CricDigs Blogs

I might be wrong but it seems as if the Indian Cricket team always starts a new series (home or abroad) very poorly and then tries to catch and make amends. Barring a much superlative batting effort or even more importantly, some washed-out day (s), India would lose the first test against Sri Lanka. If you look at India’s 2007-2008 away Test series against England & Australia and home series against South Africa, you can see that the Indian team started badly and did better as these series progressed.

In the England Series, but for the bad weather and some rear-guard action by Dhoni, India would have lost their first test at Lords. They managed to win the series 1-0 in the end. Even in Australia they lost the first Test at MCG, could have pulled off a win or at least a draw at SCG and ended up beating the Aussies at Perth. Even against SA at home after a drawn first test, India lost the second test and pulled off a win in the third to level the series.

Why is that the case? Does the team has a lot of inertia or need a lot of time to acclimatize? In any case it needs to pull-up its socks and demonstrate some guts and fighting spirit if it wants to survive this very precarious situation in the first test against SL.

I have not been able to see a lot of these matches (being on vacation for about 10 days with limited internet access) but quite honestly I just love to see all these teams with a fantastic mixture of international stars playing against each other. No one team seems to have lob-sided advantage. They all have reasonable fire power in batting as well as bowling and we should see a very tight finish for semi-final births towards the end.

It is fun and great site to see Dhoni and Michael Hussey batting together, Ponting and Ishant Sharma playing for the same team, Symonds and Afridi representing the same team, Shane Warne and Graem Smith in a huddle and many many more interesting combinations (including Bhajji smacking Sreesanth ).

I hope to catch more of those matches (may be some live ) and hope that IPL continues to flourish.

Its been an action packed week, and there has been no shortage of any high intensity news. Ponting and team have for once realised that Winning matches isn’t always a pleasure. I wonder what might have happened if India had managed to draw this test match. I am pretty sure, things would not have been so worse for Aussies if the match had ended in a draw. Anyways its done and over and lets focus on the third test that kick starts in less than a weeks time.

Its gonna be a typical Perth pitch, and Australlians would love to shut their critics with a thumping victory and Indian’s would love to beat the Aussies. This pitch is for sure gonna have good bounce and both the teams have well equipped bowlers to do the trick with the new ball. Ofcourse Zaheer is a big loss to India, but nothing could be done about that. I personall feel, team India should make some dynamic changes and try out how luck favours them. My playing XI for the third test is,

1) Virendher Sehwag
2) Wasim Jaffer (Good knock in the Canberra practise match)
3) Rahul Dravid (his favorite batting position)
4) Sachin Tendulkar
5) Saurav Ganguly
6) Laxman
7) Dhoni (in form or out of form, always a better player than Karthick)
8) Pathan
9) Kumble
10) RP Singh
11) Ishanth Sharma (no options open)

Cos’ its the Perth pitch, three fast bowlers are mandatory. RP & Pathan form the backbone, and i certainly have no clue but have no choice either but to pick up Ishanth. Well if Bhajji is given the go ahead to play on, then i think Bhajji can replace Ishanth. Ishanth maybe a fast bowler, but he showed absolutely no signs of picking a wicket. Anyways its a debatable decision. Ganguly ofcourse can bowl some seamers and assist the bowling balance.

Yuvaraj doesn’t finds a place in my XI, cos’ he’s terribly out of sorts and lets not risk it anymore gambling with him. The advantage of taking Sehwag is not just to play attacking cricket, but also to allow Rahul to bat at his premiere batting spot. This gives more balance to the team, and Irfan is no less a batsman. This looks the team that can probably challenge the Aussies. Ishanth Sharma is still not in my XI, but i may have no choice but to pick him

What do you guys feel about my XI for the third test ? What changes do you think should be made ? Do we have a chance of winning ? Well i certainly feel, there’s absolutely no chance India can win, but still i will give India a 10% chance to win this match. Good luck

Yeah it indeed was a mind boggling achievement for the Indian cricket team. They played better cricket, and deserved to beat the Aussies. The Australlian side is definitely staring down the barrels and are definitely missing McGrath & Warne. Now with Gilchrist out of the team, the prospects looks very bleak. But we all know what the Australlians are capable of, and they will come up with something special as they always do.

