Cricket: Preview India vs Aus

India tour to Australia has kicked off with a couple of practice matches. Its was so magnanimous of BCCI to let a batch of our players leave early and gift them two matches, guess thats what early Xmas gifts resemble. I don't know if the Board thing or our players, but we don't consider practice matches much on to do list of a tour. India's previous tours to South Africa, West Indies and England being the latest one, have seen us in pretty embarrassing situations, in South Africa we lost the match in the first session, the pitch turned docile after Indian innings and every SAf batsman helped himself with runs and form. West Indies we were 5 wickets down for peanuts the then Man in form with th Bat, Harbhajan and guess who Suresh Raina bailed us out, if it was any other set of players in the opposition we would have been decimated. England saw us winning nothing except a couple of mini sessions between lunch and the following drinks break. I hope fortunes have changed.

Fit? Fine.

India vs Aus is no more the marquee series per se. But for an Indian fan (here, me :P) and players in the team there should be enough spice to compel me (read us) to follow. Its fitness rather than form on this tour that will be the key to the series. It is the key to any series but for us this is the one. You can go out of form and inform in the middle of the game but if you are down on fitness. You can go into a series with an indifferent form and pull of some magical performances but it would be difficult to go into a series with your fitness in the wrong direction of slope. Then Aus is a big country to travel with injuries. Sehwag, you don't know, before you get up on Boxing day he may already playing 50 of 30 balls. Gambhir next to stay put. Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar have all done well against Australia at home and away when Aussies were at peak of the game in the last decade or so. Laxman is just primed for runs. Sachin is a ton away from ton of tons, wonder if anyone has noticed it. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will have to fight it out for now exclusive so bereft batting order. But Kohli may get a look in before Rohit Sharma. Dhonis batting may just be under a more stern observation. 

Zaheer is coming out of long injury lay off, Ishant seems to be jumping a skipping rope between Am-I-injured-or-Am-I-not. Umesh, Ashwin and Ojha are yet to play in Aus. Irfan Pathan is not selected for some reason. Praveen Kumar wont be there. He did well in West Indies and England and did enough to be considered a decent test bowler. If there is swing he will do it. Bhajji and Sreesanth have been sent home for a long family vacation. Ashwin should fancy a chance against Aussies who have traditionally felt the pinch from the off spinners from Laker, Jasu Patel, Bhajji, Murali, Swann have done well against Australia. I for one would have love to see, Ishant and Bhajji bowling in tandem to Ricky Ponting. Ishant beating the inside edge with Ponting on the back foot, Bhajji beats the outside edge with Ponting coming forward. But then we have to savour what we get. Zaheer Khan is the keep simply because he has played just three test match in Australia. He is has to last the whole tour and keep taking wickets. He is vital to the outcome of the series from Indian perspective

Down Under - getting out of the rot.

Aussies now find themselves thin on talent and aptitude. It is (obviously) hard to replace guess who have entered history of the game. I don't know for how long Haddin may play, there are a few injured players, not suggesting Indians don't have their share of worries. Aussies have worries of their own. Its only Bangladesh and West Indies who have lost more matches. Ponting seems to the punter who out of tricks, but then the harder you want to pray of Indians winning this tour, they more you got to hope that Ponting doesn't get into form. Hussey is another player who can keep ticking, best brains in Aussie line up Watson is not played so that is a dream bonus. Why wasn't Warner scripted couple of years back is the question? Phill Jacques is a joke. Hilfenhaus makes a come back. Siddle will look to sizzle again, rest of the Aussie bowling is something I don't know about. I must add though, I am looking forward to Lyon vs Dhoni.

There are some key duels you want to see, Sehwag vs the cover point or third-man fielder. Dravid & Tendulkar old (oldest) war horses vs greenhorn Aussie rookie bowlers. Gambhir vs bad luck and ill form. Zaheer vs fitness. Ricky Ponting vs Ashwin. Hussey vs Zaheer. Umesh Yadav needs to adapt quickly and be counted. I am just wondering is Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar should all swap places. It's an idea that has caught my fancy. I wonder if it would make sens to have Laxman at three, Dravid at four and Tendulkar at five. Dhoni vs Haddin. 

The contemplation.

I am contemplating either a daily blog or after at the end of each innings.for  this tour especially for the days test matches played. There is one thing that I pray for, is series to be free of any possible controversy. The most important question for me will they employ DRS?

Cricket: India win series

India won a compelling and now comfortable looking test match. Like the one in Delhi this match too ended on the fourth day, with more than four sessions of the match remaining. The low slow turner has found West Indies to skid and slide into boring and now a trademark feature of West Indies batting. The last West Indian inning while following on was a refreshing change to witness, their batsman play gutsy meaty knocks. It was refreshing to see their second innings effort especially after their first innings slump.

Dravid the one who breaks the glass ceiling while the other soar the skies.

There are many ways to see how the batsman has performing over the period of time, it could be by number of centuries or half centuries scored, number of runs,the average runs scored etc. Let's look at Dravid purely on the basis of partnerships that he has stiched with other batsman. Its amazing how he has weaved big chunks of partnerships with most of his colleagues, these are not just hundred runs, these are like double, triple , quadruple century partnerships, these are serious numbers. It is the luxury of Dravid that we have while other batsman can play strokes while Dravid provides assurances of solidity in technique and classy test book shots. I think we the fans can praise him but I believe his colleagues would be the only ones who would know his worth. Dravid is into his swan song, perhaps counting down to last of his couple of seasons. His batting numbers are mind boggling and need to be judged independent of all the other batsman of his era, including Tendulkar. His true might would be know and felt immediately after his retirement.

