Story India's Journey To World Cup 2011 [Commonwealth Bank Series 2010]

[hedger_14]

Very well presented Aditya. Let's hope using AC09 works.

And I'll go for the Draw and Eoin Morgan to get MOTM.

 

[Prithvi]

I'll go with Sachin Tendulkar and India win.

 

[AkshayS]

Great presentation man, loving it, just really awesome.

Well my answer is 3.India.

AkshayS added 0 Minutes and 51 Seconds later...

and yeha, Sachin Tendulkar

 

[Dutchmen]

India playing two spinners? the pitch say's it helps for the seamer's not for spinners. anyhow good act. and Draw among those two teams.

 

[Pakistani Army]

Personally I would have thought that with the fair amount of Grass cover on the pitch and with Zaheer aswell as Ishant being fairly capable to utilise the conditions on offer, if I were MS Dhoni I definatly would have opted to field first and with the opening pair of Ishant and Zaheer attempt to hit the deck hard in order to extract the movement to trouble the English top-order.

Both teams look strong however my concern as before is that instead of playing Ojha as an additional spinner, I would have chose a third seamer in Abhimanyu Mithun who did a good job against Lancashire. This is due to their being the part-time spinners of Sehwag, Raina & Sachin to assist Harbhajan in the next couple of days where as the weather conditions showed, there is a lot of Sun around.

Regarding the predicta contest, here are my entries:

Which team will win the 4th Npower test match:
Draw

Guess man of the match:
Paul Collingwood.

 

[Gorro_124]

Well, here comes the 500th post of this thread!! Congrats Aditya!

Which team will win the 4th Npower test match:
Draw

Man of the Match:
Paul Collingwood.

 

[Aditya]

India In England
India vs England
Natwest Test Series : 4th Test Match
Played at The Brit Oval

2 Indian openers along with England team and 2 on field umpires came to the field to start the 4th npower test match. So far in the series Indian openers have not really got India off to a really good start. So far in the series when Gambhir settled at the crease Sehwag didn?t and when Sehwag settled Gambhir didn?t. So, now the question is that can this time around Indian openers get India off to a good start? Let?s see?.

Opening bowler for England was James Anderson. Other bowler who opened the bowling with Anderson was Broad. Right from the word go, Gambhir was looking positive. Gambhir was rotating the strike well and was not allowing England opening bowlers to settle. But on other hand Sehwag was not really going after the bowling. Sehwag was putting bad balls away for boundaries but still he was playing little slowly then he usually does. England bowlers were desperate for an early wicket but they were not really bowling in the right areas to get early wickets. England bowlers were bowling way too short and wide. Sehwag was not taking much risks but Gambhir was not doing the same. Gambhir was playing positive cricket and that was allowing Sehwag to play in the way he wants to.

Strauss saw a partnership building so he replaced Anderson with Onions and Broad with Collingwood. As soon as the new bowlers were brought into the bowling attack Sehwag decided that enough is enough and its time for him to play his shots. Collingwood was the bowler who was getting smashed by Sehwag for boundaries. So, Strauss again did a bowling change and replaced Collingwood with Broad. The change did work and England got a wicket of Gambhir. Broad bowled a good length delivery on off side; Gambhir tried to smash it on off side but smashed it straight to the fielder, Kevin Pietersen. Pietersen made no mistake in taking the catch. Gambhir departed for 32. Again Gambhir getting a start but not going ahead and playing a big innings! But this time a good opening partnership built between Gambhir and Sehwag. Opening partnership was of 81 runs.

Next batsman who came to bat was Rahul Dravid. Dravid started in his typical way. Not much time was left for lunch so Dravid didn?t wanted to loose his wicket. Dravid was playing slowly but that?s how he starts his innings and once he gets settled we all know what he can do. Sehwag on other hand played his strokes and reached to his fifty. :happy Soon, umpires decided to take lunch. A good session for India, loosing 1 wicket but the good news is that Sehwag is looking good at the crease. Sehwag is playing a little slowly then he usually plays but at the end what matters is Sehwag making runs. Sehwag has reached to his fifty and we may see him playing his normal innings after lunch.

England bowlers would be desperate for few wickets after lunch. Dravid so far in the series has not managed to play a big innings so getting his wicket would be crucial as well. But if once Dravid gets settled it would be really hard for England to get his wicket.

Indian fans were hoping that Sehwag will go on and play a big innings after lunch but that wasn?t the case. Sehwag played well before the lunch although most of the people believed that it was not his normal innings but it?s all fine as far as Sehwag is concern because he at least reached to his fifty and ended the 1st session on high note for India. But after lunch Sehwag was not able to go on and play a big innings as he lost his wicket for 65. Anderson was bowling, Anderson bowled a full length delivery on off side, Sehwag tried to smash it on off side but a fielder was placed at cover and the fielder, Morgan took the catch. Sehwag was very disappointed with the way he got out but still Sehwag played well. Sehwag played little slowly then he usually does but still Sehwag made a well played 65.

