With the fourth and the final test to be played in Sydney, Australia are brimming with confidence, and would even give young Ashton Agar a chance in the team, who was recalled earlier prior to the fourth test.
India on the other hand have this task of gathering itself together after the series defeat and with final test to go in the 4 match Test series down under.
The new captain in the form of Virat Kohli has some tremendous runs under his belt and is easily among the players with huge confidence. Taking over the mantle after MS Dhoni retired from Test Cricket, Virat would be looking , if there is any need for a change or two in the team composition.
It is the India's first line of batting and bowling attack which played at MCG, if at all there could be any change and that might be in the form of playing the leg spin of Karn Sharma, who was given the chance in the first test.
Also troubling the India's scheme of things is the middle order batting, with the series drawing to a close, Rohit Sharma was not amongst the runs in first two and KL Rahul the new comer failed in his first test, which gives India little room to decide whether to bring in a new face for the last match of the series or go with the same team.
Cheteshwar Pujara is another batsmen in Indian line up who is not amongst the runs on this tour, he scored runs on the South Africa in 2014 and that should back the middle order batsman in these times. A good solid knock would go a long way in his career and India need him to score some big runs in the middle order.
Wriddhiman Saha played in place of MS Dhoni in the series opener of the tour, and would have never thought in his dreams that he would have to be ready to play full time role so soon courtesy the sudden and shocking retirement of the former Indian Skipper. Axar Patel, Sanju Samson are the other new faces on this tour one would like to have a look. Though Indian audience had the glimpse of the players in the T20 league, Test Cricket is altogether a different grind. If any one of them gets the chance, it'll be the best way one could have the feel of International Cricket and who knows can turn up with best figures on debut.
Time flies so quick and fast, the tragic circumstances under which the series started, the teams will be returning to the Sydney Cricket Ground where Phil Hughes succumbed to fatal injury a month earlier. Words cannot fill the void, the slot in the batting order has his indelible mark that only he can fill in the Australian line up and it will be a moist and poignant moment for the followers across the cricketing world. Phil Hughes remains in the heart of the cricket lovers, forever 63 Not Out.
Valleyz.Blog
Showing posts with label Cricket Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cricket Articles. Show all posts
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
MS Dhoni retires from Test Cricket to continue as Skipper in ODI and T20 formats of the game
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's retirement from Test Cricket has come as a shocking news to many people across the cricketing world. Even though MSD fared a little low this year in terms of averages, he is still the No.1 Wicket-Keeper batsmen that any team in the world would like to have.
Perhaps the sporting acumen and his vision of Indian cricket has forced him to take such a drastic decision. MSD lead from the front and Indian team was a force to reckon with when playing at home. He understood the strengths of every player very well and his cricketing acumen kept him in the good books of administrators for a long time.
MSD led India to World No 1 Test rankings during his stint as the captain and won many fans across the world. He led at a time when India was at it's peak in the International Test arena, consisting of players of calibre like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Zaheer Khan. India won Test matches across the world with regular tenacity.
After the retirement of the stalwarts it was the crucial phase of rebuilding the team with new comers and he handled that pressure too quite well. Only the results went dry and that went heavy on his captaincy record watched by a cricket crazy fans. The pressure was there to win abroad quickly and off late the teams fledgling fortunes overseas particularly the series in England and Australia should have influenced his decision.
After Ganguly and Azharuddin, MS Dhoni is most succesful captain in Indian cricket, who handled the job of being the skipper of the Indian team with great maturity and acumen and recorded a handsome winning percentage, that won him many fans across the cricketing world. His decision to retire has left many in this nation of cricket lovers sad and humbled.
Valleyz.Blog
Perhaps the sporting acumen and his vision of Indian cricket has forced him to take such a drastic decision. MSD lead from the front and Indian team was a force to reckon with when playing at home. He understood the strengths of every player very well and his cricketing acumen kept him in the good books of administrators for a long time.
MSD led India to World No 1 Test rankings during his stint as the captain and won many fans across the world. He led at a time when India was at it's peak in the International Test arena, consisting of players of calibre like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Zaheer Khan. India won Test matches across the world with regular tenacity.
After the retirement of the stalwarts it was the crucial phase of rebuilding the team with new comers and he handled that pressure too quite well. Only the results went dry and that went heavy on his captaincy record watched by a cricket crazy fans. The pressure was there to win abroad quickly and off late the teams fledgling fortunes overseas particularly the series in England and Australia should have influenced his decision.
After Ganguly and Azharuddin, MS Dhoni is most succesful captain in Indian cricket, who handled the job of being the skipper of the Indian team with great maturity and acumen and recorded a handsome winning percentage, that won him many fans across the cricketing world. His decision to retire has left many in this nation of cricket lovers sad and humbled.
Valleyz.Blog
Monday, December 29, 2014
Defensive Australia seeks safe total to declare on fifth day to draw the third test at MCG
Australia managed to take a handsome lead of 326 runs at the end of 4th days play, yet the side was not able to pose a fighting total and continued to play at a very slow pace and shows that Australia are on the defensive and do not want to provide any chance for the visitors to come back in the series.
It is a clear ploy that either they want to win or draw with no possibility of losing the match. It is not sporting for a side to play for five days and yet does not want to see any competitor in it's sights. It feels like Aussie doesn't want to see an entertainer but a series securing draw, so that it pleases their rankings and stats. And it wants India to chase a in-surmountable total in as many less overs as possible.
Strategy is in contrast to what Virat Kohli did at Adelaide and went on the chase a total and lost the match in pursuit of victory. If a side is chasing down a total at a net rate of 4 and more an over credit goes to the side that is doing it and not otherwise.
The reason for this scenario developed as Indian bowlers managed to run through the Australia middle order and scalped four middle order batsmen from 131/2 to 202/6 with loss of Smith, Rogers, Burns and Haddin in the space of 70 odd runs. That slowed down Australia and they went on the defensive strategy.
Unlike the first Test at Adelaide that Mitchell Marsh played, and had clear instructions to go after the bowling, and he did that scoring very fast with Steve Smith at the other end, and Australia declared the innings that evening on the fourth day itself.
With three wickets in hand Australia are playing defensive here at MCG to put up a more defensive total than a fighting one, it is eating up time in the match and would force the opposition to play for a draw instead of a result, that would make it a very boring contest in the end.
What would Australia do on a fifth day of a test match with three wickets still in hand, Why didn't it fast paced the innings and declare on fourth day, so that it could be a sporting contest?
Valleyz.Blog
It is a clear ploy that either they want to win or draw with no possibility of losing the match. It is not sporting for a side to play for five days and yet does not want to see any competitor in it's sights. It feels like Aussie doesn't want to see an entertainer but a series securing draw, so that it pleases their rankings and stats. And it wants India to chase a in-surmountable total in as many less overs as possible.