Lets not forget, the Australlians are not losing this series for the first time. Last year they lost to England 2-0. Which clearly goes to show the Australlians are no more the invincible champions they used to be. So India beating Australlia is fine, but i guess what’s been done after the victory is a lil too much than what it should ideally be.

I heard Harbhajan saying it was HIM vs The Entire Australlian Team. Well if one sits down and works out what harbhajan managed to do for the whole series, one would realise he’s been at his disappointing worst. He never was a problem to the Australlian batsman. The only exception was the first finals. If i remember right, he just managed 8 wickes out of the 10 matches he’s played. And in the test matches not one 5 wicket haul against his name. I doubt if he’s just trying to act too smart. No wonder why Hayden called him an obnoxious weed !!

Lets not forget its just a tri series that India has won, and it isnt the world cup. Let us also not forget the England team which can hardly win matches won last year. This goes to show, Australlians have slumped in form and thats the main reason why they lost. Its better for the Indian team to stop making a big scene of this, and carry on the good work and focus more on the matches to come

There’s lots been said about Sachin, that he’s not the player he used to be. And he did no good to his reputation by failing miserably in all matches till the final. The match against Srilanka was all that set it up for Sachin. He carried on his form to the finals. Chasing 240 in a finals is always difficult. Chasing against the in form Aussie bowling attack makes it more difficult. But the way the master went about in the chase was a treat to watch. Every now and then i did think he might throw it away as he most often than not does. Cos’ there were just two match winning one day knocks that people remember of Sachin. The knocks in Sharjah and that was way back. But it was tremendous to see the way he played with composure and led his team to victory in the first finals. I could sense the happiness in the great man’s mind. He should’ve been mighty pleased on playing such a crucial knock. Well this to me was one of his best ever hundred’s.

Sachin topscored in the second Finals. Missed century by a whisker, and yet was gud enuf to post a big total for his team. Chasing 250+ is always gonna be tough, and the Australlians would never give it up without a fight. But it was tremendous to see the way the boys fought hard, and pulled the match for India. The credit goes to the team, and more importantly to Sachin who came to the core when it mattered the most. The two innings he played in both the finals will forever remain in the memories of his fans. Sachin really well played, and we wish you good luck to carry on as long as you could and continue to serve the Indian cricket team

prashant:
(09:07 PM) India Australia First Final
(09:08 PM) Australia Won the toss
(09:08 PM) and elected to bat
(09:08 PM) India brings in Chawla
(09:08 PM) in place of Munaf

(09:09 PM) Hayden back in place of Haddin
(09:17 PM) Praveen Kumar to open the attack
(09:18 PM) surprising?
(09:19 PM) 4 Hayden
(09:22 PM) It\’s 0/8 after 1
(09:26 PM) 0/11 after 2

(09:27 PM) Ishant Sharma bowling mostly outside the off stump to Hayden
(09:27 PM) How well can Praveen Kumar bowl?
(09:29 PM) Not that good so far
(09:29 PM) 4 to Gilchrist
(09:29 PM) 1/15
(09:30 PM) Gilly gone

(09:30 PM) Praveen strikes
(09:31 PM) caught Yuvraj
(09:31 PM) bowled Praveen Kuar
(09:31 PM) Kumar
(09:31 PM) Australia 1/15
(09:31 PM) as I had said in error earlier

(09:33 PM) 1/16 after 3
(09:36 PM) 1/19 after 4
(09:38 PM) Ponting gone
(09:38 PM) bowled by Praveen Kumar
(09:39 PM) 2/19
(09:39 PM) Australia

(09:42 PM) 4 to Michael Clarke
(09:42 PM) 2/23 in 5
(09:46 PM) Clarke gone as well
(09:46 PM) This time Ishant Sharma
(09:46 PM) Looked as if it clipped Clarke\’s pads
(09:47 PM) In any case given out

(09:47 PM) Australia 3 down now
(09:47 PM) In comes Symonds
(09:47 PM) The million dollar man
(09:48 PM) 3/24 in 6
(09:52 PM) 3/29 in 7
(09:52 PM) great fielding by Uthappa

