Cricket: England lose Motera test

India won the first test at Motera, Ahmadabad with 9 wickets to much delight. It look obvious on the end of the second day, probable of the third day, wishful at the end fourth day and finally on the fifth day with more than a session to spare. The Indian camp saw performances from Sehwag, who with a run ball century deflated a flagging English attach, Pujara scored a commanding and comprehensive double century, Ojha, toiled for more than 460 deliveries, got 9 wickets, finally stamped and concluded the script that Indian batsman write. The English camp meanwhile went in with weird selections, and came back with not too many performances. Captain Cook had a good match with the bat, but will have to do more going into the series.

Surely they didn't read anything from Shane Warne's column.

The Great Indian Rope trick, cricket version.

Well , Indian cricket equivalent of the Great Indian Rope trick. If you win the toss, at first, bat long, bat once, get the Indian batsman to cheer the crowd and let Indian bowlers rest their feet for first four session if not more. Indian batsman will come up with brilliant, sparkling magnificent poetic centuries, double centuries, and compelling, fifties. These were batsman would have only edged to ellipse of keeper when sailing beyond the high seas. The repeated failure against one kind of bowling in one kind of pitches and its repeat is daunting for the Indian fan. If Indian Team were in a position that Poms were in while traveling, we would have ended the test match by lunch on the fourth day. This is a premise of Great Indian Rope trick, Foreign Edition.

However the Oracle came true, Dhoni woke up on the right side of bed, got down at the right time from the bus, place his right leg on the ground as he went out for toss, stood on the right side of Cook while tossing up the coin, made the right call, India won the toss, made the right call of batting first, Sehwag and Dhoni, said to each other. “Right, Here we go.”

Alright, the same bowlers who were bowling 85 miles and above and swinging it like Beckham, look military medium, something like a canon fodder for phlegmatic Sehwag. I think Sehwag would have prayed for this kind of bowling. He would sleep walk to a century on this type of attack. The English bowling being as uninspiring as English weather. The quicks queued to bowl, Sehwag skewed it over deep point, they kept coming, he kept dispatching. Sehwag scored and Gambhir got some good time in the middle, he too like Sehwag has been off the boil. One of the first on endless reasons, of India's debacle on overseas tours. It got rectified though, a good meaty partnership, and an hour into the second session, England were looking like they lost the plot even before deciding to looking at one. Sehwag knock was interesting and uncharacteristic, because he didn't decide to go jogging by getting into a car. He warmed up and then went to beat leather with willow, runs flowed on their one. The tone was being set, rhythm was there, everything is fine when Indian Openers score a century partnership, Indian don't loose. Sehwag finally getting out on 117 for a very poor shot.

Swann song, Indian batsmen worries against finger spinners.

Graeme Swann had taken just four wickets against the SAf when SAfs toured England, four wickets. The worlds best spinner, playing in his own backyard claimed four wickets against a spin reluctant SAf batting line up. Indian batsman seemed to got stuck into Swann, before Swann decided to get stuck into Indian batsman.

Spinners, get wicket by inducing a stroke which is not to be played, be deceiving the batsmen, by varying the flight, pace, spin imparted on the ball resulting in batsman to gauge which shot he has to play. Swann at one point claimed all the four or five wickets to have fallen. These are big names. Any spinner will vouch for the fact that Indian batsman are hard to bowl to on Indian wickets, let along claim their wickets. Swann proved his class, claimed the top wickets. Gambhir went to cut one to a delivery that hurried, bounced low and disturbed the off stump. Sehwag was out sweeping again an uncharacteristic shot played at a time when he could have held the fort so to speak for some more time. Kohli's dismissal was the best of the lot, the ball was flighted, inviting Kohli to drive

Marathon runners – Cook and Pujara.

They build there innings and struck boundaries with percentage shot, hitting the boundary with a shot they was natural for them. Pujara and Cook kept rotating the strike and kept building the partnerships. Pujara has like camping in with his bad and pads, Cook, we know can bat forever. They seem to be unfazed almost ignorant about batsman coming and going at other end. It seemed they played the delivery rather than a situation of the match. Pujara scored a double ton. He has everything running for him, including comparison with a behemoth Rahul Dravid. The comparisons will also be there, but for that to happen, first few knocks and first matches especially at home (India) is unfair to Pujara and Dravid. Pujara has lot to prove and has enough ability to do it. I just hope we compare Dravid and Pujara after later has has played in Aus, Saf and England at least once especially in those places. Cook showed glimpses of resolved and kept chipping away, but injudiciousness of strokeplay of Trott, Pietersen, Bell failed to compliment Cook's efforts. Cook came back to bat again, as Dhoni asked England to follow on. Cook just dropped the anchor. This time a more authoritative display against spinners. on a fourth and fifth day pitch when Indian spinners were expected to run through the English batting line up. A few unimaginative strokes did seem to help Indian cause but, Cook then with Prior bought some respectability to English scorecard and made sure Indian will have to bat again. A fine 176 by Cook. He like batting here.

Ojha tweaks England.

Indian pitches are frustrating for the bowlers. Ojha bowled more than 70 overs, 9 wickets. I think he deserved a Man of the Match. 9 Wickets, is a lone effort, especially in the second innings when he held one end up and took wickets when required. Ojha and Pujara did well for themselves in the match as young guns. Ojha claimed Pietrsen wicket in both the innings, Pietersen may be guilty of getting out playing strokes which he didnt have too. It would have been embarrassing getting bowled, with middle stump flat or getting bowled second time over round the legs. Pietersen dimissal kept England in check.

So did Cook and Prior and Swann. Sehwag need to continue to do well. Yuvraj looked good for a century but got out caught in the deep of Samit Patel full toss.

England need to realign their selection template and game to the pitch on the ground. In India set template or set game plan don't work.

Cricket: Second test and series win

India took the series 2-0 against New Zealand. It looked a cruise after Dhoni hoick one out of the park for a six and claim victory in a match that swayed both ways. New Zealand stepping straight into the Test arena without a practice game against a tough team at home. More on that after the review of the series. Pujara and Kohi, stepping into Laxman and Dravid shoes. A big responsibility. They have done satisfactory considering what they would be weigh against for next few seasons if not next few years.

Indian pitches Bowler's graveyard?

Indian is not for the people who come on with their wares and sell them using techniques know to them. It doesn't work in India. The traditional seam and bounce of pitches of Australia, SAf and erstwhile West Indies, is missing neither there is swing of English pitches that prevail here. The lack of bounce, reverse swing, cross seem cutters are the order of the day. The bowlers have to mix it all up along with the conventional bowling. A change in length too, too short or too full will make the batsman look really cool and the fielding captain a fool. Martin proved it in some extent in the first test, let down by butter finger catching. Southee truly nailed the Indian batsmen in the first innings in the second test. I mean seven wickets on any pitch is commendable especially against, Indian batsmen on Indian pitches. Indian pitches calls for innovation and different mindset for the bowlers wanting to claim success against Indian batsmen.

The difference was fielding.

Indian fielding was top class, Dravid and Laxman did what they did with the bat but apart from exemplary batsmen they were good catches as well. Fielding was the difference, NZ dropped catches at crucial moments, which widening of the series to 2-0. NZ are expected to be good fielding side but catching for some reason was not class. Sehwag took some awesome catches off spinners, close in catching was also really very good. Ashwin and Ojha with the ball, Pujara and Kohli have ticked most boxes, now it's the question of consistency over the period.

Rosco and Southee come to rescue on the front

Ross Taylor shares the dais of audacity with Sehwag. Ross Taylor came out with intent and batted with intent, he matched fire and fire and at given point in time he literally swept the Indian spinners all around the park. A very comprehensive strokeful century just lit up the chances for NZ, but sadly in the end, he was out sweeping, and in the second innings he almost undid Southee's good work. Ross Taylor will get better, I don't know if Vettori will come back as captain. But I think McCullum on top of the order is asking a bit too much. He should be batting at five or six and keeping wickets. A little jig at the batting order and some more players will to bid their time at the crease will help Kiwis, coz we know they are good with in fielding and bowling. Southee kept it on the string and Indian batsmen were caught napping, injudicious shot selection did them in. They fell away like nine pins, but by then India had almost closed in on NZ. It was NZ onus to set a challenging target for India on the fourth innings. It was not before Virat scored a century, a brilliant effort, he deserved it, he had time to settle on the crease, he may have got one in the first test, wasn't to be. He got one in trying circumstances in the second test,with the team against the wall. He literally cashed in on Tendulkar's poor run. The challenge for Ojha, Ashwin, Pujara, Kohli, and Yadav and may be Raina  is to build upon this fabulous start of the season and take it forward when tougher challenges come along.

NZ third innings wasted chance.

