Cricket: Virats Indian Rope Trick

Ever heard of The Great Indian Rope Trick?

Team India once again made one sided match exciting, after Dilshan smash a 150 and Lankans set 320 to win in 50 overs. Team India had to score those runs in less than 40 overs to stay in contention. There chances still lie in balance. The outcome of next match will decide the finalist. Kohli, the flag bearer of this chase led India to one of the truly memorable matches since the world cup 2011 finals.

Indians elected to field on what seem to be a batting mini paradise. Lankans are heavy on the top with Jayawrdene, Dilshan and Sanga coming upfront that seems to leave middle order just a little fragile. But what it does is adds lot of meat. Indian bowling is one of the toothless ones, the team relies on batsman making a mistake, which happens often in limited cricket. Est matches have shown that there is no armor among the chinks of Indian bowling.

Lankan batsman played safe while Indian bowling probed Lankans batsman inviting scoring shots at will, strike ticketed over in ones and twos and partnership swelled with well timed boundaries. The plot didn't work for first half of the innings. Lankans reached to over 190 for the loss of only one wicket that of Jayawardene. His shadow can still be seen kicking him. Sangakarra is left handed Dravid, pure class and elegance, he always has been such a touch player. He literally helped himself to a century, attacking at will, making clueless Indian bowling look stupid. It seems lot of International cricketers who have retired would want to bat against Jadeja, he seems to have some magical gift delivers that a batsman of pure crass and hit the most authentic classic cricket shots against Jadeja. Ashwin meanwhile did little to impress. Its too early to say he is going Harbhajan way but the fact remains he is not among the wickets, rotational policy is still in doubts.

Any ODI team must fancy scoring 100 runs in last 10 to 12 overs. Our bowling is not a weak link it seems to be the missing link of the team. The only person having nightmares from Indian bowling is perhaps the Indian Cricket Captain. Indian bowlers would do really well to save face in the next which could be the final of CB series or round robin match of the Asia Cup. Dilshan helped himself to another highest score against Indians.

Batting pitchs, casions and Indian batsman

You know there is lot said about Indian batsman struggling on live pitches, most of it you shouldnt pay heed to and just accept as the way life was meant to be. But if the pitch is anywhere near flat, then make sure one among the top 5 is good enough to shred the bowling apart. Sehwag who makes one of the most attacking 25s in the the game and Sachin Tendulkar even in wane is formidable enough to request the fielding captain to ask for 15 payers. Then there is Raina who can hit Dale Steyn and Bret Lee for consecutive sixes blindfolded, over deep extra cover. Kohli in last three seasons seems to have deciphered the code of chasing down runs, off course mastered by Dravid, Yuvraj and Dhoni.

Gambhir is probably the new Dravid in Indian team. Kohli sure deserves (almost) all the kudos. But Kohlis partners, Gautam and Raina do deserve some over flowing cheer for Kohli. Gambhir was playing well and built a good platform for Kohli and Raina to take the game to the end. Raina meanwhile got a tailor fit situation to get some form. But Kohli simply undid Malinga, the best death bowler playing International Limited overs cricket. Kohli was better than the best Malinga had to offer. One of Malinga's over read 2, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, Kohli was on strike for that over.

Jayawardene erred in not taking the bowling power play earlier. He should have taken it inside the 15 th over. Indians have a toe in the door. Its Aus vs Lanka and if Aussies win we will be playing the finals. But considering how flat Aussies have been in their previous match against Lanka, lets hope for the best.

Cricket: How India won the cup

Dhoni leads India to bring home the unicorn. It was first among, many in the sense; it was the first time the host country won the cup. It was just the third instance that a team won chasing the score. It was the first instance that a batsman had scored a century and found himself on the losing side. It was an awesome win. The memories will remain quiet fresh for a long time. The celebrations and the joys were for all to see as Holi, Diwali, X-Mas, Eid, Independence and republic Day had come together. It was a joyous moment for us all to cherish, beyond the seas, as FB and twitter were updates by friends beyond the good seven seas. Indian team won the world cup in style defeating pervious world cup holders in sequence, West Indies, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the precise order in which these teams won the world. This was just for trivia, surreal but incident.


Toss goes for a toss – along with selections.

