முதல் கோணல் முற்றும் கோணல்

முதல் கோணல் முற்றும் கோணல் - It all started with Dravid choosing to bowl, it not right to discuss about this now -what if it had clicked? But Dravid took a risk trusting a bowling squad that was born 2 days ago in the esteemed BCCI maternity ward. Not to blame them, this is what you get with fresh O positives, experience is vital in test cricket. This has to be cultivated over period of time. To me, this lack of experience factor looked bright and clear right from day one, but fielding by the Indians was remarkable - mind blowing. We cannot blame the bowlers. Fielders in 1st to 5th street, Slip colony kept dropping at regular intervals, something similar to a bird colony that lives near a political leader statue.

I wish the team think tank retains Sreesanth & Munuf for next few years in order to gain the vital experience. But Mr. Ajith Agony Agarkar has been selected for the one day hence Sreesanth or Munuf might be trained to carry drinks.I also feel we should continue 5+5 combination.

Coming to the batting display, I have no answers [so does Rahul Dravid] for yesterday batting display.

After Dravid and Sachin departed, it was simply விபிஷண சரணாகதி [Surrender]by the rest. No one seemed to have a heart to stay and face the music.
Dhoni – I don’t know what to say, if Sachin was booed out for playing a bad shot in the first innings, what Dhoni would get then? If the plaintiff is from Texas he might claim for an Electric Chair. My verdict - 100 rounds around the Wankade stadium [every time Dhoni plays there].

Rahul Dravid looked really shaken during the presentation ceremony. His face expression and body language spoke million words. He was literally uncomfortable to stand there and deal the booing crowd. Mumbai crowd needs to get a life. It seems Sachin and Dravid had a game plan to keep wickets intact till tea time and then go for an assault. But what happened? A lapse in concentration for Dravid, he departed – doubling the pressure on Sachin, who has already announced he would not be playing in one day games, a blow to Indian squad. Sachin for what was left scored the most runs in the total, no other player crossed 20. Rest of the batsmen took a Nike fashion show parade.

The English bowling was not really devastating but was accurate, 37 old year spinner – Udal proved that age does not matter - experience matters, he never gave up; like wise, Flintoff is an amazing cricketer. He managed to keep his nerves down and controlled his team quite well, the Ashes victory is not a fluke, it has done lot of good, in spite of a secondary squad English team looks better on the field.

One way this is good, a reality check for the Indian team, they now know where they stand. How ever easy the opponents are, it is very hard to win games if there is no heart to win it. This test match is another proof. I have no great hopes for India in the one day. I wish our fielding improves, I prefer Raina to take Sachin’s position, because I feel he is the closest contender who has the technique for this “After Sachin slot”.

finally, an opinion that most will disagree, “Dravid and his coach frankly need a refresher course - they need to read “Desi Captaincy for Desi Dummies by Sourav Gangully”. As a captain do you think Gangully would let go the test in this poor fashion? An Indian win was on cards right from day one but our players did not care to bring the card, left it in their hotel room.