It was time for Indian spinners to come to the fore, that that they had not bagged wickets in the previous innings or match. The field set up just helped in compelling the batsman to think on the defensive. Ashwin ran thought the Kiwi batting line up, it was a wedding procession. Ojha fed Rosco for sweep shot, he bit more than he could chew, he was trapped leg before. Kane Williamson almost, played the perfect forward defense only to edge one to Sehwag. Ashwin churned out classical off spinners dismissals. Kiwis would have liked to have some more runs but Indian bowlers kept them in check. A solid start would be enough to seal the series.

Final Innings chase.

Indians traditionally haven't been good chaser. It was always preferred to set the total and wait for the mistake. In the last years (from 2000) in tests and ODIs arena under the aegis of Dravid and Laxman, batsman have learnt to construct and map out the chase. Indian fans have been witnessed to remarkable back to the front chases, be it series victory in that Lords final when Yuvraj and Kaif came together at 128/5 to chase down 327, be it record number of chases in times when Dravid was captain, no one may want to forget Dhoni's six to claim India's world cup victory. There are various reasons to it, one of them is stringing partnership. Sehwag and Gambhir almost exploded scoring at a fair rate before both convinced themselves to get out, a fragile partnership, Pujara showed glimpses of his mettle, a flurry of wickets and Virat and Dhoni, master of chases in current form and abilities guided the ship home and ensured a victory.

Two cents worth of advice to The Custodians of the Game.

If ICC is indeed serious about Test Cricket and all that the song and dance about IPL should stop. It is the mandate of ICC to see whats happening in test Arena, how to make it more competitive, how to balance DRS and tradition? How the tour should be structured?The top three or four teams should play five test match, I am pointing to England South Africa series. I don't remember when India last played five test series.

A good cricket contest will have people following, be it a T20 an ODI or Test. There is scope for cutting down ODI, have three or four teams tournaments in different venues. England had played an ODI series against Aussies, we might as well have had a very competitive tri-series, which sadly never happened. We would have cheered for a five match test series, which didn't happen. An ideal tour should have a three matches ODI series, a full first class match, a practice match followed by Test series and ending with a couple of T 20 matches. Thats ideally speaking. But if a tour is suited around this formula, quality of cricket will improve which would mean more following and probably more revenues. It is easier said than done, but it should be done for the sake of cricket followers for whom the game is played.

Cricket Sehwag the Audacious

The game of cricket is said to be one of golden uncertainities, Sehwag is embodiment of that saying. Its Sehwag audacity and bovine nonchalance  towards batting that makes his batting more captivating. He has been described as King of Entertainment (Never mind if Ramiz Raja). It is safe to safe sehwag been a big game changer in fortunes of Indian cricket since he has arrived on the scene. Yes he is audacious, its either none or all from Sehwag.

My Audacious XI

This wasn't an original part of the blog post. But let me suggest an all time audacious Eleven. The "audacity" would be see it to believe it performance. Its like they drag their feet to to this 4 mile replay race and end up doing it as good and easy as a walk in the park. So here is my audacious Test/ODI/T20 eleven, based on players I have seen playing in last 10 years or so, there could have been equally maverick player earlier too  but my team would consists of Sehwag, Gayle, Gibbs, Lara, Afridi, Gilchrist, Flintoff, Warne, Murali, Shoaib and  Bond

Sehwag the audacious.

Sehwag one of te most audacious batsman the game has scene in this generation. He would go on the record and say 200 in ODI is no big deal only to find himself in the worst slump of form (&fitness) to be dropped and then not even selected for the previous Aussie tour, only to come back from no where and just announce his arrival with commanding some may say decimating form. His stroke play is unique so is his mindset, he is always looking to score runs, preferable make those runs without running around too much. He prefers getting over the line with a boundary, he like to start his innings with a boundary. He greets every new bowler with a boundary if not hitting it over the boundary. In the world cup earlier this year, he face first delivery of the innings and dispatched it for a boundary, he did that in every match. Sehwag in this innings too greeted all the bowlers with the boundary. Sehwag either delights or dismay. The deal is if he is around for 40 overs or so,you wont return feeling bored, I am also talking about Test matches here.

There are so many factors/variables when a batsman goes out to bat, weather conditions, pitch, type of bowling, type of cricket ball, opposition, form and fitness, situation of the game, ya ba da ba doo; ya ba da ba doo, Sehwag just dusts these things away with his bat and if it is in his area, he will smash it and he will keep smashing and dispatching it away all day for good. Sehwag been a bit off the boil for ages now, since his surgery  following IPL. He missed couple of tours. His return in England saw him bag a pair. There wasnt much joy when Sehwag is not smashing it all over. There is tour to Australia which is coming up next, Sehwag's form with the bat may just prove vital to tilt the balance in our favour. It is good to get him run and a good match practice before the big tour.

The cast of Sehwag show.

Indian batsman werent reaping riches of runs as supply seem to have run dry. Sehwag often wanders into oor form only to hunt the treasure chest of runs back. The famed never mind depleted batting order came to the party in time. Sehwag and Gambhir got going. It seems to the untrainted eye, that sehwag provides the power, Gambhir the direction. Gambhir is no slouch with the bat, if you get thrilled seeing Sehwag, Gambhir dazzles with inspiring strokes. The two took India to 176, before run out claimed Gambhir. India kept a right left combnation going. Sehwag was on song, all Raina had to do was to keep Sehwag company, it the middle overs Indians seemed to be in cruise control. Sammy played his cards but Sehwag had the aces.

Raina got a much reprieved 50 giving Sehwag company. Sehwag scored a double, most by a captain. India registered their huge total. The game was sealed, only West Indies had to come forward and do the formalities.

The spinners picked wickets. The West Indies lost the match by 153 runs and lost the series 1-3. The next match is academic. The most seniors players should opt for an early flight to Australia.

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: English overhaul Indians

India lost first match of another over sear test series. England coasted home with 196 runs. Indians has conceded a lead of more than 190 runs and since then they were just doing the catching up. The international sports scenario increasingly gives equal importance to fitness and skill i.e. physical and mental aptitude. England was the fitter team. Indian team was hamstrung (Zaheer), bugged (viral, Tendulkar) and bruised (Gambhir). Sehwag had already in the injured list. This further tilted the balance in favour of England. England seems to be in control for most of the match except for a session when Ishant Sharma set the cat among the pigeons taking 3 wickets in 16 balls.

Hindsight, foresight and the mental hide & seek.

The rules of leading a life are learnt in hindsight and life is led with a foresight. There is a clear deficiency of both when it comes to BCCI & Test match cricket. BCCI has been big and bold about their (monopolistic) business and given a lot of support to Indian players. If Gambhir, Zaheer, and Yuvraj were fit before the second test started in West Indies, shouldn’t they have boarded a plane to Caribbean and played the third test? Gambhir looked out of sorts for obvious reason; Zaheer broke down after taking two wickets. Gambhir’s injury was freakish and something, which one feels good if we avoid it. Sachin was down with a viral. Sehwag remains unavailable for first two tests. Dhoni needs to make better plans and take some tough decision about the composition of his bowling attack. There was enough rub off the green in this match especially in the second innings on the last day. May be things would change for the good. The best performers in this match for India, Ishant, PK, Dravid, Laxman, and Raina to an extent had a good but a gruesome tour of Caribbean and primed themselves to another fighting test series against the number one contenders. At least it wouldn’t have done any harm

Pietersen finds form.

The one thing Indian team has done is let the Poms get back to form. Indian bowlers bowled incoherent line and lengths and let the English batsman get into the groove, Strauss, Bell, Pietersen, Prior all had good knocks and got used to the conditions and Indian bowling. Indian batting on the other hand helped bowlers find their rhythm and expose the chinks in the batting order. Pietersen is not a batsman you will see and say that this guy will guts it out to find form. Pietersen is a compulsive stroke player who has been scratchy for a couple of seasons now. Zaheer broke down and with no bowling all rounder or Yuvraj Singh chucking pie at Pietersen. He helped himself to a big meaty double century and England posted a huge total that India couldn’t match. Pietersen was restrained for better part of the innings. He played the type responsible innings, where strokes were cut down on all that was flashy and trenched deep for survival. He played a very compelling innings under indifferent batting conditions. He will be the key to English fortunes for the rest of the series.
The other bowlers toiled hard most of the match on the other hand at times, it was toil to watch Harbhajan bowl.

Singh is King-pin

Bhajji needs to shrug it off and think the batsman out. The fizz is mellow, the lengths and lines are meek, timid, and defensive. I mean he can bowl all day round the wicket without getting a decent first class player out. He bowling round the wicket reduces his chances of a bat pad kind of dimissal. He should look to aim at the outside edge of the bat and invite the batsman to play forward on the off side around fifth stump. He should invite the left hand batsman to drive of the front foot with the turn. Dhoni can help him by keeping a short fine leg for a miscue sweep, a forward short leg. A short cover and midwicket for the mistime drive. He definitely seems to have lost it and just trudging around for a year. He lost of ideas and seems fixated bowling defensive trying to contain the batsman. He is neither controlling runs nor taking wickets. Indians were effectively bowling with little more than two bowlers. Ishant and PK looked good. Bhajji should make it large and look to do that soon.

