Story India Diary

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South Africa in India
INDIA 3 SOUTH AFRICA 0

India's last home series before the Border-Gavaskar trophy ended in emphatic victory for the Indians. Not only had they found a solid opening pair in Sehwag and Gambhir, they had also found a good pace bowling partnership in Irfan Pathan and RP Singh and arguably Pathan was at last fulfilling his potential as a genuine all rounder.

India Squad: Kumble (C), Dhoni (VC), Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman, Sehwag, Gambhir, Harbajan, R.P. Singh, Sreesanth, Pathan.

I TEST: IND - 496 & 414/2 decl beat SA - 207 & 361
For the first test in Delhi, India went in with two spinners leaving Pathan out. Having won the toss and elected to bat, Gambhir got India off to a good start with a brisk 70. However, the South Africans kept picking up wickets through the day and the Indians ended the first day on 341/6 with Ganguly still at the crease. On the second day, Ganguly got to his hundred ably assisted by Kumble's 66 helping India post 496. Smith and Gibbs started well adding 95 for the first wicket, but a beautiful spell of spin bowling by Harbhajan Singh (12-3-32-3) reduced South Africa to 172/5 at stumps on Day 2. Within the first hour on the third day, South Africa were bowled out for 207 leaving India a big lead of 289. Skipper Anil Kumble chose not to enforce the follow-on wanting South Africa to bat last. Thanks to Sehwag's blistering knock of 159 off 139 deliveries, India declared late on the third day at 414/2 off just 69 overs setting South Africa a target of 704. South Africa were bowled out for 361 just after lunch on the fifth day with Harbhajan once again picking up 5 wickets. A great performance by India, but the seamers had failed to provide early breakthroughs in both innings.

II TEST: SA - 242 & 122 lost to IND-391
For the second test in Mumbai, the curator had prepared a pitch that turned right from day 1. South Africa won the toss and chose to bat. This time the Indian seamers did better - RP Singh trapped Gibbs leg before and Sreesanth had Smith caught at third slip within the first half hour. Sreesanth sent Duminy back to the dressing room just after drinks reducing South Africa to 61/3. Kallis and Amla got half-centuries taking South Africa to 242. A first innings lead for India was essential as chasing anything over 200 in the fourth innings was going to be difficult on this pitch. Sehwag was dismissed early on by Kallis, but centuries by Dravid and Ganguly helped India reach 381/9 by stumps on the second day. On the third morning, India were bowled out for 391. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 122 as RP Singh made excellent use of the conditions picking up 5-34. India won by an innings and 27 runs clinching the test series.

III TEST: SA - 277 & 360 lost to IND - 408 & 230/6
For the final test, India dropped Sreesanth, picking Irfan Pathan in his place. On a placid pitch in Chennai, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, putting up 277 on the board after a painstaking 50 off over 200 balls by Amla. India started it's reply strongly with a run-a-ball half-century from Sehwag but were pegged back as Ntini and left-arm spinner Harris picked up three apiece reducing India to 260/6 at stumps. A magnificent 83 by Irfan Pathan supported by a half-century from Dhoni enabled India to take a 131 run lead. At one stage, South Africa looked to be well on course to save the game at 349/5 thanks to half-centuries from Gibbs, Kallis, Amla and Boucher of which the latter two were still at the crease. But a brief shower after tea on the fourth day freshened up the pitch and Irfan Pathan picked up four of the last 5 wickets bowling South Africa out for 360 leaving India a target of 230 in just over a day. By lunch on the final day, India had been reduced to 92/5 thanks to some inspired bowling by the South Africans. Just after lunch, Harris bowled Tendulkar with the score at 101 only to see the umpire's no ball call. By tea, Tendulkar and Dhoni had added another 100 runs and although Tendulkar was bowled by Steyn after tea, Pathan and Dhoni took India home.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Wow good start there and a thumping win for the Men in Blue over the Proteas. Great start again and superb writing .

