Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Test Match Report (IND-ENG) 1st Test: Lord Rain God saved the Indian blues

Well, I dont have any obnoxious comments left in me to censure Indian players. But as some of our great players are playing probably for last time in England so its worth while to view a glimpse of their greatness in flicks. So this post is delineating the performance of Indian players in the Lords Match.

1. Waseem Jaffer (5/10) Runs 58+8=66
He played an anchored inning in India's first inning although that inning was deprived of any sheen still good enough to save blushes. He failed miserably in 2nd inning. I gave him 5 points because he is partially responsible for the draw as he played more than 156 balls in the first inning.
2. Dinesh Karthick (5/10) Runs 5+62=67
He was at sea in first inning, dropped the catch of Strauss that cost eventually the match, played a brave knock in second inning.
3. Rahul Dravid (1/10) Runs 2+9=11
He got one of the best delivery in first inning and in second he was bit unfortunate.
4. Sachin Tendulkar (3.5/10) Runs 37+16=53
He along with Dravid were responsible for the pathetic showing of much vaunted Indian top order.
5. Sourav Ganguly (6/10) Runs 34+40=74 and wicket of Cook in first inning.
He brought India back into game twice first by taking the scalp of Cook in first inning when Indian bowling was exposed by the Englishmen and second by saving the Indian doom in the 4th day after the decimation of Dravid, Jaffer and Sachin. He got a beauty in first inning by Anderson.
6. VVS Laxman (4/10) Runs 15+39=54
It was not a great sight to watch Laxman felling with the bells in second inning. His second inning partnership with Dhoni eventually saved the match for India.
7. MS Dhoni (6.5/10) Runs 0+76*=76
Got a debut duck at Lords and started poorly in second inning but his guts and pluck saved the match for India. A great inning under pressure.
8. Anil Kumble (4/10) 2+1= 3 Wickets
He didnt get any chance to play his role and some times he was just looking like an addendum.
9. Zaheer Khan (6/10) 2+4=6 wickets
He started the attack as he has done 5 years back in World Cup final. He was consistent in bits and pieces nevertheless he played his part.
10. Sreesanth (5/10) 3+0=3 Wickets
He was arguably the best bowler in first inning and impressive in the later as well. He will go places.
11. RP Singh (8/10) 2+5=7 wickets
His bowling was as majestic as the batting of Kevin Pietersen. The ball he bowled to Vaughan was one of the best Indian swing ball in the recent past and the short ball that surprised Collingwood was the best Indian bouncer i have ever seen.

Now over to Nottingham with a hope that Fantastic four will fire there. Amen.

P.S. My favourite living legend has just completed his office tenure. My best wishes to him in all his future aims and i hope that i will be able to play a role in his Mission 2020. Amen.

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