Rahul Dravid is a professional and disciple of patience.

Rahul Dravid has numbers to show that would put any batsman in awe. He is technically perfect of this generation. Dravid holds one end up. We just choose to observe the magnificence of other stroke players around him. It is the comfort that Draivd provides and the partnership he strings with the other batsman that keeps the Indian ship sailing. I mean how many batsmen can score at the rate of Sehwag. How many are as impeccable as Tendulkar, Laxman over the years has become a very dependable bet. Raina is fast learning the tricks of the trade. Rahul Dravid form will continue to direct how performance of Indian team. He scored a century in tough conditions when the stroke makers were guilty of injudicious stroke play. It was Dravid's watertight technique. But his drive, off the front or back on off or legside, remains pristine and delight to watch. You can have photographs of his strokes and it will be a cricket handbook of batting.

Yes, he is orthodox batsman. The Russian orthodoxy would be impressed if anyone of those guys follow cricket. However, expecting him to play like a Sehwag would be like asking Sehwag to play like Dravid. It simple won’t happen. Yes, he was beaten and dropped but he did carry on providing a little bit of respectability to the score. He knows how to weather a storm and build an innings so crucial in Test matches to keep going. Dravid making runs was one of the few good points for the team from thsi match.

PK swing karo.

Praveen Kumar has the talent of get the ball to swing. He bowled tirelessly after Zaheer left hobbling. He seems to almost glide from a shortish run up. His ability to get the ball swing both ways makes him crucial bowlers in the English conditions. I wonder if he could get it to reverse swing. Zaheer and Ishant can get it to reverse with a good degree of control. Zaheer may not (should not) play in the second test. I wonder if PK and Ishant would open the bowling in the next innings. I hope PK claims more wickets because these would be one of the better bowling conditions that he is likely to get for a long time.

Indian cricket is some where in between the hype of a victory and hysteria of a defeat created by the traditional media. There will be tragic losses and exhilarating victory. The game is bigger, more important is to support the team through thick and thin that the game offers. One bad day doesn’t make a bad season. The second test starts at Trent Bridge starts on Friday.

Cricket: Preview Aus vs India

Aussies are the defending champions in this world cup. Aussies know most about the way to get to the finals. They have depended on individual brilliance and sustained team effort to make it to finals of five world cup finals out of the last six. India meanwhile have been anywhere on the chart, swinging between good and ordinary. Aussies meet India in the quarters of cwc11.


The men who matter.

Tendulkar has notched up 99 centuries, our expectation of one more against a side that always got stiff competition and centuries for Tendulkar. One more centuries seems almost inevitable. Bhajji at the current form finds himself in the company of Prosper Utseya of Zimabawe and Rizwan Cheema of Canada. Bhajji to his discredit is striking with one wicket every match conceding 43 runs in his ten overs. Bhajji needs to pull in his weight. Ponting is been bait/bunny he would love to devour. Zaheer, on Indian pitches coming back in reverse gear to catch the teams on tentative footwork, inducing edges, false stokes and LBWs.
Ponting captain marvellous (last edition circa 2007) and a struggling batsman with form, fitness. He can come good with one last innings. India bowlers beware. Hussey is another one, a competent bat, quick run, clean hitter, can change gears and momentum at will. Lee always has bowled hostile, may want to turn back to his debut match against Indians in Adelaide where he just blew us away.

The men who would have mattered.

V.V.S. Laxman


In many ways.

India seem worthy successor to Aussies at times, But SAf look equally worthy, with better bowling line up and discipline in the field. Indian perhaps with better batting. SAf and us both don’t have that aura of menacing skill of winning from any point. The Aussie batting and Indian bowling both look fragile; needless to say both will be tested.
Aussies have won the toss amd elected to bat. A second edit of this blog soon.

Cricket: India trudges into QFs

A few people like conspiracy theorists and chartists find patterns so very interesting. Lets have a look at Indian teams performances (botched up efforts) in the context of establish test playing teams in our group namely, Windies, SAfs and Poms. I am leaving out Bangladesh because other teams have been playing test matches for more than two decades, Bangladeshi team may do well in the future in the test arena.

Check this out –

Dhoni wins the toss. Dhoni winning the toss is as big a headline as Kamran Akmal taking catches. India bats, there are a flurry of boundaries nice tempo going for the team a top player gets to 110 (or there abouts), holds out to a tame catch. The batting collapse starts. There is this wedding procession like scene people come in with a flurry and get out. The opposition team’s fast/opening bowler gets 5 wickets (Bresnan, Steyn, Rampaul). The Indian batsmen at 9 10 and 11 deflect the ball rather intelligently of the inside edges to the wickets. Indians haven’t batted allotted 50 overs in all these match. Zaheer starts with an insipid spell the part times strike, Bhajji bowls, leaks runs. He then gets lucky with a wicket, or two. Then Zaheer comes back and nips out a couple of wickets, inspiring hopes from the people watching it on the TV and also helps in raising the decibels up a few notches in the stadium. We have favourable result in previous match against Windies, we tied one Poms and we lost against SAfs in the last over. The over, which gave Nehra his 15 minutes of fortune, which he wasn’t looking forward too.
It is too obvious. It is setting a precedent, which will weigh heavy on us. We need to bat all fifty overs doesn’t matter is the batting power play fetches us a dozen runs. Each of the Indian victory has highlight the grey areas. It is crucial to rectify those so that we have the best chance of winning the world cup i.e. by entering the finals. We should also look forward to beating the best teams, Aussies, Pak, SAf if we are to lay claims being the best team. The next match is India vs. Aus which Ganguly has dubbed it the match to set the wrong doings in the Finals of 2003.


The ever magnificent will now be magnanimous.

Tendulkar walked. Rampaul was bowling in a dream spell – (you know, Inception). The stocky bowler got to what looked like missing an inside edge, the umpire turned down the appeal and the broadcasters devoid of hot spot and inconclusive replays, Tendulkar chose to walk. He could have stayed and scores. But when people moan why didn’t Ponting walk against Pak, was a bit ridiculous. Ponting looks at the umpire and wait for the umpire even when he is bowled. He is an eternal optimist. But he may not believe Kamran Akmal would take the edge off his bat standing up to the wickets for a spinner, clearly, Ponting is out of luck, apart from being out of match practice and runs. The one last thing about Ponting getting out is the look on his face. It will be very interesting to see what happens if Tendulkar faces a similar delivery gets a familiar edge and it is the crunch match (say the semis or finals) Tendulkar reaction would decide the topic of discussion among millions of people and will also fetch a few their next breakfast or cup of tea. Will he or wont he. But his decision to walk gives you a peek into the confidence of the man. He know when he comes out to bat the next time, he will strive equally hard (hopeful gets) more runs. It was a good sporting gesture. It shows his confidence in his own ability.

Yuri still strives for form but looks good.

So far so good for Yuvraj. He started with a boundary and now among the runs, he kept the scoreboard ticking and had a good partnership going with Kohli after Gambhir cut one to third man and Tendulkar chose to walk. Benn was called on, all spinner worth their salt look forward to bowling to Yuvraj but Benn was one of the reason for Yuvraj’s fluid innings. The timing seem to be coming back, but the transfer back to form is still not complete, something is missing I hope he hungrier for more. His form is crucial. Yuvraj got out to Pollard, the big man. His dismissal was the difference between the score of 290 - 295 and the score which we finally got.

The great and ominous but fragile batting line up and frequent collapses.

India has great and ominous batting line up, you know great numbers, in the average and strike rate columns and huge amount of runs big power hits are signs of the great batting line up. But Indian batting line-up has been very fragile of late. We have batted out our 50 overs once in one last month, the frailty if batting comes up once to often. It is a weird aberration. I hope the fact that we play 7 batsmen doesn’t let a sense of complacency to creep into the batsmen. If that’s the case one of the batsmen Kohli or Gambhir, have to give way to in the next match. I don’t think bowling order would change much.Yuvraj, Pathan and Raina together are likely to bowl more than 12 overs between themselves, giving Dhoni lot of options and help ease the pressure off Bhajji. Bhajji needs to be among wickets, his bowling form amuses me.


On the other side of fence.

