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.

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.

Valleyz.Blog

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

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

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

Ind vs WI First Test 2013: India take the honours on the first day of the first test match agains the West Indies

Shami Ahmed, on his debut, bowled with rythm, pace and control at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in the first test match of the two match series against the West Indies.

And was rewarded with four West Indian wickets with some consistent line and length. Keiran Powell couldn't control the angled short pitched delivery and holed out to mid-on for 28.

And Samuels was bowled when the batsman looked well settled, with a sharp inswinger for valuable 65 runs for the team. Dinesh Ramdin followed suit in the similar fashion off Shami Ahmed.

Chris Gayle was caught of Kumar for 18.

Veteran West Indian batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was stranded at the other end with wickets falling at regular intervals. And he fell to an off break from Ashwin failing to cover the line of the ball for 36 runs.

West Indies side was bowled out for 234 of 74 Overs for 11 Extra runs. With Shami Ahmed returning with figures of 4/71 on his debut.

Bhuveneshwar Kumar, Ojha and Sachin scalped a wicket each, with Ravichandran Ashwin baggin two West Indian wickets.

At stumps Shikhar Dhawan was batting on 21 with Murali Vijay on 16 runs sharing first wicket partnership of 37.

West Indies where little bit casual in shot selection as well as impatient. Skipper Darren Sammy hurried to clear the boundary with a fielder at the long off boundary taking a simple catch.

While Darren Bravo was caught in a mix up and was run out.

This will definitely have huge bearing on the match as the strong Indian batting line up with Sachin Tendulkar in the middle order in his penultimate test will try and the seize the initiative.

West Indies could not make up by batting first after winning the toss on a good batting wicket.

At one stage West Indies were 138/2 and the side bundled out for 234 all out.

Valleyz.Blog