Meanwhile typcical of Dravid who broke the glass celieing and let other soar into the sky. I am not trying to start any Dravid vs Tendulkar debate. Dravid professionalism, strong sense of discipline and his work speaks for himself. Tendulkar was destined as a prodigy and he to all his credit did everything to justify and excel it. Dravid like Tendulkar remains a perfect example of poise and everything that is good. Dravid set this game up by stitching partnerships, Laxman cashed in and Dhoni just hammered it in. All the batsman leading the front with centuriesas India piled on the agony and West Indies found themselves chasing a wild goose with a score in excess of 630.

Big tour wants a big scores.

India will set sail for Australia, its the best chance we have to beat Aussies in Aus. The opening is crucial on any wickets let alone bouncing Aussie pitches. Sehwag and Gambhir need to be in habbit of batting for long hours and making big scores, just to be in the right mindset. A run making mindset, top fitness and some runs under the belt is one of the way to set the right tone, if Aussies are to be challenged. Gambhir and Sehwag need to turn out big numbers in one of the two possible innings before ODIs are played. I also wonder if it would have been wise on the Board to schedule ODIs first and then may be the Test matches on livelier pitches. I think that would keep our batsman in better tuned for Aus. A set of lively pitches and West Indian bowling with like of Edwards, Roach, Rampaul would keep Indian batsman in tune. I guess in some way it would helped Indian bowling as well.

Harbhajan is being un-missed.

There is no doubt of Bhajji's class, but it was more to do with his mental aspect that seems to paint a very sorry figure. He was being smacked away for fours, when he bowled around the wicket. There is not a single weak link to be in found in his bowling a closer look suggest all links withered away weak. He bowling round the wickets to right hand batsman is saying to the batsman, I have surrendered now would I get a consolatory wicket. The last I heard of Harbhajan was he took One wicket in 28 overs playing in a Ranji match. It doesnt exudes much confidence. It will be tough to say if Bhajji will be off to Australia or not. There is this guy called Ricky Ponting though, who Bhajji would claim to be his bunny, it was the time when Ponting was making big runs big time. Out of form Ponting and distant from any form Bhajji isnt my idea of contest. Bhajji need not find something new, its just needs to search for some of the old good things he did. Ojha and Ashwin has got truck load of wickets. Bhajji isnt a popular name right now. But then life is stranger than fiction.

Indian bowling attack is impressive.

A lot of teams farring well have very potent bowling attack, a couple of steaming fast bowlers, a spinner full of guile. I think we didn't expect a lot from the Indian bowling attack, Ashwin and Yadav were on debut, Ojha was making a comback. Ishant was in that esteemed injured list from the tour of England. It was our batsmans cake to bake. The bowlers however have done really well, triggering collpase of a fragile West Indian batting. It seems to be all falling in place. The question is if untested Zaheer and Munaf and Bhajji make it to the squad for Aus. I dont know if the previous tour to England hurt us a lot but certainly there was a whole squad players who were injured. If a fully fit squad with sufficient match practice doesn't go to Aus dreams of winning a test will be as distant as the next galaxy.

West Indian batting sum of some missing parts.

West Indian batting has been on terminal decline any new age cricket fan. They will find it hard to believe that at one point in team, West Indian team was one of more feared teams, of all times. I have always remember them as a team on decline. It hard to pin point if Chanderapul is an oasis or a lost island of the Caribbean. He is simply tremendous, keeps piling the runs, looks odd with his stance but keeps making runs. It requires and perseverance and determination. I wonder what motivates him. Even if two West Indian batsman stick with him, their team would be a better batting team. There bowling a bit wayward but it is good. Its their batting that falters regularly.

India has won the match and the series, Dhoni whould give up his gloves for the next test. One of the big three must be rested. Yuvraj should be asked to bat a bit higher. It must be made sure that its a pace qnd bounce there, youngsters should be tried even if that means losing a test or two.

Cricket: India wins Jamaica Test

India team on a Caribbean Cruise (read tour) cruised (read won) in the first test. The victory seemed rather emphatic at first. If you are, someone who really looks at the result then you are narrow minded and too focused only the result. Life like many other phenomenon happening around us at times give results even before it comes to end. We go through hell and heaven everyday, often life happiest and bizarre moments seem to be sew together, it very difficult to spot the difference even under the lens of time.

However, Indian victories in overseas test use to be rare celebrations. I don’t think that’s the case anymore. We won the Caribbean tour (not cruise) the last time we toured there. We have test series win in Pakistan and England; we have won matches in Australia and South
Africa where it was considered blasphemous even to think India could win a test. There are many factors for this, more experienced battery of seamers. The Indian batsmen now don’t turn cherry red with shyness when they see green pitch. The team has a settled batting
opening pair (not in this case) of Gambhir and Sehwag. A very dependable and a broad middle order of Dravid, Laxman, and Tendulkar,not in that order. It started with Ganguly who challenged everybody (except himself) around him. He did great things as a captain but it didn’t translate for Ganguly the batsman while he was leading the team. Dravid was the architect for many of those victories.

Monday morning blues.

A new Monday and three new caps – Mukund, Kohli and Praveen Kumar made their test match debut. Mukund play for Tamil Nadu, Praveen Kumar has been a bit of a protégé who can swing the ball. Kohli has gone from strength to strength. I am not workaholic and Monday morning till the morning coffee in office often overflows with agony. It was agonizing to see batsmen came and go to needless shots. Vijay had just creamed Rampaul for a delightful extra cover drive. He fell trying to ride the bounce and getting caught at point. Mukund, was bowled, beaten for pace. Laxman and Dhoni didn’t do much. Dravid seemed in control, but got out for 40, Virat Kohli
played what was to be a listless debut. It was lunch at Sabina Park and I struggled to gulp down my dinner. India 86/6. I never curse the Monday morning louder. I wonder whose idea it was to start a Test match on  a Monday morning.