Pollard’s dismissal was turning point of the match. It was a rush of blood or what, he was caught in the deep of Bhajji, strange actually, considering the way he smacks it all over the park, however it was a catalyst to trigger a collapse. Bhajji to bowled tight for couple of overs, his second maiden in six matches all credit to Sarwan, who being to prod and block. Gayle and Chanderpaul didn’t play for some reason. Chanderpaul doesn’t seem to get out and keeps nudging the single, I don’t know if he is off the boil but looks good for many. The lack of experience in batting line up showed. Devon Smith batted well. His straight drive off Zaheer was the shot of the match. Devon Smith was bowled by Zak and that triggered the second collapse of the match. Windies lost their last 8 wickets for 30 runs.
The Windies look good, if Dwayne Bravo join in and Chanderpaul is in good form then Gayle, Chanderpaul, Sarwan, Bravo brothers, Pollard Sammy. Three fat bowlerd including Fidel Edwards, Roach, Russel, Benn. Indians are touring West Indies and it will be a good tour.

Cricket: South Africa eases past India

Indian cricketers are seasoned performers. They all have played enough seasons in the Sun to convince everyone of their ability to flatter and deceive alternatively. They invite the wrath of doomsayers and make soothsayer cry hysterically in joy, both look for gumption and smile of content of the performance and punctuated by a few tumbling.

They came, they blasted; they exploded.

Morne Morkel was picking up wickets during Indians tour to SAf at aroun11 per wicket was going for couple of boundaries every over. Sehwag played exceptionally well to set the tempo. Tendulkar did better than Sehwag. Mokle and Steyn the best opening bowling pair presently in the business were reduce to shambles for first 10 overs. Indians set the pace and set alight the fire-works, only to be consumed before the innings ended. Tendulkar kept the run rate up and scored and strokeful century with some power hitting, a signature of Tendulkar. He took as single and got his 99 hundred in international cricket. Indians however were left licking their wounds after that. It may prove to be a costly miss. It was amazing to see the mindset of the incoming batsmen. All of them thought they were Sehwag or Tendulkar. I hope no there entertained no thoughts of outdoing Tendulkar or Sehwag.

Gambhir is serious class and very good talent. If he wants to add explosive qualities to his batting, he should look at (Yusuf Pathan or as Harsha Bhogle calls him khade khade) Pathan. Gambhir kept moving around his crease to create angle a-la Nadal wasn’t to be. Steyn saw him moving towards leg side and bowled one a little wider and slower, Gambhir scooped a catch to mid off and the avalanche was triggered. Pathan tried hoicking one over extra-cover where big mouth Smith and took a good catch. Yuvraj played a huge six and then was caught 5 meters inside the boundaries off a Kallis full toss. Indian batsmen left no opportunity to fool themselves, even Nehra and Munaf went for ambitious shots. Dhoni, stranded in the middle perhaps the sign of things to come in the near future. I wonder if he would have promoted himself instead of Pathan.

There were so many similarities to the collapse in the match against England. The other match against the Dutch where the top order blew it up to set a tight match, dew, and Yuvraj saw India though. The end score was in paltry in comparison to projected score between 10 and 15 over. Steyn took five wickets and looked like a hungry bear in a this big bull market, clawed down over bought Indian batting line up and got wickets for his team and changed the course of this match. India would now be at the mercy of other teams as much as it to qualify for quarters. I think its time to go back to the drawing board and add to the mix the fifth bowler. The policy of playing with three & half bowlers won’t pay dividends. Bhajji should consider himself lucky to be in the playing eleven and Yuvraj seems to especially doing well notching up fifties against Netherlands. One among Yuvraj, Virat, and Gambhir has to make way for a specialist bowler that’s the need of the prevailing time.

I was wondering about couple of things one, Dhoni actually winning tosses and then Indians batting first. If we claim out batting to be stronger of the two aspects among batting and bowling, we must chase scores down. But with a tendency of collapsing and bowling getting the stick we see ropes burning pretty fast from both the ends. I hope Indian team isn’t reduced to an awesome looking calls without an engine of the four wheels neither being good enough for bullocks to cart it along.

It’s the partnerships, stupid…

One way of comparing Indian and SAf cricketing style is comparing an orchestra to drum flogging at Ganpati pandals. The Drum beating of Pandals is hysteria little to do with sense, just brawn greeted by loud cheer. SAf mean while represents a perfect classical playing orchestra every note in the right place, team working together to create harmony. There batting is always partnerships, there were a few 50s and few blows in the end, batsmen, all rounder and bowlers form the line up. There is one of the best sides in terms of fitness (fielding & running between the wickets). Even though Smith never fails to get past Zaheer, poor chap. Amla can change gears, De Villers can hit those huge sixes at will, Kallis is still mystery to a generation of Indian bowlers. SAfs crept past India. Their smart partnerships, good positive running did us in. A contrast to way we batted. We got the height but not the distance and SAfs got us in the middle of the field. It is more than worrisome time for Indian team, wicket taking bowler is fast becoming a part of the myth. Zaheer Khan looks good others look like tigers in sheep’s garb hungry and happy to graze grass.

Indians are still to beat SAf in the world cup. Will there be another chance where the two teams would meet again?

Indians have never defeated SAfs in world cup matches, so far.

Cricket: Review India vs England

I think this would be one result that both the teams would accept, unwillingly. The two teams converged to the result courtesy some excellent play some poor effort by both the teams at different times. You know you have seen a magnificent knock when Tendulkar’s ton is worthily over shadowed. Andrew Strauss cut and swept his way to a brilliant 158, sad he could see it through.

Batting too good, bowling too bad.

You cannot win a marathon with legs tied. If be pack our batting order with batsmen then we should back to get to any score. Dhoti winning second toss is succession was his consecutive win of tosses, a rarity in recent past.
I wonder having packed sides with batting first, you would want to chase because you know the bowling is week. I mean we scored 338 and the match got tied courtesy a poor finish. We didn’t even completed our quota of over and last seven wickets went for 33 runs. The highest point of the game for Indians was when Tendulkar raised his bat to a fighting century after that it was pretty a spiral downwards till the point Zak trapped Strauss leg before.

Bowling attack consisted of three and a half bowlers.

Indians have traditionally had weak bowling attacks. We are now compelled to use filling bowlers to make ends meet. But going with four bowlers where each bowler can bowl maximum 10 overs is stretching optimism that bit (delta) too much. If a bowlers have an off day you are doomed and if you are defending a sub 250 score then prayers will get you more results then acts on the field. This is where Pakistan are so good, have always found to play 6 bowlers at times 7, and at least five of them having ability to bowl their 10. It is a huge advantage. South Africa too invariably have more than one all rounder. Aussies have been anomaly where they field four really specialist wicket taking bowlers, with very good fielding, the dearth of fifth bowler is hardly felt. Poms have various kinds of batting and bowling all rounder, Collingwood, Bresnan, Wright Broad. If these four play, we can expect at least 35 overs from them and ability to score 100 runs run at run a ball. Invaluable.

Flat, flatter; flattest.

Place the words pitch, bowling, skill, appropriately in the preceding sentence. I would place it a flat pitch, flatter bowling, flattest skill. I mean how many cover drives did we see Strauss playing against all the combined bowling. I don’t remember more than three. He was fed with deliveries, which he kept either cutting or sweeping, taking the slip of the equation. The fielding placement was done in a manner, which encouraged both stroke play and singles. Zaheer bowled perhaps the worst opening spell of the season. He was feeing batsmen on both sides of wicket, preferably short obliging what batsmen set their eyes for. It was incredulous. Bhajji is approaching 400 test wickets, no mean feta, off all people Bhajji should now that best chance for him to get wickets is extending an invitation for batsmen to drive him through the covers, it brings in the LBWs, bowled, edges, caught behinds. The most shots I remember seeing off Bhajji were cut and sweeps no invitation offered to play the drive, Chawla finding his way back had ideal opponents in Poms, any other side would have ensured Chawla hit out of the attack. I mean imagine same bowling attack and we bowling fist against teams like Pakistan or South Africa the top teams in this competition. There are reasons beyond this it is an observance that the muscle in the bowling won more matches then magnificence of batting. Sachin Tendulkar’s whole career bears eye wtiness to this fact. The cricket matches are won by restricting the opposition and taking wickets is the only way to do that.

Batting order need a rejig.

Gambhir, Kohli or Pathan much be dropped to make way for another bowler, the problem is which bowler will replace them and bowl line and lengths with discipline and claim wickets or put pressure to ensure wickets at other end. Pathan did make a century in South Africa but for him to be effective he must come when there are 12 to 15 ovrs where he can get in. The finish role will have to be done by Dhoni coz Yuvraj is also off the boil, with the best form seem to have deserted him. But I hope this 50 is welcome return to form for Yuvraj following couple of ordinary seasons.

Tendulkar’s ton out shone.