 

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India in Sri Lanka (Test Series)
INDIA 1 SRI LANKA 0

Despite the embarassment in the tour game, India came out clearly on top, enforcing the follow-on in both test matches. The bowlers produced a brilliant performance in the first innings in Colombo which probably clinched the series for India. Had the weather permitted India would have surely won the second test match too. As for the batsmen, Laxman was once again among the runs and Tendulkar scored another hundred. India will be hoping for a repeat performance against Australia.

Test Squad: Kumble(C), Dhoni(VC), Harbhajan, Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Ganguly, Sehwag, Gambhir, Pathan, RP Singh, Zaheer, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma.

Tour Game: SSC - 446 & 155/4 IND - 289 & 308
India decided to go with a middle order of Laxman, Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj and a bowling attack of Zaheer, RP and Pathan with the dual purpose of resting some players and giving youngsters some experience. With the exception of Tendulkar's 91 and Irfan Pathan's fifty, the first innings was an embarassment for India who were made to follow on. In the second knock, Laxman who had looked out of sorts throughout the South Africa series fell just two short of a hundred and India were bowled out leaving SSC with a target of 152 at over 4 an over which they achieved in the last over of the day.

I TEST: IND - 483 & 78/1 bt SL - 115 & 445
India brought back Harbhajan Singh, Dravid and Ganguly for the first test at Colombo. Having won the toss and elected to bat, India lost both openers cheaply to some excellent seam bowling by Sujeewa de Silva. However, Tendulkar (64) and Dravid (151*) helped India to 335/5 at stumps on the first day. Dravid got out for 162, but Dhoni (91) and Pathan (49*) steered India to 483. In response, Sri Lanka were skittled out for 115 thanks to excellent seam bowling by RP Singh (4-43) and Irfan Pathan (4-44). This time Anil Kumble chose to enforce the follow-on. In the second innings, Dilshan scored a hundred, Tharanga narrowly missed one and the Sri Lankans showed more character. But the lead was too much for them and they fell for 445 and India scored the necessary runs before tea on the fourth day.

II TEST: IND - 554 drew SL - 333 & 305/8
India won the toss and elected to bat on a beautiful wicket in Kandy. Their batsmen made best use of it putting on 554 with centuries from Dravid and Tendulkar and fifties from Laxman (99), Pathan (62) and Kumble (60). However, thanks to the bad weather India's first innings came to an end only 20 minutes before tea on the third day leaving Sri Lanka with almost no chance to square the series. Samaraweera scored a fine 83, but Harbhajan (5-75) was the star of the day as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 333 conceding a lead of 221 runs and were asked to follow on. Samaraweera scored a brilliant unbeaten century saving the test match for Sri Lanka.

India in Sri Lanka (ODI Series)
INDIA 0 SRI LANKA 3

New talent in the form of Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane came through during this series but on the whole the batting failed to deliver as India never went past 220. Perhaps an extra batsman at No.7 is needed.

In an attempt to build a one-day side for the World Cup in 2011, India sent back experienced players - Laxman, Kumble, Zaheer Khan and Dravid instead bringing in all rounder Joginder Sharma, pace bowler Munaf Patel, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla and batsman Ajinkya Rahane who averages over 60 in Ranji Trophy cricket.

I ODI: SL - 243/9 beat IND - 214
For the first game, India went in with Tendulkar and Sehwag opening the innings, Ganguly at No.3 followed by Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Dhoni, Pathan, Joginder, Piyush Chawla, Harbhajan and RP Singh. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat on a turning wicket. Sangakarra made a magnificent 87 but some good seam bowling at the death by Joginder Sharma restricted Sri Lanka to 243. But India ran up against some excellent spin bowling by Muralidharan who picked up 3-34 while Vaas (3-37) cleaned up the tail to bowl India out for 214 despite a fighting 69 by young Rohit Sharma.