Bhajji Raina turn the tide.

Bhajji’s decline as a bowler has given rise to Bhajji the batsman. He increasingly looks to compensate his waning bowling prowess with his thumping batting. He had a 146 run partnership with Raina, The partnership saw the change in momentum. A greedy Indian cricket
follower would have liked both of them getting centuries. It wasn’t to be. Bhajji’s hitting helped us ramp up the runs and the run rate. Bhajji’s sense of timing as a batsman is very good. It was a very compelling and a crucial partnership and helped India recover and post a decent score of 246. It was pitch with variable bounce and spin. The ball kept swinging all day. West Indies lack the inspiration within their batting ranks. Ishant Sharma making a comeback and Praveen Kumar is on a debut. There was a lot on twitter to be follow as the test match unfolded. It was an interesting observation that I read – Dravid, Laxman, Dhoni perhaps the best India players of spin (playing in this series) were out to West Indian leggie, Bishoo.

The fragile West Indies batting

A fragile batting has a new name. Once famous calypso batting is now synonymous to fragile, benign, and spineless entity. There is no more Fire in the Babylon, it’s turned in ashes and dust. There was a time when no one wanted to play West Indies because of the brute, hard hitting batting orders and charged up bowling attack. The times have changed and no one wants to play West Indies, because of their batting offers a boring and lacklustre display. It doesn’t matter if they are 250 for 2 in the first innings of the match. The Windies batting collapses are as recurring as digits in the fraction of 1/3. West Indies batting has been in turmoil and decay. I wonder if the rot can ever be stopped. There are a few bits and pieces there may be a Gayle or a Sarwan but collectively they are far too less then the sum of the parts. The question is can couple of batsman stand up to the challenge of building an innings of batting the sessions of tests. I mean all the West Indies batsmen need to do is to forge partnerships look to bat for time, play percentage cricketing shots. I guess that has to be tackled at the formative stages. I don’t know much about the setup of their first class cricket setup and people who are running it. It is
alright to talk about going back to the drawing board. But some sense and determination and perseverance has to prevail for pride to return to West Indies cricket.

West Indies started with caution, Adrian Barath impressed, but that’s about it, Chanderpaul and Bravo meanwhile did look to get a partnership going, it did for a while but then it was not too long before wickets went in a heap. The scenario had changed completely in a day of test match cricket as West Indies ship was sinking on the Jamaican port. West Indies innings folded for 173, giving an invaluable lead of 70 runs at the end of the first innings

Slipping over the same banana skin.

It is something for everyone to see, Indians begin there third innings with a mini collapse. Murali Vijay went in the second over without scoring, I wonder if he had got time after getting out, to see Dravid play and learnt a few things on how to build an innings. Mukund did the hard part only to falter when he should have kicked on. Dravid edged one but was dropped, by Sammy. Laxamn still to get a feel to score freely on the number 4 slot. A lesson perhaps to shift Kohli at 4 and Laxman followed by Dhoni and then Raina, for this series. Dravid bottled one end up, while the shots were played from the other end. Dhoni shot when he got out was futile one. Raina was
unlucky so was perhaps Bhajji. Harper being the culprit. Amit Mishra played some really good shots against Edwards, Indian tail rattling the opposition. Dravid meanwhile played a calm hand and kept ensuring the West Indies don’t have a chance to to comeback. He was out
trying to up the ante. Dravid reached a hundred with a single and know has notched up 32 centuries.

West Indies second innings, another collapse.
Sarwan and Chanderpaul have scored heavily against India, Chanderapul hardly gets out against India. The two look really out of place in this series. But I think the best combination and batting order for West Indies could be Gayle, Barath, Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Lendl, Baugh, Sammy, Bishoo, Rampaul, Roach, Edwards. But in this innings, West Indies did start in the top gear, and the fifty was up in no time, Sharma getting some stick but Praveen Kumar and Sharma stuck at the end of the third day Windies reached 133 for 3. Chanderapul and Darren Bravo on to the crease. The first session of the fourth morning saw as many as six batsmen make an appearance leave without making an impression. The game was sealed soon after lunch and India secured what seemed an easy win.

There is often a case that we may learn from defeat/loss. There is a likely hood we may consciously over look a few things when we are in a ascendancy. The fact is opening slot doesn’t look good. Laxman and Dravid were playing a test match any practice match. Bhajji
and Mishra have there work cut out. I consider Bhajji very luck even to be in the squad let alone playing. Bhajji’s admirable batting performance is not to big to cover for his inability to take wickets especially against teams not adapt at playing spin. This tour cannot be taken as just another assignment before the English tour. The condition there would be anything that the Indian would be seeing in West Indies. Munaf should replace Bhajji in the next match.Raina looks more likely to take wickets on current form.

Indians got a deserving break to acclimatize, Windies may spend some time to ponder about their next game plan. I don’t know what wrong. But I would like to believe cricket needs three to five teams challenge each other at par for cricket to sustain test matches, Aussies were by far the number one team for better part of last 15 years, but at present there is a let down. Poms did win a couple of match and series. SAfs do really well at home, Morkel and Steyn will blast most batting line ups. Pakistan are more mercurial then quick silver. Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman will retire inevitably. This would be like two Wisden record books going out of circulation. I mean
imagine your team devoid of nearly 35,000 runs, 450 tests, 250 and more catches, 80 test centuries, and handful of wickets. The probable fillers of these shoes would spell like Raina, Pujara, Kohli, Sharma, probably Rayudu etc.