Strauss superlative effort out shone a very good Tendulkar century. There is little doubt that if Sachin bats 40-45 overs he would get a century. His century was full of attacking stokes though the start was slow but early caution was packed off to the winds when Collingwood was walloped two sixes in an over and Swann saw two huge sixes sailing over to the leg side off consecutive delivers, Tendulkar was turning the tide and time for his team. There were useful contributions from Sehwag and Gambhir and Yuvraj. He was thoroughly out shone by Strauss who displayed a commanding presence and hunger to score big runs. He shepherd the innings for as long as he could and it had to be superb delivery from Zaheer to bring an end a superb innings.

Cricket: SAfs win first test.

South African cruised to a very comprehensive innings victory against under prepared India. This match will be remember more for Tendulkar 50the hundred rather than South African victory, another Tendulkar century in vain and when all seemed lost. I had thought a lot worst and was pretty convinced that India would loose by at least innings and 150 runs. Tendulkar has other plans, Indians lost crucial wicket at indifferent times ib the second innings, Sehwag, Laxman and Raina were out when least expected.

All was lost in a day. 136 all out

Indian came into the test match without a practice match, Zaheer lost the race to fitness, Sehwag got out for a duck. All bad omens one may say. The most telling of these omens was no practice match, long time back between 97 and 99 seasons India toured Zimbabwe for a test match, they didn’t have a practice match and we lost there as well. A lesson not learnt or learnt the hard way. This time we weren’t touring Zimbabwe we are touring a place where we haven’t done all that well, the combined average of our top four bats is 36. They are the main threats to our number one position. It would be a great boost for us as a cricket team if we play SAfs with more conviction. Wasn’t to be. The question if we had survived that dreaded first session hold little value. A practice match would have done a lot of good things. The preparation would have been better, Zaheer fitness would be no mystery, there would be match sense, playing a test match would have been a fine tune rather than a crude shock.

India selection was a bit bemusing, I thought Yadav who bowls in 140s would have made the cut, but then there would have been something more about Undakant that I don’t know. Raina now has 84 runs in his last 8 innings; if he deserves a place in the side he must be demoted. Dhoni, who has more conviction and common sense, should come ahead of Raina. Bhajji has done little with his bowling efforts and should be dropped. SAfs have, Petersen, DeVilliers, Amla and Kalis, all right handers and have a liking for Bhajji’s off spin and would continue to hoick him over mid wicket. Ojha, spinning it away from the bat becomes a more threatening option. Laxman would want to think about hitting across the line not before he is over 150 runs. Dravid seemed unlucky with bad bounce. But we can expect a better fight in the next match considering most batsman spend decent time at the crease.
It is something SAf batsmen capitalize on. I am also wondering how pitch changed its nature. The second question then is if the pitch really changed its nature at all. Did Indian batsman come with poor mindset, weather already had played a spoil sport.

Kallis - A big match player.

Kallis has scored big runs and taken big wickets, last genuine breed of now nearly extinct species of cricketers called all rounders,more than 250 wickets more runs than any other SAf hundred catches but still finds himself a bit of a loner. He out weighs much of SAf team by his performances, this time around, SAf were in hunt for this massive lead. Kallis looked good especially against a very ordinary Indian bowling. He wanted a big one, he did get a massive double hundred. I think if you match the team player for player, Tendulkar is matched by Kallis, his bowling on seeming bouncing pitches is an asset.
DeVillers just hammered it all over and ensure that Indians would bat for a longer time then would like, they had to bat out seven sessions, but since we lost the plot before the first evening itself, result was just a matter of time. When the SAfs declared there was only one result possible, pending Indian defeat.

The difference is in the bowling.

If you look beyond Steyn and Morkel there isn’t much that South Africa has to threaten a batting side. The problem is Steyn and Morkel are so damn good. I mean they would easily cream couple of wickets every time they bowl together. India I thought would come out with a very conservative way to just weather the storm and pick runs when Steyn and Morkel have been tired out. The casualness of Indians has invited this defeat. South Africa must meanwhile look for a bowler who can complement Morkel and Steyn, there can be no easy reprieve if Steyn or Morkel has a bad day.
But it is tough challenge for our batsman to negate Steyn and Morkel let alone tie both of them and score of other bowlers. They claimed 14 wickets in between them in the whole game, Ishant claimed two of the four wickets. Bhajji claimed the other two& two is the number of maiden overs he bowled in his marathon like 36 overs that leaked runs close five runs an over. Bhajji is a different kinda off spinner, who relishes on variable bounce and whizz of the wicket, unlike conventional off spinner, Randiv and Swann who invite the batmen forward with the loop and flight. Bhajji needs to look at Mendis and R Ashwin and other off spinner going around. Bhajji Pa invite them to drive, speed and bounce and spin will all come into play.

Sachin the man keeps them churning on and on

There have been many a child prodigies, some withered away, some never made it, some self consumed. Sachin Tendulkar I think is the only child prodigy after Mozart to fulfil (and exceed) the God gifted promises. The person who goes past him or even close to him will be the only one who would know what immense pressure, scrutiny, glamour and hype. Indian cricket has had a rich history but the rich treasure and coffers of BCCI have grown in Sachin’s Era. I am not sure if it is just coincidence. Actually, it is too true for being coincidence.

There have been many a great batsmen, there would be some more. All of them put together would have not lived in as much scrutiny, praise adulations and criticisms as Tendulkar, certainly not many bought as much smiles to millions. Personally for me he remains a super achiever on the field and supreme achiever off it. It is this intense and unrelenting electron microscope like life that he has lived makes it more special. It is not easy what he has done on the field, records are meant to be broken, Sachin records too may be broken someday. There are things that we do and then there is a way we do them. Sachin keeps us all glued to the game. Every time he has risen and every time his form has waned his humility increased, he got more dignified. He remains in the headlines for right reasons. I wonder if they would retire the No.10 jersey. He deserves a Bharat Ratna,if doesn’t who does?

Back to the game.

We were out played and out smarted.Raina deserves a demotion if not a drop from the eleven, Dhoni must come ahead of Raina no mater what the situation of the game, I think it would have been a bit different had Dhoni come up the order before Raina and the may have had a similar partnership with Tendulkar. It would have changed the complexion of the game. Bhajji needs to bag lick a dozen wickets every time,don’t think he is a stupendous form,Bhajji the batsmen will be of little consequence, Okjha, Yadav should be in, Zaheer would be definitely come in. I don’t think there would be so many changes. At this point in t ime 1-1 seems a long way away. But second innings batting by Indians give me lot of hope and is something positive to be taken at the end of this game.

Cricket: Solitary win for Team Indian

Mark Greatbatch a great bat in 92 world cup remarked before the start of the series that he would be happy if Kiwis draw two test matches, they did. The only worry would be a collapse in this test, the demons of thought came alive and Kiwi batsmen capitulated too soon. The Indian seam bowling looks ominous provided Zaheer is fit and fine. Sreesanth was ripping it and Ishant was making the deliveries jump.

The top order collapse and it was the question of when rather than what. The reason of Kiwi collapse was a bit puzzling especially after some decent performances earlier in the series, the type of pitches or the climate or the opposition nothing was mysterious, and the entire top order Kiwi bat except Ross Taylor had spent enough time and made some good runs. I was surprised when they capitulated early in the first innings on a score which proved to be meagre, in the hindsight. Kiwis were all out 193.


Sehwag the game changer.

Indian response was that of purpose and definite intent. Sehwag did what he does best, see ball hit ball, he can make runs at the pace he wishes. He is game changer in the sense that now people look at strike rates in Test matches. He is Bradman of strike rates in the history test matches e.g. in this series in averages 99.5 and scored at the rate on 89, which mean every time he went on to bat he scored a century in 112 balls that he face. He lobbed a return catch to Vettori. His rustic charm and nonchalance is what makes his batting more thrilling. Sehwag’s batting it may seem to be a perfect wish for Indian cricket fans, if you change anything in that it will vanish.


Rahul Dravid – still the best man at the wedding?

I honestly feel that Dravid has created his won space and around a deserving spot light that Sachin Tendulkar gets which dwarfs everyone else. He has done really well and will go down India top batsmen. There is very little in technique, class, temperament or fitness in which Dravid could be far behind. I dare say he looks the most fit and agile Indian batsmen. Dravid record as a run getter and as a player remains worth emulating. Those who wish he could be a little faster forget that at times, occupation of the crease is vital. If you bat around, Sehwag, Tendulkar and Laxman then the pace of scoring is their worry not yours. I think Sehwag, Tendulkar and Laxman would acknowledge that as well. I am not saying Dravid is a stymied stroke less wonder. I mean he has scripted one of the best Indian in Test matches wins both home and away more than once. He has done well. He played well in this series as well. I am looking forward to see him bat in South Africa. A lot of people would we surprise the way his bats there in South Africa.

A 10 or a 50 or a 100.