Strategy is in contrast to what Virat Kohli did at Adelaide and went on the chase a total and lost the match in pursuit of victory. If a side is chasing down a total at a net rate of 4 and more an over credit goes to the side that is doing it and not otherwise.
The reason for this scenario developed as Indian bowlers managed to run through the Australia middle order and scalped four middle order batsmen from 131/2 to 202/6 with loss of Smith, Rogers, Burns and Haddin in the space of 70 odd runs. That slowed down Australia and they went on the defensive strategy.
Unlike the first Test at Adelaide that Mitchell Marsh played, and had clear instructions to go after the bowling, and he did that scoring very fast with Steve Smith at the other end, and Australia declared the innings that evening on the fourth day itself.
With three wickets in hand Australia are playing defensive here at MCG to put up a more defensive total than a fighting one, it is eating up time in the match and would force the opposition to play for a draw instead of a result, that would make it a very boring contest in the end.
What would Australia do on a fifth day of a test match with three wickets still in hand, Why didn't it fast paced the innings and declare on fourth day, so that it could be a sporting contest?
Valleyz.Blog
Saturday, December 27, 2014
India at a crucial stage in the first innings on Day 3 in the third test at MCG
India are at a crucial stage with 108 runs on the board at the loss of Shikhar Dhawan's wicket in their response to Australia's 530 runs on the second day of play.
Earlier Australia scored at a brisk pace resuming their first innings on day 2 with Brad Haddin nullifying the India tactic of bowling short to the batsman. Haddin hooked, pulled and lofted the clueless Indian pace attack in the morning to notch first fifty in the series.
Indian batsman tried hard and bowled short to Haddin in order to scalp the batsman's wicket, noting his uneasy stance in playing the short ball. But to the surprise of Indian bowlers, Haddin opened up his stance by freeing his front leg which gave him ample opportunity to score runs at will, until he himself committed an unforced error and edged a ball while trying to leave it to the keeper, in a similar fashion Indian Skipper MS Dhoni got out in the previous test.
India did not attack Aussie Skipper Steve Smith as much as they bowled short to Haddin, and that proved costly for the team, as Smith held up the Australian lower middle order together and stitched crucial partnerships with Ryan Harris too.
Ryan Harris played a good role and proved again that Australian lower order is the better off scoring runs than the Indian lower order as the bowlers struggled once again to get wickets.
Captain Smith and Harris built a 106 run partnership as Australia scorecard read 482 for 6 at that stage. As soon as Harris fell for 75 playing across to Ashwin, Australia stepped up to score quick runs as Smith went after the bowlers before the side got bowled out for mammoth 530 runs on the board with Skipper the last man out for a fabulous 192.
India started their first innings with confidence as both the openers survived probing line by the Aussie bowlers. Until Dhawan got out to a menacing Harris delivery which the batsman tried to play to the third man, instead edging it to the slips. Harris is a dark horse in the Australia bowling line up, he can swing the ball both ways and his seam is deceiving to say the least and often gives Australia crucial break through.
India are up against a good bowling attack and complacency will prove costly for the India as there isn't much depth in the Indian batting order as the Aussie side has. India are prone to batting collapses and often play contrary to their potential and provide opposition the chance to come back in to the game.
Where as Australia seldom made this mistake in the series. So far they've accepted every chance the tourists provided them.
If India are to stay in the series, batters need to present something special on day 3 to the Aussie bowling attack including the off-spin of playing Nathan Lyon. Other wise it will be remembered as a tour when the team didn't played to it's full potential, despite some good players in the team.
Valleyz.Blog
Earlier Australia scored at a brisk pace resuming their first innings on day 2 with Brad Haddin nullifying the India tactic of bowling short to the batsman. Haddin hooked, pulled and lofted the clueless Indian pace attack in the morning to notch first fifty in the series.
Indian batsman tried hard and bowled short to Haddin in order to scalp the batsman's wicket, noting his uneasy stance in playing the short ball. But to the surprise of Indian bowlers, Haddin opened up his stance by freeing his front leg which gave him ample opportunity to score runs at will, until he himself committed an unforced error and edged a ball while trying to leave it to the keeper, in a similar fashion Indian Skipper MS Dhoni got out in the previous test.
India did not attack Aussie Skipper Steve Smith as much as they bowled short to Haddin, and that proved costly for the team, as Smith held up the Australian lower middle order together and stitched crucial partnerships with Ryan Harris too.
Ryan Harris played a good role and proved again that Australian lower order is the better off scoring runs than the Indian lower order as the bowlers struggled once again to get wickets.
Captain Smith and Harris built a 106 run partnership as Australia scorecard read 482 for 6 at that stage. As soon as Harris fell for 75 playing across to Ashwin, Australia stepped up to score quick runs as Smith went after the bowlers before the side got bowled out for mammoth 530 runs on the board with Skipper the last man out for a fabulous 192.
India started their first innings with confidence as both the openers survived probing line by the Aussie bowlers. Until Dhawan got out to a menacing Harris delivery which the batsman tried to play to the third man, instead edging it to the slips. Harris is a dark horse in the Australia bowling line up, he can swing the ball both ways and his seam is deceiving to say the least and often gives Australia crucial break through.
India are up against a good bowling attack and complacency will prove costly for the India as there isn't much depth in the Indian batting order as the Aussie side has. India are prone to batting collapses and often play contrary to their potential and provide opposition the chance to come back in to the game.
Where as Australia seldom made this mistake in the series. So far they've accepted every chance the tourists provided them.
If India are to stay in the series, batters need to present something special on day 3 to the Aussie bowling attack including the off-spin of playing Nathan Lyon. Other wise it will be remembered as a tour when the team didn't played to it's full potential, despite some good players in the team.
Valleyz.Blog
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Cricket administration in India is to blame for the team's debacle overseas so consistently.
There cannot be any justification for the batsmen to present any excuses when they are not performing, that is the what the game is all about, if you're out, you must leave the crease.
Now if you keep claiming that such and such thing happened that's why I got out is a lame excuse to the glaring reality and fact that you've been caught behind on a legal rising delivery that was up to your throat and you ought to have left it alone, and you could not fend it off (blame it on your technique or become superstitious). You could not keep it out and that's a failure.
Accept it as a part and parcel of the game, agree you lost fairly and squarely and move on, that is what sportsmanship is all about.
Unfortunately, our batsmen are in their dreams eternally, when they suddenly wake up on a day three pitch to a fiery spell from Australia's most prolific and fastest left arm bowling action from Johnson. That's always music to any batsman's ears in the world.
Are Indian batsmen colour blind or what, can't they spot the pitch of the delivery and leave those short in your throat deliveries, can't they duck? no, no, no it's the flaw in their technique and temperament, that is honed on sub-continental yawning pitches, where the ball takes a huge effort from a speedster even to rise below the waist of the batsmen.
The greatness of any batsmen or a bowler of a touring team is measured on how one's own performance contributes to the team's overall success in over coming the challenges on a foreign tour, exposing your limited experience to overcome them with sheer brilliance and discipline.
