India in Sri Lanka -- Test Series

Now that the Soccer World Cup is over, I hope some people in India who were supporting some unknown countries will now support their own country in the coming rubber against the Sri Lankans. The rubber seems to be an interesting one, not only because of the ICC rankings at stake, but also a look at our Pied Piper of Punjab 'Yuvraj Singh'. Yuvraj was dropped from the Asia Cup & has been given a lifeline to cement his place in the Test XI. By the time this article is published we will come to know who is the new replacement of Sreesanth, who has an injured knee which rules him out of the series. What this means is Abhimanyu Mithun is almost certain to make his Test Debut at Galle. If Yuvraj Singh gets a handful of runs in this series it would be a good confidence booster for the champion batsman, specially with the amount of Cricket India will play before the world Cup. On the other hand if he has an average series, Cheteshwar Pujara might get a look in.
What worries me is India's depleted bowling ammunation. Zaheer's treating his shoulder in South Africa & now Sreesanth is taking the flight back home. Only Father time will tell whether it is RP Singh or Ashok Dinda who fly out as a cover to Sreesanth.
The first Test match also assumes much significance as it would the final Test match for the Champion offie Muttiah Muralitharan who would be eying for a perfect test match with a win not only for his country but also for a near perfect 800 test sticks. While the earlier Test Series was dominated by the two formidable M & Ms (Murali & Mendis), this time India's famed middle order can breathe a sigh of relief as Murali the magician would play only the first test. There is a school of thought that would say there is an overkill between India v Sri Lanka, but nevertheless it is going to be an important series specially for some of our talented cricketers.

Well Done Team India, Congratulations!

While many in India are more busy going "gaga" over the victory & defeats of some countries, they hardly know, it was heartening to see India lift the Asia Cup after 15 years! Some of the former captains of India had given the Sri Lankans the favourites tag, but I was sure the Indians would definately make it a match once they won against arch rivals Pakistan, which perhaps was the match of the tournament. Credit goes to Ashish Nehra for his heroics in the match(Ideally he should have been the Man of the Match) which tilted the final in India's favour once the Lankans lost half their side at 51.
The build up for the biggest 50 over tournament is about 8 months away from now and India play about 11 Test Matches & about 17 ODIs ( Hoping India reaches the Finals of the Tri Series in Sri Lanka featuring NZ). Which means they have little time to get their bowling act more combustible. The batting looks more settled in both the Tests as well as the ODIs, however it the Fast bowling which is a little cause of concern. In the last 5 Tests the fast bowling has been led primarily by ZaK, with support from either Sreesanth, or Ishant. In the ODIs India have the services of PK & Nehra. In terms of spinning options India are well served with Harbhajan, Mishra & Ojha. The cause of worry is that India don't have a sound allrounder. I don't want to drag on as to why Irfan Pathan lost his swing post 2005 & unfortunately he is not even near the selector's radar. Ravindra Jadeja has been doing well in the limited opportunities he's got, but India would have preferred a bowling allrounder who could occasionally be used as a floater too.

The India A team has done remarkably well in England, primarily Jaidev Unadkat. With due respect to all, I personally feel the biggest rationale of picking up the "A" squad should be to test your IInd string players who of late have not been regulars in the India colours. Hence players like Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Munaf Patel would have definately made a case for themselves had they been in the "A" squad. This is where Cheteshwar Pujara has a justified case for himself considering the fact that the number 6 position might be up for grabs in the coming Test Matches. There is a lot to look forward to as the ODIs have been wonderfully sandwiched with the Tests & of course the occasional T20. Its always good to enjoy the perennial Chicken Mcgrill with the French fries... What say?

Good Luck Team India

While the obvious has happened, there will be a few who will have a few things to say here & there. Though I feel Yousuf Pathan is just a little unlucky to miss out, Yuvraj Singh should take this break as an opportunity to fine tune himself. The Punjab lad has been a little off colour since the IPL & I feel this break would do him good. Pathan Senoir has not got enough opportunities at 7, though he palyed a good hand coming in at 4.
The interesting selection is that of Jharkhand rookie Saurabh Tiwary. I feel the selection comittee has done the right thing in selecting the gutsy cricketer. Apart from being a good striker & a very capable fielder, he is also a good runner between the wickets. Apart from the mental adjustment, the young lad also has to get acclimitized to the hot & humid climes of Sri Lanka from the much cooler climes of England, where is playing the A series. India have a very hectic schedule ahead & these young cricketers would a world of good to their careers if they put of decent show.
Though the Zim soujourn has almost ended for India, apart from the two T20 Internationals, I must say the way the Zimbabwe team has performed is indeed noteworthy. The Taylors & Masakadzas have shown a lot of spunk in their ability & this can only take Zimbabwe Cricket forward.
With the Asia Cup barely 6 days away, the regulars in the Indian camp have got the desired rest & would be raring to have a go & bring home the coveted cup!