Next batsman was Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar knew that his stay at the crease is really crucial for India. So, Sachin was not taking any risk and was basically trying to settle at the pitch first and then play his strokes. On other hand Dravid was looking good because he got a bit settled at the pitch so Dravid started playing his normal innings. Strauss was desperate for a wicket so he brought Swann into the bowling attack. Dravid loves playing off spinners. So, Dravid decided to be attacking and played some delightful strokes. Swann was having no clue of stopping Dravid from playing attacking cricket. Anderson too was going for boundaries now and the pressure started to build on England team.

Dravid played well and reached to his fifty. A well played innings from Dravid under pressure. But Dravid too was not able to play a big innings as he got out for 50. Anderson bowled a good length delivery, Dravid tried to defend the ball but got bottom edge and the ball went to the stumps. Dravid was very unhappy with his dismissal. Dravid played well for his fifty but didn?t manage to go on and play a big innings. Next batsman who came to bat was VVS Laxman. Sachin and Laxman took no risk and India lost no more wickets till tea. Laxman played slowly but he too like other batsman?s is looking to first settle at the crease and then play his shots. Sachin just before tea started to play his normal innings and that?s good news for Indian fans. Sachin may start being attacking after lunch because now he is well settled at the crease and can go on and play a big innings. England tea on other hand would be desperate for a wicket.

It would be interesting to see how the match turns out after tea. The match is evenly balanced at the moment. Indian team is in need of a good partnership and England team wants few more wickets to put Indian team under pressure. Would be interesting to see how the match turns out to be after tea?.

Players came to the field to start the match after tea. Sachin was looking good at the crease before tea. Laxman had just come to the crease. So, Laxman needs some time to settle. Indian fans were hoping for a big innings from Sachin but that was not the case. Onions bowled a good length delivery, Sachin tried to smash it on off side but the ball went straight to Collingwood at point and Sachin got out for 39.

Next batsman who came to bat was Suresh Raina. Raina started positively. Raina was playing his normal innings which is to rotate the strike and put bad balls away for boundaries. Laxman on other hand was looking good. Laxman was just getting settled at the crease and started playing his shots. Raina got a start but then lost his wicket when Raina was on 26. Onions bowled a full length delivery, Raina thought that ball will not swing so he thought to leave the ball but surprisingly the ball got in swing and Raina was bowled. Raina stood at the pitch for a minute and then disappointingly went to the pavilion.

Next batsman who came to bat was Indian captain, MS Dhoni. Dhoni knew that now India should not loose any wicket till stump on day 1. Dhoni played safely and avoided taking any risk. Laxman on other hand played his shots and reached to his well made fifty. After reaching to his fifty, Laxman started to avoid taking any risk and basically rotated the strike. Laxman and Dhoni did well to make sure that India loose no more wickets till the end of day 1. All the 90 overs were bowled on day 1 and then the umpires decided to end the day 1 of the 4th Npower test match ended.

2 Indian batsmen, Laxman and Dhoni came to the field on day 2 of 4th Npower test match with all the guns blazing. Dhoni was not taking any kind of risk on day 1 but on day 2 he completely changed his tactics and started to play attacking cricket. Laxman on other hand was playing freely and was looking good at the crease for a big innings. England captain, Andrew Strauss was desperate for a wicket. Strauss knew that a partnership is building so he brought spinners into the bowling attack, Swann and Pietersen.

But the plan didn?t work. Laxman and Dhoni both played the spinners in the same way they were playing fast bowlers. Laxman though was playing a lot more attackingly against spinners. Laxman was timing the ball extremely well and was finding the gaps easily. Dhoni on other hand was taking quick singles and smashing bad balls away for boundaries. Soon, Dhoni reached to his well made fifty and the crowd applauded his knock. Typical Dhoni knock. 50 off just 77 balls. :banana

Strauss saw that his plan of bringing spinners into the bowling attack is not working so he replaced Pietersen with Broad but decided to let Swann bowl few more overs. Broad came to the bowling attack and gave away 16 runs in his very first over on day 2. Laxman was on 87 before the over of Broad and Laxman in the Broad over smashed 2 sixes and one boundary and reached his well made century. :happy

Laxman was not able to do anything special after making his century as he departed for 115. Strauss saw that Swann is not able to take a wicket so he brought Onions into the bowling attack. Onions first few overs proved to be expensive but then he got wicket of Laxman. Onions bowled a good length delivery, Laxman tried to smash it on off side but complete misjudged the ball and was bowled. But we have to say that a very good innings from Very Very Special, Laxman.

Next batsman Harbhajan was not able to do anything special as he got out for a duck. Zaheer was the next batsman. Strauss thought that he can get few more wickets because now the tail is coming to bat so he replaced Broad because of his 16 runs expensive over. Broad was replaced by Anderson. Dhoni had a quick chat with Zaheer and the play continued. Not much time was left for lunch. So, Dhoni avoided taking any risk. Zaheer did well to say at the crease till lunch and India lost no more wickets till lunch.

England has managed to take 2 Indian wickets in this 1st session of day 2. But Laxman and Dhoni played attacking cricket and made sure that India reached to a good 1st innings total. It would be interesting to see how the match goes after lunch.