Presenting the excuse of an inexperienced side or a match day mishap is just so lame, that you are shirking from taking responsibility that you've consciously taken a decision to do so. Who would buy that?
Honestly speaking, in India the Crickets as a sport has been heavily politicized and monetized, and as such talent is hindered showing up regularly, gone are the days of a reliable middle order or a solid opening pair or mercurial spinners or a genuine all-rounder .
Here we have a so called 'inexperienced' side which is always in the process of getting 'experienced' for half a decade before winning a single game of a Test match overseas.
Why are our Test players so lacking in technique and temperament, Why the team has been exposed very badly overseas on the seaming and bouncy pitches?
Our batsmen make tons of runs in domestic games even internationally, but hardly score a fifty when the situation demands, they simply go into a shell and they won't come out of it until they are back playing on the home turf notching a 'scintillating double ton' belting the same speedsters that they cannot defend even for a few overs when overseas.
There is something awfully wrong to say that Indian players can't compete internationally. It's the complete failure of the Cricket administration in India to have brought the team in such a precarious mess, that you always look up to players like Tendulkar's, Kohli's every time in a match to save the team from sporting disasters overseas.
If the mindset of the cricket administration in India, is just to 'manage' the things than winning a series or two in over half a decade overseas, is like bringing bad name to the overall health of the sport in the country, no one will want to side with a team which loses and loses. Accepting defeats consistently is mediocrity.
It is Cricket administration in India to blame for the team's debacle overseas so consistently.
Valleyz.Blog
Now if you keep claiming that such and such thing happened that's why I got out is a lame excuse to the glaring reality and fact that you've been caught behind on a legal rising delivery that was up to your throat and you ought to have left it alone, and you could not fend it off (blame it on your technique or become superstitious). You could not keep it out and that's a failure.
Accept it as a part and parcel of the game, agree you lost fairly and squarely and move on, that is what sportsmanship is all about.
Unfortunately, our batsmen are in their dreams eternally, when they suddenly wake up on a day three pitch to a fiery spell from Australia's most prolific and fastest left arm bowling action from Johnson. That's always music to any batsman's ears in the world.
Are Indian batsmen colour blind or what, can't they spot the pitch of the delivery and leave those short in your throat deliveries, can't they duck? no, no, no it's the flaw in their technique and temperament, that is honed on sub-continental yawning pitches, where the ball takes a huge effort from a speedster even to rise below the waist of the batsmen.
The greatness of any batsmen or a bowler of a touring team is measured on how one's own performance contributes to the team's overall success in over coming the challenges on a foreign tour, exposing your limited experience to overcome them with sheer brilliance and discipline.
Presenting the excuse of an inexperienced side or a match day mishap is just so lame, that you are shirking from taking responsibility that you've consciously taken a decision to do so. Who would buy that?
Honestly speaking, in India the Crickets as a sport has been heavily politicized and monetized, and as such talent is hindered showing up regularly, gone are the days of a reliable middle order or a solid opening pair or mercurial spinners or a genuine all-rounder .
Here we have a so called 'inexperienced' side which is always in the process of getting 'experienced' for half a decade before winning a single game of a Test match overseas.
Why are our Test players so lacking in technique and temperament, Why the team has been exposed very badly overseas on the seaming and bouncy pitches?
Our batsmen make tons of runs in domestic games even internationally, but hardly score a fifty when the situation demands, they simply go into a shell and they won't come out of it until they are back playing on the home turf notching a 'scintillating double ton' belting the same speedsters that they cannot defend even for a few overs when overseas.
There is something awfully wrong to say that Indian players can't compete internationally. It's the complete failure of the Cricket administration in India to have brought the team in such a precarious mess, that you always look up to players like Tendulkar's, Kohli's every time in a match to save the team from sporting disasters overseas.
If the mindset of the cricket administration in India, is just to 'manage' the things than winning a series or two in over half a decade overseas, is like bringing bad name to the overall health of the sport in the country, no one will want to side with a team which loses and loses. Accepting defeats consistently is mediocrity.
It is Cricket administration in India to blame for the team's debacle overseas so consistently.
Valleyz.Blog
Friday, December 19, 2014
Indian middle order needs to click if it is to save the Second test at Gabba 2014 vs Australia
India is in a precarious position to save this Test match on the fourth day of the second test at Brisbane.
Still two days to go in the match, India needs to bat out at least four sessions to save this match. Australia will no doubt fancy it's chances any run chase below 300.
That possibility should be taken seriously by India in order to salvage the Test match if not winning it.
Given the Indian middle order repertoire, the side could wind up without posing a decent total to defend even if it's top batsmen score centuries.
It is not as if the top order batsmen failed on this tour, despite the batsmen scoring centuries other batsmen didn't capitalize on the opportunity. That's where Australia is marginally ahead in this series.
With Rohit Sharma's below the expectations performance, India can hardly afford to loose any more wickets as it is already one down.
So the match is more favorably tilted towards the hosts and it is the tourists I feel that have the work cut out.
Nathan Lyon has already won a match for Australia and Hazlewood has shown great performance in the first innings of the ongoing test, Australia has no dearth of bowling specialists to Test India batsmen.
Can the Indian batsmen particularly the middle order with stand the onslaught from the Aussie pace and spin combo is the question.
Valleyz.Blog
Still two days to go in the match, India needs to bat out at least four sessions to save this match. Australia will no doubt fancy it's chances any run chase below 300.
That possibility should be taken seriously by India in order to salvage the Test match if not winning it.
Given the Indian middle order repertoire, the side could wind up without posing a decent total to defend even if it's top batsmen score centuries.
It is not as if the top order batsmen failed on this tour, despite the batsmen scoring centuries other batsmen didn't capitalize on the opportunity. That's where Australia is marginally ahead in this series.
With Rohit Sharma's below the expectations performance, India can hardly afford to loose any more wickets as it is already one down.
So the match is more favorably tilted towards the hosts and it is the tourists I feel that have the work cut out.
Nathan Lyon has already won a match for Australia and Hazlewood has shown great performance in the first innings of the ongoing test, Australia has no dearth of bowling specialists to Test India batsmen.
Can the Indian batsmen particularly the middle order with stand the onslaught from the Aussie pace and spin combo is the question.
Valleyz.Blog
Thursday, December 19, 2013
IndvsSA Jo'burg Test 2013: Ishant Sharma does damage to South Africa top order, Shami and Zaheer pitch in.
India put up a very good performance with the ball after
dismal show with the bat on the second day of the Johannesburg Test at the
Wanderers in South Africa.
Valleyz.Blog
Resuming to bat with overnight score of 5/255 the Indian
batting collapsed for 280 all out.
The bowlers for South Africa were relieved a lot as the last
recognized batting pair of MS Dhoni and
Ajinkya Rahane hardly managed to
disturb the scoreboard.
Vernon Philander scalped four wickets in the process and was
the most destructive.
