Team India overseas agony continues.. loose test series 0-1

Victorious New Zealand Team

 

MSD pats his counterpart

Brendon McCullum becomes first triple centurion for Kiwis.

Virat Kohli save India from further embarrassment with aggressive century.

Kiwis turn the table with McCullam n B J Watling`s record 352 partnership

At the start of the fourth day, India , were still in a strong position and just needed to get past Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling, as early as possible.But Indian bowlers offered McCullum many loose deliveries to take advantage of.,McCullum scored his second double-century of the series...Wicket Keeper Watling, too, remained solid and reached his third Test century.Together, the two batsmen added 352 runs - a new Test record for the sixth wicket.As McCullum was tired, Jimmy Neesham took the attack to India and struck an attractive fifty on debut. Host captain McCullum batted out the entire day, set the new record for the longest innings played by a New Zealand batsman, and was unbeaten on 281 at the end of fourth day. New Zealand added 477 runs after 94 for 5 and took the lead to a challenging 325.India went 123 overs without a wicket before Mohammed Shami struck to dismiss BJ Watling for 124, failing two short of the highest score by a New Zealand No. 7 in the second innings.The duo foiled all attempts by Dhoni n boys to upset them .Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli n even Dhoni with one bowled 18 overs between them,to provide rest to tired main bowlers.Ultimately Shami broke the partnership with the third new ball.

New Zealand Skipper  Brendon McCullum n Wicket keeper BJ Watling

Captain`s knock by Brendon McCullum continues NZ fight

Captain`s knock by Brendon McCullum and 150+ partnership with his wicket keeper, continues New Zealand resistance,with 6 for 5 after wiping off the lead at the end of third day...

Mahi Dhoni and team unable to break the partnership by clinging on half chances and lack of penetrative bowling and due to admirable patience by NZ pair after 94 for 5. Day ends with 252 for 5.

McCullum hits his slowest Test hundred,but stays on  not out on 114.

India`s dominance over Kiwi continues

Ajinkya Rahane,Mumbai`s middle order batting pillar helped Team India to continue it`s dominance on day two also in second test at Wellington. Rahane`s first test hundred and a crucial  partnership of 120 with MS Dhoni in 24.1 overs,enabled India to gain 246 runs lead over New Zealand. 1st day`s hero ,opener Shikhar Dhawan missed his second consecutive ton by 2 runs.Captain Dhoni counter attacked with a brisk 68 with 9 fours and 1 six.Hosts still need 222 runs to make India bat again.

Ajinkya Rahane's scores his first Test century 

Captain Dhoni counter attacked with a brisk 68

ADVANTAGE INDIA : Day 1-Second Test at Wellington

After winning sixth consecutive toss on the New Zealand tour, Team India in better position for the first time on the very forgettable tour so far. Ishant Sharma is the day one hero for India. With his six wickets off his 17 overs for 51 runs earlier at the start of the day and later ending the day unbeaten as a nightwatchman after facing sixteen testing deliveries, in the process taking India from 89 for 2 to 100 for 2.Evening honors-post tea session-went to opener Shikhar Dhawan who remained 71 not out with 10 fours and one six off 87 balls.Can India continue and strengthen their position on day two against very successful kiwi pacers so far is going to determine the fate of the match. 

Ishant Sharma 6 for 51 off 17 overs!

Shikhar Dhawan uppercuts for a six.

Day 1 heroes for Team India

Kiwis tamed Indian tigers by superior performance..

Hard luck..Team India ! Would have been a historic win,in spite of conceding 300 runs lead.Batsmen failed to cross the finish line.

Poor line n length bowling in first innings,Middle order failure in second along with some umpiring mistakes at crucial time cost India the match... 

India hoping for miraculous run chase !

What a test match day. Third day of the first test match on Saturday Feb 8th. India bundled out for 202 ,  from overnight 130 for 4, allowing New Zealand 302 runs lead. Hosts did not enforced a follow on. Unbelieving performance by Indians ,especially by Mohammad Shami in the fast bowling and Ravindra Jadeja through his extraordinary fielding bowled out  New Zealand for paltry 105 .With 407 as target , India are 87 for 1 at the end of third day with Murali Vijay back in the pavilion.Can young , fearless Indian guns fire on fourth day to produce miraculous victory remains to be seen.

First Test - Kiwis recover after bad start, on the first day

In the first test at Auckland, hosts kiwis recovered from 30 for three in the opening session of the first test of two match series. Riding on consistent one day series performer Kane Williamson and aggressive captain Brendon McCullum`s centuries. McCullum was unbeaten 143 took New Zealand to strong position at the end of first day, with score reading 329 for 4.

Testing Times for Captain Cool n boys...!

Indian supporters hoping for revival of emerging Team India`s performance in two test matches starting on Thursday 6th February onward. Inclusion of India`s new test matches run machine Cheteshwar Pujara and seasoned old pro Zaheer Khan`s inclusion to head and mentor India`s pace attack may bring better performances in the five day format.While Ishant Sharma`s continuous failure may cause worry to Mahi Dhoni, who is persisting with the lanky Delhi pacer in spite of so many mediocre showings in all formats.If this continues would badly affect Team India`s showing , which continues to be poor abroad. Skipper MSD  hoping for better performances from top five batsmen, with good opening starts.

Kiwis exposed ODI World Champs!

So the fear that Kiwis would be formidable in home conditions, proved right, unfortunately for Team India supporters.

Major issues that enabled kiwis to outplay World Cup holders India are: 

Weak opening starts while batting,total failure on part of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, except one innings for Rohit. 

