It has been quite a while, back with loss in Nagpur

Last year March was the last blog i have posted. But after a long time i thought of starting my digital inking of my thoughts about the game in a new location. Since i have moved into Australia i found a lot of spare time in my disposal and a lot of thought provoking cricket going around the world has also acted as a catalyst for starting the blogging yet again.

No.1 tag was entitled with the Indian team after the Srilankan team was defeated in the India with a below par Murli and totally out of form Mendis. Then came the tour of Bangladesh where the famous quote of Sewag "they can’t take 20 wickets" was dashed at the media, which came into the grind of critics saying "play with bats not words". But the proof of No.1 status was shown to the tigers.

Then came the force, A make shift test series against the so called No.2 champs. South Africans original ODI series was changed into a 2 match test series and followed by a 3 match ODI tour.

India Vs South Africa: First test 2010

India had a tough task ahead, loss of Dravid and Yuvi due to injuries they picked up during the Bangladesh series was a sign showing a week middle order had to be put up with for the series. The inclusion of just seven batsmen for the first series showed the confidence they had in Vijay the reserve opener of the team who has played well against Australians and the Srilankans. The talented, experienced and solid performer in Domestic cricket Badrinath was included in the squad and this time around he was sure of making his name as an international test player for the country. he was finally handed the indian test cap after a long wait, thanks to strong middle order. In a way Badrinath also is like Hussy and talented hard working player proving himself a lot in domestic level and made the cut into the national team only after the retirement of senior player in the team. But here it was not retirement but injuries which helped his cause. Then was the last minute inclusion of Rohite sharma as a cover for VVS Laxman.

The morning blows in India Vs South Africa Feb 6th:

A series advertised as a clash between champions was set to blow the viewers mind of with gripping cricket. The series started off in a blowing fashion, VVS ruled out cause the team management did not will to take risk with his finger and so Rohith was also set to make the cut into the national test side. But it was not so for him, a morning warm up drill saw him lying down in pain. A sudden injury did not help his cause at all, the indian was short of one batsmen now. A panic set into the selection and they played Saha who was a complete misfit in the squad. He was a spare wicket keeper and was never there to be into the playing level. He was given a chance to make Karthick think about his place in the team as the reserve keeper is not a joke. but tables turned and Saha was in playing 11 on the morning team chart.

The second Blow was that of South African openers in hands of hot Zaheer. Zak as he is called was as hot as molten lava running in hard and hitting the right points using the freshness of the pitch very well. He troubled both the openers specially Prince and with a bouncer he was caught by Dhoni, well that is what the score card says but he was a bit unlucky to be given out as replays showed the ball hit the arm guard rather the gloves. But a wicket well earned is what has to be said. Then came the beauty of a ball to claim in form Smith's wicket with a ball pitching in a perfect length and foxing the batmen weather to play or to leave and moved a bit in to remove Smiths wood out of the ground. The SA was in a shock and where blown by the Indian Pace spear head Zak.

Solid as Rocks:

The Early wicket meant all depended on Amla and ever dependable Kallis had to perform rebuilding of the batting the innings. And they responded to the challenge like a rock solid performers. The Indian teams bowling attack looked ordinary because of the conditions and cos of the men in middle. Not one false short, not one chance to the fielders which was let down. A proper exhibition of test cricket batting by both blocking or leaving the good balls and attacking the bad once, scoring in a decent strike rate ending at 3.12 runs per over. Kallis was at his best in this tour leaving the haunted test series when the potteries visited here for a test series. The day ended with no more wickets falling and Kallis on his way towards the all illusive test double hundred he is chasing till now. The morning saw the scoring continue, but it also saw the end of Kallis. Done in by a Bhaji ball which took the inside edge to pop on from his pads and was caught by Vijay. But Amla was not AB de villers, and went on to score a not out 253 of 473 balls. The South African innings was called off at the score of 558/6.

After the rock solid the rocker came in:

India ended the day with 24/0 with the playing surface showing signs of improvement towards bowlers. And Steyn showed why he is the top ranked bowler in the world. A perfect cutter to Vijay say him loose is wicket for not offering a shot. The judgment was not wrong but the ball was unbelievable. As the day went the famed Indian line up was crumbling down until Sewag and Badhri steady the ship. Sewag scored yet another ton and the thought of another 150+ score was lingering around, but it was not to be so this time around and he was out on 109 credited to a lovely catch by Duminy. Then it was Badhri and then the whole side was all out for 233 with the tail not showing any back bone and surrendered to the pace of Stayn. Smith was quick to call the Indians back to the field to bat taking the follow on. The thoughts of famous Calcutta test and the brilliance of Napier was lurking around my mind hoping against hope. But this time around the loose of Dravid and Laxman was felt. This time around both the openers where dismissed cheaply and the promising Vijay did show signs of hope, but failed to deliver( think Vijay is associated with just hype as of Vijay movies does not delivers at the expected time was the thought crossing my mind).

Master Full innings:

The class of master was seen yet again in the second innings. Wickets falling around him yet he was patient scoring at a good pace and strike rate according to the situation. Harries was bowling left arm over the wickets aiming at the rough but Sach was as cool as cucumber and padded him easily. After a 170 minute he scored a single to achieve his 46^th test century 7 a drift from pointing who is hot on his heels. But fortune prevailed over grit this time around. A deliver pitched wide of leg, a length which can be slog swept or paddled took the arm of sachin and took the bail of the stumps. Sach was upset and was evident by the way he crawled out of the pitch into the dressing room. So did was the chance of any revival of the Indian teams chances.

Then came the tumbling wickets down, but this time there were some fireworks from Bhaji and Zak but the there was only one result in this test match and it was achieved when Styen took his 10^th wicket for the match catching Saha plumb in front. End of the match a win of over an innings and 5 run. Which raised a dough in our minds which is the number one team in test???