From the Ashes...

It was all like that.A defeat of an innings and 34 runs in the first test match, loss the very important toss and forced to bat in the first innings of the second test,just made 205 runs in a pitch that helps the batsmen too ( if he is patient enough) , even then surpassing all these " back pullers" Indian team Rose from the Ahses.Ya, I am talking about the same thumping win that India had against South Africa at Durban in the second test of the series.
On the beginning of day four both India and the Protease were having equal chances to win the test.South Africa needed 192 more runs while India needed 7 more wickets.It was such a condition that even the cricket pandits could not predict to which side the victory will tilt.I should say that South Africa had a bit more chance as they were having their Kingpin, JH Kallis at the crease.Also AB Devilliers at the other end.But the all started to go in India's way as Kallis failed to survive a vicious bouncer from the antic-loving Sreesanth.then It seemed to be in India's hands as none other could resist India's bowling attack.Only the doubt was still there; till how they have to wait for their celebrations.
Now all the credits go for V.V.S.Laxman for his mighty 96 runs in the second innings to bring the effective Indian total to surpass ३००.Once again he proved that he is the real match winner for team India.

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INDIA FIGHTING BACK....

No one would have thought like this।When India was all out for 205 runs everyone would have remembered the last test match।Even I thought that in this game also India have lost the control।But the Indian team was not ready to surrender themselves।An inspiring come back of Zaheer Khan from injury gave wings to the Indian bowlers।It was Zaheer who started off the fight by making Smith to reach to Dhoni's gloves।That was fro the tenth time,Smith's nightmare on Zaheer Khan continues।The next chance was for Alviro Petersen who himself led the bowl to the bails after hitting his pad, in a hurry to walk across the stumps।Then Kallis had a very unlucky run out from the hands of then bowler Ishant Sharma।Even then South Africa was under control as their "WALL" Hashim Amla was there on the center।But a doosra from Harbhajan have spoiled their hopes, a one after his thousands।From then onwards it was as quick as lightning।Dravid and Pujara took two lightning faster catches which showed off their high reflexes।It was also a co-incidence that the day Dravid got his 200-th catch Pujara took the first catch in his International test career।At the end Harbhajan topped the table with 4for 10 and Zaheer 30 for 3

In the second innings even though Sehwag and Vijay had a good starting they didn't capitalized on it।Same were the case with Dravid and Sachin।All once again thrown away their wickets as they gone before their poor shot selection।After the tea however Pujara and Laxman is batting calm and quietly and now India is having around 185 runs effectively।Hope that India can have their target towards South Africa around 300 runs।Then it is going to be a suspense filled match।I am sure....

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Steyn's SIX....

A pitch with serene green grass, cloudy atmosphere....all the conditions were similar to that we found in the first test and Indian batsmen also did the same.Indian batsmen have played on themselves and thrown away their wickets in too the hand's of the Protease.Some balls were unplayable and some were due to bad shot selection, even then Indian batsmen never learned from their mistake,Only thing they can boast of themselves is that they had done marginally well in the second test when compared to the first test .In the second test India is all out for 205 runs while in the first test they were all out for just 136 runs.A marginal increase the runs scored.
If on the first day it was Dale Steyn who toggled the Indian batting order then on the early morning of Steyn was accompanied by Morne Morkel to wipe out the Indian team for 205 runs.Even though most of the batsmen have reached their double figures Laxman is the top scorer among them with only 38 runs.From this it is very clear that the batsmen have got a good starting and was not able to carry it over to a good innings.
In reply South Africa have lost their first wicket at 23 runs.Congrats to Zaheer Khan for claiming this one.He is returned after injury in this test and hope he can do well inthis test and give India a victory .Also we can hope that Zaheer's coming back in the test will also energize the rest of the bowlers....

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GO GREEN ????

In our day-to-day life we would be very familiar with the word "GO GREEN".Also nowadays many would be urging us to spread this word.But referring to the Boxing Day test against South Africa Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni would prefer more of not having any greenness.I think this would help team India tomorrow at Durban where the second test match will begin.With the first test itself it became to the light that Indian batsmen are still inefficient against the bouncing and seaming ball ( even though they batted well in the second innings ).But the truth is that Proteas captain Graeme Smith is looking for this weakness of the Indian batsmen.Also it made clear from the words of Hashim Amla "I am not sure how the wicket is going to play, but on a good day, when the wicket s flat, it is fantastic place to play".I think there is no confusion for Graeme Smith in the team for tomorrow as there is only a liitle chance for Parnell against Tsotsobe.But the latest news is that the Proteas will move with the winning team itself.
But there is an area of concern for team India, and that is Suresh Raina.It is to be watched that can Suresh Raina can still be there in the middle even after a few bad performances.Will Dhoni replace Pujara who played well in the IPL when it had its season two here in South Africa.There will be no concern for V.V.S Laxman as he was calm till he get out in the first test.Apart from this there will no area of concern for team India.But the most important thing that we have to look for is How Sehwag and Gambhir can have sparkling start in the first innings.Because as usual in the first test also its all came well when the Indian team had a good starting.

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