Indian Cricket going through the motions!!

As I write this India has already made a wobbly start to the Tri Series in Zimbabwe. If in case India does not make the Finals, as usual a lot of hue & cry is bound to happen(Even though this team is second string). But what has actually dissapointed me is the bowling. If guys like Dinda, Umesh Yadav & Vinay Kumar cannot defend a score of 285, then God knows what would they defend. Having said that credit has to be given to Craig Ervine whose belligerence ensured Zim got home with 6 wickets in hand. This indeed is a thumping win to the Zimbabweans, whose Cricket of late has more to do with crisis than anything else. Coming back to India, I as an ardent Cricket lover am not too sure about the brouhaha hapenning around. First it was the IPL Hallabol created by the BCCI mandarins, then it was Coach Gary Kirsten's team report ( After the second T20 debacle) focussing primarily on the fitness of some of our key players, where he suggested that even he was fitter than some players!!
The Asia Cup begins from June 15 in Sri Lanka & some of our key players have duly got the much needed break, where in they can introspect & fine tune their glitches. I personally believe the build up for the World Cup begins from the Asia Cup. India must try out their combinations in order to get the balance as well as the Team combination right. But before that happens there is a lot of Cricket to be played on the field & a little bit off as well. Off the field Cricket might interest only the needful, for people like you & me, it is on the field Cricket that would attract more scrutiny.
Good Luck Team India, especially for ones making their Debuts in Zim, a performance here & there would stand them in good stead for the future.
Sourya Bose

Thank You Sachin, God bless you more!!

"If selected I will go" is what the great Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar had to say to the reporters(who had asked him what would he do if he is selected for the tour of West Indies in 1988) in Mumbai after his heroics in a Ranji Match against Gujarat where he scored 100, which made Tendulkar the youngest Indian to make a hundred on first class debut. Actually Sachin Tendulkar is every 16 year old's dream come true. The boy next door who made batting a matter of simplicity, almost perfect balance, impeccable movement, I mean I can go on & on but the adjectives would fall short. As a teenager his hurricane 119 at the difficult WACA in Australia, or his 16th Test ton in Chennai, where he battled his back & the spin of Saqlain Mushtaq are almost perfect centuries. I say almost perfect as unfortunately India went on to loose both the Tests.

All around the world there have been only praises for this Super Cricketer, the only thing that is missing in his Inbox is an appreciation about his 'Captaincy'. But then as we all know that Cricket is a great leveler; he did have an average record as an Indian Captain, but things are looking to come a full circle for the GOD of Indian Cricket this year in the IPL. The Mumbai Indians are almost certain to make it to the last four, thanks to some shrewd bowling changes, super team selection ( No Jayasurya ) & of course the master's silken touch that is following. Now what this is doing is making Sachin Tendulkar all the more confident & determined for the World Cup, which is about 12 months away. All this makes a lovely Romance, that has begun to show its maturity in all forms of the game & as we all know that Love stories have to come to an end, I hope this love story ends like a typical Bollywood special at the Wankhade in perhaps 12 months from now with Sachin posing for the Paparazzi with the World Cup held close to his heart.

Thank You Sachin (Sarvada Shaktishaali)

Sourya Bose

Jai Hind

Yuvi Where art thou?? & Well Played Ganguly!

Well well as I write this there seems to be a lot of hue & cry about the sensational Pied Piper of Punjab " Yuvraj Singh". Today's TOI suggests Yuvi wanted to quit Kings XI before the IPL III. As we all know that there is no smoke without fire, it is a matter of much speculation how true or untrue it can be. As a matter of fact fortunes of Kings XI Punjab are very much on the same trajectory as they were for the Knight Riders in IPL II. While Brett Lee denies any kind of rift or feud within the team, the performances of the Kings XI have been off colour. The captain had a 1 match ban & now we hear stories of Videocon supremo Venugopal Dhoot expressing his interest in a stake. Well time itself will tell whether the owners Ness & Preity would like to part ways with the Kings!!

On the eastern side of India, the Eden Gardens was once again lit by the most criticized captain Sourav Ganguly with a blistering 88 of 54 balls, the 3 sixes of Pragyan Ojha & the one hit straight off Kemar Roach's delivery was a spectacle in its own. One can recall how he had launched into Ashley Giles a few moons ago!! It was a special innings from a special player.

The IPL now is interestingly poised as Mumbai & Bangalore are more or less certain for the last 4. I believe Chennai, Delhi, Deccan & the Knight Riders will have to play percentage cricket to make it to the semis.

With the T20 World Cup starting in 5 days time post the IPL, the most important factor for the Indian Champs to conquer would be 'fatigue'. India play against minnows Afghanistan in their opener & being an Indian I just hope our 15 are off the IPL (Injured Players League).

Jai Hind

Sourya Bose