Indian Cricket Teams Calendar – Jan – Feb – 2012

India has so far played 1 test match this year.

January 3 to 7: India Vs Australia – 2^nd Test in Sydney (India Lost by an innings and 64 runs)

This was the 2^nd game of the ongoing 4 match test series against Australia in Australia. India has begun the year sadly with defeat. They are currently down 0-2 against Australian team in the test series.

Let’s have a look what does days ahead have in store for Indian cricket fans.

January 13 to 17: India Vs Australia – 3rd Test in Perth

January 24 to 28: India Vs Australia – 4^th Test in Adelaide

February 1: India Vs Australia – 1^st T20 in Sydney

February 3: India Vs Australia – 2^nd T20 in Melbourne

February 5: India Vs Australia – ODI in Melbourne

February 8: India Vs Sri Lanka – ODI in Perth

February 12: India Vs Australia – ODI in Adelaide

February 14: India Vs Sri Lanka – ODI in Adelaide

February 19: India Vs Australia – ODI in Brisbane

February 21: India Vs Sri Lanka – ODI in Brisbane

February 26: India Vs Australia – ODI in Sydney

February 28: India Vs Sri Lanka – ODI in Hobart

Let’s hope that Indian team is able to overcome the defeat in the first two games of the test series in Australia. It is very critical for India to do well in the upcoming matches in Australia. Their last overseas tour to England was quiet miserable. Dhoni and his boys have to work extra hard to prove the critics wrong and emerge victorious.

Sydney Sadness was inevitable.

2nd Test: India vs Australia

Finally as predicted miracle was the only possibility that could have saved Indians from loosing. Alas there was no such miracle at SCG. The only consolation for Indian team was the score 400 runs with the help of 4 half centuries in the in their 2^nd innings. All this couldn’t prevent Australia from defeating India by an innings and 68 runs. The 5 days test match was again wrapped up by the Aussies on Day 4. Michael Clarke very deservingly won the man of the match award for his scintillating Innings of unbeaten 329 runs.

Tendulkar yet again missed out on his centaury and the world continues to await for the most talked 100^th Hundred. On second thought I really doubt even if he had got there it would have brought about any cheer to the master himself. As his team was only delaying the inevitable loss. Guess it all boils down to bad batting by Indians in their 1^st innings. SCG strip was tailor made for batsmen and Indians simply couldn’t capitalize on it.

India vs Australia 2nd test day 4

On Day 4 Gambhir 83(142) departed early after adding just 15 runs to his overnight score. Laxman and Sachin seemed to be putting together a good partnership. However the partnership was soon broken my Aussie captain Michael Clarke. Tendulkar departed at 80(139), when Hussey caught him in the. Soon after that VVS Laxman 66(118) was bowled by Hilfenhaus in the 83^rd over. Wickets kept tumbling after that. Ashwin 62(76) along with Zaheer 35(26) put together a decent partnership. But by then it was clear that it was only a matter of few over(s) before Indians would be bowled out. And so was the fact as Indian team was all out at 400 in the 111^th over of their 2^nd Innings. India suffered the second straight defeat of the series against Australia. Australia is now leading the 4 match series 2-0.

The next match of the series is due to be played in Perth. I’m hoping to see Rohit Sharma being included in the playing eleven for the next match. With two more games to go, it would be an excellent opportunity for Rohit to prove his mettle and contribute to the team. India will be trying their best to bounce back and level the series.