Cricket: India vs. Bangladesh

Cricket is unpredictable. But this 2-0 victory should not come as a surprise. The Bangladesh performances on the cricket field lent a subtle hint that their first class setup needs some fine tuning if not an overhaul. It’s good to have more teams, but I think ICC should provide expertise to set up quality first class cricket. There has been marginal improvement. But then, India didn’t get their first test win easy. So well let’s see
B’desh stretch India

B’desh with half there side in the hut, before reaching three figures. It was a Sunday morning; it was good to see India on top. I had imagined a quick mop up and then our batsman making merry. Mahmudullah had different idea. It was like a cute romantic story. I dished it out to Indian bowlers, some going for a few some for a plenty. He farmed a lot of strike and most unlucky not to get to three figures against India. A 100 seems much more convincing then a 96 not out. Rest of the batting apart from a few minor contributions came and went.
Ishant Sharma rocked the B’desh batting claiming four, Zaheer got three, and Ojha claimed two. I wonder what’s keeping Bhajji down; I hope he gets back to wicket taking ways. I know SAfs are coming but don’t imagine them to be top quality spin playing unit although Smith, Kallis, De’Villiers are good. I would like to think of them bringing back Jacques Rudolph. That chap is good.

Dravid and Tendulkar show for batting lesson

Dravid and Tendulkar displayed a master class of batting. Dravid whole career seem to be almost unsung to the point of being unnoticed. Dravid has over 10 thousands runs in both form of the game. Indians batting woes has swung in step with Dravid batting form. Dravid a no mean stroke player himself provides enough certainty for the likes of Tendulkars, Sehwags, Gambhirs, and Laxmans to play their natural game. It should be surprise that he holds the record for most number of century partnerships in test. A little misjudgement caused the ball to thud into his jaw, as a result he having a hairline fracture in the jaw. I feel a few SAfs bowlers would have sigh of relief.
Tendulkar surely made it count. He scored two centuries in two tests. A good match practice for following series during SAfs tour to India. I think Sachin is now in good form and better fitness. At least for last couple of years. So far so good. He now has 90 internationals centuries so Tendulkar needs ten more tons to get to the ton of centuries. I think it would be one of the more profound sporting feats in the same bracket as Bolt, Phelps or Nadia Comaneci. I know Ponting just behind his back with 39 centuries in test. But Tendulkar may just outlast Ponting may be by few months. But if that’s the case Ponting may just end up with more number of centuries. But as off know, its Tendulkar. I hope he takes his good form to the next test series.
Dhoni almost got there to a century. At times his swagger can be so intimidating yet assuring. He got the taste of his own medicine he was stumped out for 89. Sehwag and Gambhir contributed to with fifties. Gambhir sadly fell for 68, al though he was closing on one more century with which he would have tied with Bradman for 6 centuries in 6 back to back tests. But then to his solaces, he in now ties with Viv Richards for fifty in 11 consecutives innings. Talk to being in form. He simply is doing superb and would want to do well against a good bowling SAfs side.

Tamim tames India bowling.

He was in trance almost. He cracked an awesome century and looked in no fuss. He grew in confidence with each run. He had Siddique almost bought back public to the stadium. He looked very commanding and authoritative and the rejoice was for all to see and applaud. Tamim Iqbal looked good in the earlier test as well, by the looks of it; he would continue to do well in the future. I believe the wicket too eased out and nothing was happening till the ball was deposited with sure hands of Zak.

Zak talks of being in the zone.

Zaheer Khan’s control saw B’desh batting collapsing. He has affinity for left handers in the top order. In the last series when India toured South Africa, Zaheer was all over Smith. I think if Zaheer has marked his men for next series, Smith would be there. Zak took 10 in the match and walked away with Man of the match and Man of the series. He was in tremendous control and swaying the ball to his wishes. Zak is looking really awesome.
Bhajji need a relooks. I was wondering about Bhajjis form, doesn’t oozes the same confidence. I know it is just matter of one good innings. I wish him luck. Go Bhajji.

Dhoni’s hat gets more couple of good feathers. If he wins against SAfs that would be really cool. At least for now with key batsman injured, Dravid, Yuvraj, Laxman and an unwanted, unwarranted crisis in South Africa, let’s just hope we have the best teams playing in right frame of mind and full fitness.

I am wondering is South Africans would do well in this years IPL … the questions begs to be asked. I believe only time will unravel the answers

Cricket: India Numero Uno

There are couple of reasons for Indian cricket fans to rejoice a clinical performance by Indians to beat Lankan 2-0. All that noise about Test matches are breathing their last, franchisee debate, and other noise can take a breather for a while, coz Test matches are the foundation of cricket and I don’t see any building lasting for long if the foundations eroded, or undermined.

It's a long post, since it is a series review it better be a long one. So it is match by match the whole review of the series, stringed with who did what and when. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.

First Test, Ahmadabad

Early morning jitters, India 32 for 4

The writing was pretty much on the Wall and didn’t he stand tall? India tottering at 32 with big names and big guns trailing back to pavilion often the case Dravid kept his head down and stood the storm, also scored run and steered India to some respectability, Yuvraj eased of the work load and then Dravid went on to make a century. Captain courageous, MSD also added muscle with a stoic century in the first innings.

Jayawardene, the long distance runner.