(09:56 PM) 3/31 after 8
(09:56 PM) Interesting passage of play
(10:00 PM) 3/35 in 9
(10:02 PM) 2 consecutive boundaries
(10:02 PM) to Symonds
(10:07 PM) 3/45 in 11

(10:10 PM) 2 consecutive boundaries
(10:10 PM) one lucky one
(10:10 PM) inside edge
(10:11 PM) but the second a great shot down the ground
(10:11 PM) 3 in a row
(10:11 PM) 3/59

(10:12 PM) 3/60 in 12
(10:12 PM) 15 from Pathan\’s first over
(10:13 PM) Australia looking to take charge again
(10:13 PM) Can India keep taking wickets?
(10:13 PM) partnership 36 off 37
(10:18 PM) 3/65 in 13

(10:18 PM) This partnership is very very dangerous
(10:18 PM) ;)
(10:18 PM) :)
(10:21 PM) Pathan bowling very poorly here
(10:22 PM) gave 15 runs in the first
(10:22 PM) 3/75

(10:22 PM) 50 partnership already
(10:22 PM) 4 more
(10:23 PM) Pathan 2 overs costing 25
(10:23 PM) 3/79 Australia
(10:23 PM) in 14 overs
(10:23 PM) now going well over 5 runs per over

(10:23 PM) Hayden single handedly taking over the attack
(10:24 PM) 50 to Hayden
(10:24 PM) Ishant Sharma in the attack
(10:24 PM) can he do the trick?
(10:27 PM) 3/83
(10:27 PM) they are showing replays

(10:27 PM) of a possible stumping
(10:27 PM) of Hayden off Pathan
(10:27 PM) Umpire did not call for the third umpire
(10:27 PM) Hayden\’s foot might have been a shade in the air
(10:28 PM) very very close
(10:38 PM) Australia marching on after early losses

(10:38 PM) 3/96 after 17
(10:38 PM) rate well over 5
(10:38 PM) just shy of 6
(10:39 PM) Bhajji to Symonds
(10:40 PM) Bhajji bowling poorly
(10:41 PM) Smashed over the mid-off

(10:41 PM) by Symonds
(10:41 PM) Bhajji bowling 2 wides
(10:41 PM) 3/104
(10:42 PM) can India get a wicket or two here?
(10:42 PM) and who would do that
(10:42 PM) Piyush?

(10:42 PM) Australia looking good now
(10:42 PM) but then again a couple of wickets here will change the match
(10:45 PM) 4 more
(10:45 PM) Ishant Sharma looking frustrated as well
(10:45 PM) Hayden 69
(10:45 PM) 70

(10:45 PM) 3/109
(10:46 PM) India badly needs a wicket
(10:49 PM) 3/111 in 20
(10:50 PM) Chawla in the attack
(10:52 PM) 3/115 in 21
(10:54 PM) Bhajji looking very ordinary as well

(10:55 PM) 3/118 in 22
(10:55 PM) How would Chawla handle the Aussies
(10:55 PM) or how would the Aussies handle Chawla?
(10:57 PM) 3/124
(10:57 PM) 100 partnership
(10:58 PM) Symonds gone

(10:59 PM) 4/124
(10:59 PM) Symonds going for a big one
(10:59 PM) hitting the ball down the throat at deep mid-wicket
(10:59 PM) Bhajji gets a wicket
(11:00 PM) In comes Hussey
(11:00 PM) This Australian lineup is just unbelievable

(11:02 PM) 4/125 in 24
(11:02 PM) India needs to get Hayden out
(11:02 PM) can Chawla do that for them?
(11:05 PM) 4/128 in 25
(11:11 PM) 4/134 in 27
(11:12 PM) gone

(11:12 PM) Hayden this time
(11:12 PM) slog sweep
(11:13 PM) caught
(11:13 PM) Good catch by Chawla
(11:13 PM) running in
(11:13 PM) taking low to his right