II ODI: IND - 187 lost to SL - 188/2
India went in unchanged for the second ODI. This time India won the toss and batted first, but were bowled out for 187 with Samaraweera and Vaas picking up three wickets each. Sri Lanka surpassed the target with ease in less than 44 overs.

III ODI: IND - 217/7 lost to SL - 218/4
With nothing to play for in the third ODI, Tendulkar and Ganguly were rested in favour of Gambhir and Rahane. India won the toss and elected to bat and thanks to Rahane (63) and Sehwag (61), India reached 217/7 in their 50 overs. A knock of 88 by the skipper Jayawardene took Sri Lanka home.

 

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Australia in India: Border-Gavaskar Trophy
INDIA 1 AUSTRALIA 1

Australia retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by squaring the test series 1-1. They looked much the better side throughout and India won the second test mainly due to a heroic performance from their skipper Anil Kumble.

I TEST: AUS - 547 beat IND - 181 & 263

Sehwag is forced to miss the first test due to a broken finger. India chose to replace him with debutant Ajinkya Rahane. The rest of the line-up is Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, Harbhajan and RP Singh. Australia went with Jacques and Hussey opening with Ponting, Hayden, Symmonds, Katich and Haddin making up the middle order. Strangely, they also went with four fast bowlers - Lee, Clark, Johnson and Tait.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat first and Phil Jacques started to score freely at one end. Pathan but the brakes by clean bowling Hussey and Harbhajan followed it up by trapping Ponting lbw for 7 in his first over reducing Australia to 41/2. A beautiful innings of 153 by Jacques supported by Hayden (86) and Katich (60*) took Australia to 363/6 at stumps on the first day. Katich went on to get 141 and Australia posted a mammoth 547. Rahane was out cheaply and Dravid's unnecessary run out reduced India to 90/2 at stumps on the second day. On the third day, Lee picked up 4 wickets and Johnson picked up 3 bowling India out for 181. In the second innings, India offered some more resistance but were bowled out for 263 losing by an innings.

II TEST: AUS - 209 & 340 IND - 460 & 93/4

For the second test at Bangalore, Anil Kumble decided against making any changes to the playing 11. Once again, Australia won the toss and batted first, but thanks to a brilliant performance by Kumble (5-50) they were restricted to 209. When India batted, wickets fell in rapid succession and when Rahul Dravid was out stumped off the bowling of Symmonds for 71 followed quickly by Dhoni and Pathan, India were tottering at 185/7. But Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble added an unbeaten 214 runs for the eight wicket to take India to 399/7 at stumps. Kumble was out caught at slip for 94, but Ganguly went on to score 167 taking India's total to 460. Kumble and Harbhajan both picked up four wickets in the second innings as Australia were all out for 340 setting India a target of 90 which they reached for the loss of 4 wickets.

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Australia in India: ODI Series
INDIA 2 AUSTRALIA 1

The young Indian team was settling in nicely. Gambhir in particular showed himself to be a good one-day player. Once Sehwag returns, he might be moved to No.3. However, it is worth remembering that in both games that India won, big contributions were needed from Tendulkar and Ganguly who might not be around for much longer.

India Squad: Dhoni(C), Tendulkar, Ganguly, Harbhajan, Piyush Chawla, RP Singh, Pathan, Joginder Sharma, RP Singh, Rohit Sharma, Rahane, Gambhir, Raina, Sodhi, Yuvraj

I ODI: AUS-274/6 beat IND-257
For the first ODI, India went in with Tendulkar, Gambhir, Ganguly, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Sodhi, Joginder, Pathan, Piyush, Harbhajan. Australia won the toss, batted first and posted 274/6. In reply, despite a half century from Rohit Sharma, India fell short by 17 runs.

II ODI: IND-341/6 beat AUS-201
Australia won the toss and put India in. Tendulkar scored a brilliant 155 taking India to 341. Australia went for the runs but lost wickets at regular intervals and ended up being bowled out for 201.

