Fight To Reclaim The Lost Honour

India Vs Sri Lanka, Match 5

Yet another terrific match in the ongoing tri-series at Adelaide came to an end. India almost won another thriller. In the end Sri Lanka didn’t win nor did India lose it. The match ended in a tie with teams ending at identical score in allotted 50 over, 236/9. Kudos to brilliant batting by Gambhir (91 runs off 106 balls) and captain cool – Dhoni (58 runs off 69 balls)!

A Win, A Loss and A Win !

The Latest on Indian Tour of Australia

That’s what Indian Cricket team’s scorecard reads after the last 3 matches played in Australia. Consistency is what seems to be missing not just with the team performance but also with the team selection. The latest thing to make news is Indian team’s rotation policy. Resting key players when they are most demanded! Now that sure is a great way to gain solid and good consistent performance.

Format Changes But Not The Result

India Vs Australia 1^st T20

It was a different venue, different version of the game, a much younger and fresh Indian team. Dhoni a day prior to this game told the media persons “From Kishore Kumar we have gone to Sean Paul.” He was emphasising on the team composition which he believed was a lot younger and better than the test team he captained. The result at the end of days play – India lost its 1^st T20 game by 31 runs against Australia.

Adelaide - The Last Nail in the Coffin! Indians Are Going To Be Buried and Buried Deep!

India Vs Australia 4th Test, Adelaide.

At the end of Day 4 of the 4^th test at Adelaide, the score board read India 166/6 in 56 over(s). All the much celebrated batsmen of the Indian team, so called champions of the World Cup 2011 sat in the pavilion probably sipping the evening tea. They had failed yet again and their performance was much on the expected lines.

Australia needs just 4 more wickets to complete the whitewash. They would complete all formalities required for the same on day 5, may be in less than 4 hours tomorrow. Barring Virat Kohli’s century in the 1^st innings (116 runs off 213 balls) and Virender Sehwag’s half century in the 2^nd innings (62 runs off 53 balls), none of the other Indian batsmen performance is worthy of discussion.

Adelaide Is Where The Nightmare Will Finally Come To An End For Indian Fans!

Asian teams playing cricket overseas have always struggled to win matches. If they ever win a series then it’s like creating history.

Here’s a small comparison between two credible Asian teams performances both playing overseas. Both have lost the series. One was playing a 5 match ODI series against mighty South Africa and the other is playing a 4 match test series against Australia.

The significant difference is although the team playing against South Africa lost the series; they fought back and fought hard. They won hearts and for sure least salvaged some pride.

A New Diamond Emerges From Cricket Stadium At Kimberly – Perera!

South Africa Vs Sri Lanka 4^th ODI

Perera who? That would have been my reaction if I had not watched the match between Sri Lanka and South Africa last night. However I did watch it and it was all worthy of my lost sleep.  As I saw spectacular batting by little know Sri Lankan called Thisara Perera who seemed to be on a rampage against South Africa. He ensured Sri Lanka had something to rejoice about the tour despite having already lost the series. This victory in the 4^th ODI restored some of the lost pride.

England Lose and They Lose it Big!

England Vs Pakistan 1^st  Test

The current number one ranked team in test cricket, England lost by 10 wickets against Pakistan. Pakistan is now leading the 3 test match series in Dubai handing 1-0. It is a fantastic victory for Pakistan coming right at the beginning of the year.

English team failed miserably as they failed to score runs by getting out for less than 200 run(s) in both the innings. Pakistan on the other hand played incredible cricket. They fared well in both batting and bowling department. They were successful in winning the match with two days to spare.

The English Fight Back - In Dubai!

England Vs Pakistan 1^st  Test

After a disastrous batting collapse in their 1^st innings, England seem to have made a good back. At the end of Play on Day 2 they had succeeded in getting 7 wickets. Pakistan team had made 288 run(s) in 104.3 over(s) having lost 7 wickets. The match is now more evenly placed than what was thought earlier. Pakistan still has an upper hand with 96 run(s) lead and 3 wickets in hand.