(11:14 PM) 5/134
(11:16 PM) So India do manage to take couple of badly needed wickets to bring back the momentum
(11:16 PM) Can Chawla continue his momentum
(11:16 PM) after taking the catch?
(11:17 PM) That is exactly what the commentators are saying
(11:18 PM) 5/137 in 29

(11:21 PM) 5/141 in 30
(11:21 PM) with wickets in hand score can be doubled between 30-50 pvers
(11:21 PM) overs
(11:21 PM) So india needs to keep taking wickets
(11:24 PM) Good over by Chawla
(11:24 PM) the last ball inside edged

(11:24 PM) by Hope
(11:24 PM) India needs to take Hope out
(11:24 PM) with spinners on
(11:26 PM) 5/147 in 32
(11:29 PM) 5/148 in 33
(11:29 PM) Good over again by Chawla

(11:29 PM) can he get Hopes before he is done with 10 overs?
(11:37 PM) Pathan in the attack
(11:37 PM) giving a boundary straight away
(11:37 PM) He is struggling in this match
(11:39 PM) Finishing the over well
(11:39 PM) 5/159 in 36

(11:39 PM) drinks on the field
(11:42 PM) If Australia bats 50 overs then they will have at least 250-260
(11:46 PM) 5/167 in 37
(11:46 PM) Yuvraj over costing 8 runs
(11:51 PM) 5/172 in 38
(11:51 PM) Again the partnership is building

(11:53 PM) gone
(11:53 PM) Yuvraj gets Hope
(11:53 PM) so a spinner gets his wicket
(11:53 PM) not Chawla or Bhajji
(11:53 PM) but part timer Yuvraj
(11:55 PM) Australia 6/173

(11:55 PM) Can Australia be wrapped within 200?
(11:56 PM) Rohit Sharma in the attack
(11:58 PM) 6/179 in 40
(11:58 PM) 10 overs to go
(12:00 AM) 6/181 in 41
(12:00 AM) 2 from that over

(12:00 AM) How many runs can the Aussies get in 9 overs?
(12:03 AM) 6/185 in 42
(12:06 AM) 6/191 in 43
(12:06 AM) 7 more overs to go
(12:09 AM) Chawla 10 overs for 33
(12:09 AM) 6 overs to go

(12:09 AM) 6/194
(12:13 AM) 6/199
(12:13 AM) in 45
(12:13 AM) 5 overs to go now
(12:13 AM) Australia will bat out 50 overs
(12:13 AM) might make 50 more

(12:18 AM) 6/203
(12:18 AM) 4 from that over
(12:18 AM) 4 overs to go
(12:18 AM) Hogg playing a decent knock again
(12:18 AM) with Hussey
(12:21 AM) Is this an out?

(12:21 AM) run out
(12:21 AM) nope
(12:21 AM) Hussey is home
(12:25 AM) Out this time
(12:25 AM) though
(12:25 AM) run out

(12:25 AM) He had just hit a clever boundary
(12:26 AM) 7/212
(12:26 AM) 46.5
(12:31 AM) 7 runs from that over
(12:31 AM) 7/219
(12:31 AM) 2 overs to go

(12:34 AM) 2 consecutive 4s
(12:34 AM) This is not Pathan\’s match
(12:34 AM) 3 in a row
(12:35 AM) 7/231
(12:36 AM) finally out
(12:36 AM) Looked as if it was going out of the park

(12:36 AM) but caught in the deep
(12:36 AM) 8/231
(12:36 AM) Some respite for Pathan
(12:36 AM) one over to go
(12:41 AM) Australia 8/239 in 50
(12:41 AM) India needs 240 to win

(01:41 AM) 0/5 in 2
(01:45 AM) 0/10 in 3
(01:49 AM) 0/16 in 4
(01:53 AM) 0/22 in 5
(01:57 AM) 0/27 in 6 overs
(02:02 AM) 0/30 in 7

(02:08 AM) 0/35 in 8
(02:10 AM) Free hit
(02:10 AM) on a no-ball
(02:13 AM) no runs scored on that
(02:13 AM) It\’s 0/39 after 9
(02:16 AM) 4

(02:16 AM) Uthappa
(02:17 AM) 0/45
(02:17 AM) in 10
(02:20 AM) 4 more to Uthappa
(02:20 AM) 50 up for India
(02:22 AM) What a catch!!

