India perishes in Perth, another nail in the coffin

Australia Win the 3^rd Test match Vs India at Perth

Indian saga of humiliation continues as India loses their 3^rd straight test match against Australia in Perth. With this win Australia has won the series and India continue to dream to win a test match overseas. For the record this is Indian cricket teams 7^th consecutive loss in test matches played overseas.

A Thrilling Test Ends In A Draw - India Vs West Indies

India Vs West Indies 2nd Test

It was definitely one of the best test matches in the recent past.  It was a story of - 'so close yet so far' scenario. If there was a winner it was 'weather'. First the rains and then the bad light, hard luck Dhoni, you almost created history. Had India won this match it would have been India's first test victory in Barbados.

India declared its 2nd Innings at 269/6 on day 5. They lost 3 wickets in the first session of play. Laxman yet again missed out on a 3 digit score, yet played brilliantly to score 87(188 Balls). End of Indian session West Indies needed 281 runs to win the test and India needed 10 wickets.

West Indies Manage to draw test

Indian bowlers seemed to be all charged up on the 5th day. West Indies were 27/2 in the 7th over. At this rate Indians seemed hopeful of victory. In the 18th over Ishant Sharma striked again and got the wicket of Adrian Barath, W.I were reduced to 55/3. Chanderpaul and Bravo (73 runs of 174 balls) batted well to add 64 runs for the 4the wicket. Ishant Sharma was at his best, however rain yet again played the spoil sport. Carlton Baugh scored a gritty 46 off 61 balls and remained not out. West Indies were 202/7 in 73rd Over when play was stopped due to bad light. The match ended in a draw, much to India's disappointment.

India couldn't win the match however performances from Indian players were the highlight of the match. VVS Laxman shined with his bat by scoring two brilliant 80's. Ishant sharma sizzled with ball and took 10 wickets in the match. The man of the match award was  given to Ishant Sharma for his exceptional ten wicket haul, his first in Test matches.

Dravid and Laxman On A Song on Day 4 of India vs West Indies

India gains healthy lead

Well the headline says it all.Dravid and Laxman batted brilliantly on Day 4. Two masters of world cricket known for impeachable skills, style and patience. At the End of Day 4 India where 229/4 in 89 overs. India now lead by 240 runs. It now needs to be seen how soon on Day 5 Dhoni declares the innings. Today being the Last day India will need to grab all 10 wickets to win this match.

On day 4 Dravid yet again proved why he is such a lovely batsmen to watch. And why he is called the WALL. Dravid made 55 crucial rund of 171 balls. He finally got out on Fidel Edwards ball in the 61st over when he was caught by Ramnaresh Sarwan at first slip. Laxman stayed not out, end of of day at 72(171 Balls). He is being accompanied by Virat Kohli. Virat was still bating at 26(98 Balls).

Poor Batting by West Indies

The West Indies team seem to be struggling with ball now, having failed with the bat. West Indies where bowled out for 190 in their first innings. Marlon Samuels played well in first Innings scoring 78 (172 Balls) and was not out. However the rest of the West Indies team couldn't do much.Ishant Sharma was the pick of the bowlers for India. He bowled brilliantly and returned with figures of 6/55 in first Innings.

Now on 5th and the final day it needs to be seen if the maverick captain Dhoni is able to work his magic. Its going to be tough day for both the teams. West Indies will try hard to draw the game, whereas India would desire nothing but victory.

The game changing factor for the 2nd test was actually the rain. Had it not rained in the last few days, things might have been different and India might have had higher chances of wining the game.

Day 2 India vs West Indies - 2nd TEST

Latest News Day 2 India vs West Indies

When I last saw the scorecard on Ten Sports the score was WI-96/5 in 37 overs. West Indies batsmen at the crease were Marlon Samuels 21(56 balls) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul 18 (60 balls). Ishant Sharma has bowled brilliantly today and taken 2 more wickets, this takes his tally to 3 wickets in this match. West Indies where at 30/3 at end of days play on Day 1. All three Indian pacers Ishant, Praveen Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun picked 1 wicket each on Day 1.

Brilliant Batting By VVS Laxman

Earlier to that Indian team was skittled out at meager 201 runs in just 68 overs on Day 1. Thanks to ever special Laxman’s batting, India was saved of further embarrassment. (Very Very Special) VVS Laxman batted fiercely and scored 85 runs and displayed excellent classic cricket shots in his innings of 146 balls. The only other batsmen who contributed significantly to the Indian score was young gun Suresh Raina 53(105 Balls). The Wall was breached very early in the match and India where struggling at 38/4 in the 26th over of the match. Laxman and Raina stitched together a brilliant partnership of 117 runs for the 5th wicked. However the rest of the team’s performance was highly disappointing.

West Indies bowlers did a good job on day 1 and Ravi Rampaul was pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/38. Fidel Edwards and Devendra Bishoo also picked 3 wickets each and skipper Sammy got the prized wicket of Rahul Dravid.

The wicket seems to be aiding the fast bowlers and it needs to be seen if the Indian bowlers will be able to extract the best out of it. If they can get the West Indies team all out under 150-160 then it would be fantastic. All said and done one thing is for certain; this match will not be a draw. The team which bowls well and bats better is sure to win the game.