BOWLING MIX:
Sydney might pep this Indian team to wipe off bad omens. Our Bowling unit is doing its job wonderfully. Dhoni might step in with the same combination. If he has to squeeze in additional spinner, which the wicket might demand, it will put lot of pressure on the batsmen. Considering the middle order batsmen poor show, he might not risk it with 5 bowler combination. But if he does that to clean up Aussies tail-enders fast, who added vital runs in both innings in MCG, then it might work in Indian's favour. We have the experience to play responsibly with 6 Batsmen -5 Bowler set up. Pragyan Ojha will lick his fingers in that case. Ashwin - Ojha is a deadly combination, as they have shown in recent past.
If only our Bowlers ensure a scenario where Indians look down at Aussies with command at the end of first innings for both, we can level the series. Somewhere, I am also seeing Australia collapse on the cards, just like 47 all out and 134 all out against two different opponents. Might as well happen in Sydney.
BATTING STRENGTH:
Enough has been said about this Indian Batting line up. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli provided great confidence to the dressing room during the practice matches. Seniors are also shaping them to put high priority on the Test match performances. After Boxing day test debacle, Virat Kohli will get one more chance in Sydney to prove to himself and to the world, that he is not another Yuvraj or another Raina. Suppose it calls for New ideas in New year, Rohit sharma is not a bad bet either considering the success he had against Aussies in 2008 ODI series. Or, both of them will carry drinks to strengthen our bowling unit more.
Gambhir should play so that he is there in the crease when the spinner comes into the attack. Having said that, Michael Clarke might surprise Indians by playing 4 pacers. Ryan Harris has already been called for Sydney test. Dhoni and Sehwag are dynamites, Sachin and Dravid is in good form. Laxman cherishes Australia, so let's not discount him.
TOSS:
Toss is Immaterial in Australian wickets, as it will always provide even contest with bat & ball throughout the 5 days. Last 4 tests in Sydney have all provided scintillating test matches and this one will also be right up there.
Regards,
Prashy.
CHEERS PRASHY.....Back again! Good one, lets hope to level first and I feel we can make this series win....if we give TOUGH fight. They are playing mind game also.....as usual. No need to focus on Sachin's 100 100, I hate this media, here we are loosing matches/ series's (outside) and our bullshit media keep making news for nothing. For a man like Sachin, when 99 is possible what is ! F***. He will cross 100 easily.
ReplyDeleteBig burden lies on youngsters to come up for TEST matches now, as you said...........Virat, Raina, Gambhir, Rohit. Bowling always we make up some or other how, missing a lot Kumble-Bhajji combo.
See you again,,,,,waiting to see exciting cric ahead.
Vande Matram
Thanks Venu for the comment. I agree with the hype created for Sachin's 100 100. Since he is playing outside India, this is best chance for him to complete the milestone.
ReplyDeleteKumble - Bhajji always was a killer combination in Indian conditions. Kumble is a warrior in foreign conditions. Bhajji was dropped for the same reason. I can tell you for sure, Ashwin and Ojha is young and different.
With respect to Mind games, I dont think so, Australians are playing any this time. Infact they are worried about their batting collapse still. We have to cash in on that. :-)
MSP is back!!
ReplyDeleteWell for the current test, in my opinion its the most crucial one for the series, as its the middle test and a must win for India and for Aussies.
I feel, India will still face roadblocks in their smooth run, even though we have a strong batting line-up. VVS has not been at the best and it seemed so from his body language. It would be very difficult for Gambhir to pull on for so long looking at his current form for off stump deliveries.
The fans and critics should forget about Sachin's ton and just concentrate on the game at hand rather.
All in all, it would be a contest which is evenly poised, but Australians can catch the confidence from the previous test and it is upto the Indians to expose the weakness in Aus batting line up (Zach in particular).
Cheers,
Vaibhav