(02:23 AM) Hussey pulls off a stunning catch to get rid of Uthappa
(02:23 AM) It\’s 1/50
(02:23 AM) Hopes strike in his first over
(02:32 AM) Gambhir run-out
(02:32 AM) 2/56 India
(02:34 AM) 4

(02:34 AM) 2/60 in 13
(02:49 AM) 4
(02:49 AM) Yuvraj
(02:49 AM) down the leg
(02:49 AM) 2/69
(02:50 AM) in 16

(02:54 AM) 4
(02:55 AM) 2 more
(02:55 AM) 7 from the over
(02:55 AM) 2/76
(02:55 AM) in 17
(02:58 AM) 4 more

(02:59 AM) 2/85 from 18
(03:02 AM) 50 to Sachin
(03:03 AM) Yuvaj bowled
(03:03 AM) 3/87 India
(03:10 AM) 3/93 in 20
(03:10 AM) Can India hang on?

(03:18 AM) 3/104 in 22
(03:22 AM) 3/113 in 23
(03:44 AM) 3/126 in 28
(03:49 AM) 4
(03:49 AM) 3/134 in 29
(03:52 AM) 3/138 in 30

(03:52 AM) It\’s drinks time
(03:59 AM) 3/144 in 31
(04:00 AM) Need 96 more
(04:04 AM) 89
(04:14 AM) 76
(04:15 AM) 72

(04:15 AM) inside edge for 4
(04:15 AM) 3/169
(04:15 AM) in 35 overs
(04:15 AM) 71 more needed
(04:17 AM) 4
(04:17 AM) 66 needed

(04:23 AM) 59 needed
(04:23 AM) Sachin hurt?
(04:25 AM) 50 to Rohit Sharma
(04:25 AM) 3/182
(04:25 AM) 58 needed now
(04:29 AM) 52 needed from 12

(04:29 AM) over
(04:32 AM) 49 from 69
(04:34 AM) 46 needed from 11 overs
(04:35 AM) 3/194 India
(04:36 AM) 4
(04:36 AM) to R Sharma

(04:36 AM) 42 more needed
jatanr:
(04:37 AM) hello !
(04:37 AM) guess im late…
prashant:
(04:37 AM) hi
jatanr:
(04:37 AM) but just in time for the victory ?

prashant:
(04:37 AM) 200 up
(04:38 AM) you know i am very superstitious
(04:38 AM) ;)
jatanr:
(04:38 AM) sharma is playing brilliantly …
prashant:
(04:38 AM) yep

jatanr:
(04:38 AM) tendulkar on 97
(04:38 AM) 98 .. and keep strike …
(04:39 AM) this could be history …. tendulkar\’s first 100 on aussie soil… as well as india one up in the finals
(04:39 AM) oops ,,im talking too much i guess … lets wait and watch
prashant:
(04:39 AM) :)

(04:39 AM) precisely
(04:39 AM) ;)
jatanr:
(04:39 AM) :)
prashant:
(04:39 AM) 3/204 India in 40 overs
(04:39 AM) 36 more needed

jatanr:
(04:40 AM) brett lee charging in …
(04:40 AM) and he bowls a beamer !!!
(04:40 AM) a mistake
prashant:
(04:41 AM) hmm
(04:41 AM) Free hit

jatanr:
(04:41 AM) and goes and shakes tendulkar\’s hand
(04:41 AM) i dont think it will be a free hit …
(04:41 AM) not sure
(04:42 AM) quite interesting .. the discussion there
(04:42 AM) ponting is saying that the ball slipped from his hand
prashant:
(04:42 AM) change of ball