This was a first of sorts in the matches I have seen, two tosses Crowe didn’t hell Sanga’s call and the toss flipped again. The jury is still out on who won the toss but then it doesn’t matter any more.
Dhoni replaced Nehra with a lucky charm of sorts, Sreesanth, what he did was to add charm to Lankan score. Lankans on their part were forced to make four changes. A couple of changes made sense, but four changes in the final? Angelo Matthews was injured forcing the Lankan side to be over balanced with a longish tail. Thisara, Kulasekara, Kapugedara, Randiv were replacing Mendis, Matthews. Mendis not playing was a bigger blunder, he can run through a middle order is pretty accurate bowls to attacking fields. A few Indian batsmen would have thought their prayers of not wanting to bat against Mendis were answers. Its tough to say what Mendis would have done, but if anyone saw India-Pak match, the Indians bats most competent against spin had no clue what Saeed Ajmal was bowling. Afridi too him out of the attack and that was the turning point of the game. I think Mendis would have fancied himself against Indian batsmen. He would have done better then Randiv on most accounts.

Indian bowling in rhythm and control

Zaheer bowled three maidens in his first five overs. It was not until Sreesanth was bought into the attack did he charm Lankan batsman into making runs, otherwise Zaheer had kept the Lankans batsman quiet. The fielding was superb, it was not only the best fielding effort in the tournament it was one of the best fielding efforts in last 50 games or so. Yuvraj Singh could do no wrong, diving and attacking and cutting the angles down. This helped Indian bowling to look more incisive. It was for our fielding that we saved 20-25 runs or we would be chasing in excess of 300 runs.

A single problem that haunts every single time.

Bhajji bowling round the wicket to right-handers doesn’t help him one bit, Dilshan’s wicket was a bonus rather than coaxing the batsman into a false stroke. Bhajji bowling round the wicket actually helped Sanga and Jayawardene to get in and have a partnership going. Bhajji bowling round the wicket negates a few modes of dismissals the classic bowled though the gate, the edge of a straighter delivery and the LBW. Jayawardene and Sanga who are class acts and classic touch players would have smiled to themselves as they knew only way getting out was to fool themselves. A steady partnership paved way for an imposing total; bowlers were changed and rotated adding resolve to Lankan batting. Yuvraj meanwhile did get Sanga after he edge one to Dhoni. The best part of Indian bowling was now a thing of the past.

Jayawardene pulls in his weight in with a ton.

Jayawardene is one of the last classic touch players in the power hitting game of today. There was no bowler to challenge him, there was no one who made him think and wanting to get off strike and think to do different. His play proved once again the brain still commands a premium when viz a viz to brawn. It was for the first grit and indomitable will was on show. Jayawardene kept stringing some effective and vital leadership. The Indian bowling seems to break step and wither against touch play of Jayawardene. The shots he seems to hit were nothing more than changing the direction of the deliveries and guiding them into the empty spaces. The lower end batsmen used the long handle and the crease really well while Jayawardene shepherd them at the end. His 10o was a glittering achievement. His innings ensured Indians had their task cut out and forced them to put their best foot forward.
Blink and blank

Sehwag forced of to the back foot by Malinga straighter delivery. He was wrapped on the pads and was plumb in front. His dismissal caused many fissure in Indian hopes of chasing a gallant score. It was the second delivery f the innings that claimed Sewage, a rare ducked. Sehwag’s world cup had started with a valiant 175 ended with a cipher - touching a sky and crashing landing. Gambhir tough kept the trend of staring the Indian scoring with a boundary, that shot would have given him a feel good factor. Malinga was assisted with Kulasekara at the other end. Tendulkar decided to cut loose few boundaries and few dot deliveries a story in the making of a thrilling encounter. Tendudlkar edged one off Malinga and Sanga did the rest, India 31/2. The method and the madness both back in the hut. Kohli and Gambhir had a massive repair job to do.

Serene and Serious Gautam Gambhir.