South Africa started cautiously with Graeme Smith and Alviro
Peterson at the crease as the opening pair. Duo dodged the
opening spell and were looking quite comfortable until Alviro Peterson was out.
Hashim Amla came to the crease to join company with his
skipper, then Graeme Smith was dropped in the slips by Ashwin off Zaheer Khan.
It looked to be a costly miss, as the runs started to flow for South Africa.
Until Ishant Sharma with his decisive in-swingers removed
Hashim Amla clean bowled offering no shot and trapping Jacques Kallis at the
crease, and then Smith was trapped leg before by Zaheer Khan.
South Africa was 2/130 and soon collapsed to 6/146 until
Philander and Du Plesis offered some late resistance to Indian onslaught with
the ball.
Mohammed Shami took the fifth and the sixth wickets for
India in the same over to send back, JP Duminy and AB Devilliers with some good
bowling.
Though initially South Africa looked to bat comfortably
against Indian bowlers, but soon was exposed to a fine display of rare pace
bowling from the Indian trio.
Though Ashwin bowled a few overs but it was the pace battery
of India that did most of the job on the second day.
Pitch offered variable bounce through out the day, with many
balls keeping low and should have affected the batsmen’s reading of the pitch
bounce and pace.
Hashim Amla might have expected the ball to bounce over the
wicket but the ball nipped in sharply without the bounce the batsman was
expecting.
These are the indications that Indian batsmen should keep in
mind and try to play forward instead of staying back at the crease.
The feet movement and the ability to leave the ball out side
of off, ability to duck well directed bouncers and ability to resist the temptation
to drive the ball through covers should help the batsmen. And shots on the rise
when the ball is in the air and seaming should be resisted by the batsmen.
In the conditions like in South Africa the ball does a lot
on the pitch as well in the air.
Batsmen should concentrate hard to give India a chance in
this crucial Test match of the series.
One thing the South Africa batsmen did good was ducking the
well directed bouncers, they played them well and that is one of differences
the India batsmen should concentrate on ahead in the second innings.
How long the South African tail will wag will be interesting
to see.
Valleyz.Blog
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
IndvsSA Jo'burg Test 2013:India posts a steady 5/255 after a positive decision by the Indian Captain
Captain positive MS Dhoni won the toss and took a positive
decision to bat first, India posted a steady 5/255 taking cue from an inspiring
century from Virat Kohli on a fiery Wanderer’s pitch.
Valleyz.Blog
It was surprising to many analysts around the world, that
why would a captain put in line his batsmen against a fiery spell of fast
bowling on a fresh Wanderer’s pitch from one of the world’s best bowling
lineups.
Fortune favors the brave to say the least, and after both
the opener’s were sent back to the pavilion, slightly disproving the decision
of the captain, a watchful Virat Kohli and an equally adept Cheteshwar Pujara
saw to it that the pace battery takes rest after their onslaught.
Just when things began to fall in place for India after 2
early wickets, a casual yes and no left Cheteshwar Pujara well short of crease.
But Virat Kohli knew the importance of his wicket and knew that he need to bat
long for India, scored a brilliant century which had all the hallmarks of an
established batsman.
Shot selection from some of the Indian top order batsman is
poor and that’s where Rohit Sharma can concentrate little bit harder to see
that, on seaming wicket like at Jo’burg the ball travels at pace giving little
time for the batsmen to drive through the covers on the rise.
Rahane dug out harder and is holding on 43 not out with
Dhoni in company, and Ashwin to follow there is still some batting left in tail
of the Indian line up.
I think 400 would give India time to stay in the Test match
and a total of 450 plus will give it a chance to throw some questions back at
the hosts.
One of the important lessons from the first day for the top
order India batsmen is to read the situation around well and play accordingly,
the shot selection was not desirable to see from some of the batsmen who got
out cheaply.
And that’s where the experience in all rounder Jacques
Kallis comes in to play, he talks Virat Kohli to play onto a bad ball on the
rise to give a simple catch to a mid-on to wake him up from the deep slumber, lost his wicket when he could
have gone on for more easily, after scoring the century. Yes, he talks back at
himself, every time he gets out to a silly shot.
South Africa bowlers were right on the money, but some home
work by the Indian batsmen stood them in good stead with all the batsmen keen
to leave the ball outside of off-stump except the one played by Rohit Sharma
and Shikhar Dhawan had no clue to duck on to a well directed bouncer from Dale
Steyn.
Vernon Philander was probing and Mornie Morkel was at his
best, including a catch drop by Hashim Amla which was a little bit difficult of
his bowling.
India should try and carefully hold on to the marginal good
first innings total and build upon it to stay in the crucial Test match at
Wanderer’s.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Sachin's farewell series unearthed talent in debutants Rohit and Shami
Recently concluded Sachin's farewell series has unearthed talent of the debutants like Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
Rohit Sharma had to wait for his Test debut and made a mark when given the chance by back to back centuries. Mohammed Shami justified his debut by taking 9 wickets. Both of the players remember their memorable debut which enthralled the Kolkata crowd at Eden Gardens.
West Indies didn't perform up to their potential and had their chances in the first test when India lost six wickets for 150 plus runs until debutant Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin turned around the match for India. From there after India siezed the initiative and went on to win the match.
Second test at Wankhede the Sachin Tendulkar's final test at his home ground is a memorable one, for the way the Master batsman batted while at the crease.
The delicate cuts, straight drives, and subtle manoeuvrings of the pitch enthralled the crowd one last time for the vociferous audience at the Wankhede watching vintage Tendulkar in full flow.
And a delivery by Narsingh Deonarine outside of out stump had nothing in it except inviting the batsman to cut it for four, but sheer presence of Darren Sammy, lost his control while the fast flash of the bat which was traveling, had their been another fielder, there could have been a catch dropped.
But destiny had it and the Master batsman had to leave the crease after such a master class at the crease.
Crowd was watching the master batsman walking back to the pavilion for one last time and turning back to acknowledge the crowds gesture.
The match drew celebrities from across the spectrum including the Congress scion Prime Ministerial candidate Rahul Gandhi to Mumbai, bollywood stars including Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan were there to felicitate the champion batsmen.
Then the Master batsman gave a befitting farewell speech at the presentation ceremony which held the nation's breath for a moment.
A prodigy of Indian Cricket, SR Tendulkar went on and on and illustrated his 24 years of passionate journey with immaculate words coming straight from the heart.
They inspired a generation and a country was in a sombre mood both celebrating the class of the batsman and his retirement at the same time.
Though the Master batsman retired from the game but he will always be there in hearts and minds of millions of his die hard fans.
Such a short series with so many beautiful memories. Test Cricket could have never been any better except for the retirement of a legend.
Valleyz.Blog
Rohit Sharma had to wait for his Test debut and made a mark when given the chance by back to back centuries. Mohammed Shami justified his debut by taking 9 wickets. Both of the players remember their memorable debut which enthralled the Kolkata crowd at Eden Gardens.