(04:42 AM) hmm
(04:42 AM) What a class
jatanr:
(04:42 AM) the umpire is saying… the ball is not wet.. so it cannot slip… interesting
prashant:
(04:42 AM) Sachin
(04:42 AM) said nothing

jatanr:
(04:43 AM) yeah sachin just said … \’no problem… no problem… no problem…\’ to lee\’s apoligies
prashant:
(04:44 AM) hmm
(04:44 AM) Sachin was coming for the second
(04:44 AM) and said no
jatanr:
(04:44 AM) yeah …

prashant:
(04:44 AM) good call
jatanr:
(04:44 AM) good call
(04:44 AM) :)
(04:45 AM) and rohit might be run out now…
(04:45 AM) ooooohhhhhh… just in ….

prashant:
(04:45 AM) yep
(04:46 AM) he deserves that bit of luck
jatanr:
(04:46 AM) yep
prashant:
(04:47 AM) 33 from 5
(04:47 AM) 55

jatanr:
(04:47 AM) a bouncer…. is wide ….
prashant:
(04:48 AM) 32 from 9 overs needed
jatanr:
(04:48 AM) sachin stays on 99 ….
(04:48 AM) rohit to face the new over …
(04:49 AM) sharma again almost run out

(04:49 AM) its not that they are not running well…
prashant:
(04:49 AM) hmm
jatanr:
(04:51 AM) YESSSSSSSSSSS
(04:51 AM) 100 for tendulkar…
prashant:
(04:51 AM) Yeah

(04:51 AM) wooooooooooohooooooooooooo
jatanr:
(04:51 AM) sharma bowled…
(04:52 AM) why !!
prashant:
(04:52 AM) hmm
jatanr:
(04:52 AM) and he is mighty disappointed

prashant:
(04:52 AM) of course
(04:52 AM) 4/210
(04:52 AM) Just imagine India were 87/3
jatanr:
(04:53 AM) yes….
prashant:
(04:53 AM) Sharma gone for 69

jatanr:
(04:53 AM) 100 run partnership …
(04:53 AM) brilliant ….
prashant:
(04:53 AM) May be the Sachin 100 moment distracted him
jatanr:
(04:53 AM) dhoni is in .. lets see..
prashant:
(04:53 AM) quite possible

jatanr:
(04:53 AM) hmm ture
(04:53 AM) true*
prashant:
(04:55 AM) 30 runs needed 8 overs remain
jatanr:
(04:56 AM) btw… india did not b at well in the U19 world cup final
(04:56 AM) scored 159 all out …

(04:56 AM) but then got back … and south africa were 17 forr 3 …
(04:56 AM) when the rain came down
prashant:
(04:56 AM) 4
jatanr:
(04:57 AM) now if DL comes in .. SA will be in a huge advantage….
prashant:
(04:57 AM) slashed over Gilly

(04:57 AM) 26
jatanr:
(04:57 AM) yup
prashant:
(04:57 AM) 25
jatanr:
(04:57 AM) u watching following the under 19 world cup ?
prashant:
(04:57 AM) not much

jatanr:
(04:58 AM) well its the final today … india vs SA
prashant:
(04:59 AM) that I know
(04:59 AM) 24
jatanr:
(04:59 AM) brilliant boundary ….
prashant:
(04:59 AM) yes

(04:59 AM) 20
(05:00 AM) 19
(05:00 AM) I was checking the score early
(05:00 AM) in that U19
jatanr:
(05:00 AM) yeah
prashant:
(05:00 AM) with India losing first wicket early

jatanr:
(05:01 AM) shouldnt rain for too long so as to dock runs
prashant:
(05:01 AM) 19 needed from 7 overs
jatanr:
(05:01 AM) yup
prashant:
(05:02 AM) something happened to my feed
(05:02 AM) on willow

jatanr:
(05:03 AM) sachin going for his shots…
(05:03 AM) ohhh… u not able to see ?
prashant:
(05:03 AM) now i can
(05:03 AM) on alternate
(05:03 AM) channel

jatanr:
(05:03 AM) 16 to win from 36
prashant:
(05:03 AM) Star
jatanr:
(05:03 AM) ok cool
shivraj:
(05:04 AM) Good morning everyone…good evening jatanr!!
jatanr:
(05:04 AM) evening shivraj

(05:04 AM) brilliant display of batting… isnt it ?
shivraj:
(05:04 AM) Tendulkar silencing critics again…that he does not perform in the finals!
prashant:
(05:05 AM) no comments from me yet
jatanr:
(05:05 AM) hehehe
prashant:
(05:05 AM) ;)