III ODI: IND-338/4 AUS-188
India went unchanged for the final ODI. They were put in to bat and although Tendulkar was dismissed early on, Gambhir and Ganguly got centuries taking India to 338. In reply, Australia lost wickets at regular intervals, unable to keep up with the asking rate.

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England in India (Test Series)
INDIA 3 ENGLAND 0

I TEST: INDIA - 538 & 93/1 beat ENGLAND - 203 & 426
VVS Laxman was dropped for the first test in favour of Subramanian Badrinath. Sehwag returned and replaced Rahane at the top of the order. The bowling attack for India was Pathan, RP Singh, Kumble and Harbhajan.

India won the toss and batted first. Sachin Tendulkar got a hundred and debutant Badrinath scored 53 taking India to 292/4 at stumps on the first day. Ganguly and Tendulkar scored in excess of 150 and India were finally bowled out for 538 after tea on the second day on a pitch which was already taking turn. Kumble picked up 4-60 and England were bowled out for 203 and were asked to follow on. In their second innings, Vaughan and Flintoff scored hundreds avoiding an innings defeat. However they could not stop India from winning on the fourth day.

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II TEST: ENG - 444 & 220 lost to IND - 375 & 293/5
England won the toss, batted first and thanks to a magnificent hundred by Owais Shah reached 444. In reply, India were reduced to 127/4, but Dravid(97) and Ganguly(85) took India to 375. England were then bowled out for 220 one hour before tea on the fourth day. At one stage they were 118/6 but Flintoff's quick 49 had set up the game nicely leaving India 290 to win on a pitch where it was not going to be easy. Sehwag was bowled by Hoggard early on who also had Gambhir caught at slip. At stumps, India had reached 164/2 with Tendulkar and Badrinath at the crease. By lunch, England had picked up three more wickets - Tendulkar for 15, Badrinath for 93 and Ganguly for 2. With Dhoni and Dravid at the crease, India still needed 54 runs to win. There were some hiccups, but Dhoni and Dravid saw India through to a test match and series win.

 

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III TEST: IND - 423 & 333 beat ENG - 307 & 435
For the third test, the selectors name a changed 11, the team of the future - Gambhir, Sehwag, Badrinath, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj, Rahane, Dhoni, Kumble(C), Piyush, Munaf, Zaheer.
India win the toss, bat first and reach 336/3 at stumps due to a big hundred by Gambhir and 96 by Badrinath, his second dismissal in the 90s in as many tests. On the second day, England bowled India out for 423 and posted 215/4 at stumps thanks to a fifty by Ian Bell. On the third day too the first session belonged to the bowlers as England were bowled out for 305. But India lost wickets at regular intervals and at stumps on the third day, India were 349 ahead with only 3 wickets in hand. Rahane (64) and Kumble (51) helped India to 333 on the fourth day effectively sealing the match. Left with 450 to win, England stayed in the game reaching 170/3 at stumps on Day 4. With Cook unbeaten on 167 accompanied ably by Vaughan, England went into the final session needing 110 to win with 5 wickets in hand and what an exciting final session it was! Vaughan was out caught behind attempting to cut Chawla to the point boundary and England were 360/6. Cook and Flintoff added 67 runs and at 427/6, drinks were taken and England looked to be home and dry. In the first over after drinks, Kumble trapped Cook plumb in front for 204. Chawla sent back Flintoff soon after and England were still 15 short. Panesar and Harmison fell in Chawla's next over and England fell short by 14 runs.

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England in India (ODI Series)
INDIA 2 ENGLAND 1

India's new look ODI team for World Cup 2011 is gradually falling into place. Gambhir and Sehwag will most likely be the opening batsmen, Numbers 3 & 4 are still up for grabs with Rohit Sharma so far disappointing. Yuvraj and No.5 and Dhoni at No.6 are virtual certainties. The No.7 spot is still very much up for grabs with Reetinder Sodhi being among the top contenders. As for the bowlers, Harbhajan and Piyush will be the two spinners but the picture is not clear as far as the fast bowlers are concerned.