West Indies didn't perform up to their potential and had their chances in the first test when India lost six wickets for 150 plus runs until debutant Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin turned around the match for India. From there after India siezed the initiative and went on to win the match.
Second test at Wankhede the Sachin Tendulkar's final test at his home ground is a memorable one, for the way the Master batsman batted while at the crease.
The delicate cuts, straight drives, and subtle manoeuvrings of the pitch enthralled the crowd one last time for the vociferous audience at the Wankhede watching vintage Tendulkar in full flow.
And a delivery by Narsingh Deonarine outside of out stump had nothing in it except inviting the batsman to cut it for four, but sheer presence of Darren Sammy, lost his control while the fast flash of the bat which was traveling, had their been another fielder, there could have been a catch dropped.
But destiny had it and the Master batsman had to leave the crease after such a master class at the crease.
Crowd was watching the master batsman walking back to the pavilion for one last time and turning back to acknowledge the crowds gesture.
The match drew celebrities from across the spectrum including the Congress scion Prime Ministerial candidate Rahul Gandhi to Mumbai, bollywood stars including Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan were there to felicitate the champion batsmen.
Then the Master batsman gave a befitting farewell speech at the presentation ceremony which held the nation's breath for a moment.
A prodigy of Indian Cricket, SR Tendulkar went on and on and illustrated his 24 years of passionate journey with immaculate words coming straight from the heart.
They inspired a generation and a country was in a sombre mood both celebrating the class of the batsman and his retirement at the same time.
Though the Master batsman retired from the game but he will always be there in hearts and minds of millions of his die hard fans.
Such a short series with so many beautiful memories. Test Cricket could have never been any better except for the retirement of a legend.
Valleyz.Blog
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Sachin Tendulkar's final test match is marked by euphoria, enthusiasm and celebrations.
Sachin Tendulkar's 200th test is marked by euphoria, enthusiasm and celebrations. Fans were watching the master practice on the field since morning during the warm up session ahead of the Second test against the West Indies.
The master batsman
was usual self going through all the drills and was fit as ever. The scenes the
people of this country will surely going to miss, Sachin Tendulkar preparing
for his final test of his splendid 24 year career.
It was in 1989 the
maestro made his debut, even before getting his driving license. His exploits
with the bat were already in everybody's knowledge. The world welcomed the iconic
batsman to the crease with utmost awe and disbelief.
With a boyish look on
his face and expectations of a cricket loving country, the champion batsman
walked to bat against the likes of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, the fear some
duo of fast bowling in the world cricket.
Thus began the story
of a young Sachin Tendulkar taking on the whizzing deliveries with confidence very
few have shown in the history of the game.
Where ever he went,
he was the cynosure of eyes, capturing the imagination of cricket followers all
around the world.
Sachin soon became a
house hold name in his home country India, and the world kept a close eye to
look for any fallacy in the batsman's technique.
He soon became a
nightmare for bowlers all across the world. Opposition teams would strategize
to take the wicket of the champion batsmen in major One Day Tournaments.
Since they knew if
Sachin lasts, the match is gone beyond doubt.
Sachin shared the
dressing room with the likes of classy Ravi Shastri, wristy Mohammed
Azharuddin, flamboyant Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, the wall and the stylish VVS
Laxman.
Virender Sehwag
emulated sachin on the field with the bat, and it was treat to see the Najafgarh
batsman matching with Sachin in scoring quickly.
Sachin Tendulkar won
several matches for his country single handedly, held up innings together in
the middle order.
In short he is the
batting mainstay, along with Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman, and it was India's
turn to climb up the order and rightly take the mantle of world's no 1 Test
team.
Sachin is remembered
for his commitment and dedication to the game.
He boasts such a
classic technique and game play that made batting look so easy. Sir Don Bradman
acknowledged, he was something special and looked like himself batting.
Bowlers cherished his
wicket and they knew that they could do little when the master's in the mood.
They always looked to take his wicket early in the innings.
Sachin was only
interested in taking care of his batting and the records just came by.
He scored the first
double hundred in a one day international, scored 100 centuries combining both
formats of the game.
The master batsman at
the crease at the Wankhede stadium in his world record 200th test, has already shown
glimpses of his classic self and the crowd went berserk, that included
celebrities including cricketing greats from across the world joining him to be
part of the occasion.
Sachin will be
batting tomorrow morning for a cricket crazy nation in his 200th test for India
at Wankhede stadium.
Whether he will be
part of a huge total on the board for India in this test or not, he already has
left a mark like no one has ever before in the history of Cricket.
Valleyz.Blog
Friday, November 8, 2013
India Vs West Indies First Test 2013: India wins the match in a splendid fashion at Eden Gardens Kolkata
India beat West Indies in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata with a superb performance with bat and the ball.
The two debutant players Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami Ahmed made this match a memorable one with splendid performances.
After Mohammed Shami's first innings haul of 4/71, it was Rohit Sharma's turn to score a hundred on debut.
Rohit Sharma with Ravichandran Ashwin combined well to put together a solid partnership that gave India 219 runs lead in the first innings with the team total of 456 all out.
Then Ravichandran Ashwin continued his good performance with the ball too picking up three West Indian wickets.
Mohammed Shami then ran through the West Indian middle and lower order with his reverse swinging deliveries, clean blowing most of the batsmen.
Eden Gardens crowd had some good entertainment cricket to watch with the spectacular performance from the Indian team, that made the farewell Sachin Tendulkar match a memorable one.
Now India move on to Mumbai for the second test Match of the series on Nov 14.
Hope the West Indian team take positives from the match where they were in a good position in the Test match and there after didn't look up to the mark, particularly with the bat.
Valleyz.Blog
The two debutant players Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami Ahmed made this match a memorable one with splendid performances.
After Mohammed Shami's first innings haul of 4/71, it was Rohit Sharma's turn to score a hundred on debut.
Rohit Sharma with Ravichandran Ashwin combined well to put together a solid partnership that gave India 219 runs lead in the first innings with the team total of 456 all out.
Then Ravichandran Ashwin continued his good performance with the ball too picking up three West Indian wickets.
Mohammed Shami then ran through the West Indian middle and lower order with his reverse swinging deliveries, clean blowing most of the batsmen.
Eden Gardens crowd had some good entertainment cricket to watch with the spectacular performance from the Indian team, that made the farewell Sachin Tendulkar match a memorable one.
Now India move on to Mumbai for the second test Match of the series on Nov 14.
Hope the West Indian team take positives from the match where they were in a good position in the Test match and there after didn't look up to the mark, particularly with the bat.
Valleyz.Blog
Sunday, November 3, 2013
India wins 2013 One Day International series at Bangalore
A huge victory for team India in the recently concluded 2013 Star Sports One Day series in India has propelled the team to a stronger position both in terms of confidence and rankings.