The key highlight of the days play was the 114 run(s) partnership of M. Hafeez and T. Umar for the first wicket. Mohammad Hafeez with 88 run(s) of 164 ball(s) was the top scorer, which included 11 boundaries and a sixer. Taufeeq Umar ( 58 off 113) and Misbah-ul-Haq (52 off 154 balls) also contributed with valuable half centuries.

The Turning Point Of The Day

English Desert Safari Begins On A Disastrous Note

England Vs Pakistan 1^st Test Match

Fantastic bowling by Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal devastated England team in the 1^st Innings of their 1^st match being played at Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai. Saeed Ajmal took 7 wickets giving away just 55 runs in 24.3 over(s). He was like a man on a mission and England could manage just 192 runs in their 1^st innings. At the end of days play Pakistan were 42/0 with both the opening batsmen Mohammed Hafeez 22(49) and Taufeeq Umar 18(42) unbeaten at the crease.

Adelaide - Will It Be The Burial Ground!

Indian Cricket Teams - Thunder Down Under!

Come 24th January and you will be witnessing already battered and for certain lost Indian team against Australia at Adelaide. It would be the 4th and final test match of the series. India has already lost the series, so now its pride they play for. Australia has taken an unassailable lead of 3-0 in the series. A whitewash looks certain. So will Adelaide be the burial grounds or will India rise from ashes and sour high into the sky like phoenix.

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.

Indian Nightmare in Oz Land turns worst

India Vs Australia 3rd Test at Perth, Australia

Disdainful! That’s the only word that comes to my mind when I look at the performance of Indian cricket team in the ongoing test series against Australia. It’s not that I love to criticize just because I enjoy the freedom of penning my thoughts in this nation. It’s just a reflection of the sentiments of the billions of crazy cricket fans of India.


0-6 before this match began and now it looks like it’s going to 0-7. I’m just counting Indian cricket team’s consecutive losses in test matches played overseas. A white wash seems to be a certainty in this series as well. The body language of Indian team suggests that they have already lost the series in their minds.


I’m sure the captain Indian team Dhoni will say addressing the press that it’s humanly possible to keep everybody happy all the time. And may also say that cricket is a sport and you lose and win some. We need to be sportive enough to accept defeat gracefully. But he is missing the critical view of the fans. It’s not defeats that the fans can’t accept but it is the manner and the margin with which Indian cricket team has been losing.

Poor performance of Indian cricket team continues.

The 3rd test match began on Friday the 13th. Supposedly not an auspicious day, and hey did I hear someone say that this has something to do with pathetic performance of Indian team and its sheer bad luck. Then think again, Australians where able get India all out on day 1 and also slam 149 runs without losing any wicket at the end of play. This included 69 ball ton by David Warner. So luck my friends has nothing to do with it.


The 3 stallions of Indian team fondly called The Wall, The God and The Special all crumbled to dust. When Kohili and Laxman where in the middle trying to forge a partnership together, It looked as if Indians despite early loss of wickets might be able to steady the ship. Kohili looked good and I thought he might be all fired up after the M-finger episode during the last match. But that hope was short lived and he was out at 44. That was the highest individual score for Indian team in their 1st innings.


And then when Australia began their batting, the only word to describe the fashion in which they batted is Slaughtering! Right nothing else can explain how well they batted. By the end of Day 1 Australian opening pair had managed to score 149 runs in 23 over’s. It looked to me as if they were playing a T20 game and not a test match.


Day 2 was not all that great for Indian team. Australians continued to bat well and keep piling the runs. That was until the young lad Umesh Yadav probably bowling his best in this series was able to get 5 wickets. (Umesh Yadav 5/93 in 17 over’s). Subsequently Australian team was all out at 369 in 76.2 over’s. The young boy to say the least at least attempted to salvage some pride and honour.