Tendulkar would have rejoiced a century on a bigger platform. That’s the only reason I would want to give for him not scoring his 50 century. I mean 50 centuries is huge. I would say Ponting would have crossed his mark is he had just scored 40 centuries in test. But then Ponting is now a distant second. I would bet on Jayewardene and Sehwag to come close to fifty century in the next series of batsmen. I hope Tendulkar keep his hunger alive because South Africa would be this huge tour where we have not done brilliantly and we had seen some embarrassing moments when we played them at home last. It was the same VCA stadium at Jamatha where Steyn had gunned us down and we were hopping all over like jack rabbits. Steyn u need to reload, our master cannon stand on heaps of runs and desire to do well in South Africa.

Bhajji the batsman, where is Bhajji the bowler.

Bhajji was in news for his batting prowess, he won the man of the series (without a doubt) for his performances ; he did well to rescue us couple of times, when danger pursued and showed lost of patience to get two centuries. I am worried about Bhajji the bowler in South Africa. I don’t think he will be playing in all the matches. I don’t think he would torn apart about South African batsmen, I am curious to see if he can make some quick-silver changes to his bowling. I believe he can; only time will tell.

Indians paint a mammoth score.

Indian kept piling the agony thanks to a magnificent innings by Dravid, Dhoni tonked it and extended the lead, while Gambhir seem to get into form, Sehwag did his bit, and so did Tendulkar. Indians made 566 a lead of over 350 with six sessions more in the game, perhaps there was only one realistic end, an Indian win. So it seems Indians won it 1-0. New Zealand did very well though and will be a great experience for those guys. I mean they lost 4-0 to Bangladesh in an ODI series there, those who thought they would suffer a familiar fate here in India would have been disheartened, this was a different format, Test matches don’t necessarily tread that way, and neither does the game of cricket. The best thing what it does is to make a mockery of what people, think, imagine or believe before looking at both faces of the coin.

Cricket: Bowlers bake it Sehwag takes it.

India won the match but that didn’t quiet made it to the headlines, Sehwag played a controlled and most infamous 99s in the recent history, as recent as a test inning in which he was duped and stumped on 99 and that day Randiv was the victor and Sehwag was foxed. It is not the revenged that he sought.

They actually set it up.

Poor Indian bowlers have drawn a lot of flak, much of it would have been unnecessary and in much excess. Praveen Kumar has a happy knack of picking wickets early in the innings. He looks innocuous when he runs in to bowl. It is the after effect of his deliveries that the batsman feels sheepish and Praveen Kumar knows he has got one more wicket. Praveen rocked the Lankan top order and literally set the tone for whole match right from the first ball of the match. He claimed Upul Tharanga’s off stump and any worthy left hand batsman would have found himself failing to guard against that particular delivery. It is one delivery any batsman would have nightmare facing. It swung away late, opened up Tharanga beat him for pace, bounce, swing and crashed into his off stump, all of this is in a split second, marvellous.

Nehra too has a knack of picking wickets right at the top,this meant Lankans had to work very hard to post a decent total, with Jayawardene and Sanga not coming to party, Indian bolwers kept tightening the noose, as wickets kept falling from a poor start to an ordinary finish.

Dilshan did his bit, but definitely, his aura is not as daunting as it use to be. He scratched and tried to hold on the innings together, but he looked patchy at best. He scrapped along but kept scoring and fell to Ojha. There was this partnership but with much loss of early wickets and indifferent batting display, Lankans were out for less than impressive 170. Ravindra Jadeja took wickets, so I assume it was a bowler friendly pitch. Jadeja has to be there in the playing XI for some unknown, reason, don’t want to see him screwing up any more, I dope selectors would give Indian team a breather if Jadeja is dropped.

Indian batsmen - almost did it again.

The absence of Gambhir, Tendulkar & Yuvraj can obviously been there must be seen by all opposing teams. I still believe there is scope for Dravid at number four or five. But I don’t think he would be back in the ODI fold anymore. It was amazing how well he use to partner along with the likes of Yuvraj and Kaif and finish so many tight matches. He may not have scored big, but his calming influence in grooming a few youngsters simply cannot be denied. His influence seems to be missing especially if you look at the great absurd aka Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli and Raina would only improve if they have a mentor like Dravid to bat along with while they are in the middle of the pitch scoring runs, taking matches to a favourable result. The wickets seems to be falling like nine pins, Karthik who should be keeping was out, nothing against him though, Virat Kohil and the great absurd soon came in and came out only to make sure that what would be a cruise seemed to be low scoring edge of the seat thriller. The scorecard read, India 30 something for three wickets.

There is some more on great absurd aka Rohit Sharma.

I wonder if he has realized that talent and panache more often then not would keep him out of the playing XI especially if he has ambitions to play test matches. He can hit long shots, he is a good finisher and looks really good while he last, which is generally for a short span. But he seems to have restricted himself to perform in IPL only. It is sad not to see him score runs with the kind of start he had got in 2007 T20 world cup and couple of IPLs. Raina wasn’t even in contention then and Rohit Shrama had all for his taking and make the most of opportunities, times have moved on Raina has a century on debut in a test and consistent performances in other formats has cemented his place while the great absurd is busy pondering if when would he earn a test cap. He was a major screw up in the last T20 world cup earlier this year in the match against Aussies. He seems to be as foolish as talented a player. I hope to see him score soon or he would be an excellent laughing stock besides rocking IPL.

Captain Cool and Sehwag the sedated.

This particular innings was akin to one he played in an Adelaide test when Indian toured Down under last, he scored, batted on and on and steered the ship to the harbour and got India a draw. Sehwag restrained and batted out the tough times and when wickets were falling around him, Sehwag would have seen the opportunity to score big runs. He had not scored a fifty in his last 11 innings. It was his time, almost. Raina and Sehwag had a decent partnership that would have calmed a few nerves of the Indian fans. Raina departed and Dhoni the captain cool played himself in and saw Sehwag go ballistic from the other end, as Indian marched on with so many numbers of overs left and a few freebies in the form of bonus points.

The fuss about 99 not out.

Yes, it is near yet so far. Sehwag was stumped of Randiv for 99 in one innings in the test series preceding this Tri Nations ODI series. With 5 runs to go and Sehwag on 99 not out and facing Randiv on 99, anything could have happened. Randiv around the wicket Sanga missed one and saw four byes, one more run with the match in the pocket, Randiv over stepped not with a small margin and Sehwag smashed him for six, but since it was match over before he actually smashed him, robbed him of a century. On the whole so called controversy, Sehwag knows 99 to 100 is one run, he wouldn’t make fuss about 100. I wont rule out, Sehwag tearing into Lankan bowling attack when we meet them in the next match or in the finals. Randiv can hood wink Sehwag and tell Sehwag that he foxed him for two international centuries in two weeks by keeping him stranded on 99.
In sports, love and war, business you get an easy inch nor you would don’t offer an inch, so what is the fuss about Randiv and Sehwag and Sanga and the wisest men and women (News Channels) exorcising the ghost called the spirit of cricket. It is pretty misleading controversy. It will only give more masala to hype up the next match India plays, then it will die its unnatural death.

This witch-hunt by the media has done a great deal of damage to the game of cricket and the spirit of the game.

Cricket: Lankans cornered in P Sara Oval.

It seems sports can be unforgiving. The bowlers bake the cake and batsman takes it away with both their hands. The bowlers set it up and so those batsmen have the crowning glory. I mean lets first pay the due to the bolwers before we may start praising the batsmen. I don’t suggest that batsmen didn’t do much but Indian bowling has drawn a lot of flak for this series and to win a Test you need 20 wickets, for which bowlers have to create chances and the team members have to execute their plans and skills. It is only fair to say, bowlers took 20 wickets, set it up for batsmen to pick up the gauntlet. Imagine Lankans making something 350 in the second innings, Indian would have drawn the match, and it was a lost series. I know Sehwag factor could turn it around but then he could turn it could back fire as well. It almost did in the fourth inning of this test. But then equally accomplished players did well to sail the boat into the dock.

Bowlers started to get in the groove.

Mithun has impressed no doubt; only worry is when Zak & Co resume duties, Mithun may face a little oblivion. But that’s for a little later. Ishant started finally hitting the straps, Dhoni kept him bowling, best way to get wickets and get into rhythm is to keep bowling. He did well in first innings of the third test. Yes Lankans did score but they didn’t run away with it. Samaraveera scoring an important ton for Lankans to set up this Test match. It is fair to say that Lankan middle order in their backyard is like Indian middle order in our backyard. It is equally impregnable. The batsmen use to score big runs, Murali use to take wickets at other end and Lankans would win, and things changed just a span of just one test when Murali retired. Lankan batsmen scored and bowlers struggled to capitalise.
The Lankan batting card was a decent reply considering there was a marginal assistance to bowlers. India reply was to be based on how Sehwag would take it.

Sehwag swings between incredulous and incredible.