At 31/2 and a competitive bowling line up to face Gambhir and Kohli started cautiously. A flurry of boundaries and changing strike with singles helped string partnerships and that gave enough momentum to the side. Virat got out to a very sharp return catch accepted by Dilshan a good 80 plus run partnership soothe a lot of nerves. This partnership ensured that the run rate required was never too daunting. A run rate of six was manageable, as Dhoni and Yuvraj along with Raina would give it more than a chance. The sign of things to come, a change in the tide

Kohli dismissal got Dhoni to the crease. Dhoni the captain self promoted himself to negate the spinners. The Indian captain is a better player of spin then Raina and Yuvraj put together. A left and right-handed effort negated the advantage of Lankan spinners. Murali was bought on the attack pretty much like an after thought. A slow start by Dhoni and Gambhir. Their effort showed the indomitable will for the second time in the match. The second doggedness would prove too good for Lankans. Gambhir and Dhoni flayed the Lankans like King Viv and Collins King in 1979 final. They didn’t quiet match Viv and Kings swagger but Collin Kings would have felt good seeing Dhoni bat. He hit some powerful extra cover drives and Murali was clueless, he started slow but caught with a run a ball rate by the time he stuck his half century. Gambhir and Dhoni almost sealed the game, and when Indians crossed 200, it was a matter of time before the cup was lifted.

Gambhir goes, Yuvraj enters.

Gambhir played a tired looking shot and saw the stumps shattered. Yuvraj came to the crease and struck the fourth ball he faced to a boundary, India was four runs closer. Dhoni and Yuvraj ran quick between the wickets, Dhoni had a close call but was saved by just a frame, the game also saw some nervous moments and then floodgates open and Nuwan Kulasekara and Malinga were dispatched all over. Dhoni was on strike when India was a hit away from a famous win. He hit one out of the park that celebrated chaotic celebrations across the country.

Indian high on MSD

He is the man of the moment. He is the captain who whose team won the world. There is a lot of adulation that he deserves. He leads a team who are ODI World Champions and Numero uno in Test matches no wonder we the fans are grinning year to year. This man has just started his journey there are more peaks for him to conquer.

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 Numero Uno

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

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

First Test, Ahmadabad

Early morning jitters, India 32 for 4

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

Jayawardene, the long distance runner.

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

Gambhir and Tendulkar score tonnes.

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

Second test, Green Park, Kanpur.

Runs were flowing, alrite.

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

Lankans follow on, only to falter again

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

Bit more shocks and India snubbed the remaining six wickets.


Final Test, CCI, Mumbai.

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

What seemed good …?

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

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

India high on MSD

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

The day of reckoning not to be.

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

The final day.

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

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

Cricket: India surprise Lankans.

Although the Lankan pitches are the typical sub continent ones. I feel India find difficult to beat Lanka in Lanka, primarily because one of the team members plays a big role it could be a Jasuriya with bat or ball, Jayawardene, Mendis, Vaas Sanga or that old fox Murali. The only problem is Lankans find it difficult to extract best performances consistency from the core of these players. Also Indians are coming out of a winter without much match fitness or form. There last series was against Poms, which saw Yuvraj battling out the Poms, although there were major contributions from others as well.
Meanwhile, Lankans seemed to cruise through Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in a tri series in Bangladesh ands squashed Pakistan in Pakistan. But then if Indians who have played such rigorous series in last six months, are coming out of the winter then one can feel for Pakis who haven’t had much cricket for over an year. But I still consider to Lankans to win the series 3-2 but then Indians have notched up this big one making the next matches a kind of must watch. I would like credit BCCI for flexing their billion dollars muscles, and arranging this series like pulling out a wand out of thin air. We also know Sri Lankan bored isn’t exactly cash rich.
Lankans invincibility at home, precedes their usual dismal performances abroad. I don’t think Jayasuriya will last forever; Sanga is good when it comes to abroad. Jayawardene would like to emulate his home record in an away series, but I don’t see them coming. I was hoping Vandort would come good I don’t know where he is. Dilshan amuses me, he is good but I just find him amusing. There is Murali and Mendis both freaks and perhaps feared, but I see people playing Mendis better as he settles into International cricket. Needless to say he has to continuously think of new things for the times to come.

Old bloke, old tricks.

Jayasuriya hitting a century in ODI is one of the most obvious things likely to happen in an India-Lanka tie. The only thing is, this one was an exception in the sense he hit a century alright but Lanka lost courtesy maturing Gambhir, resolute Raina and piped piper Dhoni slow developing into a very good finisher of a limited overs cricket game. The best on form is Albie Morkel. He is superb. Jayasuriya has matured with age, perhaps matured and aged wonderfully well. He is Colossal in Lankan Cricket. He struck one more century obviously he had taken liking to Venky Prasad at one point in time, now it seems to be Munaf. Ishant and Zaheer are looking good. Sanga to helped in Lankan score but then there isn’t much to follow is the captain is struggling. I think he will come good in this series and if he does, the 3-2 score in favour of Lankans seems a bright possibility. But if he continues to struggle then I think Jayawardene would be praying for 11 Jayasuriya’s and Muralis playing for him.
Dhoni being the unassuming gambler that he is, ensured enough bowing practice to his non regular bowlers ensuring that out of sorts Munaf doesn’t leak much runs and Zaheer and Ishant kept Lankan score in a realistic zone.