However as I sit and watch Indian teams batting in the 2nd innings and write this piece of article in parallel, India is struggling at 63/4 in 22.4 over’s. They are still trailing by 145 runs. Dravid and Kohli are playing at the moment. There are still 13.2 over’s to go before end of day 2. Defeat is quiet unavoidable for Indian team. However I’m hoping that India doesn’t lose this game by an Innings and a big margin of runs.

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.

India Down Under!

India vs Australia – Test Series, 2011-12

Well Indian team is certainly down currently. The much hyped tour of Indian cricket team to Australia seems to have bombed on the face of all the marketers who named it Agnipath series. After the last tour of Indian team to Australia and the monkeygate episode, India v/s Australia rivalry was pitted to be next big thing cricketing domain. It was supposed to have pipped age old famous rivalries in cricket such as India v/s Pakistan and England v/s Australia. 

However such rivalry is great in cricket when every match played is an exciting contest to watch. Two well balanced teams try to get better of each other. To say the least it should be a match where the opponents feel the heat, irrespective of who wins it in the end. Sadly the current series doesn't seem to be of that calibre. 

The Indians began the series on a very sorry note. 1st Test, played at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne ended on Day 4 itself. Australia won the match by 122 runs. It was a hard fought game and Indian bowling was quiet appreciated. Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav got 7 wickets each in the game and India was able to get Aussies all out in both the innings. It was batting which let India down. India managed to score just 169 runs in their 2nd Innings and where all out in just 47.5 over’s. James Pattinson was awarded man of the match for his all round performance in the game.

India vs Australia – 2nd TEST

Indians where expected to bounce back into the series during the 2nd Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney which began on 3^rd Jan 2012. Things only went from bad to worse for Indians as Indian team which won the toss and elected to bat was bowled out for 191 runs in their first innings. MS Dhoni along with R Ashwin tried to steady the ship but it looked as if it was too little too late. In the end Dhoni remained not out having scored the only half century in the Indian innings. He made 57 runs of 77 balls.

Good show by Indian bowlers in the previous match had raised the expectations. The raw pace of Yadav and experience of Zaheer and Ishant were expected to deliver the goods at this critical juncture in the match. Zaheer succeeded in delivering what was anticipated, he got 3 quick wickets in the beginning of the innings. Australia where struggling at 37/3 by the end of 9^th over.

But what happened from there on completely changed the paradigm of the game. Australian batsmen completely dominated the game and slaughtered the Indian bowling attack. Ricky Ponting scored his 40^th Test hundred when he succeeded in taking a cheeky single of Ishant’s ball and Zaheer’s throw missed the stumps. Ponting finally got out after scoring 134. Australia by then was in a comfortable position and the scoreboard read 325/4. This was the last wicket to fall in the Australian innings. Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey made sure they make the most of the poor bowling by India. Both batsmen stayed not out on Day 3 when Australia declared the innings having amassed 659 runs having lost just 4 wickets. Michael Clarke made 329 and Hussey 150 runs.

The game has just ended for the day at 12:30 PM IST. Indian team has managed to score 114/2 in 41 over(s). India trails by 354 run(s) at stumps. Gautam Gambhir who got out for duck in the 1^st innings is currently not out at 68* along with Sachin Tendulkar not out at 8*. With 2 more days to go and India still needing 354 runs to make Aussies bat again the scales are tipped in favour of Australia. It would be only a miracle that can now save India from losing this game.

Mumbai Indians make it to CLT20 finals!

Well its official now, CL T20 finals will see two IPL teams fighting for champions glory at Chennai at 8PM on 9th Oct 2011.

Mumbai Indians (MI) beat Somerset by 10 runs in the 2nd semi-finals of ongoing Champions League T20 tournament. No prizes of guessing who was the man in action, it was slinger Malinga!

Lasith Malinga was awarded Man of the match

for his match winning bowling performance, 4/20 of 4 overs.

Mumbai Indians won the toss & elected to bat and scored 160/5 in 20 Overs. They batted well to ensure they set a fighting target. Key contributors were Aiden Blizzard 54 runs of 39 balls and R. Satish 25 runs of 12 balls. 