For the ODIs against England, India leave out Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman, Kumble and Zaheer.

Squad: Dhoni(C), Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Piyush, Harbhajan, Munaf Patel, RP Singh, Joginder Sharma, Sodhi, Badrinath, Rohit Sharma, Pathan, Rahane, Kohli.

I ODI: ENG - 238/4 beat IND - 233
India went in with Badrinath, Rahane, Sodhi, RP Singh and Munaf. England won the toss, batted first and Cook who is in terrific form posted a 100 and England reached 238/4. Despite 50s from Dhoni and Rahane, India fell short by just 5 runs.

II ODI: ENG - 248/7 lost to IND - 249/6
For the second ODI, Virat Kohli was brought in for Yuvraj and Joginder for RP Singh. England won the toss, batted first and made 248 thanks to yet another hundred by Cook. Sehwag scored a hundred and was ably supported by Rahane who scored yet another 50.

III ODI: IND - 204 beat ENG - 124
For the final match, Badrinath was dropped in favour of Rohit Sharma. It was felt that Badrinath is better suited for test cricket and Rahane should have the No.3 spot. England won the toss and put India in who were 89/1 after 15 overs. But Panesar (5-29) helped bowl India out for 204. But Chawla (4-33), Harbhajan (4-22) and Rohit Sharma (2-30) made better use of the conditions to bowl England out for 124.

 

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India in Pakistan (Test Series)
INDIA 1 PAKISTAN 0

The test series in Pakistan is most likely the last for the 'fab four' combination and definitely the last for Anil Kumble as captain.

I TEST: IND - 484 & 382/5 decl drew PAK - 360 & 377/6
For the first test in Multan, India go with Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly, Dhoni, Kumble, Harbhajan, Munaf, RP Singh.
India won the toss batted first, Sehwag got a century but India lost wickets at regular intervals closing at 320/8. On the second day, Dhoni scored a magnificent hundred and added 124 with Munaf Patel taking India to 484. In reply, Pakistan got 360 thanks to a century by Md. Hafeez. India scored quickly and declared at 382/5 at tea on the fourth day, but Pakistan were able to bat out the remaining four sessions getting to 377/6.

II TEST: PAK - 195 & 321 lost to IND - 341 & 182/2
Pakistan won the toss and despite the cloudy conditions in Lahore, chose to bat. They were reduced to 120/6 thanks to some excellent seam bowling and were bowled out for 195 just after tea. Anjum and Asif picked up three wickets each to restrict India to 341. Despite a much improved performance, Pakistan were all out for 321 leaving India a target of 182 which they reached for the loss of only two wickets.

III TEST: PAK - 292 & 410/5 decl drew IND - 398 & 216/3
A draw would suffice in the final test in Karachi and India went in unchanged once again. Pakistan won the toss batted first and scored 292. On a rain affected second day, Dravid and Tendulkar got past 50 as India reached 170/2 at stumps. A knock of 153 by Tendulkar took India to 389 but Pakistan responded strongly reaching 410/5 ahead by 313 at stumps on Day 4. They declared after playing for a half hour leaving India 349 to win in 325 minutes. Gambhir scored a hundred, Laxman a half-century and India ended on 216/3.

 

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ODI SERIES
INDIA 2 PAKISTAN 3

I ODI: IND - 272 beat PAK - 194
India played Sehwag, Gambhir, Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Badrinath, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Joginder, Piyush, Pathan and Munaf Patel. The highlight was a brilliant century by Gambhir and a fine bowling spell by Munaf Patel.

