‘Test’ing draw (India v England – Mohali)

I hoped yesterday that the second test between India and England may go for a close finish.  I also expected that MSD might push his success record to a perfect five (5 wins out of 5 tests).

However, the weather Gods were not kind.  I think the Gods were bent upon punishing BCCI for its foolish decision to hold the match at Mohali were at this time of the year weather is sure to play a spoil sport.  Kolkatta would have been a better venue for this match.

The interest left in this match, at this stage is whether Gambir will achieve the coveted mark of century in each innings.  He scored 179 in the first innings and looks well set for a well deserved hundred right now.  He is batting on 80 from 193 balls.  Unless he suddenly becomes foolish or loses concentration a century must be his for sure.  I do not know if there are any other instances of batsman from both sides achieving the landmark of century in each innings in the same series.  If you happen to read this and if you know any such instance, please do post in the comments section.

Yuvraj is using up this opportunity to knock a hundred for himself.  He has gone there and from the word go has been batting aggressively.  He has already scored four sixes and six fours in his 79.   A century for him will do a lot of good for his reputation, career, average and might get him more girl friends 😉

A declaration by Dhoni will be meaningless in this match from hereon from the point of view of a result in this match.  However, it can bring in some interest in the meandering proceedings.  May be MSD can give the gloves to Dravid and bowl a few overs, opening the bowling; it will give some pleasure for the crowd.  It is very long time since we saw non-regular bowl in a test.  I remember the times when Sunil Gavaskar used to come and bowl immitating Abdul Qadir (legendary leg spinner from Pakistan)

Hoping for a perfect five for MSD

Dhoni till the Chennai test has won four out of four tests captained by him.  In the Mohali test being played now, at the moment India has a total lead of 192 with eight more wickets remaining.  From the progress of play so far it appears that batting has become difficult.

Even though we have seen two record run chases in the past two weeks, it is unlikely that in this test any score above 275 will be easily chaseable in the fourth innings, mainly because of the foggy conditions which may help the Indian medium fast bowlers.

So it is very possible that India wins this test match and MSD takes his captaincy record to 5 out 5 (A perfect 5).

Wishing him all the best!

Is Bhajji our new tail killer?

Some of the best bowlers in the world have added their tally of wickets by taking wickets of tail enders regularly.  Though they are very good bowling to top notch batsman and taking their wickets, they probably have their mouths water when they tail enders most of whom are easy prey for these main strike bowlers.

I have to look at the stats but I have a gut feel that it is the spinners who take more tail ender wickets than the fast bowlers.  Reason may be that most tail enders are happy go lucky kind of batsman and try to hit their way out or try innovative (read funny) shots.  The tail enders may also think that slow bowlers are easy to hit out.

I have seen Warne polishing off tail enders regularly as also Muralidharan.  Our own Anil Kumble was not lagging behind in getting tail ender wickets but that was towards the fag end of his career.   Taking tail ender wickets is not a mean achievement by any stretch of imagination.  More often than not test matches are turned around by a main batsman with the help of dodgy batting by tailenders.

We have seen it happen when Indian tail enders (Bhajji, Zaheer, Ishant) frustrated the Australians in the recently concluded Oz tour to India.  We have seen it happen to India when Australian tail enders like Jason Gillespie frustrate India for hours.

India has for long suffered by not having a quality tailkiller in our bowling armoury.  If Bhajji has found a way now, it is good news.  India can win more matches if she has one giant (?) tailkiller in the ranks.

It is a welcome return to bowling form for Harbhajan taking four wickets in this match.  Are we going to see one more record run chase at Mohali?  It will be interesting what with bad light threat looming large.  It would be very frustrating for England if there is only 100 remaining to be chased around tea time tomorrow and bad light comes into play. 🙂