(05:06 AM) 4
(05:06 AM) 11 now
jatanr:
(05:06 AM) another 4
prashant:
(05:06 AM) i am a little behind may be
jatanr:
(05:06 AM) same shot… almost a reply

(05:06 AM) replay*
shivraj:
(05:06 AM) cool!
(05:07 AM) whatever plan India had against Lee seems to have worked…he didn\’t go for runs but didn\’t pick up wickets either!
prashant:
(05:07 AM) yeah
(05:08 AM) 6 more

jatanr:
(05:08 AM) yep.. the plan was simple…
(05:08 AM) since he is in the form of his life.. lets play him with discretion and not give him any wickets
(05:09 AM) that was the big difference in this match
shivraj:
(05:09 AM) yeah…
jatanr:
(05:09 AM) dhoni plays thru the covers so unconventionally … its amazing

(05:09 AM) cant imagine that such shots are possible…
shivraj:
(05:10 AM) I never expected Piyush Chawla to play today..
(05:10 AM) or Praveen Kumar, for that matter !
prashant:
(05:10 AM) 3 to win
jatanr:
(05:10 AM) hehe yes

(05:11 AM) its been great…
(05:11 AM) my only regret is .. raina didnt get a chance to play
(05:11 AM) but thats ok …
(05:11 AM) he has a lot of playing days ahead of him
shivraj:
(05:11 AM) yes, I agree…
jatanr:
(05:11 AM) just wantd to see how he is playing these days

shivraj:
(05:11 AM) me too!
jatanr:
(05:11 AM) didnt see any of his batting in ranji this year
shivraj:
(05:12 AM) okay..
jatanr:
(05:12 AM) dhoni hits a 4 .. and INDIA WINSSSSS
shivraj:
(05:12 AM) that\’s great! Go India Go!!

jatanr:
(05:12 AM) yupppppppppppp
prashant:
(05:12 AM) yeeeeeeeeheeeeeeeee
(05:13 AM) What an innings by The God
jatanr:
(05:13 AM) :D:D:D
prashant:
(05:13 AM) and what a reaction after being hit by a Lee Beamer

(05:13 AM) no cursing
(05:13 AM) nothing
shivraj:
(05:13 AM) ohh..I didn\’t know that!
jatanr:
(05:13 AM) ohhh u missed the beamer
(05:14 AM) it hit him on the shounder .. it was THAT high

shivraj:
(05:14 AM) I didn\’t know this was Sachin\’s first ODI century against Australia in Australia!
prashant:
(05:14 AM) yes
shivraj:
(05:14 AM) Ohh, interesting!
prashant:
(05:14 AM) Who do you think is the MoM?
jatanr:
(05:15 AM) wud there be any debate on that /??

shivraj:
(05:15 AM) Gilchrist, for sentimental reasons! LOL
jatanr:
(05:15 AM) hehehe
shivraj:
(05:16 AM) in the U-19 finals, SA need to be 62/3 after 20 overs to win, in case it stops raining..
jatanr:
(05:17 AM) hmm :(
(05:17 AM) not fair

(05:17 AM) 17 for 3 … now 160 is far
shivraj:
(05:17 AM) I agree…
(05:17 AM) Bhajji getting Hayden in this match..poetic justice?
(05:18 AM) also, Sharma injured his finger…how serious is that?
jatanr:
(05:18 AM) hmm… that does not sound good

shivraj:
(05:19 AM) okay…
(05:19 AM) Rohit Sharma coming good again…
jatanr:
(05:19 AM) yes…
shivraj:
(05:19 AM) Sharmas are the find of the season !
prashant:
(05:21 AM) I am not getting any live feed

(05:21 AM) just some discussions
shivraj:
(05:22 AM) I didn\’t realize…but Bhajji took Symonds\’ wicket too!
(05:22 AM) poetic justice in the truest sense!
prashant:
(05:22 AM) Actually getting it now
(05:22 AM) and Hayden

shivraj:
(05:23 AM) yeah !!
prashant:
(05:25 AM) Sachin MoM
shivraj:
(05:25 AM) WooHoo!!!
prashant:
(05:27 AM) What an interview as well
(05:28 AM) said right up-front that full marks to Rohit

(05:28 AM) and when asked if he is next Tendulkar
(05:28 AM) He said everything good about Rohit
(05:29 AM) without talking about himself
(05:31 AM) So long folks
(05:32 AM) India wins the first of the best of 3 Finals by 6 wickets.
shivraj:
(05:32 AM) thanks for the update prashant!

