As we had hoped, after India got Australia's first three wickets in the space of 30 runs, the Indian bowlers came firing all cylinders and the visitors seem to have restricted Australia to under 350. (http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2007/12/kumbles-twin-strike-zaheer-chips-in.html)
The 337 for nine could well have remained 337 for two, three or four, but some on-target bowling by Kumble and Zaheer (the pacer took three) kept India in the match. (For more details, please see sites below profile in this blog)
Make no mistake. Australia still hold the upper hand in this match as India will have to bat fourth on this wicket. And they will have to muster a lead of 100 or 150 to put any kind of pressure on Australia.
The bowlers have done their job. Now everything will depend on how the Indian batsmen negotiate the first session tomorrow, with a makeshift opener in Rahul Dravid. That could well be the most critical session of the match.
Showing posts with label Kumble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kumble. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Why India should aim for the top of the off-stump
Simply because Agarkar successfully did that in Adelaide four years ago and helped India get their first away test win over Australia in over two decades.
‘’It is simple. Just bowl on a good length and try and aim for the top of the off-stump,’’ says Agarkar about his approach in Australia in 2003-04 series.
His advise makes sense because it is easier to get carried away for a pace bowler in Australia. Listening to what he says in the Times of India will do a world of good to Zaheer and company.
Meanwhile, in his column (By Hawkeye/Chivach Sport) in the Hindu, Anil Kumble laments that ‘’Ideally, it would have been great if the weather had been kinder and we had had a good tour game but that was not to be''. He also say ideally India should have had two tour games before the first test to sort out their chinks.
Too late to say this skipper. The Team should have requested the BCCI to take note of this 'thoughtlessly done schedule' even as the itinerary was being planned.
But good preparation or not, India has some good supporters in Gilchrist and Hussey, two of Australia key players who are predicting a good, well-contested series.
Gilchrist believes that India is ‘’not underprepared’’ for the tour, and rather they are ‘’match-hardened’’ after three-four weeks of intense cricket against Pakistan. Hussey believes it is a ‘huge challenge’ for Australia as India right now have ‘good momentum’ and ‘good form’ going into the contest. Though in a separate story in the Indian Express, he also said that the Australian batsmen had plans ready for each Indian bowler.
Basically, the contest between the Australian bowlers and the Indian batsmen will decide the outcome of the series. Australian batsmen are always expected to score heavily on their pitches so do not expect much from the Indian attack. India batting can't afford to fail once or twice in their eight attempts. That will spell doom.
‘’It is simple. Just bowl on a good length and try and aim for the top of the off-stump,’’ says Agarkar about his approach in Australia in 2003-04 series.
His advise makes sense because it is easier to get carried away for a pace bowler in Australia. Listening to what he says in the Times of India will do a world of good to Zaheer and company.
Meanwhile, in his column (By Hawkeye/Chivach Sport) in the Hindu, Anil Kumble laments that ‘’Ideally, it would have been great if the weather had been kinder and we had had a good tour game but that was not to be''. He also say ideally India should have had two tour games before the first test to sort out their chinks.
Too late to say this skipper. The Team should have requested the BCCI to take note of this 'thoughtlessly done schedule' even as the itinerary was being planned.
But good preparation or not, India has some good supporters in Gilchrist and Hussey, two of Australia key players who are predicting a good, well-contested series.
Gilchrist believes that India is ‘’not underprepared’’ for the tour, and rather they are ‘’match-hardened’’ after three-four weeks of intense cricket against Pakistan. Hussey believes it is a ‘huge challenge’ for Australia as India right now have ‘good momentum’ and ‘good form’ going into the contest. Though in a separate story in the Indian Express, he also said that the Australian batsmen had plans ready for each Indian bowler.
Basically, the contest between the Australian bowlers and the Indian batsmen will decide the outcome of the series. Australian batsmen are always expected to score heavily on their pitches so do not expect much from the Indian attack. India batting can't afford to fail once or twice in their eight attempts. That will spell doom.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Based on quotes in Print media and Blogs' reaction to it
Please see the link below and give your comments. Blog's take in this link is based on what Kumble and Dhoni have said.
What will India be banking on in Australia
What will India be banking on in Australia
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Soaring Hopes and a Mission not Impossible
Media Watch Dec 18
India’s departure for Australia was the biggest news in Indian Newspapers today.
''Indians fly off Down Under with Soaring hopes in tow'', was the headline in the Indian Express as the paper quoted Skipper Kumble that the experience of previous tours will come handy.
His optimism was reflected in his comment that ‘’We have the potential and the players to win the series.
Blog's Take: However, while the batsmen in the team have over 30,000 runs collectively, over 10,000 more than what they had when they toured last, they are also older by four years. The reflexes may not hold this time round against Lee and Tait. The last chance missed (in 2003-04) may well have been their last chance.