II ODI: IND - 243/9 lost to PAK - 244/3
III ODI: IND - 306/5 lost to PAK - 308/6
IV ODI: PAK - 248/6 beat IND - 246/9
V ODI: IND - 283/7 beat to PAK - 185

 

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India in New Zealand
INDIA 2 NEW ZEALAND 1

Mahendra Dhoni was appointed captain of the test team and the selectors proceeded to pick a young team. Five seam bowlers were selected - RP Singh, Pathan, Joginder, Sreesanth and Munaf, two spinners - Harbhajan and Piyush. As for the batsmen, the selectors kept faith with Rahane, Rohit Sharma and Badrinath in addition to Sehwag and Gambhir. In addition, they picked Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and 19 year old Tanmay Srivastava.

Tour Game: CD - 300 & 114/4 drew IND - 515
India went in with Rahane, Gambhir, Badrinath, Rohit Sharma, Raina, Srivastava, Dhoni, Joginder, Pathan, RP Singh and Munaf.
RP Singh picked up 7-66 helping to restrict Central Districts to 300. In reply, India scored 515 thanks to a century from Srivastava and a fifty from Suresh Raina. Thanks to frequent rain interruptions, Central Districts saved the game.

I TEST: IND - 449 & 342/4 decl lost to NZ - 335 & 460/7
India decided to play debutant Tanmay Srivastava and Suresh Raina leaving out Rahane. The bowling attack was Munaf, RP Singh, Chawla and Harbhajan, Joginder was unlucky to miss out.
After winning the toss and batting first, an opening stand of 129 helped India post 449 in the first innings. RP Singh returned figures of 4-68 helping India to a 114 run lead. By stumps on the fourth day, India had set NZ a target in excess of 450 and had picked up the first wicket for 70. Remarkably, thanks to Ross Taylor's double century, New Zealand reached their target of 460!

II TEST: IND - 242 & 449 beat NZ - 331 & 209
India picked Joginder in place of Harbhajan on a seaming track in Christchurch. NZ won the toss, put India in and bowled them out for 242 on the first day. The seam bowlers restricted NZ to 331 but it was going to be an uphill task to win or save the test. Badrinath's maiden century took India to 449 setting NZ a target of 361 to win in 5 sessions. RP Singh picked up 5-70 as NZ were bowled out for 209 squaring the series.

III TEST: NZ - 362 & 143 lost to IND - 264 & 245/2
NZ won the toss, batted first and put 362 on the board. In reply, despite Rohit Sharma's century, India only managed 264. But Munaf Patel (5-60) and RP Singh (4-67) kept India in the game by bowling NZ out for 143 leaving India 242 to win the match and the series. When Gambhir fell early on, the skipper Dhoni came out at No.3. When Sehwag got out, India were in trouble at 12/2, but the skipper and Badrinath scored hundreds to take India home to a series win in New Zealand.

 

[Funknath]

Nice update but give some screenies. BTW KUTGW!

 

[Amiya]

Nice writing there. But you could add some pictures and writing colourful.

 

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The season has ended on a positive note. India have moved up the rankings to No.2 in Test Cricket and No.4 in ODIs. It is also time to plan the composition of the team for next season.

Test Cricket


Sehwag and Gambhir will be first choice openers followed by a middle order of Dravid, Tendulkar, Badrinath and Ganguly. Youngsters Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina are shaping up nicely and will soon find a place in the 11. VVS Laxman has most likely played his last Test match. Chatteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay are batsmen to look out for in First Class Cricket.

As for the bowling attack, Munaf Patel is the only bowler to have maintained an average under 30 last season besides Anil Kumble who retired from international cricket. He along with RP Singh and Irfan Pathan will form the core of the pace attack and Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan will be the spinners. In first class cricket, Ishan Malhotra and Monish Parmar look promising.

ODI

For one dayers, the top four will be Sehwag, Gambhir, Badrinath, Yuvraj with Dhoni coming in at No.6. Nos 5 & 7 are still vacant. There is a possibility of playing an all rounder like Joginder Sharma or Abhishek Nayar at No.7. Piyush, Harbhajan, Munaf and RP Singh have done an acceptable job with the ball. As for the two batting spots, Raina and Rohit Sharma are the chief contenders with Rahane too being in with a chance.

