10.30.08
Gautam’s Double Put India In Charge
Gautam Gambhir, as predicted by me in my previous post, has scored his maiden double century in his home ground. He played some breath-taking shots to help India put up a big score. Along with him V.V.S. Laxman completed his 13th century, his 6th against Australia and looks good for more. Both of them dominated so much that even Ricky Ponting himself came on to bowl. But there is no stopping the Indians at the moment. Hats off to Gautam Gambhir and Laxman.
10.29.08
When Focus Meets Aggression
The Australians are being forced to experience certain gestures which they generally force on their opposition. They clearly looked out of sorts. They are being made to look desperate, be it either with the bat or the ball. They are being outplayed in all the departments. The Indians are showcasing a Masterclass to the world about how to tackle the mighty Aussies. It has become very clear that the Aussies also succumb to the pressure.
Brett Lee did well to pick Virender Sehwag early and Mitchell Johnson picked up Rahul Dravid with the score reading 27 for 2. Gautam Gambhir played a role of holding one end up initially. Sachin Tendulkar, at that time, was at his sublime best stroking the Aussies around the turf. The way he moved into those drives were a treat to watch. Clearly, the pressure of record seems to have evaporated and it was very evident from his strokeplay.
The duo put on a 100+ stand and ensured that India was in a decent enough position. Sachin fell just before the stroke of tea to Mitchell Johnson who was bowling at good pace. But Gautam Gambhir ensured that the Indians never lost their track and kept the score board ticking. Laxman soon got into his own and again this duo put on another 100+ for the fourth wicket ensuring that there was no more wickets.
Gautam Gambhir was taunted in all the possible ways. He never held back and gave them what they deserved. He treated everything on merit. He was ruthless to Shane Watson and it was a special moment to watch him dance down the track and clear the ground off Watson to reach the magic figures for the second time in a fortnight’s time against the World No.1 team. This is only the fourth occasion of a player scoring hundreds in successive tests against the Aussies since 2001. Gambhir had loads to say even during the press conference. He rubbed salt into the Aussie wounds pointing out their flaws. Clearly, Australians are on the backfoot and lets hope that Gautam Gambhir scores his maiden double tomorrow. He was on 149* at the end of day’s play and another 51 runs shouldn’t be a problem.
10.21.08
MCC Membership For Dravid, Kumble And Pollock
MCC World Cricket Committee is going to conduct a meeting in New Delhi sometime this week. They will talk loads about the future of the game and also about the areas of development of the game in the other areas of the world. During the course, they will award the honorary life membership to Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Shaun Pollock. These players are the members of the World Cricket Committee. Loads of talk about the success and future of IPL, review system and implementation of other technologies to the game is to be discussed during the Delhi meeting.
India Maul Australia At Mohali
Indians have drawn first blood. They have ensured that they have won emphatically. The margin of 320 runs is the highest for India ( other than victories by an inning’s margin ). What a time to win in such a fashion? Few milestones and records were also broken in due course. Indians collectively won the game.
Clearly Australians looked out of sorts when a mammoth total was put in front of them. Gambhir and Sehwag again showed that they are one among the best in business in any form of the game. The game was already won when that partnership flourished for the second consecutive time.
Australians were completely low on morale which was very clear when Ponting didn’t toss the ball to his out of form spearhead Brett Lee on day 4. He even gave Hussey a ball but didn’t let Lee bowl. He was seen chatting with Lee who looked very disappointed. The Australians surrendered meekly on Day 5. Within almost one and half hours, the five Australian wickets were gobbled up by the Indians. Zaheer Khan swinged the cherry both ways and the Australians were caught completely off guard.
There were many contenders for the Man Of The Match. Ganguly for his match winning century in the first innings, Gautam Gambhir for his consistent show in both the innings ( a century in the second innings can’t be forgotten ), Amit Mishra for his five for, Ishant Sharma for picking up the crucial wickets. But the award went to Mahendra Singh Dhoni who flourised in both the innings with two fast paced fifties. He has finally admitted that his strength is to play his shots and he has promised to curb them only if situation demands. It will surely help him big time.
In another week’s time, the action will shift to Delhi.
Live Streaming Of Cricket Matches
Check below for live streaming link of ” All Cricket Matches ” from around the globe. Includes the relay of ICL, IPL and also International Fixtures. You can watch them live here even with a 256 Kbps connection. Check it out. There are multiple channels. Enjoy!!!