Players came to the field to start the match after lunch. Zaheer Khan was a lot more attacking after lunch. Zaheer played few big strokes but then gave away his wicket. Pietersen was bowling; Zaheer tried to defend the ball but got a thick edge onto the ball and Prior made no mistake in taking the catch. Dhoni on other hand after Zaheer?s wicket started taking risks and reached his well made century. :happy

After reaching to his century, Dhoni was not able to really go on and do anything special as he got out for 103. Anderson was bowling, Anderson bowled a good length delivery, Dhoni tried to smash it straight but didn?t time it well enough to clear the distance and got caught out. Last batsman Ojha was not able to do anything special as he got caught out for 0. Anderson was bowling, Anderson bowled a short delivery, Ojha tried to smash it on leg side but got bottom edge of the bat and Strauss took a good catch at 3rd man.

India?s final score was 503. A good 1st innings total from India! It should be interesting to see how England plays in their 1st innings. England has some really talented batsman in their side and if any one of them gets going then we might see England making a good 1st innings total as well. This match is really turning out to be interesting!

 

[AkshayS]

Good session there for India, Sehwag looks like in superb form so England gonna be smashed all over the park.

Good writeup there Adi, loved the pics too.

 

[Bevab]

Adi you're a graphics maker which helps you to make so nice pictures. That's extraordinary talent.

 

[hedger_14]

Great writeup Aditya. Enjoyed reading the first update with AC09. Some great graphics there and some good writing although could improve a little.

 

[Pakistani Army]

A fantastic start by India in this opening session. They have set the tone very nicely with Sehwag playing suprisingly slow by his standards.

England have to bounce back well after the Lunch interval and attempt to remove Sehwag as a matter of urgency. With Sehwag it is hit or miss stuff. However, they will have to adapt a different strategy to "The Wall" Dravid. I feel bowling outside off-stump and maintaining a good line and length will have to be crucial if they are to get rid of Dravid.

 

[Meet]

Loved reading your update!

Sehwag playing a brilliant knock, hope he does continue it allow India to score something big and get a huge lead.Its important that Sehwag doesn't looses his concentration and give up his wicket by any silly shots!Hope he does score a century

 

[Dutchmen]

India are on top in the first session, just lost the wicket of Gambhir. It was a beautiful innings from Sehwag. And they need to keep the momentum going, while The wall will take his time to score runs. Surely England need some wicket at this stage. And your writing is enjoyable.

 

[Aditya]

India In England
India vs England
Npower Test Series : 4th Test Match
Played at The Brit Oval

Indian fans were hoping that Sehwag will go on and play a big innings after lunch but that wasn’t the case. Sehwag played well before the lunch although most of the people believed that it was not his normal innings but it’s all fine as far as Sehwag is concern because he at least reached to his fifty and ended the 1st session on high note for India. But after lunch Sehwag was not able to go on and play a big innings as he lost his wicket for 65. Anderson was bowling, Anderson bowled a full length delivery on off side, Sehwag tried to smash it on off side but a fielder was placed at cover and the fielder, Morgan took the catch. Sehwag was very disappointed with the way he got out but still Sehwag played well. Sehwag played little slowly then he usually does but still Sehwag made a well played 65.

Next batsman was Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar knew that his stay at the crease is really crucial for India. So, Sachin was not taking any risk and was basically trying to settle at the pitch first and then play his strokes. On other hand Dravid was looking good because he got a bit settled at the pitch so Dravid started playing his normal innings. Strauss was desperate for a wicket so he brought Swann into the bowling attack. Dravid loves playing off spinners. So, Dravid decided to be attacking and played some delightful strokes. Swann was having no clue of stopping Dravid from playing attacking cricket. Anderson too was going for boundaries now and the pressure started to build on England team.

Dravid played well and reached to his fifty. A well played innings from Dravid under pressure. But Dravid too was not able to play a big innings as he got out for 50. Anderson bowled a good length delivery, Dravid tried to defend the ball but got bottom edge and the ball went to the stumps. Dravid was very unhappy with his dismissal. Dravid played well for his fifty but didn’t manage to go on and play a big innings. Next batsman who came to bat was VVS Laxman. Sachin and Laxman took no risk and India lost no more wickets till tea. Laxman played slowly but he too like other batsman’s is looking to first settle at the crease and then play his shots. Sachin just before tea started to play his normal innings and that’s good news for Indian fans. Sachin may start being attacking after lunch because now he is well settled at the crease and can go on and play a big innings. England tea on other hand would be desperate for a wicket.

It would be interesting to see how the match turns out after tea. The match is evenly balanced at the moment. Indian team is in need of a good partnership and England team wants few more wickets to put Indian team under pressure. Would be interesting to see how the match turns out to be after tea….

IND : 225/3
S.Tendulkar 38(94)
VVS. Laxman 13(34)
Last Wicket : R. Dravid 50(87)

4th Npower test match, Day 1, Session 2.

 

[AkshayS]

Nice update man, loved reading it.

The part of Dravid and Tendulkar was more awesome, just great.

Good to see Tendulkar going well ATM, hope he would help me get my prediction right.
another great session for India, they are ruling till now.
Any score near 500 will be good enough for India I think.
and with the quality of batmen following, it seems pretty mu gettable.