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With Kumble's retirement, Dhoni was appointed Test captain too. The first series was at home against New Zealand. The first test was a resounding victory for India.

 

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With two big hundreds, Badrinath secured the No.3 spot ahead of Dravid.

 

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India in West Indies

Dravid and Ganguly were dropped for the tour of the West Indies. Raina, Srivastava, Rahane, Yuvraj and Rohit Sharma will fight for the two slots. As for the pace attack, RP Singh and Munaf will be joined by Pathan, Joginder and Ishan Malhotra while Harbhajan and Piyush will lead the spin attack.

In the tour game, Rahane and Badrinath scored centuries. Ishan Malhotra bowled magnificently and will be the third seamer if one is needed.





The test series is a resounding success for Team India.

 

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We are defeated 3-1 in the ODI series and as a result Mahendra Singh Dhoni is sacked as captain. Sachin Tendulkar is appointed captain for both forms of the game which obviously means he will return to the one day game for the World Cup. India have a series against Australia at home and tour Pakistan before the World Cup.

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Border-Gavaskar Trophy

This year's Border-Gavaskar Trophy will have three tests in Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore. India will be led by Tendulkar.

I TEST
Laxman is recalled into the Indian side and they go in with Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Badrinath, Dhoni, Chawla, Harbhajan, RP Singh, Munaf.

India won the toss, elected to bat first and the openers put on 80. Lee and Cameron picked up one wicket apiece reducing India to 120/2 at Lunch with Tendulkar and Dravid at the crease. After lunch, Siddle had Dravid and Laxman out lbw and when Cameron bowled Tendulkar for 24, India were 149/5. However, an unbeaten stand of 163 between Badrinath (63*) and Dhoni (90*) took India to 312/5 at stumps on the first day. Dhoni was out for 99 and Badrinath for 95 and India were bowled out for 457 about an hour after lunch. India got their first breakthrough when Hussey was run out foolishly attempting a second run. Harbhajan then picked up Ponting for 3 and Australia were in a spot of bother at 41/2 but Jacques and Pomersback took them to 186/2 at stumps. On Day 3, Australia reached a mammoth 553/7 and on the fourth morning, they declared with a 126 run lead. India ended the day on 270/4 with Badrinath and Laxman at the crease with a good chance of saving the game. India eventually reached 407, Badrinath narrowly missing out on a hundred again and the match was safely drawn.




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II TEST

Onto Kolkata now and Munaf Patel was dropped in favour of rookie fast bowler, Ishan Malhotra.

Australia won the toss, batted first and ended the day on 373/8 thanks to fifties by Ponting and Symmonds. On the second morning, Australia were all out for 406 with Ishan Malhotra picking up 5 wickets. In reply, India notched up 295/3 by stumps on Day 2. Thanks to Tendulkar (112) and Dhoni (104), India reached 594/9 at stumps on Day 3 and had an excellent chance of winning the Test match. In reply, Australia were bowled out for 226, Malhotra picking up 4 wickets. India then knocked off the runs losing only 2 wickets in the process.




III TEST

India go into the third test at Bangalore unchanged. Australia won the toss, batted first and were all out for 371 early on Day 2 with Malhotra picking up 7 wickets. In reply, India reached 315/3 by stumps on Day 2 with Sehwag and Tendulkar both getting centuries. Australia stayed in the game by picking up wickets at regular intervals, eventually bowling India out for 501. Australia batted well reaching 458/9 at stumps on Day 4, leading by 328. In the first over on the fifth morning, Australia were bowled out for 459 setting India 330 to win but a draw would suffice to take home the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Despite the early loss of Gambhir, Sehwag went after the bowling taking India to 128/1 at lunch. By tea, India had reached 263/1, both Sehwag and Dravid had got hundreds and the highest ever successful fourth innings chase in India was on.