Meanwhile, Laxman was as down to earth as he has ever been, as he talked about the Australian potential.‘’They are the best so it is pretty simple that you have got to give your best against them,’’ he said. Jaffer too said that ‘’It will be a big test for me’’.
Blog's Take: Surely, and he will also need stability at the other end whether it is Sehwag, Dravid, Yuvraj or Karthik opening the batting with him. It takes two to tango. Noting illustrates it better than the exploits of Sehwag-Aakash Combo which had set the tone for the last series.
HT, well they headlined it ‘’Mission: Not impossible’’. However, the paper did say that the lack of more than one warm up match before the first test will be a big problem for India. The Times of India simply said ‘’Team off to Oz, looking to make history.’’
Blog's Take: Kumble and company can be justifiably aggrieved. With so much at stake, the issue needs to be addressed quickly. Players are not machines that they keep on performing relentlessly at the big stage in completely different conditions without adequate preparation. The absence of that opportunity to get tuned into conditions does make it a mission impossible for a team still grappling with batting combinations at the top.
In the Times of India, there was an interview with Sourav Ganguly where he said that India had done better outside the subcontinent in last six-seven years compared to Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In fact, he used the word ‘’wonderfully well’’.He felt that this knowledge of beating West Indies, Pakistan and England in away series and drawing with Australia last time, will help India immensely. He also quoted India reaching the final of ODI World Cup in 2003 and winning the 20-20 Cup as among the important factors.
Blog's Take: Ganguly has shown that he has the skills to go with the guts. A tremendous skipper, India will look at Ganguly for the kind of inspiration he showed in the recent series against Pakistan. Mission may not be possible, but that is possible!
India’s departure for Australia was the biggest news in Indian Newspapers today.
''Indians fly off Down Under with Soaring hopes in tow'', was the headline in the Indian Express as the paper quoted Skipper Kumble that the experience of previous tours will come handy.
His optimism was reflected in his comment that ‘’We have the potential and the players to win the series.
Blog's Take: However, while the batsmen in the team have over 30,000 runs collectively, over 10,000 more than what they had when they toured last, they are also older by four years. The reflexes may not hold this time round against Lee and Tait. The last chance missed (in 2003-04) may well have been their last chance.
Meanwhile, Laxman was as down to earth as he has ever been, as he talked about the Australian potential.‘’They are the best so it is pretty simple that you have got to give your best against them,’’ he said. Jaffer too said that ‘’It will be a big test for me’’.
Blog's Take: Surely, and he will also need stability at the other end whether it is Sehwag, Dravid, Yuvraj or Karthik opening the batting with him. It takes two to tango. Noting illustrates it better than the exploits of Sehwag-Aakash Combo which had set the tone for the last series.
HT, well they headlined it ‘’Mission: Not impossible’’. However, the paper did say that the lack of more than one warm up match before the first test will be a big problem for India. The Times of India simply said ‘’Team off to Oz, looking to make history.’’
Blog's Take: Kumble and company can be justifiably aggrieved. With so much at stake, the issue needs to be addressed quickly. Players are not machines that they keep on performing relentlessly at the big stage in completely different conditions without adequate preparation. The absence of that opportunity to get tuned into conditions does make it a mission impossible for a team still grappling with batting combinations at the top.
In the Times of India, there was an interview with Sourav Ganguly where he said that India had done better outside the subcontinent in last six-seven years compared to Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In fact, he used the word ‘’wonderfully well’’.He felt that this knowledge of beating West Indies, Pakistan and England in away series and drawing with Australia last time, will help India immensely. He also quoted India reaching the final of ODI World Cup in 2003 and winning the 20-20 Cup as among the important factors.
Blog's Take: Ganguly has shown that he has the skills to go with the guts. A tremendous skipper, India will look at Ganguly for the kind of inspiration he showed in the recent series against Pakistan. Mission may not be possible, but that is possible!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Kumble impervious to mind games
Former Australian coach John Buchanan believes that the Indian skipper Anil Kumble is a tough cookie who is impervious to mind games.
Below are some comments from Kumble in a website, which show that he is not bothered about what Australia have to offer.
Well, that may not win the series for him, but Kumble has surely not started on the back foot. Good omen that is.
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtvcricket/cricketstory.aspx?id=SPOEN20070036188
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh has questioned Brad Hogg's credentials to fit into the shoes of either Shane Warne or Stuart MacGill. So, the offensive from India has already started.From now on, one can surely bet that things are not going to be peaceful both on and off the field.
Below are some comments from Kumble in a website, which show that he is not bothered about what Australia have to offer.
Well, that may not win the series for him, but Kumble has surely not started on the back foot. Good omen that is.
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtvcricket/cricketstory.aspx?id=SPOEN20070036188
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh has questioned Brad Hogg's credentials to fit into the shoes of either Shane Warne or Stuart MacGill. So, the offensive from India has already started.From now on, one can surely bet that things are not going to be peaceful both on and off the field.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