Jayawardene almost easily fits into any batting situation and can change gears so easily, his batting is pristine and very good looking to the eye something same as Dravid. They both bat in such similar fashion. Jayawardene batted and batted and simply dismantle India bowling after Dilshan flayed it to all corners. The pitch was a dead beat, as is the case with most Ahmadabad pitches. Dilshan is having such a good time and at this point in time made no false stroke. He blasted the India bowling and rightfully earned a century, the keeper Jayawardene also notched up a meaty 154, and all hopes of a result had ended.

Gambhir and Tendulkar score tonnes.

It was for gone conclusion that the match would be a draw. Sehwag made amends scored a fifty, Gambhir the best India batsmen in any form of the game played a solid innings and with every run he scored, possibility of a draw become stronger. Tendulkar perhaps played on the easiest fifth day pitch ever in 20 years of profession top level cricket. At least it was an easiest hundred (if there is one) he would have ever made. But runs have to be scored. In the dying moments of the day he completes a terrific feat.

Second test, Green Park, Kanpur.

Runs were flowing, alrite.

Green Park one of the traditional venues in India cricket history others being Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengalluru. Jasu Patel an off spinner was bought back and scripted a magnificent tale of beating Aussies. He was the one who held the India record for most dismissals claimed by a bowler, before Kumble had got perfect 10. These venues again saw a famous India victory, that too by a huge margin. Sehwag, Gambir and Co set of the pyro and before the dust settled, Lankan were forced to follow on, courtesy a bewildering spell by Sree Santh. Sehwag smacked a century at better than run a ball, Gambhir not wanting to miss out again and extended his good form also came up with superlative century, Dravid again stamped his authority ensuring there are no unwanted hiccups. This was the first instance since 2003 that Sehwag scored a century and didn’t cross 150. Dravid was out the only way he could be out, falling short do the crease at non strikers end, worst way to get out. Sehwag, Gambhir and Dravid together scored more than 400 runs; Lankans were looking at the wrong end of the barrel. India having scored nearly 650 runs at more than four an over meant Lankans were always catching up.

Lankans follow on, only to falter again

The mad cap Sree Santh, gifted with such beautiful action and just back creating havoc for Warwickshire on the county circuit under watchful eye of Donald, came from nowhere and made Lankan cold sweat. He made the ball do the talking and the ball seamed and swinged and Sree Santh brought back the memories of South Africa. The ball to get Prussian Jayawardene was a peach and could have got any right hand batsman. Amazing control. He kept on plugging away. He got a 5 wicket haul and redeemed himself, and grabbed headline news for cricketing reasons off course all with positive intent and connotation. Lankans forced to follow on. At the end of the fourth day they were trailing in second innings and the score read 57 for 4, the result was in sight for the Indians, the job was just half done.

Bit more shocks and India snubbed the remaining six wickets.


Final Test, CCI, Mumbai.

Again a chapter in History beacons, Wankhede under construction saw Brabourne hosting a test match first time in over 36 years. Sangakarra won the toss and elected to bat.

What seemed good …?

Lankans battled hard, Dilshan boosted the scoring rate and also getting one more century. He looks so formidable and nearly impossible to dislodge. Lankans batted for a day and a session and scored nearly what seemed a good 400 hundred. Sehwag also had a few ideas and few strokes up his sleeve.

Gambhir opting out paved way for Murali Vijay. Sehwag and Murali, opened the innings. Their scoring rate opened the flood gates and Sehwag kept on pumping boundaries and sixes. No way was Muralidharan was allowed to dominate. Murali meanwhile matched Sehwag stroke for stroke, if not in quantity then surely in quality. He provided ample support and made sure Sehwag wasn’t starved of strike. Sehwag kept on smashing thunderbolts. I mean with what regularity he score over 150. There was more agony. It was the second time in couple of years that Sehwag scored a double century stand with two consecutive batsmen. I mean alrite you have to physically be there in sun all day, but the mental strength to keep going on was immense, all with a smile, Viru kept licking his lips and smacking them to all parts, last half and hour saw Viru cooling down, Dravid did bulk of the scoring.

India high on MSD

In order to rub it in, India had a quiet second day until an hour after Tea when Dhoni, seemed to be cursing decided to go berserk. Lead nearing 300 and Dhoni kept ignoring singles and kept hitting sixes, all of a sudden 100 was in sights. Dhoni smacked on of hearth way out of CCI and claimed a six and bottled a 100 and declared with Lankans trailing with 333.

The day of reckoning not to be.

I had imagined Lankans being all out in the day, wasn’t to be. They fought hard and looked to put intrepid performance, Paranavithana looking cool calm and composed. Bhajji got his man Dilshan padding up and the slide started. Zaheer meanwhile put his hand up and bowled with great heart and control keeping the runs tight, three quick wickets in the session and one though Lankans would just go bust. Sanga held fort and what looked like a fighting century was there for the taking. He smacked a very good hundred,

The final day.

Sanga the hero of the earlier day started with couple of boundaries only to be foxed by Zaheer, again. Zaheer on romp with a fifer up for grabs. One dog in short was to big to keep down for Heart, Ojha taking it neat, only two steps away from a victory. Sree Santh didn’t bowl for some reason. I wished he would have. Bhajji was persisted with. Another short pitch ball saw Kulasekara edging Zaheer to Laxman. Murali on the prowl was some quick runs. A couple of hefty hits and one of Bhajji. Bhajji floated and tossed one just a bit higher, Murali edge Bhajji to Dhoni and India completed the test win, flayed Lankans 2-0 in the series and were rewarded with Numero Uno Status of best Test Playing Team.

It was a very emphatic series win and the clout of Dhoni continues to grow. So far so good.

Cricket: England holds the keys.