He sees it she hits it. A very very simple (and not crude) form of batting, he thinks only of scoring runs on every ball. His career strike rate is 80 per 100 balls faced and against Lanka it is 101 for 100 runs. He is phenomenal. Sehwag deservingly got the man of the series. I think he is one reason Test Matches remain dear to me. He has scored against all opponents in all conditions so he isn’t just a sub-continental wonder. Sehwag may have not scored big but he surely scored quickly. I wonder if even the pitch knows when Sehwag is playing because when he gets out the nature of the pitch changes and becomes more grounded.

Wall need to be rebuffed.

Rahul Dravid is on the last lap of his career if not the fag end. He was virtually coming in Test cricket with no match practice, hope he sees lot more runs. He tried to hit out bad form with a few quick boundaries and match Sehwag stroke for stroke only to snick it back to the wickets. There is something more left in him.

Some tales have similar twists.

Indian had the momentum with them when the claimed couple of Lankan wickets late on the third day, Lankan where reduced to 99/7 and Ojha was making it bounce and turn. It was then Samaraweera and Mendis struck a crucial partnership and deflated the Indian fans, but patience was required. Lankans got what was a defendable 260 odd runs. Lankans were left off the hook by Dhoni who had the last laugh when Sanga returned with the favours. It was a gutsy Mendis’ innings and made a Test match an exciting finish.

Why will we remember the Aussies?

One can say whatever they want, we all have loved to hate Aussies (cricket team) but the played and there players performances and fitness was cut above the rest and they played to ensure a result. They often faltered but they played to win. It is no so with other teams, Sanga repeated Dhoni‘s mistake and paid. When Sanga would have got up on the fifth morning when Indians were 50 something three down. He should have asked himself which two bowlers would Indians not like facing, answer was would be Mendis and Malinga. Sanga bought them in too late, Malinga should have been bought as soon as Ishant got out and Laxman walked in. Mendis has had an upper hand over Laxman. Malinga could have kept it tight at other end there was a chance to be taken, series was at stake, not to be. Walgedera and Randiv was on, Walegedera was probably used to rough up the pitch, bought how much wear and tear was done is a matter on another cricket blog.

Sachin played a curtailed, chance-less one.

We all know best chance of India winning a match is Sachin playing till the last run scored, Sachin tried doing that, he held one end up, stroke singles, playing strokes which involved no risk. Laxman meanwhile, kept scoring, so much so to outscore Sachin, in a way it was a perfect Test match partnership, Sachin got out on brink of a victory. The Indian victory was sealed in first hour of play when Indian batsmen were allowed to be settled. It was confirmed when Dilshan dropped Tendulkar of what seemed a regular short leg’s catch

Laxman and the proverbial Damocles sword.

Laxman has to perform or the proverbial Democles sword is always on their head. He fought hard and scored a vital century to get India over the hilt. Sachin had plugged one end up so Laxman was free to display his wristy stokes which were all along the grass. Lankans were thoughtless, but Laxman was mindful. Laxman is very very special when he bats the way he did.
Indian won the third test and levelled the series. Lankans should consider they lost a golden opportunity.

One more series featuring Lanka and India starts on Tuesday.

Cricket: India surrender at Galle fort.

The champion bowler, Muttiah Muralitharan claimed a record number of 800 wickets, won Lanka the first test match and called it a day. There will always be a question mark lurking over his action, bend arm etc, but no one can stand up to question the number of overs that he used to bowl in a Test match. It is hard to imagine a bowler bowling 40 to 50 overs or may be more each test match, in sweaty, sapping and humid conditions of Sri Lanka. Yes, spinners love bowling long spells, but the amount of overs he sent down day in and ay out was something else.

He had lot of variety in his armoury and use to turn it square. Murali in last few years started to bowl round the wicket, with the amount of turn he would get many scoring options like an off drive, a hoick over midwicket, a sweep, most scoring options against a conventional spinner would of no use for the batsmen against Murali. It wasn’t just the amount of spin, it was the bounce, the pace, and bowling two different kind of deliveries with no visible change in action was a treat to watch. It is often called the bite of the spinner. Yes, after having said all that he had a penchant of getting wickets both in terms of quality and quantity. If one wishes to see the difference between Sri Lankan attacks, just have a look at bowling figures in the next match, provided another maverick in Mendis, could be blunted. Mendis is a sniper in the Lankan Army he aims, locks, and fires with sniper’s accuracy. I think Harbhajan should watch Mendis very very closely, so that he can pick up what he does and then Bhajji could improve upon his own bowling or at least fine-tune it to make it sharper. He has a more palable delivery proves much more acceptable nothing to do with the arm or the wrist just the fingers. Bhaaji if u read this ... :P

Murali like most people on top seems to be always gracious and humble, something, which I am amazed and I am in total awe of this particular achievement of his. I think what he did best was to take wickets and win it for his team. Murali did that till his lat match,when he won it for Lanka and claimed his 800th wicket. I think his record his here to stay for a little while. It is one of those record that will stay in the game of cricket, just like Don Bradman’s average, Jim Laker’s and Anil Kumble’s ten out of ten, Tendulkar runs & centuries and may be Sehwag’s strike rate especially against Lanka.

I am not ever deeply looked into someone’s class, creed, race or religion or some other background or whatever, merit should be based on ability alone rest of the things must not be considered. But In Lanka there has been a long ethnic conflict and Murali being a Tamil stood for defiant among things when war ragged in Lanka. He turned the attitude of his people, stamped his authority because of ability, and did far better then he ever imagined when he started playing the game. He has been there and done that, long after the dust will settle we would take our hats off to a wizard who was unique; imagine being one of a rare type of bowler, a right arm wrist off spinner. He has just raised the bar and let’s raise a toast to Murali. Thank you Murali, for the entertainment.

Now to the review of the Galle Test match

Sri Lankans pump it up to 520/8 dec.

Dilshan was looking like palest shadow lurking in a dark alley of a dead ended street. His batting abilities seem to have ditched him and he is not quiet the scene when he was in rich form a couple of season back, when he could do no wrong on a cricket field,smashing run, taking blinding catches, chipping in with wickets. The times change and changes faster than a blink of an eye. He tried hitting out of form, but it seems that its not only out of form, he needs to rethink he game a bit. Mithun making debut for India claimed him off a short ball.

After the initial out burst, the truth surfaced about the half-baked Indian bowling. Lankans relished and devoured the half-cooked Indian bowling attack, with Ishant Sharma not having any form of competitive match practice except a few sides games in his home's side lanes. He is looking just like Dilshan if you compare their performances. But obviously, I hope to see him doing well and I guess he would do well on this tour, there are a couple of test matches left along with a tri-series tournament featuring Kiwis. I hope it is the lack of match practice for Ishant than anything else. A long spell in the middle would do him a world of good. Mithun did ok in the opportunities he had, losing Zaheer through injury resulted in Indians losing their premier bowler.

Sanga the Lankan captain and opener Parnavitarna kept helping themselves and layered a meaty partnership that laid a foundation to a huge competitive score, both score centuries. Parnavitarna looked good solid opening bat, with shades of Tamim Iqbal,but Tamim is young and Parnavitarna looked good and has been scoring run in provisional Lankan cricket.Sanga is such a class player a treat to watch, seemed no fuss what so ever and played it like his cool self, guiding Parnavitarna on his way to a very impressive century, he holed out to Bhajji, who looked every bit jaded and seemed to be still fighting flu. I was wondering why Yuvraj and Tendulkar were not used. Sehwag did roll his arm but not much for him either. The close in fielding when spinners are bowling need to be relooked into I am not sure if Gambhir is serious to stand in bat pad positions.

A very interesting comparison of how teams fared would be to compare the score that the lower half of the batting ladder has contributed. It tells the whole story. Herath and Malinga contributed some useful runs and took the Lankan the score to a position, where only two unique possible results were possible, theoretically, by the way Indians losing a test match or not winning is always a unique possibility and must never be ruled out.

Indian bowling needs a quick beef up because the strike bowlers are woefully out of form and may be down on match fitness. I was of the opinion that Bhajji should be dropped but since then he has marginal improved but the fact is not many spinners are on view, Ojha is a good one, Murali Karthik fails to impress the selection committee R Ashvin remains untried and untested. The fast bowling cupboard never looked so empty.


Before the follow on.

Sehwag should try playing Lankan attack in the night in total darkness I am sure he can score at least fifty run without even breaking into sweat. He devours their attack. Sehwag has now made scoring rate in tests his won indulgence. He is already scoring 80 runs for every 100 balls faced in all test that he has player. Sehwag against, Lankans is scoring 100 for every 100 balls faced. If elephants could dance then Sehwag has to be the choreographer.

Gambhir had a poor test, Rahul Dravid is on the fag end, there is a big hole the size of a crater which will appear if and when the big three retire, that could be as soon as this year or may be by the end of this season, who knows. Dravid was run out not scoring much, Tendulkar paid rich tributes to Murali only to be gone leg before to Murali, Yuvraj Dhoti had a partnership growing but then the Indian innings folded and last five wickets contributed just 25 runs. But when it comes to Dravid, class is permanent and form is temporary, its the start of season so lets see.


