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.

India, SA left wondering at Wanderers

Well replay this-Venue -New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, First test India Vs South Africa. Target 458, South Africa-442 for 6, just 16 runs from 26 balls to get for record chase win . With no.4 batsman F du Plessis-well set on 134.Indian fielders` heads already started dropping from the thought of certain defeat. And then suddenly from nowhere Ajinkya Rahane`s direct throw from mid off runs out full length diving Faf- F du Plessis. India gets a breather. Real turning point for the match. Surprisingly tail-enders` Philander and Steyn plays it out coolly without any real attempt to go for a historic win. Dale Steyn hits a six off Mohammed Shami on the last ball of the match. Failed short by just 8 runs. South Africa so near yet so far. Crowd boos the outgoing batting pair. Real fight between number one and two test teams at bullring ends on level terms. The epic, greatest drawn test as it is being termed everywhere now. Both teams left wondering what went wrong, which eluded the hard earned victory. Both have to settle in consolation calling it as a win for Test Cricket. Surely it was test cricket at its best for five days. With India not only dominating for first four days but were happily in safe position with set target of 458 runs if not in the winning one. On last day hosts required 320 runs and India 8 wickets. India hoping to wrap up the test with hope that hosts bundled out for paltry 244 in the first innings. But do not forget that number one test team had just three Test match losses in nearly four years. What Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli had done on fourth day for India with 222 runs partnership for third wicket on fourth day, AB de Villiers and F du Plessis replicated it for South Africa for fifth wicket on fourth day with 205 runs, turning the match on its head. From 197 for 4 to 402 for 5, Indian bowlers went wicket less for more than 60 overs. F du Plessis battled for 6.5 hours, but for that Ajinkya Rahane`s alertness, host almost had the match in their kitty. Ajinkya true to his name ensured his team remained `Ajinkya`-undefeated.

Lots of positive signs from India`s point of view. So the first test post Sachin era had very pleasing and satisfied performances from new and emerging batting order to start with. Who would have imagined Indian batsmen would give such a torrid time to world no. 1 fast bowler Dale Steyn, who went wicket less with conceding 104 runs in second innings, a rarity, only second time in his 68 matches’ career. Virat Kohli missed just by 4 runs to register centuries in both innings. India`s new run machine Cheteshwar Pujara made amends to his first innings unfortunate run out by a superb 153 in second innings. Opener Murali Vijay negotiated new ball well in second innings with 39 runs and more importantly 2.5 hours stay at the crease. Ajinkya Rahane showed great promise scoring 47 in the first innings, with 3 hours batting. And yes fitter Zack is back. Fast bowling spearhead, mentor to new generation, bowled well and reached personal mile stone of 300 test wickets. The 35 year old from Shrirampur, Maharashtra become only second fast bowler to achieve the feat after Kapil Dev. India would love to continue with him at least for a couple of more seasons or even up to the world cup of 2015. Ishant Sharma came back to his elements with four very important first innings wickets. Mohammed Shami is improving leaps and bound with every outing with 6 match wickets. R Ashwin had a forgettable match, went wicket less for 42 overs in the match. Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma are also due for their contribution with the bat. Indians need to be consistent with this splendid show. All in all cricket lovers are expecting an exciting tussle, another battle royale at Durban for the second (alas last of the series..!) December 26 - 30. Let`s look forward for a grand year end cricketing feast. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

-  -for Gavakari`s The Day View, Nashik.

ODI Champs to face S.Africa

Indian team on a South African safari to play 3 ODIs and 2 Test matches. Three ODIs series is to start from Thursday 5^th December. The tour got shortened due to BCCI`s stand against Harron Lorgat CEO-Cricket South Africa. Nevertheless BCCI encashed the opportunity by fitting in West Indies, as Sachin Tendulkar farewell series, at home. So it`s emerging young Indian currently dominating batting guns of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli against experienced dangerous Steyn, Morkel and Jacque Kallis. Fairly experienced Suresh Raina is very much a susceptible member when it comes to facing a short pitched fast bowling .M S Dhoni is happy to start tour with ODIS, as this would allow inexperienced test matches batting line up, to get used to South African conditions. Also with Zaheer Khan sent in early as a bowling coach, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav would try to settle down before two tests. Team India batsmen would be severely tested on bouncy and livelier South African pitches, against very penetrative bowling attack. Similarly inexperienced Indian pace bowlers would get a better idea of required line n length to bowl on these bowler friendly pitches. With Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers backed up by veteran Jacque Kallis hosts have got a very good experienced, proven batting line up. And now they are looking for the opportunity to salvage pride due to 1-2 loss in just concluded series against Pakistan. On the other hand Indians are very much eager to prove that they are tigers not only at home, but can demonstrate their skills on foreign soil also.

M S Dhoni

AB de Villiers

The Bullring-Wanderer`s Cricket Ground, Johannesburg.

The venue for first ODI is Wanderer`s Cricket Ground, Johannesburg, very well known as the Bullring. The multistoried stands construction is known to give nervous time for the players playing for the first time, with its intimidating atmosphere. South Africans fans are not happy due to curtailed tour and so Team India is likely to face some kind of irk, from the home crowd. Indian Captain tried to lighten the atmosphere in his press conference  when asked   `` What would you do if someone threw something onto the field? `` By replying, ``  Well, we will pick up and give it back. That`s what we can do. `` Then adding that Indian team has been provided a big security guy to handle such situations. On the outset Dhoni is maintaining a very confident face, in spite of absence of any practice game, like the earlier days. Let’s hope an exciting contest to start with first ODI, at 17.00 hrs Indian Standard Time.

ODI, Schedule:

·         December 5 - 1st ODI, Johannesburg, 17:00 IST.

·         December 8 - 2nd ODI, Durban, 13:30 IST.

·         December 11 - 3rd ODI, Centurion, 17:00 IST.

-      -  for Gavakari`s The Day View, Nashik.