Poor luck Sachin.

Poor Kumar Dharmsena, the umpire was so nervous in his first game that kept lost track of basic of an LBW and gave Sachin the marching orders. It wasn’t the best of starts Indians would have thought of but then Indians moved on. Sehwag not playing didn’t matter much to Raina and Gambhir. Raina provided the spark and then Gambhir got really serious and together they shared a good century stand to provide a very good platform. Yuvraj meanwhile I imagine he would struggle against the spinners, did well to reach 23 but would have loved to finish of the game. Raina and Gambhir literally followed each other to the pavilion. Dhoni and Yuvraj steadied the ship and then Dhoni in able company of Rohit Sharma sealed the win. India shined with ball and bat, while Jayawardene may first have to dwell upon his role in a team as a batsman alone, look at the fielding coz an ordinary perforamce in the field against Bangladesh and Zimababwe may not be that costly but against India may cost a match or two,like it did today.

Cricket: Sri Lanka loose series.

Let me say this, I am being honest here. I never thought India would win more than a couple of matches let alone the series. I thought, Jayasuriya, Jaywardene and Murali will have Indians for barbecue and beer. “Help yourself” no limits barred were on the menu on this buffet. But then I did not take Dhoni’s reputation of crumpling the past under his feet and make another huge stride in his campaign of wining good matches and contributing in more ways than just the bat. The next task would b winning a final of a triangular or some other big tournament away from home. Dhoni is on his way to be the best captain India has seen. It is a big thing to say but then I can afford to say this; here it is “My point of view^®”

Aye aye Captain.

He is amazing. A clout is certainly growing with Dhoni in the centre of it all. You hear Aussie commentators, especially Ian Chappell saying how a Captains psyche becomes the teams psyche. One can see two examples here, one of Dhoni and then of Peitersen, though, I regard Pietersen as a top quality stroke player, foolish batsman and an atrocious fielder. Then third example could be, of Graeme Smith. But I think Smith would love to have more options in bowling department, namely a spinner. SAfs are you listening? Lets get back to Dhoni. He has taken Indian cricket followers by storm. We have seen people come in play well and then show some panache. He came in loads of panache and style. It was Paki President Musharaff go gaga over his locks. Then came in Dhoni the chunk hitter. He can turn ot on in the slog overs and score in double quick time.His stroke play is limited, no doubt, I mean I don’t expect a flowing cover drive all along the carpet from Dhoni. But he is born to bludgeon it back over the bowlers head. Since age,form and supreme fitness are all playing part in Dhoni’s much deserved success. He is performing so in a sense he is not just there to make plans and strategies; he is a critical part of the strategy. He is the engine and the steering wheel of this made in India cricket team.
Great captains are damn lucky. Dhoni won the toss, a big help in negating Mendis-Murali threat, there was no way India can win chasing in the lights. Yuvraj was turning it a square, Murali could have turned it the breadth of the pitch.

Indian innings.

Indians started cautiously, each failing innings I am getting more depressed for Gambhir, He is in such a good form, he has to convert starts into big runs. The openers slot is still wide open in the sense that, Jaffer is there in test. Jaffers known for big centuries in domestic cricket. In other formats, namely ODI and T-20 there s Uthhappa who is not picked from some weird reason, not forget the Phantom of Sehwag. Anyways Gambhir Persished soon, Virat Kohli was looking good made a good 50. He was then beaten for pace and played on to the stumps. He wasn’t exactly tested. I mean he was gifted leg side deliveries and there wasn’t much happening there besides boundaries. Yuvraj holed out, He is heavy a torrid time. He is way off the boil I don’t know it is the knee that’s troubling him. He got out without scoring. I think he should stared fielding at backward point again. You know couple of sharp catches, a run out and a few saves can turn the bad times in no mean time. I mean Yuvraj would have loved the platform Dhoni and Raina had made for him. He couldn’t have done much coz he was dismissed quickly giving Vaas his 400 ODI wicket. Dhoni and Raina then stabilized and then kept adding moment through out the middle overs and kept Murali and Mendis at bay. The scored at run a ball and India could have been in much better position had each not got out at the time they got out. Indians lost last seven wickets for 30-35 runs or so. Rains chipped one in the air and Dhoni holed out, seemingly looking tired. The reset of them just came and went without rhyme or reason. India packed 258. A very good total, they may be 30- runs short but very competitive.

