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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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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STRUGGLING INDIA.....

Till the second session of the fourth day of the first test match in Ahmedabad against Newzealand was heading to a draw.But after then situations suddenly changed as Chris Martin came with a hurricane over Indian batsmen.Once again Indian team is looking forward to V.V.S Laxman as he is the only recognized batsmen now available for team India in the first test match.
Williamson contributed a lot to his team in the first test match itself as he made his first test century in the debut itself and that too against India ,in India,at the time as his team need the most.The morning session started very carefully as Kiwis captain Vettori gave a good support to Williamson.After Williamson and Vettori none other could bring forward Newzealand as the last five wickets fall for just 42 runs.Well the Newzealand team fell short of 28 runs in the first innings against the Indian score of 487.
In reply ,Indian team started of their second innings witnessing Gambhir going for a successive second innings duck.Sewag also gone for just one run.But Chris Martin was not in a mood to stop his fiery spell as he took the wickets of Sachin and Dravid.At the stumps team India was 82 for 6 wickets.Indian team is now having only a lead of 110 runs with only 4 wickets in hand.
Lets see what is going to happen tomorrow as India's most second innings ' successful batsmen is there to rescue team India "as usual"....

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INDIA'S VERY VERY SPECIAL LAXMAN.....

Ponting's nightmare continues as India's very very special Laxman brought a stunning one wicket win to India in the first test match against Australia at Mohali.Chasing a target of 215 runs,Indian batsmen find it hard to reach the target as they were at one time dandling with 112/8.Then came to the crease India special hero V.V.S.Laxman and Ishant Sharma.They made a brilliant partnership of around 86 runs. But again the nail-biting situation aroused as Ishant got out as the umpire betrayed him in a leg-side going delivery.Pragyan Ojha who had a strong shout before the wicket was trying to get in too the crease meanwhile an over through from Clarke made the ball to cross the boundary line.Then India needed just one run and it was scored by him as a leg-bye.
Earlier in the morning Sachin and Zaheer started off the innings with great care but was got out as soon.Then none of the Indian batsmen could make a partnership and they came to the dreadful situation of 112/8.Zaheer Khan got the Man Of the Match Award for his 8-wicket haul in the first test.In short this was one of the finest ending of a test match that I have ever seen.
The second test will begin on 9 October.The match would be available in Neo Sports channel which was now made available in the Dish TV network

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VERY VERY SPECIAL LAXMAN.... AGAIN RESCUED TEAM INDIA....

May be in"Ramayana' epic Laxman may not be the hero.Laxman was having only a supporting character.That is,to assist Rama.But in PSC stadium V.V.S.Laxman had a very different storyline and also duty too.What would he do if there was no Rama in the story ?Of course Laxman has to take the charge...What Laxman had done in the final and 3-rd test against Srilanka was exactly the same.There was no Rama in the final day of the third test match.To be there in the top spot India must had to win that test.In that critical situation Laxman was there in the role of a hero to guide India to the victory.
With a 11-run lead in the first innings,Srilanka a posted a total of 257 as India's target.They were once at 89/7.They would have to say the Indian bowlers and Indian captain Dhoni for allowing them to score 267 runs.A well knocked innings by Samaraweera and Mendis .As soon as Malinga came Dhoni spread the field and mainly targeted on the tail-enders which caused India a lot.Now it is becoming a custom in the International matches to take on the tail-enders leaving behind the then recognized batsmen.Anyway Srialanka posted a target of 257.
In reply when India was there at 53/3 at stumps on day-4.Not sure that India could reach it or not.There was having some huge hope in the minds of Srilankans as the pitch would really support the spinners in the fifth day.In the final day the night watchman Ishant sahrma got out early in the morning itself adding worries to the Indian team.At that time Sachin was there in the crease with 16 runs and India were at 63/4-- a much troubled situation... Then came the real hero Laxman who had his day.He deleted the Srilankan hopes with his majestic wrist-play.He loved batting in the middle as he used to strike the ball too late.With a 123 run partnership with Sachin he made sure India's victory.Then came Suresh Raina who had a very wonderful test series till his debut in the second test who scores 41 runs and gave Laxman a very good support......

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INJURED INDIA....

Indian team is now struggling with the injury as most of the key batsmen like Rahul Dravid,Yuvraj Singh and Sreesanth who have already ruled out of the first test which will begin from tomorrow onwards against South Africa.Besides them Hydrebadi stylish batsmen V V S Laxman was also ruled out of the team who was not able to recover from his finger injury.As a cover to him the selection board had called Rohit Sharma to the team.
Rohit's captained Board President's XI who played against the Proteas ended in a draw.In that he was not shined as he scored only 20 runs.It will be interesting to note how Dhoni manages to control the South Africans with his limited strength....

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NOW THE REAL TEST....

After a number of one-dayers India team will now switch in to Test mode tomorrow when India take on Bangladesh in their first test match.Despite of the fact that India have only four test matches in this whole year India skipper Dhoni is looking for a very good comprehensive win in these two test matches against Bangladesh as it is essential for the team to remain in the number one spot.
Including the top guns-Sachin Tendulkar,Rahul Dravid,V V S Laxman, the full strength Indian squad is aiming for the high.In the practice session the top order batsmen batted in their batting order itself.

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INDIAN TEAM-A BALANCED ONE....

Do you know why the present Indian team is now on the top of the world test ranking?Do you know what is the secret behind India's present fantastic performance?
The answer to these questions are as simple as throwing a pebble into a pond .Now the present team is a very balanced one in any of the department.India team is now having the best seven batsmen in the team.Starting from Sehwag,Gambhir,Sachin,Yuvraj,Dhoni,Dravid,Laxman.While coming to the pace attack leading bowlers are with this team Zaheer,Sreesanth,Ishant who can disturb any batting order.And of course the spinners also Harbhajan and Ojha.And also a lot gifted bench players like Murali Vijay and Karthik.
Really this Indian team is impossible and fabulous....

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DHONI-TOO BIG....

Have you seen the six by Dhoni in which he score his sixth test hundred today in Mumbai test;day 3? He hit that ball out of the ground and that was also an alert to Srilankan's that they are out of the game's control too.
Today the biggest upset was Sehwag was not able to complete his third triple century. He got out when he was on 293 by Muralitharan.But then Sachin,Laxman and Dhoni steered India to a huge total of 726/9.Muralitharan totally outplayed today claiming 4 wickets including that of Sehwag and Laxman.
It's an uphill task to Srilanka to save this test as two more days are there and India is in a commanding position with a lead of 323 even now.At stumps Srilankan openers survived the spin attack of Harbhajan and Ojha and they were at 11/0 in 3 overs.
It will be interesting to see how Srilankan batsmen play against the Indian spin attack tomorrow....

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