Pace bowlers`s especially Bhuvanesh Kumar`s inability to exploit swing friendly conditions, in spite of bowling on fresh pitches at most of the time.

Chronic issue of expensive bowling at death of the innings , especially last 10-12 overs.

Batsman lacking adequate skills,temperament to handle short pitched bowling, from kiwi pacers.

Virat Kohli`s century overshadowed by Corey Anderson`s performance..

In the first ODI Virat Kohli`S brilliant 123 off 111 balls got overshadowed by 

Corey Anderson`s all round performance of 68 not out and 2 wickets.

Indian bowlers anyhow managed to contain Kiwis below 300, but  batsman failed to achieve 292.
Can it be different story on Wednesday 22nd Jan for the second ODI? Would Indians handle NZ pace-men better?

Kiwis challenging at home!

India to take on New Zealand on their home turf with five matches ODI series to start with on Sunday 19^th Jan (morning for Indian viewers). Though as per ICC rankings hosts are way down at number 8 against no. 1 India, to expect India to run over can be a misleading. With the weather conditions similar to England, windy strong breeze, odd shaped grounds and slow outfield, these are few of things visiting teams always find difficult to overcome. It`s a little less toured destination for Team India. Out of 30 India has 10 wins against NZ`s 19.Only before last World Cup, India managed to clinch series victory, under MS Dhoni 3-1 in 2008-2009. Apart from MS only two regular batsmen – Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma have played international cricket in New Zealand. However India stands a good chance of winning consecutive series there, considering hosts - NZ `s – ordinary record in recent times. Post 2011, out of 19 ODIs New Zealand have lost 10 and won 8, that too with 3 wins against lesser Zimbabwe. This ordinary home record is primarily due to inconsistent batting by New Zealanders.

Brendon McCullum`s  innovative stroke play

Mahendra Singh Dhoni 

For Indian bowlers’ very demanding and new conditions, Dhoni is expecting wind and pitch help the fast bowlers at Napier on Sunday. As always, India expecting to depend heavily on their fast emerging new formidable, fearless batting line up. The most important factor for this tour from India`s point of view is, good exposure ahead of the 2015 World Cup. India is scheduled to play two group games in Auckland and Hamilton, while New Zealand will also host a quarter-final and a semi-final. Lot of youngsters would like to take this opportunity to cement their places in the team for the World Cup. The no. 4 batting spot is wide open due to absence of dropped Yuvaraj Singh. Competition would be amongst Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina and even be Ambati Rayudu. Newcomer Stuart Binny is likely to get a chance to play as an all-rounder. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, is already thinking of playing four quicks. Adam Milne could be New Zealand's main weapon against India, along with Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee or Mitchell McClenaghan. Corey Anderson would be batting attraction, known for his powerful striking, took it to a new level on New Year's Day 2014 when he broke the world record for the fastest ODI hundred with a 36-ball blitzkrieg against West Indies at Queenstown. Brendon McCullum is in no mood to give India a friendly and soft welcome, where as MS Dhoni feels India are ready as they have had a few days to prepare. So let`s see if India can wipe out memories of recent losses in South Africa and continues to be number one in ICC ODI rankings.

-for Gavakari`s The Day View, Nashik.

Short Safari Big Lessons

So India just marginally bettered their miserable overseas record. As the first test was drawn avoiding series of whitewash defeats in test matches. This is little consolation from the earlier 0-4 losses, when it was expected to get 0-2 thrashing by world no.1 side in their own backyard, India escaped with 0-1. India missed great opportunity to capitalize on a splendid 197 for one on second day morning of the second test and got out at 334, in the first innings. This apart, there are quite few positives for India to take especially in batting department. Post Sachin, Rahul and VVS Laxman`s exit. India was extremely pleased with the trio- Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane`s splendid performances against deadly South African attack. Virat settled doubts about his overseas batting ability. Pujara continues his hunger for runs, form, methodical and technically sound display on foreign soil also. But biggest find was Ajinkya Rahane`s solidity at no.6. Rahane showed lot of maturity, technique and temperament for India to look hopeful for the brighter future. Only disappointments were in from Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma`s failures. These two will get more chances to show their ability to bat better outside Indian subcontinent. Captain Dhoni at no.7 also was just below average.

Cheteshwar Pujara 

Ajinkya Rahane

However the biggest worry continues to be Indian bowling – pace as well as spin. South Africa exposed the limits of Indian attack once again after fifth day of first test, when they almost chased improbable 458.India failed to stop hosts scoring 500 and thereby dominating the rest of the match and finally winning it at ease with 10 wickets. With a good wicket Indian pacers Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami failed to make any impression. India`s spin trump card at home R. Ashwin, had to make way for Raivndra Jadeja who bowled very well to take  6 wickets. This is the only plus if Jadeja manages to remain consistent. Pacers look very ordinary when there is no help from the pitch. India needs to look beyond ageing Zaheer Khan. Ishant Sharma failed to deliver much after he shown some hope in the first test. Mohammad Shami will get better with the more exposure; even he himself was upset about his final test performance. To win you have to have the bowling attack to be able to take 20 wickets of opposition. After five One Dayers` India would play 2 tests in February on New Zealand tour, with almost same bowling unit except addition of new comer Ishwar Pandey. Pragyan Ojha is dropped from the squad, who anyway did not have any match on the tour. As far captaincy MS Dhoni continues without much competition after 52 tests as captain. Has got the challenge to build new look team India which also performs well overseas.

-for Gavakari`s The Day View, Nashik.