There is something about Indian summers in England. Everyone around is great full that they have come around to play the test series. I think Pietersen did very well and England stand a chance of winning the first test and perhaps win in India is they managed to hold on to this lead. England has the bowling to skittle out Indians cheaply in the fourth innings. I am really happy to see cricketing actions live.

ATKT = Allowed to keep test? Yuvraj and Rahul Dravid.

ATKT or simply KT, in engineering when you have to clear first year to stake a claim to answer third year papers i.e. one can go on into second year with earlier year back log papers, but U have to clear them before your second year ends or else you get into an infinite loop of studying the second year and third year course and it’s tough.
I thought till yesterday I though only Dravid and Yuvraj were ATKT, Allowed To Keep Test. Yuvraj bemuses me, he is someone you can build you team around in T20 and ODI but I don’t think he is good enough for test. Yeah I know he has scored big runs in form of centuries, in test and first class. I hope he can find some county and play some first class there may it would help him iron out his fallacies against short pitch stuff But can he face pace battery on fast pitches. The answer is a sad No!! I feel for him. He looks so beleaguered when facing fast bowling in test. It’s not only the pace bowling. I think any good spinner worth his salt can work out Yuvraj very very soon. I was pensive that this would a test of test for Yuvraj. He was to face Flintoff, Harmison and Monty. While Flintoff happened to be making a comeback but his reputation precedes him. He is a very good bowler, unlike a rookie when he started. However, Freddie Flintoff seems more assured of himself more than ever. Harmisson works purely on one principle, bounce. The amount of bounce he can get is prodigious. He bowl aiming for jaw and chest of batsmen and occasionally there is a drive ball and batsman are caught behind looking to cream it through cover point and ending up in slips. Yuvraj feel victim to it. I don’t rate Yuvraj highly as a test batsman. I know its tough facing chin music. However, Yuvraj seems to be relying so heavily on his predictive reactions rather than watching the bowl.

Dravid also on the KT list. :(

Rahul Dravid poor chap. He was one of the safest first slip fielders India cricket would see for a long time. He dropping regulation catches isn't helping nor is his batting is inspiring confidence. He is a unique predicament. The game of cricket has enough examples of people starting and then falling to bad form or injury and then making a fairy tale return. I don’t think Dravid will have this luxury. The predicament is that he is facing a trough at the last turn of his glorious career. He is the sole architect of Ganguly’s success as a test captain. He managed to walk out of Tendulkar’s shadow, no mean achievement in itself. He has over Ten thousand runs in both form of the game, something people should look into. He was labeled a Test Only player if you remember. Dravid at 35 has sands of time slipping through his fingers. I wonder if he playing at five instead of three would help. Also as Sehwag-Gambhir partnership blossoms, Dravid often reads the score at 80 for one rather than nine for 3 or 17 for two. Its tough for him, but his confidence will come back if he starts taking catches in slips. At least we fans would get some reprieve of him being right in the game.
Dhoni mean while will soon get a taste of first defeat if England rub it in tomorrow. The bigger challenge for him would be winning chasing in the fourth innings. Indians has a terrible record, it is perhaps worst than losing finals in ODIs. One can debate and argue on that but the fact remains that at present no one, yes no one know how to bat in the fourth innings. Tendulkar fourth innings has been a handicapped a blind spot for him. Layman flashes too much, Dravid out of form, Yuvraj will buckle to pace or seduced by spin. Dhoti’s technique isn’t his forte. Sehwag is the only one who can, coz pitches and nature of bowling doesn’t matter to him, if it is in his percentages he will score. But he too may feel the pressure.

I don’t think India deserves to win this one the way the have played till date. English happen to script this list. Although there is an opportunity here, if they have to stake the claim of numero uno in cricket they have to dissolve the mental block of the fourth innings and give themselves every chance of winning this match by finishing the English innings soon tomorrow and then look to bat 120 overs in the fourth innings and claim victory.

There are only couples of things in India’s favour:

Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties; it is never over until the last wicket is claimed or the last run scored.
India is one team that can make one sided match exciting.
Are the rain gods watching?

The only problem is time is running out and English hold the key. I imagine myself writing a review of this test tomorrow evening itself. I don’t think lack of preparation owing to off the field events in the near past should be an excuse.

Cricket: Prime Crises and a drawn Test.

Second edit …

Blog Action Day caught my eye.Please check out the site and do something if you can.



You what, people like to follow different trends … I follow them too. I see everything around and try to connect all the dos and see what kind of pictures emerge. For once just imagine what Happens when markets rocket skywards, i.e. the BSE gained more than 7% today, it was an 800 point rally, there is more to come tomorrow. Indians and Aussies battled for a draw. A reminiscent of the last test series between India and Australia in Australia, the match at Adelaide earlier this in January which also ended in a tame draw. No team looked to force the issue to victory. Here were subtle hints to these facts when Aussies could get even near 300 on the first day and then India not only avoided the follow on but looked to marginalize the Aussies lead. I wonder if couple of Indian tail enders make couple of fifties then the match may end up in a draw. The following is purely a cricketing post.

Prime Crises.

We all know by know exactly what is sub prime crises? But India cricket is undergoing Prime Crises. Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman Ganguly and Kumble not firing at all or not firing enough. The wizardry is no where to be seen. There was a time when Tendulkar would score others would bet and late in the third day or by fourth day lunch the writing was pretty much on the wall, and the language was Hindi. Well it is not to be perhaps. While the sub primes are doing well, Sehwag, Bhajji and Zaheer along with Ishant Sharma, who looks to do what Srinath, did for Kumble. He perhaps does a job few notches better. He not only ties one end up but also takes wicket. Alas Kumble isn’t in his Prime (obvious reference to the Prime Crises). Gambhir remains a cause of worry though; he bats but doesn’t score enough. He may be hard found all of a sudden when his good form deserts him. There are a few more openers in the fray namely Akash Chopra and Wassim Jaffer who by the way has a penchant for scoring big runs big time.

