This post was first to be written as a review of the first test then it was post pone to review of the test series then it was pushed back to review of Aus truncated tour of India. It was the best half cooked series Indian cricket fans were ever been fed in a long time. It’s a matter of shame, but then we are like this only.
Ever since I came to know, this was a too few a test series of two matches, ODI washing out came as a relief except for today’s match, but then how BCCI works raises more questions and provides few answers in return, they are like this only.
If you look back at the fall of events before Aussies started their tour to India there was much ruckus about spot fixing, derivative, contracts, forwards and future of cricket. I wasn’t concerned about the future of cricket per se just bothered about how it will be perceived. But then there is always something weird and random in Pakistani cricket which throws up some beautiful patterns but that’s few and far in between for most of the time it is face saving and "sweep it under the carpet"n type of intricate exercise; for sure they will always be like that only.
First test – Laxman is very very special.
Laxman and Lara two of the contemporaries that will find themselves an invite is a cricketing ten against Aussies were to be made. The first would be Tendulkar followed by the two other gentlemen we can debate the rest of the players. He is like that only.
The Aussies started on a strong but a slow note, taking time forever, trying to direct the match towards a draw, probably not taking into account Sehwag and there tendency to collapse seeing the Indian spinner making it turn, break and jump. They meandered with no real change of plans. The posted a strong 428 at less than 3 an over, forget Sehwag tends to score more than run a ball. Zaheer taking five. If he stays for an appreciable time he can mow the score in a day. Tendulkar and Dravid and Laxman would just hammer them harder. Indian batsman got starts didn’t pile up celebrative centuries and so on. India out paced Aussies with the scoring rate and spared a lead of 23 runs. Aussies were seemingly taking control before an inspired change in bowling ishant rocked the top order, got his man Ponting, spinners too jumped in the fray, Zaheer cleaned up the tail.
The Indian top order collapsed and going into the fourth day it was 55/4 with Indians catching straws but wicket was weary Laxman was nursing an injury.
An hour into the play Aussies seem to be in control but lacked ideas to polish of the tail. Ishant and Laxaman tailored a tense partnership, Ishant getting out and a thrilling one wicket Indian victory at Mohali befitting a thriller test match.
Second test, same story, same plot, same wine in the same bottle.
Aussies had a stop start stop beginning to there second test, Dhoni losing the toss Punter bet on playing first, match swayed either way for first four days. Ponting meanwhile found firm footing on loose Indian pitches, before among all bowlers Raina had Ponting LBW,but then North dug in and carried Aussies forward Paine make sure Indian bowlers continue to toil. Bhajji bowled with a lot of heart. But then Bhajji's clout as a bowler needs a makeover, at least his bowling does. Indians restrict Aussies to a thought 478, game on.
The Indian top order misfired again but Murali and Master stroked it delightfully, giving Aussies a fitting reply. Murali score a century, Tendulkar, the old wine scored a double. The Indian first innings wither away soon and an expectation of a big lead withered away. The last five wickets fell for 9 runs Aussies hopping and jumping after restricting India to below 500. The Aussies fail to take an initiative in their second and some tight bowling especially by Ojha who, tied one end up and Zaheer and Bhajji rocked the Aussie batting line up who seemed a bit too casual. Dhoni and boys looking to take the cake home.
The last day of the test match was again a riveting one Sehwag got out cheaply, Dravid for a change facing Home ground blues. Pujara was the cat among the Kangaroos and along with Murali Vijay and Tendulkar scripted a wonderful Indian series win.
Dhoni again out witted Ponting twice in a row in the same series. Ponting is still to win a test in India as a captain.
Oh dear ODIs.
The first one was abandoned.
The second one, while Indian bowls kick started it all Aussies Captain made a stoic and a poignant century and Craig White hammered the Indian bowling to all parts and together scored 85 in last five overs, 293 what seemed a tough total to get with a fragile Indian batting line up. Shikhar Dhawan joined a prestigious club Tendulkar, Dhoni and Raina are his fellow members who have scored a duck on debut. I will be happy if I were to be in that company. Yuvraj not losing his regal charm eased himself to a half century before being bored and playing across get bowlwed. Virat “Boisterous” Kohli swivelled and cramped and limped to get to a century before Raina did a minor Craig White, by scoring at will and Indian eased to what seem like a one side boring victory. An unassailable lead with one more boring (one sided) match to play.
The third ODI was abandoned due to rain.
This was the half cooked review of a half cooked series, credit to BCCI. We are like that only.
No comments:
Post a Comment