It was the series decider at Chinnaswamy stadium at Bangalore, and as expected there was pressure on both the teams.
In the end a team with greater resilience in holding on to the basics of the game eventually won.
Though 384 was a big target but it could have been achieved had Australia not committed small mistakes.
That is what sports are all about to know your game better and improve the next time.
Earlier Australia won the toss and decided to field first. India started on a positive note with another 100 plus opening wicket partnership.
Shikhar Dhawan fell to a Doherty spinner when the southpaw was caught in front of the wicket playing across.
Virat Kohli wanted to take a quick single with a jab to mid on, but Rohit Sharma was not so keen and that resulted in misunderstanding.
And after that Rohit Sharma alone started to build his innings and scored a century and there after broke loose to score a mammoth double hundred, third such innings in history of One day Cricket.
Australia was under tremendous pressure and lost four wickets for only 74 runs on the board, that showed the mindset of the team, as it looked in a hurry.
Both Aaron Finch and Adam Voges were not able to read Shami Ahmed.
Glen Maxwell and James Faulkner displayed some good batting display and Shane Watson too helped the cause, but wickets falling at regular intervals put brakes in the Australia's run chase.
Clint Mckay and James Faulkner brought the match to its ending phase. And then Mckay fell to a leg break from Jadeja.
And Faulkner followed soon trying to clear the deep square leg boundary was caught by Shikhar Dhawan in a spectacular fashion.
That gave India a huge series win against a formidable side.
Valleyz.Blog
It was the series decider at Chinnaswamy stadium at Bangalore, and as expected there was pressure on both the teams.
In the end a team with greater resilience in holding on to the basics of the game eventually won.
Though 384 was a big target but it could have been achieved had Australia not committed small mistakes.
That is what sports are all about to know your game better and improve the next time.
Earlier Australia won the toss and decided to field first. India started on a positive note with another 100 plus opening wicket partnership.
Shikhar Dhawan fell to a Doherty spinner when the southpaw was caught in front of the wicket playing across.
Virat Kohli wanted to take a quick single with a jab to mid on, but Rohit Sharma was not so keen and that resulted in misunderstanding.
And after that Rohit Sharma alone started to build his innings and scored a century and there after broke loose to score a mammoth double hundred, third such innings in history of One day Cricket.
Australia was under tremendous pressure and lost four wickets for only 74 runs on the board, that showed the mindset of the team, as it looked in a hurry.
Both Aaron Finch and Adam Voges were not able to read Shami Ahmed.
Glen Maxwell and James Faulkner displayed some good batting display and Shane Watson too helped the cause, but wickets falling at regular intervals put brakes in the Australia's run chase.
Clint Mckay and James Faulkner brought the match to its ending phase. And then Mckay fell to a leg break from Jadeja.
And Faulkner followed soon trying to clear the deep square leg boundary was caught by Shikhar Dhawan in a spectacular fashion.
That gave India a huge series win against a formidable side.
Valleyz.Blog
Friday, November 1, 2013
Ind Vs Aus 7th ODI: Series deciding match at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalorere
It was another huge run chase by the India in their match against Australia in 6th One Day International at VCA ground at Nagpur.
Earlier Australia batting first put up a huge total of 350 in 50 overs with Shane Watson and Skipper George Bailey scoring centuries in splendid fashion.
In reply India riding on some solid opening partnerships from Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma started of in a splendid fashion, and that gave Virat Kohli, who is having an amazing time with the bat, solid platform to chase down another record total in splendid fashion.
The final one dayer at Bangalore will be played on Saturday. With both the sides showing good form with the bat, another match with a run scoring spree could be expected
Valleyz.Blog
Earlier Australia batting first put up a huge total of 350 in 50 overs with Shane Watson and Skipper George Bailey scoring centuries in splendid fashion.
In reply India riding on some solid opening partnerships from Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma started of in a splendid fashion, and that gave Virat Kohli, who is having an amazing time with the bat, solid platform to chase down another record total in splendid fashion.
The final one dayer at Bangalore will be played on Saturday. With both the sides showing good form with the bat, another match with a run scoring spree could be expected
Valleyz.Blog
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Sachin not out on 55 in his last Ranji Trophy innings
Sachin Tendulkar's last innings in the Ranji Trophy match against Haryana at Rohtak, showed the glimpses of a cautious little master holding the team batting together in times of wickets falling at the other end in Mumbai's second innings in the match.
Mumbai needing to score 240 runs, Wasim Jaffer fell to an out swinger of Patel early in the morning, that brought Rahane to the crease.
The morning mist and green wicket offered bounce and pace to the bowlers who kept asking questions to the batsmen. Rahane and Pawar put up a very good 86 run partnership together until Rahane was bowled by an offbreak by Yadav.
That brought the little master to the crease with the opposition team Haryana all lined up welcoming him one last time in the Ranji format.
Tendulkar was cautious covering the line of the ball not to leave any gaps that have cost him his wicket few times earlier.
It was a splendid day of cricket at the Rohtak ground, with Haryana making steady inroads in the Mumbai batting line up, with an audacious run out of Tare by a direct run out throw from Patel from the boundary line.
Sachin Tendulkar is not out on a splendid 50, will look to help Mumbai to a well earned win in the match, where both the sides have shown good performance.
Valleyz.Blog
Mumbai needing to score 240 runs, Wasim Jaffer fell to an out swinger of Patel early in the morning, that brought Rahane to the crease.
The morning mist and green wicket offered bounce and pace to the bowlers who kept asking questions to the batsmen. Rahane and Pawar put up a very good 86 run partnership together until Rahane was bowled by an offbreak by Yadav.
That brought the little master to the crease with the opposition team Haryana all lined up welcoming him one last time in the Ranji format.
Tendulkar was cautious covering the line of the ball not to leave any gaps that have cost him his wicket few times earlier.
It was a splendid day of cricket at the Rohtak ground, with Haryana making steady inroads in the Mumbai batting line up, with an audacious run out of Tare by a direct run out throw from Patel from the boundary line.
Sachin Tendulkar is not out on a splendid 50, will look to help Mumbai to a well earned win in the match, where both the sides have shown good performance.
Valleyz.Blog
Monday, October 21, 2013
Ind/Aus 2013 Fourth ODI - India's bowling a matter of concern
Stage is set for the fourth One Day International(D/N) match between India and Australia in the 2013 edition at JSCA International Cricket Stadium at Ranchi in Jharkhand state of India.
After a morale boosting win at PCA stadium in Mohali, Australia now lead the series 2-1.
Pitch at the JSCA ground is expected to play on the slower side. How it will shape up in run up to the match remains to be seen.
The last match played at this ground in January 2013 India won that match overwhelmingly against England.
Pitch has assisted spinners in the past and that should be good news for the hosts.
There could be an element of surprise or two particularly where the hosts have been taken for 300 plus runs in three consecutive matches in the series.
It also shows visitors are in good form with the bat. So anything could happen on the match day.
