Nadesh and myself started this blog during the world cup. India's defeat lowered our morals and our laziness compounded it. At last I am breaking the shackles. With India touring Australia, we believe we will be writing consistently from now on.
With India touring Down under, I can't resist my temptation to see the intriguing battle between the Indians and the Aussies. Watching cricket being played in Australia is always a pleasure. The grounds will be big, each with its own aura and not to forget the nice commentary from Channel Nine (especially after watching the Pakistan series in our DD, this is a welcome change).
As everybody knows, it is going to be the last Australian tour for the glorious five of Indian Cricket (Sachin, Kumble, Dravid, Dada & Laxman). I didn't want to miss the action, that's why bought a dish tv today.
I want to watch Laxman pull Stuart Clark, Rahul Dravid leaning on his front foot to play a glorious cover drive of Breet Lee, Saching play one of the straightest straight drive of Mitchell Johnson, resurgent Dada coming down the track to loft Hogg over deep mid wicket, the scene of Anil Kumble galloping towards the pitch with one of the fiercest eyes, just like a vulture looking at its prey.
Oho, I can't wait.
But can we win the series?
Though we boast of one of the best batting line ups in the world, it is going to be quite tough. Our middle order might be robust but our 0pening is a concern. Though Wasim Jaffer was fluent against Pakistan, I doubt he will be finding it tough in Australia. The reason is Jaffer doesn't have a fluent game on off side, Flick and the jab on the leg side are the shots which Jaffer plays with ease. With bounce going to be in abundance in Australian pitches, it will be difficult for Jaffer to score. He has to settle quickly and play the waiting game which means the other opener has to attack. Can we pick Shewag? I believe we should not, Shewag was struggling against Mumbai in the Ranji trophy, so it will be a gamble to play him against the Aussie attack which seems to be lethal despite the absence of Warne and Pigeon. (Gambhir and Akash Chopra scored centuries in the same match). Dinesh Karthik had a poor patch against Pakistan, but his attitude and confidence showed in England might sneak him ahead of Shewag. Or will the go with Dravid as an opner? Any way the opening is going to be scratchy.
Its a known truth that whenever we get a good start our middle order will consolidate on it. But the Big four certainly will want to disprove it and will be batting with a determined resolve.
If a test match needs to be won, we need to bowl out the opposition twice. Taking 20 wickets against Aussies is not going to be the toughest task of all. You need to every ounce of your strength to do so and with an attack lacking a genuine swing bowler, it is going to be really difficult. Zaheer & RP Singh must come to their form of life to give India any chance of winning the series.
I will be happy If India wins the series, but the situation makes me believe its going to be a 1-1 drawn affair if our bowlers bowl their best. Or else it is going to be 1-0 or 2-0 for the Aussies.
No matter who is going to win, we can certainly see some good cricket. Buckle up to watch the series.
With India touring Down under, I can't resist my temptation to see the intriguing battle between the Indians and the Aussies. Watching cricket being played in Australia is always a pleasure. The grounds will be big, each with its own aura and not to forget the nice commentary from Channel Nine (especially after watching the Pakistan series in our DD, this is a welcome change).
As everybody knows, it is going to be the last Australian tour for the glorious five of Indian Cricket (Sachin, Kumble, Dravid, Dada & Laxman). I didn't want to miss the action, that's why bought a dish tv today.
I want to watch Laxman pull Stuart Clark, Rahul Dravid leaning on his front foot to play a glorious cover drive of Breet Lee, Saching play one of the straightest straight drive of Mitchell Johnson, resurgent Dada coming down the track to loft Hogg over deep mid wicket, the scene of Anil Kumble galloping towards the pitch with one of the fiercest eyes, just like a vulture looking at its prey.
Oho, I can't wait.
But can we win the series?
Though we boast of one of the best batting line ups in the world, it is going to be quite tough. Our middle order might be robust but our 0pening is a concern. Though Wasim Jaffer was fluent against Pakistan, I doubt he will be finding it tough in Australia. The reason is Jaffer doesn't have a fluent game on off side, Flick and the jab on the leg side are the shots which Jaffer plays with ease. With bounce going to be in abundance in Australian pitches, it will be difficult for Jaffer to score. He has to settle quickly and play the waiting game which means the other opener has to attack. Can we pick Shewag? I believe we should not, Shewag was struggling against Mumbai in the Ranji trophy, so it will be a gamble to play him against the Aussie attack which seems to be lethal despite the absence of Warne and Pigeon. (Gambhir and Akash Chopra scored centuries in the same match). Dinesh Karthik had a poor patch against Pakistan, but his attitude and confidence showed in England might sneak him ahead of Shewag. Or will the go with Dravid as an opner? Any way the opening is going to be scratchy.
Its a known truth that whenever we get a good start our middle order will consolidate on it. But the Big four certainly will want to disprove it and will be batting with a determined resolve.
If a test match needs to be won, we need to bowl out the opposition twice. Taking 20 wickets against Aussies is not going to be the toughest task of all. You need to every ounce of your strength to do so and with an attack lacking a genuine swing bowler, it is going to be really difficult. Zaheer & RP Singh must come to their form of life to give India any chance of winning the series.
I will be happy If India wins the series, but the situation makes me believe its going to be a 1-1 drawn affair if our bowlers bowl their best. Or else it is going to be 1-0 or 2-0 for the Aussies.
No matter who is going to win, we can certainly see some good cricket. Buckle up to watch the series.
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