Mean while Dravid has shown some performances, is a tad better that way so is Laxman. Ganguly meanwhile is way past his best. It remains distant, like a myth really. Don’t come back to me saying he just hit a 239 against Pakistan. The ball scooted to ankle height when Sami was bowling, Yuvraj hit one too, put couldn’t even put bat to ball against second grade Aussie spinners in Australia and has been dropped ever since from the test side. I think Ganguly should have struck the deal long time back hung up his test boots and concentrated on ODI. There are two things, first he has been a fabulous ODI player and won more matches with his batting. He was perhaps the best finishers of the ODI game.

Laxman will come into his own for at least one more time, while Tendulkar will limp to break Lara’s record only to be taken over by Ponting in times to come. Dravid is slowly headed into the sunset until and unless he hits three centuries on a trot. He may bow out in this series but I hope to see him bow out in the very next away series. I want to see is magic on away tours for one last time. I don’t know what’s with Tendulkar it gets a bit embarrassing as he busy give more interviews explain his injuries, recovery exercises and probable date of resuming again. He played well though, he is a bit sombre about his fourth innings, but salvaged at least this one.

Kumble, well carrying on age on his shoulder proving to be a hot and heavy burden to carry. He is still to take a Pfeiffer this year; his last Pfeiffer was against Australia when he rocked them in the first test when India toured Australia late last year. I don’t know perhaps it is the advent of new fast bowling talents or Zaheer coming into his own or purely due to the burden of captaincy.
Dhoni is missing from this prime crisis. I think he has couple of season or yeas more before he truly blossoms as Test batsmen, but I think he should rethink his batting strategy in Tests. He is a better keeper to other keepers available on the scene purely in ‘keeping skills, proficiency and performance.

Cricket: Big Guns = Big runs ?

The scorecard reads 254 for 3 and the batting line up says Tendulkar and Laxman playing (just taking root) and Sehwag and Ganguly to follow. The tone was really set in after a really big partnership of 153 paved the sidelane to a big highway where things can be pushed on and big score can be achieved sometimes before team say couple of over or just grind into SAfs and declare an hour or so before close of play. The SAfs may be bowling but India ought to call the shots.

First Day.

New Opening partnership.

The hallmark of great teams have been great openers. India has never had one since Sunny Gavaskar has called it a day, hence the prime most reason of why we struggle abroad. The openers took everything on the chin and made sure there was a slow but a sure start to a new year. They pilled on the runs brick by brick with Karthick playing some good drives past the bowler. Jaffer timing was immaculate one can say his style is cross of an Azhar and Dravid, to great he would love to emulate. He played some crisp shot. He was at easy with the pitch offering spin on the first day but no bounce and pace.

No run barrage.

One would have though theat there would be lots of runs to be gathered but Pollock made some inroads into the Indian batting and the score looks 254 with four more batsmen to get through with but these four haven't been in best of touch. Sehwag has to get into double figures, Ganguly has still to score more than 50/ Laxman needs to just stick around and Tendulkar has to come to the party. It is strange though, Tendulkar has to score atleast a century and make sure Indian bowlers have enough time and runs to bowl SAfs out. It is going to be a long test if Tendulkar fails. I hope my prayers for Tendulkar are answered. Let me also right this his drive on Ntini at the close of play was as good as any you would see.

Whats next?

India to play and play and pile on the agony by scoring big and making sure the turning pitch crumble sooner rather than later. Dravid I think has a making of a better captain then Ganguly coz he take tough decisions at tough times. I hope the players whose necks were on the line repay the debt by scoring and bringing home a good victory.

Cricket: Second Test Preview.

Never take victories into head and never take defeats to heart. I wish something were also said about drawn Test matches. It was that type of drawn test, in which both teams would love to take something out of the last game into this test match. Indians played to the gallery and had cats among pigeons. I think Indians would have never ever made it. It was too much of an ask and Flintoff could not comprehend the situation. There was unnecessary panic.
As from experiences, one should never ever write off Tendulkar. He might turn up on the pitch any day and haemorrhage runs. He has the most numbers of international runs. One thing we can write about Tendulkar, he may get out to a second string bowler. Monty Panesar would not have in his wildest dream ever thought of claiming Tendulkar’s wicket in his Test debut. Panesar bowled well in the conditions. Indians were also guilty of lack of imagination in bowling and batting. The fielding in second innings was a perfect example of how not to field in a test match.
The Second Test gets underway at P.C.A. Mohali, Chandigarh. It is perhaps the most scenic of all Indian grounds. When the last time these two teams met here, Harbhajan dented life out of England with five wickets in a green top. This time round it will be interesting to see if Harbhajan plays at all. Sree Santh is confirmed not to play. There is toss between Laxman and Kaif. I am not sure if I want to be in Dravid’s shoes.
It will be said to both players. The Indians will do good to win the toss and play first and hopefully make a good first innings score.
The English will do well to chuck out Ian Bell and get another batsman. Pietersen and Collingwood should look to come up with Jones and Flintoff covering up. Their bowlers might get a good purchase. Alistair Cook should be smart enough to play the way he knows best. Pietersen and Collingwood should be hell bent on staying in the middle for a very long time.
The final eleven will be interesting to see. This is a very crucial innings in context of the series.

Cricket: England looses the initiative.