Not an Ideal pitch for T20's: Jacques Kallis about Ranchi Pitch
Valleyz.Blog
After a morale boosting win at PCA stadium in Mohali, Australia now lead the series 2-1.
Pitch at the JSCA ground is expected to play on the slower side. How it will shape up in run up to the match remains to be seen.
The last match played at this ground in January 2013 India won that match overwhelmingly against England.
Pitch has assisted spinners in the past and that should be good news for the hosts.
There could be an element of surprise or two particularly where the hosts have been taken for 300 plus runs in three consecutive matches in the series.
It also shows visitors are in good form with the bat. So anything could happen on the match day.
Not an Ideal pitch for T20's: Jacques Kallis about Ranchi Pitch
Valleyz.Blog
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Ind/Aus 2013 Third ODI - Australia wins a scintillating match at PCA Mohali
Australia won a scintillating match of Cricket at PCA ground, Mohali, on Saturday evening.
Earlier Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. And was able to apply pressure on the Indian top order batsmen, with the scoreboard reading 37/2 at one stage.
Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni came together and put up a 72 run partnership for the fifth wicket, until Kohli was out for 68 runs.
Dhoni stitched up another 76 run partnership with Ashwin for the 7th wicket. Thus propelling India to a total of 303 and in the process scored first century(139) by any Indian batsman at PCA, Mohali.
Under the circumstances Dhoni single handedly managed to put up a respectable score for India with only sizeable contribution coming from Kohli's 68.
Australia chasing 304 lost wickets at regular intervals, with notable scores of Finch 38 and Aussie Skipper Bailey 43. Shane Watson was little bit unlucky to be given out LBW, as umpire seem to have erred.
Run out of Glenn Maxwell looked like Australia was staring defeat.
After the Wicket of Brad Haddin, James Faulkner came to the crease to bat with Adam Voges, who scored a sensible 50 shortly before, and with Australia needing nearly 90 runs in just 8.5 overs.
Just when Australia needed a big over of runs, Ishant Sharma was handed the ball for the 48th Over by Dhoni. Till then Ishant Sharma had given away only around 30 runs in his previous 9 overs with one wicket to his credit.
In Ishant Sharma's tenth over Faulkner from nowhere scores 30 runs with huge sixes and boundaries tilting the match towards Australia decisively with only nine needed from the last over.
Australia cruises to victory with 3 balls to spare, thanks to James Faulkner's 64* (29) and Adam Voges 76* not out.
Man of the Match was overwhelmingly James Faulkner for his cameo knock which put Australia 2-1 ahead in the 7 match series with the next match slated in Ranchi city, in Jharkhand state on 23rd October.
Valleyz.Blog
Earlier Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. And was able to apply pressure on the Indian top order batsmen, with the scoreboard reading 37/2 at one stage.
Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni came together and put up a 72 run partnership for the fifth wicket, until Kohli was out for 68 runs.
Dhoni stitched up another 76 run partnership with Ashwin for the 7th wicket. Thus propelling India to a total of 303 and in the process scored first century(139) by any Indian batsman at PCA, Mohali.
Under the circumstances Dhoni single handedly managed to put up a respectable score for India with only sizeable contribution coming from Kohli's 68.
Australia chasing 304 lost wickets at regular intervals, with notable scores of Finch 38 and Aussie Skipper Bailey 43. Shane Watson was little bit unlucky to be given out LBW, as umpire seem to have erred.
Run out of Glenn Maxwell looked like Australia was staring defeat.
After the Wicket of Brad Haddin, James Faulkner came to the crease to bat with Adam Voges, who scored a sensible 50 shortly before, and with Australia needing nearly 90 runs in just 8.5 overs.
Just when Australia needed a big over of runs, Ishant Sharma was handed the ball for the 48th Over by Dhoni. Till then Ishant Sharma had given away only around 30 runs in his previous 9 overs with one wicket to his credit.
In Ishant Sharma's tenth over Faulkner from nowhere scores 30 runs with huge sixes and boundaries tilting the match towards Australia decisively with only nine needed from the last over.
Australia cruises to victory with 3 balls to spare, thanks to James Faulkner's 64* (29) and Adam Voges 76* not out.
Man of the Match was overwhelmingly James Faulkner for his cameo knock which put Australia 2-1 ahead in the 7 match series with the next match slated in Ranchi city, in Jharkhand state on 23rd October.
Valleyz.Blog
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Pak/SA 2013 UAE Test: South Africa succumbs to Pakistan's bowling attack
Pakistan did well both with the bat and ball in winning the first Test against South Africa at the Abu Dhabi, in UAE.
The hosts used the conditions of the pitch well in restricting South Africa in the first innings. Hashim Amla together with JP Duminy put up a 95 run partnership for the fifth wicket in the first innings total of 249.
Pakistani bowlers completely dominated the South Africa batting line up with some good bowling.
Pakistan in the first innings dominated with the bat with a big century from opening batsman Khurram.
Pakistan won the series in UAE against England in 2012 with similar tactics.
Abdur Rehman, the spinner, is missing from the Pakistani bowling line up, who along with Saeed Ajmal bowled Pakistan to victory in the series against England.
South Africa going down without giving a fight shows the way in which Pakistan dominated the match.
South Africa should now focus to think slightly different in match tactics and team composition.
Valleyz.Blog
The hosts used the conditions of the pitch well in restricting South Africa in the first innings. Hashim Amla together with JP Duminy put up a 95 run partnership for the fifth wicket in the first innings total of 249.
Pakistani bowlers completely dominated the South Africa batting line up with some good bowling.
Pakistan in the first innings dominated with the bat with a big century from opening batsman Khurram.
Pakistan won the series in UAE against England in 2012 with similar tactics.
Abdur Rehman, the spinner, is missing from the Pakistani bowling line up, who along with Saeed Ajmal bowled Pakistan to victory in the series against England.
South Africa going down without giving a fight shows the way in which Pakistan dominated the match.
South Africa should now focus to think slightly different in match tactics and team composition.
Valleyz.Blog
Ind/Aus 2013 Third ODI: Mohali - Match Analysis
After the first two matches between India and Australia, the two sides now stand 1-1 in the series with the third match scheduled in Mohali.
Both the teams have did well in showing their strength, particularly with the bat. Putting up 300 plus totals in the first two games show, how well the teams are producing the consistent batting display.
Australia have reasonably did well while batting against India. It is to be noted that Australia opened the batting in both the earlier fixtures at Pune and Jaipur. Which means Australia were not under pressure chasing the total in the second innings.
It will be interesting to see how the teams perform at Mohali, which is a more balanced pitch than we have seen in the earlier matches. Pitch at Mohali usually carries pace and bounce, assists bowlers and batsman evenly.
A score of around 300 would be a challenging one on this surface. Also the match being a day and nighter, there would be dew factor in the second innings of the game.
