West Indies loss ensured the much awaited easy outing for Indians against one of the top sides in group stages. Dhoni won the toss and batted first, not having Sehwag to bat alongside Sachin. But then Gambhir could easily fit in the role with little master. Sachin walked knowing he had nicked the ball off Ravi Rampaul, when the whole world was awaiting 100 hundreds from the Legend. Soon, Gambhir followed and quickly we were two down for 51 runs on the board. Yuvraj and Kohli, the men in form for this world cup, curtailed their strokes initially to build a nice partnership. Yuvi went on to score a fine hundred, beating the Chennai heat and a possible dehydration.
The wicket had a spongy bounce for the medium pacers and a sharp turn & Bounce for the spinners. Kieran Pollard and Bishoo bowled wonderful twenty overs, where they kept the runs tight. Dhoni’s wicket came at the time, when 3rd power play was about to be taken and since Raina was a new batsmen in, Yuvi pushed the 3rd power play to the last five overs in a plan to allow Raina to settle in and throw his willow later. Raina got out cheaply though. Right at the stroke of Pollard’s spell completion, he picked up Yuvi’s wicket. As usual, 3rd PP had its effect on, when we lost 4 wickets for 28 runs.
Pick of the bowlers for West Indies was Ravi Rampaul, who made the best use of the little opportunity that he got. Playing his first match, he ensured that he better be picked for the rest of the tournament as he was very effective both with the new ball and later with reverse swing. The one that he bowled to Sachin was a ripper. Sachin knew there was a deviation and when he realized the ball missed his elbow, he knew it was from his bat and walked off the field when Steve Davies shook his head to say not out. “What a Gesture from the Legend!” This is no way lesser to famous Gilchrist’s walk in Semi Finals against Sri Lanka.
Talking about Yuvraj’s Innings, the way in which he paced the innings was pleasing to the eye, as he was leaving all the balls outside the off initially, unless it’s a Juicy full length delivery. He ducked down to short balls, but did not spare the ones which did not bounce much. Pull shots were rightly picked.
When Darren Saamy had the ball in his hand, Yuvraj danced down the wicket and walloped him over long on for a huge six. Right left combination helped the matter as he built an awesome partnership with Kohli, who is becoming Mr. Dependable when quick wickets fall at the top. Dhoni would be pleased as we enter the quarter finals stage, as 4 out of the 7 batsmen have scored individual hundreds.
West Indies have things to worry, as they have lost two back to back matches, not able to chase achievable scores. Devon Smith alone played with purpose, once his wicket was taken, procession started and Indians had an easy outing much to their surprise. Dhoni realized the effect of Reverse swing in the match and kept his seamers for late overs. In the first fifteen overs, he had brought in three off spinners and Zaheer. Munaf did not even bowl a single over by then. Harbhajan picked the important wicket of Pollard, caught in the deep and it was an anti climax of the match.
Darren Bravo, in his little partnership with Devon smith, was playing with a purpose. He exactly resembles Brian Lara in many of his strokes and the way he runs. I Remember Sir Vivian Richards' words before the start of the tournament, when he said 'Watch out for Darren Bravo, cause he resembles Brian Lara and might do a Lara type in one of his innings'. Who knows, he might as well reserve that for Quarter final match against Pakistan. His rush of blood cost him his wicket at the hands of Raina, who has the habit of picking wickets, though not with his best deliveries.
A Win by 80 runs, after having scored less than 30 runs from what it should originally have been, is a welcome sign for quarter finals clash against Aussies. Positive factor of it, being the match played in Ahmadabad (Indian Crowd) against a weak Australian side, no doubt. Ponting’s bad form, No match winner in form of a spinner could be the factor which India can cash in on.
Go India Go,
Regards,
The wicket had a spongy bounce for the medium pacers and a sharp turn & Bounce for the spinners. Kieran Pollard and Bishoo bowled wonderful twenty overs, where they kept the runs tight. Dhoni’s wicket came at the time, when 3rd power play was about to be taken and since Raina was a new batsmen in, Yuvi pushed the 3rd power play to the last five overs in a plan to allow Raina to settle in and throw his willow later. Raina got out cheaply though. Right at the stroke of Pollard’s spell completion, he picked up Yuvi’s wicket. As usual, 3rd PP had its effect on, when we lost 4 wickets for 28 runs.
