India start as clear favourites for the first Test against Australia at Pune

 India starts as favourites against Australia for the first Test at Pune's MCA stadium. 

Australia are touring India after winning their home series against Pakistan, but given the conditions and temperament of Australia batsman on low bounce, turning tracks,  players will find it difficult to match the hosts.
 
England played well in all of the Tests, in fact after winning the Toss the tourists put on a handsome total in successive matches, yet their batsmen could not launch from the solid platform they found themselves on only due to sheer tenacity of Indian spin department.
 
Both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are a potent bowling duo, and in Indian conditions they can beat any batsmen in the world.
 
Australia's last tour to Sri Lanka was a big loss, given the way their batsmen catapulted against SL spin attack, Australia players will have that loss back in their mind.
 
Though Aussie batsmen should forget it, but having lost the series so badly, it will be there in sub conscious.
 
Steve Smith is the vital cog Aussie team would be relying up on in addition to explosive batsmen in David Warner, but given the form Indian spinners are in, I don't think they will survive for long.
 
Captain Virat Kohli is an aggressive captain and has turned around for India for such a record breaking winning streak in India's cricketing history. Australia has struggled against India on previous tours, so that is an added advantage and it makes things easy for captain to plan the course of proceedings.
 
Not only Indian spinners are doing good, Indian pace attack is rejuvenated and will Test Aussie batsmen initially with swing and later on when the ball starts reversing.
 
Australia will depend heavily on their pace attack comprising Starc and Hazlewood, Lyon will be the key spinner for Australia.  In these conditions India clearly have the upper hand, if visitors don't adapt to the situation fast, I think India will win comfortably.


eValleyz.Blog

IPL auction see MS Dhoni picked up by Pune, Raina by Rajkot

IPL auctions took place today and Mahendra Singh Dhoni was bought by Pune and Suresh Raina went to Rajkot two of the new IPL franchisee in the Indian Premier League.

Ravindra Jadeja too was picked up by Rajkot. James Faulkner, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo are also with Rajkot team.

Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith, Ravichandran Ashwin and Faf du Plessis are with Pune Team.Ashok Dinda and Manoj Tiwary also with Pune.

As Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals got relegated due to allegations of corruption, fixing and mismanagement, it was banned from IPL for two years, hence as such all the players are available again for auction.

Experts believe that Pune will benefit from MS Dhoni's experience as he has lot to offer for the new Franchisee.

Players were picked by a draft system. Both the teams spend 39 crore each.

Suresh Raina has to his credit 132 Matches in IPL,  scoring 3699 runs  with a strike rate of 140.

Valleyz.Blog