So the team winning the toss will probably look to bat first as it would be difficult to grip the ball under the lights. And it will not be a free run scoring pitch that we have seen in Jaipur.
India need to look at its bowling options again as it has conceded 300 plus totals in both the outings.
It is particularly harsh on the part of the bowlers in this age of big hitting cricket, with more and more T20 Cricket, the bowlers are always under pressure.
Ashok Dinda should be considered in place of Vinay Kumar, if team think tank is expecting nip and bounce from the wicket.
Pitches in the sub continent particularly are not favourable for seamers in particular, where they do not have the nip and bounce found in green wickets in other parts of the world.
It is difficult to select the Australian bowling lineup, as all of the bowlers were taken to task by inform Virat Kohli. The strategy should be to bowl in good areas consistently.
Mohali match could assist Australia slightly in the bowling department as the track is not as flat as it was in Jaipur.
Team batting first and scoring around 300 will have a distinct advantage and any total around 270 would be difficult to defend.
Valleyz.Blog
Both the teams have did well in showing their strength, particularly with the bat. Putting up 300 plus totals in the first two games show, how well the teams are producing the consistent batting display.
Australia have reasonably did well while batting against India. It is to be noted that Australia opened the batting in both the earlier fixtures at Pune and Jaipur. Which means Australia were not under pressure chasing the total in the second innings.
It will be interesting to see how the teams perform at Mohali, which is a more balanced pitch than we have seen in the earlier matches. Pitch at Mohali usually carries pace and bounce, assists bowlers and batsman evenly.
A score of around 300 would be a challenging one on this surface. Also the match being a day and nighter, there would be dew factor in the second innings of the game.
So the team winning the toss will probably look to bat first as it would be difficult to grip the ball under the lights. And it will not be a free run scoring pitch that we have seen in Jaipur.
India need to look at its bowling options again as it has conceded 300 plus totals in both the outings.
It is particularly harsh on the part of the bowlers in this age of big hitting cricket, with more and more T20 Cricket, the bowlers are always under pressure.
Ashok Dinda should be considered in place of Vinay Kumar, if team think tank is expecting nip and bounce from the wicket.
Pitches in the sub continent particularly are not favourable for seamers in particular, where they do not have the nip and bounce found in green wickets in other parts of the world.
It is difficult to select the Australian bowling lineup, as all of the bowlers were taken to task by inform Virat Kohli. The strategy should be to bowl in good areas consistently.
Mohali match could assist Australia slightly in the bowling department as the track is not as flat as it was in Jaipur.
Team batting first and scoring around 300 will have a distinct advantage and any total around 270 would be difficult to defend.
Valleyz.Blog
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Ind/Aus 2013 Second ODI - India beats Australia in a thrilling encounter
India won the match in great style after Australia put up a huge total of 360 to chase. The pitch had nothing to assist the bowlers and it was evident in the way the batsmen from both the sides were able to dominate the bowling.
Earlier Australia won the toss and elected to bat first and made most of the opportunity. Skipper George Bailey and all the top 5 Aussie batsmen showed lot of grit and determination to put another challenging total against the hosts.
But when India resumed it's innings first few overs were kept tight by the Australian bowlers. But after that India's batsmen showed tremendous skills to overcome some aggressive bowling.
Once the batsmen were in the groove they were easily able to rotate the strike. The match was thoroughly entertaining through out. Specially the brilliant knock by Virat Kohli breaking record of sorts.
He has proved that time and again, and Australia know how important a player he is to the Indian batting line up.
With the second match, the two sides draw level 1-1.
Valleyz.Blog
Earlier Australia won the toss and elected to bat first and made most of the opportunity. Skipper George Bailey and all the top 5 Aussie batsmen showed lot of grit and determination to put another challenging total against the hosts.
But when India resumed it's innings first few overs were kept tight by the Australian bowlers. But after that India's batsmen showed tremendous skills to overcome some aggressive bowling.
Once the batsmen were in the groove they were easily able to rotate the strike. The match was thoroughly entertaining through out. Specially the brilliant knock by Virat Kohli breaking record of sorts.
He has proved that time and again, and Australia know how important a player he is to the Indian batting line up.
With the second match, the two sides draw level 1-1.
Valleyz.Blog
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Live Updates:India/Australia 2013 ODI match evenly poised after Aussie score 304/8 in the first innings
Australia have done well in reaching 300 plus total on not so fast a pitch, main contributions from Bailey(85) and Finch(72) with good supporting knocks from Hughes and Maxwell.
If the Australia take a couple of early wickets, then Aussie's have a very good chance of going one up in a long seven match series.
It is a power packed Indian batting line up with Yuvraj Singh returning to the side after good outings, scoring match winning knocks.
It remains to be seen how the Australian bowling lineup comprising of Mckay, Jhonson, Faulkner, Doherty and Watson will show up in this match.
Australia in the recent past is being tested in both the departments. But anything could happen in a one day game of Cricket, all that counts is the performance on a single day.
India has the home advantage on it's side with a huge crowd support that could unsettle the best of oppositions.
Match is evenly poised.
Live Updates:
Pitch seems to be little bit on the slower side, Mckay is holding up with some tight bowling, the first few overs are good from the Australian opening bowlers.
Indian batsmen should win singles to keep the score board ticking.
Some tight opening spell from the Aussie bowlers pays off with the wicket of Dhawan.
Both the opener's of the Indian side back into the pavillion.
Virat Kohli, the vital cog in Indian batting line up looks comfortable at the crease, rotating the strike pretty well.
Half way down the match India is marching ahead towards victory.
Inform Yuvraj Singh is out.Couple of wickets down India is put under pressure by Australia.
From a winning position half way through the innings, India is staring at the defeat in the first ODI against Australia.
If the Australia take a couple of early wickets, then Aussie's have a very good chance of going one up in a long seven match series.
It is a power packed Indian batting line up with Yuvraj Singh returning to the side after good outings, scoring match winning knocks.
It remains to be seen how the Australian bowling lineup comprising of Mckay, Jhonson, Faulkner, Doherty and Watson will show up in this match.
Australia in the recent past is being tested in both the departments. But anything could happen in a one day game of Cricket, all that counts is the performance on a single day.
India has the home advantage on it's side with a huge crowd support that could unsettle the best of oppositions.
Match is evenly poised.
Live Updates:
Pitch seems to be little bit on the slower side, Mckay is holding up with some tight bowling, the first few overs are good from the Australian opening bowlers.
Indian batsmen should win singles to keep the score board ticking.
Some tight opening spell from the Aussie bowlers pays off with the wicket of Dhawan.
Both the opener's of the Indian side back into the pavillion.
Virat Kohli, the vital cog in Indian batting line up looks comfortable at the crease, rotating the strike pretty well.
Half way down the match India is marching ahead towards victory.
Inform Yuvraj Singh is out.Couple of wickets down India is put under pressure by Australia.
From a winning position half way through the innings, India is staring at the defeat in the first ODI against Australia.
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