Somerset who have had a great series fell short by 10 runs chasing the target set by MI. At the end of 20 overs Somerset could only gather 150 runs having lost 7 wickets. Craig Kieswetter made an impressive 62 runs of 46 balls, which included 7 boundaries and 1 six. 

The turning point of the match was the 19th Over when Harbhajan reintroduced James Franklin to bowl. He got the key wickets of Craig Kieswetter and Jos Buttler in the 19th over. Somerset needed 15 runs of the last over and it looked tough challenge, considering the fact that it was Malinga who bowled the 20th Over. Malinga gave away just 4 runs of his last over and also picked 2 more wickets in addition to 2 wickets he had picked in his earlier spell.

Now on eyes set on the big finals, when Mumbai Indians take on Royal Challengers Bangalore. It would be an amazing contest between Bat and Bowl. More than being a RCB Vs MI match, it would be Gayle Vs Malinga.

Royal Challengers Bangalore outdo New South Wales

What a victory! What a match! Red devils of T20 cricket (read Royal Challengers Bangalore) have made it to the CLT20 finals (champion’s league T20). Not once but twice, RCB successfully chased a score above 200 in consecutive games.

David Warner played an amazing knock of 123 runs (68 balls) for New South Wales Blues (NSW).

 

But alas it all went in vain as NSW lost the match to RCB. Superb partnership between Chris Gayle 92 runs (41 balls) and Virat Kohli 84 runs (49 balls) took the game away from NSW. Virat was awarded the man of the match, rightly so as he played sensibly and stood not out till the end of game.

 

The match result RCB 204/4 (18.3) beat NSW 203/2 (20). Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 6 wickets

Chris Gayle again weaved his magic yet again. In the last game against Red backs he was superb as usual. That game will particularly be remembered for the 6 of the last ball by A Karthik. It was simply splendid. And the game will always stay memorable for RCB. To bounce back from bottom of the table to being a semi-finalist needs some real talent. 

RCB will now play the winner of Mumbai Indians – Somerset game to be played in Chennai on 8^th Oct 2011. The finals of T20 champion’s league will be played on 9^th Oct 2011 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

India Win The Series As The 3rd Test Ends In A Draw

Series Victory For India

When players from both teams shook hands on day 5, the score card read India: 94/3 of 32 over’s in their second innings. It was sign that both captains had agreed for a draw. There were still 90 balls to be bowled. India needed 86 runs runs of the remaining 15 over’s, but captain Dhoni said he didn’t wish to risk losing the series.

The 3rd test match between India and West Indies ended in a draw. And India had won the test series 1-0, after having the ODI series 3-2. With victory in the one-off T20 game in the beginning of the tour India had emerged successful in all forms of cricket played in the Caribbean during the current tour.

Although India had won the test series, it was clear that current Indian team lacked the killer instincts. I personally felt disappointed as I had expected Indians to play like true champions and dominate the entire series.

 

Brilliant cricket by West Indies

Two batsmen who played brilliant cricket in the 3rd test match were Kirk Edwards and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Edwards made 110 runs of 195 balls and Chanderpaul played a brilliant knock of 116(343 balls). For the record Chanderpaul hit his 23rd test hundred in this match and remained not out at the end of 2nd Innings of West Indies. Fidel Edwards and Chanderpaul added 65 runs for the 9th wicket. This was a key partnership and frustrated the Indian bowlers for sure.

Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma picked 6 wickets each in the 3rd test match for India. Ishant Sharma picked 5/77 in 1st innings and Bhaji picked 4/75 runs in 2nd Innings for India. 

Chanderpaul deservingly won the man of the match award and Ishant Sharma won the man of the series title for his 22 wickets haul in the series. This is record in itself for Ishant, as his 22 wickets are the most by an Indian fast bowler in a three-Test series.

Coming up next for team India is their tour to England. India’s focus is now shifted on to their first Test against England at Lord’s on July 21.

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.