England: 244-7
Collingwood: 60* Pathan: 57-3
Cook: 60

Rahul Dravid will believe it was a lucky toss to lose in the end. England started well with a solid opening partnership. Alistair Cook looks good. Harbhajan managed to check him from time to time, with the opener struggling to pick the spinners variations. He played a classic openers innings. The first to go was Strauss, it was a nothing shot off Santh an invitation to trouble. Laxman meanwhile held onto a sharp chance giving Sree Santh his first test wicket. Then Bell came in hit a couple of boundaries and was foxed by Harbhajan's off spinner, which went straight. Dravid held on the edge. He is top class when it comes to first slip catches. This one was no different. Pietersen also seemed to be motoring along before a rash shot caused to play Santh on to the stumps. Then there was a partnership. Collingwood defended, Flintoff attacked. It looks like Flintoff doesn’t actually looks forward to play spin. He was unlucky to be given out to Kumble for score of 43.
Collingwood meanwhile spent lots of time on the crease. I hope he kicks on tomorrow to make an impressive score. At the end of the day, Irfan Pathan proved that, he is also very useful with the old ball and notched up a couple of wickets. Collingwood should play at number three because Ian Bell doesn’t fit in there, as his footwork against spinners is often wanting. The opener really played well. He was bowled by a Pathan in swinger a touch of Wasim could be felt if you look at that dismissal.
Indian seems to be in driver’s position. However, the problem is polishing off the tail, which is often the case of India’s undoing. The seamers shared five wickets between them while the spin twins shared a wicket apiece. I think pace should be used to clean up the tail. India will truly be in control if they are to take a lead in this test series. However, as both teams are yet to complete an innings one must not presume much. I think England played a decent inning by keeping not letting spinners take too many wickets. I hope the case is not so in the second innings. I think the English batsmen have to spend more time on the pitch. They should try to aim to play test cricket in an old fashioned when then only can they make a match out of it.

Cricket: Ganguly and Team Selection.

I need to clear the air before readers of this post begin to assume things. Please don’t. This post isn’t about Ganguly not being selected and selection committee being parochial or partial. The issue of this post are quiet different.

Indian selectors aren’t exactly looking at performances.
Ganguly is not helping himself.

1. Indian selectors aren’t exactly looking at performances: The team selection is not the biggest issue although I am now baffled about Ganguly's exclusion. But I wish to cover that later. The team was announced last evening and I am stupefied and not happy with the timing of the selection. The team could have been announced after the tour match was wrapped up and we would have seen the performances of both batsmen and bowlers. I will put up the case of some players.

V.R.V. Singh: The big burly fast bowler, dubbed medium pacer on Indiatimes.com, did not do too much in the first innings and is slated to be in the squad. He will be lucky to be start in playing eleven. I don’t think this time around Nagpur pitch will be green in colour.
Wassim Jaffer: This is a characteristic of most Indian batsmen, getting out when ready to move on. He played a breeze knock of 48, got a start and then at the end of the day got out to last delivery of the day. I guess we have seen that. It isn’t a sign of things to come I hope. He will probably star in the playing eleven.
Piyush Chawla: Did not play this match. He might get a look in if the pitch is labelled “for spinners only”. He is a good talent though.The following are the players, which were left out of squad for first test.Munaf Patel: A counter balance to VRV Singh blasted the English and rattled them on a lively pitch and offering a decent bounce. His tally is six English wickets out of eleven, which have, fell until now.
Gautam Gambhir: He being an Indian batsman also has a seed of the characteristic already discussed. I think Gautam got real Gambhir after not being picked. He struck a strokeful 108.I think they both have done well. I think it would have hurt the selectors much if the team announcement with held for 48 hours. If they had done so the squad formed would have been, much more “performance” oriented. The players who did well with either bat or ball have not been rewarded with a test birth at least for the first test. They would be right if they feel let down.This is the end of my first argument.

2. Ganguly is not helping himself. : The maestro Sunil “Sunny” Gavaskar said to Ganguly not to think of retirement at 33. This would have been some words of solace, which would have been music to Ganguly’s ears. If Gavaskar thinks he still has enough to play for India again; which I am sure he will, then he shouldn’t be opting for a second opinion. The matter is not is Ganguly scores or not. I think it is the attitude thing. The players are not exactly appreciative of Ganguly’s behaviour or attitude off the arena. At least Freddie Flintoff isn’t. I read a point somewhere that he doesn’t have to be goody goody to everyone he meets. I think there is correction required here. One cannot be bad to people because no one is indispensable. Be good do good. Two, is it very hard to be good to people? This good bad is just his behaviour. He should be credited for giving opportunity to many of the players, which are the part of the team.He is not participating in the first class matches. What is the reason? Is it due to some “hidden” injury? If this is so, the selector did well not to select an injured player. Or is he too big a player? I hope this is not reason. Nobody is bigger then the game.
Sourav is not doing himself any good by not playing. If he plays, he has a chance of scoring some runs and compiles some creditable performances, which can pave the path for a comeback. If he doesn’t play much to the joy of his critics he has no chance to make a come back. I bet his detractors and critics will not be the one who will be complaining. If there is some sort of end of road for Ganguly, it is the captaincy. I don’t see him captaining the side for 2007 World Cup for which he has to be sure of his place in the side. A bitter pill is no more bitter, once it has been swallowed. It is a suggestion for people who still consider Ganguly to be the captain and see his stellar-now-archived records as a reason to be the part of the team. I think Dravid has done a fair job so far. I think he has enough in him to be at the helm of affairs as long as he remains consistent. He is in some sort of consistency in both forms for the past couple of seasons if not longer.