Once again YUV"RAJ"....

                I think Ricky Ponting is one of the luckiest player in the cricket world.That is why he was able to quit the world cup career with a fine and well remembered century in the Quarter-Final against India at Motera stadium in Ahmedabad. Of course Ricky Ponting had a terrific century  which geared them into a decent score of 260  and in return India started chasing the target with Sachin Tendulkar leading from the front with a fine half century.But it was all done by the imperous Yuvraj  with an awesome innings and led India to a splendid semi final against Pakistan on next Wednesday (30-3-2011) at Mohali.

 

Punjabi se pankha math lein.....

             In the beginning Indian captain Dhoni lost the toss and were forced to field.As all expected Dhoi handed over the new ball to R.Aswin who did well with the new ball and also took the valuable wicket of dangerous Watson.Then came the "Punter".he was under immense pressure which was very clear from his face.But he did well to manage the temper with in himself, and played calmly with great patience.Actually he was the only player who tried to stick on the pitch and so he got the result to his hard work.Also he must be very much relieved as he made the century (104) in a very important match and that too after 18 months since he scored a century in ODI matches.Before him only Haddin gave him a good support and had little partnership with him.After that none of the Aussie batsmen  could posted a good score.Only David Hussey showed some responsibility and scored some quick runs at the end.It's really interesting that  he was there  in the team instead of leg-spinner  Steven Smith.All the bowlers from team India bowled well and all  of them bowled well with Aswin,Zaheer and Yuvraj took two wickets each and helped India to restrict the mighty Australians at a defending total of 260.

Ooph...My century in vein....

            In reply,team India started of well with Sehwag and Sachin in their usual manner.Sehwag as usual tried to hit the ball out of the rope in the first ball itself and he couldn't , but he fulfilled his aim in the very next ball itself.But as usual Sehwag was out after a fine start.But then Sachin and Gambhir led the Indian score towards the target by rotating the strike without much risk .But soon after the half century when Sachin was   diving to his 100-th century , a loose ball outside the off stump from Shaun Tait touched the outside edge and rested in Haddin's gloves.Then came Kohli who also batted well till he got out from a loose full toss from David Hussey.From that Indian batsmen started showing some kind of  hurry-bury as the India middle order began to choke.Dhoni and Gambhir threw away their wickets unnecessarily.But then Raina and Yuvarj  led India to a flamboyant  victory.

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THE CLASH OF TITANS....

      This may be one of  the most awaited match of World Cup 2011,I'm sure.On March 24 when Australia and India face each other , Motera stadium will definitely witness an electrifying crowd and as that much enthusiastic players.Also the Australian coach Tim Nielsen coined  the term "mini-grand final" for Thursday's match.Both the teams will meet each other  after losing each game in their league matches.But at the same time the advantage goes to the visitor's side as they have won nine of the last fifteen matches played in India in the last five years.Also the pressure will be on the host as they are playing in their home ground and their home crowd with the crowd expecting some thing supernatural and complete entertainment from the Indian Cricket Team.

NOW NOR NEVER

     Batting is the main area of concern for both the teams.While Indian top order batsmen is the best that any team can get in this world cup but at the same time the worst too.With Sehwag ,Sachin on the opening followed by Gambhir,Kohli,Yuvraj,Dhoni... any team can dream of.But the problem is that ,their batting powerplay.Indian team didn't perform well in their bating powerplay in this entire world cup. India lost their 9 wickets for just 29 runs in Chennai and 7 for fifty against West Indies.But regarding team India, this not the only area of concern.Team India's bowling is also equally  thinkable about their performances so far in the worldcup.Only there is one bowler in the team who is consistent through out the series and that is none other, Zaheer Khan.Apart from him none other  was able to prove himself to be consistent.Now I just remember what one of my friend said "Team India is playing this world cup with only two players; one is Sachin Tendulkar and the other is Zaheer Khan.

WILL HAVE TO TRY HARD TO RETAIN THE WORLD CUP

    The same batting department also worries the Australian team.Ricky Ponting and White is struggling to score runs.Their bating weaknesses was evident in their last match against Pakistan when they were all out for 176 runs and suffered a lose from the hands of Pakistan.

      

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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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