Lankan Innings.

Lankan reply or should it be Jayasuriya’s reply to the Indian total? Their first wicket fell around 30, the opener fell for a naught. How ordinary is that? Indian bowlers are all over Lankans. Sangakarra only too good to be true, played on to Munaf. It is good to see Munaf among wickets. I think he can improve on the length, the line is impeccable though. A couple of more wickets and then Harbhajan was licking his lips. Indian have decoded Sri Lanka formula, bat first, get decent score, anything above 220 and then let Murali do the rest. This strategy works nine out of ten times, lets just say this was the tenth turn after nine successive campaigns. Jayasuriya’s edge of the bat is increasingly growing. It is creditable to Jaysuriya, that he has struck 11 centuries after age of 35. I bet at least 6 of them against India. I wonder why are his performance biased in and around the subcontinent?
Anyways he played against the spin, Raina caught a very good catch. The way Indians field not only show their physical preparation, taking good catches and making run outs makes a team look really good. Jaywardene undermined his own abilities. 16 of 40 balls, chasing a decent total aint a way. He was planning to take it to last ten overs, again getting regimented on a plan without any other plan to fall back on. A swift throw saw him run out. Sri Lanka four down, but metaphorically all said and done because three of the four wickets were named Jayasuriya, Sangakarra, Jayawardene. Indians would have felt match is in pocket, rest of the two wickets were Dilshan and Kapugudera, both woefully out of form, Lankans were dead and buried. Thushara, was perhaps symbolic of how an oil lamp ends with a flicker at the end. I thought he should have come up the order but then Indian won the series after being dead and buried in test series,against the same bowling attack.

Jaywardene the losing Captain.

Jaywardene stomach would have churned after loosing the toss, perhaps he himself got many things to think about right now so he can take off his mind and start thinking cricket There is a scope of improvement though. The toss is so important that if the captain gets his call right, the match is in the pocket. I think West Indies and Sri Lanka offer some of the most partisan and ordinary pitches in the world, low turners. Not good for cricket. Indian pitches are not to great too, but the pitches here are not that too biased as the pitches in the Emerald Isle. Did you see Yuvraj turn the ball square? Well Jayawardene as got a big correction, all the hype of Asian Ashes are down the drain. He is too good for that,he adapted to very well to the new role as a captain. He has to realize that cricket doesnt allow to get to ahead off yourself and your words will come to haunt you before you finish winking your eyes.

Sweeping mistakes under the magic carpet of a Series win.

India won the fourth match but if Lankans would have seized intitative (read Jayasuriya scoring 140+ ) then these mistake would have come to haunt big time.Indians lost Raina and Dhoni back to back and Indian innings folded before they reached the pavilion and changed.
So one set batsman has to see the end of the innings come what may.
Where is the support/flourish at the end?
Bowling short to Jayasuriya wont pay any dividends, ever.
Why was mid off kept back when Harbhajan is turning it square and score read Lankans Six down?
Wht wasn’t there slip to Harbhajan when Mendis was bowling?
I hope coach and Captain have similar puzzles in their diaries.
Me gearing up for Aussies coming to India.

Cricket: A fair result.

The series ended 2-1 in favour of Sri Lanka. Indians were beaten not before putting Sri Lanka in spot of bother couple of times. India however were virtually always in the corner gasping for fresh air, inform of inspiration from The Middle Order. There were hardly any inspiring performances as a result India on the losing side.

The once great Indian Middle order.

Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman are formidable in any version of the game. I know these guys did not have a great series neither did they have any form behind them to be in the run making mode. All these four had a very ordinary IPL and did not have any form i.e. hardly played or made runs. Yes Dravid and Ganguly did make some runs. But cricket is a game of momentum, ask Paul Collingwood, back to back centuries, the second century for a winning cause, which set up the game nicely for England.
For people who don’t follow cricket wish to understand what I am try to say I put forward an example, what happens to your week when there is an important meeting a Monday morning and you are late for office due to a hangover of laze. I bet it will all screw up. I personally make sure at least two alarm bells go off coz I hate being late anywhere anytime especially Monday mornings.
Then second is Sehwag and Gambhir are in prime form. There is no looking back for Sehwag, but Gambhir must convert starts into big score, something he did not do this tour, may prove costly to him. Sehwag again may do well in one days but I hope Gambhir gets a big one in one of the ODIs. As for the big four, they would have been in an indifferent position. They use to hardly see any Indian openers scoring runs, so for aloof we, a positive start meant big four could cash in big time. This proved too elusive this time around. Then talking of momentum them hardly a practice.
Well this may not be an excuse but Sri Lanka has equally pathetic performance when they came in India. Then I read at cricinfo that just one tour game not enough. There should be at least a couple of tour games for a visiting team. It was a tour game in Australia that things turned around for Perth and India recorded a thrilling win. I think lack of tour games probably will hurt any visiting team. It is necessary, just like warm up preceding exercises. They did not have one. I mean how would anytime fear if they were asked to fly down and face Harbhajan and Kumble on a Chennai pitch first thing in the morning. I don’t think it will help.
It’s been a long time that big four have flopped together; at least Dravid had some runs coming out of the last test. Laxman and Tendulkar injured is cause of concern. Tendulkar has been on roll call of hospitals for various injuries or niggles rather than on the score board. It cost his IPL side a crack at the trophy and his India team a chance at challenging Lanka.

Dhoni is exceptional.

Dhoni is a wonderful batsmen and very calm headed almost pan faced captain. But if you compare him to Kathick and Parthiv he is a very good keeper. He hardly misses anything. Parthiv and Karthick hardly got anything. They may be worrying about playing for the next time, but they should have done better, There were so many chances got a begging plus batsmen knew that their mistake wont cost him his wickets because keeper were not confident enough to grab opportunities. It was good of Dhoni to let this series go, iron out a few off his own niggles and then switch on for a big season ahead. India’s fielding is the key to wining a series.

The bowlers looking to get into rhythm.

Ishant Sharma inspired India to second test victory, what an effort. The conditions in which he did what he did were truly remarkable. It is always not scene in sub continent pitches that a fast bowler engineers a batting collapse. Zaheer Khan needs to try a bit harder in the fourth and fifth spell. He is a bulky ox who hits the bat hard. I think going back to drawing board and re thing his attacking bowling options won’t be a bad idea. Harbhajan pleasantly surprised me as he looked to get into great rhythm. Kumble w\for once flattered to deceive. I don’t what with Kumble and bowling out side the leg or a leg stump line. He can’t pick up wickets bowling that line and the pace at which he bowls. He depressed.

Mysterious Mendis.

Murali and Mendis are pair to be. Mendis flummoxed the Indian batsmen. They were a totally at sea against his variations. Sehwag seem to have got a nag of him but then often he played a rash shot and bought is own undoing. The other did not have much clue, the list included Laxman Darvid Tendulkar and Ganguly. Yuvraj and Raina and other have there task cut out for ODIs. Murali couldn’t do much damage earlier.

Sri Lanka worries.

I think Sri Lanka is tougher to beat in their own home ground than Pakistan and India. The pitched are tailor made, turning square on day one. But then batsmen must do their job which they do, but those who say it was a team effort that Sri Lanka won the series and India lost, they are just looking at the score line. Vaas hardly bowl anything the onus was on Murali and Mendis. The hard part is any bowl marginalizing them both. The batsmen have no second chances with close in fielder and keeper staking any chances coming there way.
Sanga and Jayawardene failed in just one inning and that cost Sri Lanka the match. Their batting too needs to come of its own if they are to do something away from sub continent. Samraweera looks good, one of the openers look good. There is definitely no dearth of talent there, Dilshan looked way off colour for long.

Cricket: Coincidental match.

I have seen many a cricket matches, some lethargic, some edge of the seat, some which were washed in rain. I haven’t seen many that have been an example of such a mirror finish. The term mirror is in the sense of juxtaposition. Just check out the number coincidences there were. India winning the match is no coincidence, but a tie would be interesting

Out for naught.