ICC wake up! What is going on in International Cricket? The Cricket Champions are going on record and saying things like this to their visitors? Wow, this is first class cricket for you and did I hear anyone say that Australia and Australians are good hosts? They were the ones complaining about the Indian fans when they were visiting us not too long ago. Are they really scared that Indians are walking their walk and talking their talk? Looks like they can’t handle defeats like most champions can’t and it is actually quite amusing to see them being frustrated and helpless for once! What do you’ll think?

Harbhajan an ‘obnoxious weed’ - Hayden
Hayden reprimanded for ‘weed’ comment

Hogg had scalped the priced wicket of Tendulkar in one of the recently concluded ODI series that took place between India & Australia in Hyderabad. At the end of it all, Hogg had taken a photograph of that dismissal and had requested Sachin Tendulkar to sign it. Sachin signed it, and left a note to Hogg saying “This will never happen again, Hoggy”.

Well one should be surprised if Hoggy says he’s got butterflies all over his stomach after that incident. Quite differently, he says he is all set to take up this challenge. Isn’t the match perfectly set now ?..Hogg will give it his best shot to prove the master wrong, and Sachin would do all it takes to defend his wicket against the inspiring Hoggy. Its gonna be a contest that is really gonna be worth watching . Good luck Sachin and Good luck Hoggy. Do you guys think Sachin can live upto the challenge ? I believe Hoggy might prove Sachin wrong

The main question is whether Yuvraj would play and whether India will stick with their 4 main bolwers theme. If you are a gambler of sorts or a firm believer in Law Of Averages then you will play Yuvraj, hoping that he will come out of his slump in this very important match. Sehwag is not exactly performing well in ODIs and I would like to see a change there. Send Pathan to open with Sachin and add another bowler. Most likely that will not happen though.

Hmm…

Sehwag (Pathan), Sachin, Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Uthappa, Pathan (Pankaj Singh), Bhajji, SreeSanth, Ishant Sharma.

So 8 players are certain to play

Sachin, Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Dhoni, Ishant, Sreesanth, Bhajji, Pathan.

The three uncertain ones are Sehwag, Uthappa & Yuvraj.

Would Raina get a look in?

A lot of questions remain regarding the composition of this team. What do you all think?

India looked invincible, especially with Ishanth Sharma bowling some fiery spells and Gautham Gambhir smashing the balls to all parts of the ground. Little was expected that Srilanka would beat India. Although it was a rain curtailed match, 195 runs in 29 overs was quite some total to defend. It never would have been easy to notch up 195 in the stipulated overs.

Rohit Sharma played a classy knock to help India post 195 on the board. J’dena’s decision to field to me was the turning point of the match. J’dena assessed the conditions perfectly and realised it was crucial to play the waiting game in a rain shortened match. Chasing 154 in 21 overs is much simpler than chasing 195 in 29 overs. But even this requires, a brisk start upfront. J’surya was due for a knock and it was so obvious that the Lankans were so desperately in need of his aggressive opening knock. Ishanth Sharma was India’s trump card. J’surya had different ideas. Though he contributed just 27 runs, but the rate at which he scored them and the way in which he smashed Sreeshanth to all parts of the ground set up the tone for the Lankans. His explosive knock was instrumental in making things easy for the one’s to follow. Dilshan grabbed his opportunity with both hands and has made a name for himselves. Srilanka registered their first victory of the series.

This victory has not only brought this series alive, but also opened gates for all the three teams to compete. Friday’s match is a crucial one, and so is the sunday’s clash. This seris is shaping really well, and cricket lover’s can expect some real nail biting finishes in the days to come