Follow on – which followed the same usual script.

In this age of high octane fuelled T20s, the art brick laying and long batting innings playing a session out seems as archaic as a relic. I think Collingwood is only example who can hold fort and grind the opposition in a la test match style, Dravid or Tendulkar and Laxman. We have often seen great Indian batting collapse rather than watch them fight tooth and nail literally every ball every session until the ship is bought into the harbour of safety and the test match is drawn.

The last fighting inning I remember when Gambhir was in a middle of a Royal Purple patch and batted out a draw with Laxman,Dravid had scored then as well, it was a test match in Napier against the Kiwis, when Indian had last toured there. Tendulkar did create a sparkle but since the top order didn’t fire things didn’t exactly transpired towards a draw. I guess Murali was just looking for a toehold in the door. Malinga just sent down thunderbolt after thunderbolt and had Indian jumping on the hot Galle pitch. He claimed 5 wickets close to nothing but then this match being Murali's swan song Malinga contribution would be a touch under stated.

Indians b Malinga c Murali

The story of the match can be simple explained by in a cricketing jargon “India b Malinga c Murali.” The Indian were bamboozled by Malinga and confused by Murali, capitulated to a tame defeat, and will now play catch up in every session of remaining of this test series. Then invariably toss is so vital for visiting teams especially in Lanka. It will be interesting to see that say in last ten years how the visiting teams have fared when they won the toss .

Cricket: India won, Sachin shone

 

India won the match, but for every once in a while in a team game someone comes along, who almost seemed like the one for whom prophecies are voiced and then one prophecy fulfilled leading him to another and a protégé metamorphised into a marvellous genius capturing amazement unlike previously imagined. It's a road not all willingly take, the some who do willingly take up the gauntlet,face a lonely climb up, hide there tears in pain and misery while lighting warm candles of affection and spreading the cheer and joy for others who follow. The Pantheon of Cricket won’t be complete without Sachin and yes, when the Pantheon is assembled Sachin’s statue would be humble and selfless and would continue to shine with an aura that no eye would afford to miss.

Sachin is a great genius and outstanding champion cricketer. His feats will make you wanting to know more about his ways,mannerisms etc. I think his humility, his respect for the game, his attitude towards the game and life that pleases and amazes me the most. I mean I don’t think I have seen/known many people who have achieved even close to the quantum of what Sachin has seemingly achieved so easily and be equally humble while he did what he did on teh cricketing field. His achievements and his humility add to his never wavering aura. There are many champions, who have come and gone, not many have achieved so much and at the same time lasted so long without being seduced by charms of fickle flame of fame. Sachin has lived more than half his life, more than two decades in public life, yet remained practically aloof, never was anywhere near controversy or did anything that would make u raise your eye brow. I think this makes his achievements more special. I don’t know if any book on cricket records would ever mention the pressure, the emotion and tears of joy when Tendulkar scored (centuries).

Even in this particular innings, he batted and scored half the runs of the team, yet not many who saw would realize that when he was nearing his double century, he was just pushing himself on will. He ran and sashayed down the pitch he pulled, swilled, ran for his partners apart from himself, a tremendous physical effort. In the end he came to field, and at the end of the game he said he would like to bat for another 50 overs and see how his body copes up. I don’t think his body matters anymore, he is walked away from the physical to the metaphysical will mind, body soul are in sync and things happen the way he want them to happen. I may be painting eloquence but then in last 12 months or so what Tendulkar has done over so many years cannot simply be done on the basis on healthy body alone.

Sachin’s in supreme form physically and seem to be winding the clock back dozen of years ago. While a few years ago people imagine his body not being able to bear the brunt of the rigours of the game, he restricted himself of the strokes that carried his signature but now in the present he has reinvented himself and looks more solid, capable of changing years and controlling the direction and flow of the game.

All things said and done, yesterday I would have loved to see him bowl and take couple of wickets just for fun. I guess 200 not out wasn’t enough. But then he over compensated and made up when he was stranded run out. He more than made up with a 200 not out, something that was never ever done in history of ODI cricket. Perhaps it may be done in times to come, but he would always remain the first to do it.

Yes a few more men played the innings, perhaps helped Tendulkar as booster rockets put satellites in space. Karthick if fast putting up weight of runs for a selection in the team with some splendid performances He batted well and just got well along with Tendulkar and kept the score to tick along. He was looking for more than a 79, yeah it wasn’t to be. His wicket saw entry of Yusuf Pathan, shrewed Dhoni’s hand in that is hard to miss in that decision. Pathan played himself in and was soon raced along to a good 30 odd runs; Tendulkar kept smashing it all over. Dhoni came to fore and just up the ante in double quick time; Tendulkar by now was looking ever more patient and focus to get to a coveted double century.

South Africans overawed with what they say just wilted under weight of expectation of scoring over 8 an over before even a ball was bowled. Devilliers put up his hand to score a good hundred but then he was a lone ranger. Tendulkar etched out a special innings. I hope the dust of adulation and admiration never settles. All I wish to say in the end that I wish I too was as humble as Tendulkar, the most worshipped cricketer the game of cricket has seen.

Cricket: SAfs leads through to win

A five days test match gets over in four. If you beat any test team within four days you better be good. If you beat them inside four days and with an innings and you better be comprehensive. South Africa, batted for two days and India for two, corollary to that is that we bowled for two days and we did for two. They scored double hundreds and hundreds (Amla and Kallis), our bowlers toiled and our fielders spilled chances. The Steyn gun fired on all barrels, claimed 10 wickets in the match. Sehwag and Tendulkar came up with consolatory centuries.

Ian Chapell had already remarked on thin on resources in bowling department. Bhajji well I don’t know if he would select himself for the next test, not convinced he is in any form to play any kind of cricket. Mishra ripped a few past the bat and would be lucky on some to get many more wickets on others days. Ishant Sharma tried his luck, Zaheer claimed wickets. I think fielding did us in. Amla batted and batted, though it wasn’t a chanceless innings, but to his credit he kept on riding his luck and scored heavily and a big partnership with Kallis saw SAfs batting India into submission.

Question that may be asked, if the presence of Dravid and Laxman could have changed the result? I don’t know. Steyn bowled his heart out, he knew what he was doing and he out manouvered, out paced and out smart the Indian batsmen with and awesome bowling. I wonder if Ishant watched Steyn closely. He could learn a lot. Ishant has the bounce and the pace to upset batsmen, a certain Ricky Ponting would testify.

SAfs, batting and Indian agony.

They kept on batting, Smith weary of batting last in the fourth innings, from 6-2 to 558 for 6. They batted for nearly two days. Amla made a massive 253 in a manner that will give a team a much consolidated position. They may have not accelerated at the end of the innings but Amla, was an embodiment of patience’s and gusto. He seems to be a man of limited means but boundless determination. Amla is likely to be placed in a similar bracket with the likes of Collingwoods and Chanderapauls of the world. He may not have a very attractive but they are so very effective. Amla kept on chipping away and kept Indian bowlers at bay. Kallis looked good till he lasted, but DeVilliers gave a move on and Boucher chipping in and Dumminy came and went. Kallis had controlled most of the first day but then didn’t go on to get a double, Amla kept his head down, something he shouldn’t do while standing in close on the leg side. It is amazing the innings we got to saw.

Steyn peppers India away

Steyn and Morne skittle India, once again underlining the face that subcontinent is not a graveyard for bowlers, you just need a different skill sets. Steyn just made it look so easy. He was so awesome to watch the ball started reversing, he just kept bending it back with speedometer clicking at above 85 mph, too good for anyone or at least most Indian batsmen. He was a treat to watch.


No wall and a loud fall.

Rahul Dravid may have not altered the result in anyway, but he could have had India showing more fight. They say all the five finger are not the same, like begets like and all that. Dravid absences was dearly felt, there was no partnership of any note. Dravid may not make it to the next series. Sehwag and Tendulkar did try to fight it out with good hundreds, but they were consolatory in the context. The fate of the match was pretty much decided before they could score their hundreds. It was matter of time. Indian batsman has to still to master the art of batting when it comes to batting out time. They failed to do so. The batsman had to show some fight.

How could they?

SAfs is one of the visiting team which have played uninhibited cricket, Harris claim the fame In second winnings, There bowling looked good and Indians have to now sort out the two aspects of the game, batting and bowling, there is a case of strengthening the batting order and look for attacking bowlers. I am still to get convinced of Bhajji to be in the squad. Ishant and Zaheer did ok, Mishra impressed. SAfs didn’t only come here to play. They came here to win and the onus to make this series exciting is on Dhoni & Co.

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