The top of their respective teams, Jayasuriya and Tendulkar getting out on duck, Jayasuriya was a bit unlucky, well Tendulkar was beaten and bowled nick and crop. Its amazing. I want to see the average of the centuries he has scored to the times he has bowled. It would be staggering even though he has scored many. I don’t remember any international bowler who has bowled to him in more than 5 matches and not bowled him at least twice.
I feared that Jayasuriya would shred the Indian bowling to pieces but a Sangakarra straight drive touched the bowler’s fingers and Jayasuriya wasn’t even in the “frame”. I sighed a breath of relief knowing he was gone. Jaysuriya is to Lanka what Tendulkar is to India.

Captain, well done.

The captains played a subdued innings only to bail out their teams when there were in a tight spot and made most of the opportunities while facing a tough situation. They would both be pleased with the hand they played but would expect more out of their top order batsmen. Jaywardene played a gem of 70 plus and DHoni played out of his skin 50. Both are right handed batsmen and held one end up while their deputies were scoring runs with some flair.

Vice-captain, Keeper, Left-hander.

Captains, (Right handers, Jayawardene, Dhoni) Vice-captains (left hander Sangakkara, Yuvraj) steadied the ship, the left handers took the attack to their respective opposition while the Captains played a subdued hand. They top scored for their respective teams and gave a thumping fight back when things actually weren’t rosy. The only thing to note otherwise is that Sangakkara is in form while his team is struggling and looks in awe, while the India team is doing “alrite” Yuvraj was struggling for runs. He is still not out of forms until he plays a swash buckling innings against the Aussies as early as possible. The southpaws top scored for their respective teams

Middle overs; leash held tight by the mavericks.

Murali is the top bowler along with Vaas. Vaas keeps it real hard with a good line and Murali reaps wickets. Irfan on the one hand is a boy wonder. He always makes one wonder what is he playing he may be struggling in ways that’s a wonder too. His Akarm like swing is missing but then that’s a wonder too. Murali is all about a big turning off spin and an efficient doosra, while Pathan is about sharp in swingers thudding very late into batsman’ pads. They both return with bowling stats 44 for 1 in 10 overs.

There were in all 14 wickets that fell. 3 batsmen on each side held out a catch.
I guess the match turned out to be so because it went down to the wire and almost 100 overs were used to decide the fate of match.

Cricket: A delayed series.

India vs Sri Lanka
A false start.

The rain is not as much responsible for the dismay of cricket fans as the organizers. The Indian sub continent comes under Monsoon type of climate.Ther is not much happening apart from rains and subsquent floods. This is no secret and everybody who lives in the sub-continet knows this fact. It would not be a mystery even to a student of sixth class. I question the wisdom of organizing a series at this time of the year. It was stupid. I am not sure till date if we could witness even a single match lasting one day and 100 overs.
It was sad to see crores worth of money going down the drain. It was inevitable.

England vs Pakistan.
I was amazed from the very start of the series. English players hit tons of tonnes and their spinners got fifers. The Pakistan batsmen apart from Yosuf looked at see and their fast bowlers had checked into nearest hospital nursing injuries. Pakistan have always been know for the quality fast bowlers. They were missing in England this time though. Their absence meant the English batsmen to be amaong runs. The Likes of Cooks and Colingwood cemented their place. Ian bell who has diffculty taking stance while batting hit centuries. Danish Kaneria looked ost comfotable pulling hair out of his head. The poor fielding of Pakistanis is a trademark of their team along with their fast bowling.Sami was a lone warrior with limited support at the other end.

Along came Asif.

This was the series for Pakistani till a Mohd. Asif forced his way. He looked awesome against India when they toured Pakistan earlier in this year. He seemed to e a brilliant line and length bowler who could bowl some hostile stuff and amazing speeds. He spear headed the attack and Pakistan drubbed in English and the English skittled out for 173. I believe all the hype of brilliant performances would be buried now.

Pakistan will hopefully win.
I know it is too early to take a call as to who will win but Pakistan seem to be in control at 370 for 3 as of now. I believe Inzamam has all the time in the world and will hopefully smack the life out of English bowling. Harmisson was already looking like an ordinary up and down medium pacer. Monty needs to tighten up.
If Pakistani bowling was as good as it was in first innings then Pakistan will win in all probabilty.

Apart from cricket.
I have got an alias for myself know. You may call me "The Light-House".