way away though. The batting to follow has a very limited experience when it comes to test cricket. He should also make runs rather then gluing himself to the crease and undermining the path to victory. India has to look to bat atleast 2 and a half session below which the match is for the West Indian taking. A scenario in which the West Indians have to track down 325 runs on the last day would be interesting. The point to note is the same West Indian side holds the record for the largest run chase of 418 runs to their credit on the same ground. Dravid is the key to the target while Kumble is the key to defending it.

This all boils down in making of a very good test match. I would love to see India taking this match but it is far easier thing to do, West Indies have everything to play for.