Pick of the bowlers for West Indies was Ravi Rampaul, who made the best use of the little opportunity that he got. Playing his first match, he ensured that he better be picked for the rest of the tournament as he was very effective both with the new ball and later with reverse swing. The one that he bowled to Sachin was a ripper. Sachin knew there was a deviation and when he realized the ball missed his elbow, he knew it was from his bat and walked off the field when Steve Davies shook his head to say not out. “What a Gesture from the Legend!” This is no way lesser to famous Gilchrist’s walk in Semi Finals against Sri Lanka.
Talking about Yuvraj’s Innings, the way in which he paced the innings was pleasing to the eye, as he was leaving all the balls outside the off initially, unless it’s a Juicy full length delivery. He ducked down to short balls, but did not spare the ones which did not bounce much. Pull shots were rightly picked.
When Darren Saamy had the ball in his hand, Yuvraj danced down the wicket and walloped him over long on for a huge six. Right left combination helped the matter as he built an awesome partnership with Kohli, who is becoming Mr. Dependable when quick wickets fall at the top. Dhoni would be pleased as we enter the quarter finals stage, as 4 out of the 7 batsmen have scored individual hundreds.West Indies have things to worry, as they have lost two back to back matches, not able to chase achievable scores. Devon Smith alone played with purpose, once his wicket was taken, procession started and Indians had an easy outing much to their surprise. Dhoni realized the effect of Reverse swing in the match and kept his seamers for late overs. In the first fifteen overs, he had brought in three off spinners and Zaheer. Munaf did not even bowl a single over by then. Harbhajan picked the important wicket of Pollard, caught in the deep and it was an anti climax of the match.
Darren Bravo, in his little partnership with Devon smith, was playing with a purpose. He exactly resembles Brian Lara in many of his strokes and the way he runs. I Remember Sir Vivian Richards' words before the start of the tournament, when he said 'Watch out for Darren Bravo, cause he resembles Brian Lara and might do a Lara type in one of his innings'. Who knows, he might as well reserve that for Quarter final match against Pakistan. His rush of blood cost him his wicket at the hands of Raina, who has the habit of picking wickets, though not with his best deliveries.
A Win by 80 runs, after having scored less than 30 runs from what it should originally have been, is a welcome sign for quarter finals clash against Aussies. Positive factor of it, being the match played in Ahmadabad (Indian Crowd) against a weak Australian side, no doubt. Ponting’s bad form, No match winner in form of a spinner could be the factor which India can cash in on.
Go India Go,
Regards,
Prashy.
@prashy: Nice article...
ReplyDeleteWatched it lie in MAC...Very simple India Didn't win the Game but West Indies Lost it... Indian Bowlers were Ordinary and Sarwan Won it for India...This Kind of performance by India wont take them beyond Quarters (pretty harsh) but true. Can't even bat for 50 overs and loosing all wickets in power play...
@Venkat - Now its just a matter of three good days for us, in all the fields. Ashwin bowled really well and should play in the next match. Zaheer and Munaf would continue as our lead bowlers. Harbhajan is in good form too. Batting collapse has got to do with handling 3rd power play and I hope we will sort that problem also in the quarter finals.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a tough match for us against Aussies. I wish we bat first. Raina will step aside for Sehwag. Seems like the only change. And if Dhoni prefers three seamers, then Ashwin would not play.
Now that its decided that we will be playing against the Aussies, it has to be taken with a pinch of salt..
ReplyDeleteIndia, at the moment is not handling its power play and utilizing it to the full potential. I feel its a temperament issue which can prove more dangerous against Aus which will not miss to overpower on any such batting disasters.
All in all, keeping sreesanth might prove to be a handy surprise mentally against his nemesis Aus.
May the best team win...
@vaibhav - Thats a different thought, but not a point to counter at all. I did write in one of my earlier posts that Dhoni has to come up with his attacking best bowlers, if its to look at Sreesanth again as an option, let so be it.
ReplyDeleteDhoni cannot be predicatable any more. The second quarter final match has to bring the best out of this indian team. One man is silently preparing for this big clash and he knows that a win against mighty aussies would fulfil his dream. He saved all his energy for this d-day. This GOD should be blessed by HIM to achieve the impossible.