1) The just concluded 2nd Test Match between India and Bangladesh.
2) The injuries caused during the course of the test match.
3) Selection dilemmas due to these injuries for the series against the South Africans.
2nd Test Match, India vs Bangladesh:
The result was not in any doubt after India got a 311 run lead - thanks to a couple of centuries from Dravid and Tendulkar (#45, there you go Mr.Ponting, 6 more for you to catch up), with Gambhir and Dhoni providing support. There was going to be just 1 victor after that.
Yes, Tamim Iqbal did play a blinder, though on another day, he could have gotten out without getting too many runs on the board. He definitely has talent, but needs to mature and be selective in his shot selection.
Zaheer Khan's bowling with the old ball over the past couple of years has been a revelation. If anything, after Kumble's retirement, he has been the key wicket taker for India.
Inconsistencies and not being able to finish the job off with the bowling seems to be a thorn in the flesh right now. It was the same case when Bangladesh were 51/5 in the first innings (absolutely no business in giving them 233 runs). The pitch did ease out in the 2nd innings of the Bangladeshi batting, making the bowlers' job a little tougher. Tamim Iqbal rode his luck while it lasted, Junaid Siddique seemed to be the more assured of the two.
Bangladesh has a good nucleus in place right now. It needs to develop on this to become a bigger force in world cricket.
My player ratings:
Sehwag - 6 A few of his customary thwacks, and getting out to a short ball. Cramping him for space.. something for the South Africans to think about?
Gambhir - 7 Got out to a very good ball, another short one though. Gambhir will have to be in a situation to anticipate a barrage of short balls from the Proteas if he has to continue his good form.
Dravid - 9 A typical Dravid innings, looked good to get more until that nasty bouncer. He has equalled Sir Donald Bradman, in case you folks didn't notice.
Tendulkar - 8 Another century goes into his piggy bank. Not entirely convincing though, a couple of chances here and there. But we will take a Sachin test century however it comes these days, won't we?
Murali Vijay - 7 A blinder of a catch in the 2nd innings (one-handed @ 2nd slip), and an assured 30 in the first innings, until he threw it away. Looks good to replace or give Yuvraj Singh a VERY GOOD run for his money for the #6 spot.
Yuvraj Singh - DNF (Did not feature).
MS Dhoni - 8 Good captaincy and a typically unorthodox 89 in the first innings. If anything, was let down a little by his inconsistent bowlers.
Harbhajan Singh - 2 Did nothing of note in this test match, be it batting or bowling. Generally seemed to have lacked control.
Zaheer Khan - 9 Almost single handedly carried the Indian bowling attack on his shoulders, ending the match with 10 wickets. And can one forget that 3 wicket over? Brilliant reverse swing bowling. Deserved both the man of the match and the series awards.
Pragyan Ojha - 6 Was crucial in the 2nd innings with his flight and nagging line. Took a couple of crucial wickets.
Ishant Sharma - 6 Bowled well in the first innings, responsible for snaring the top order. Nothing much of note in the 2nd innings.
Injury updates:
I remember this line from a friend of mine - why do Karnataka players fall prey to jaw fractures?
If you're wondering who these players are: Kumble and now, Dravid. Who can forget Kumble's warrior-like effort in the West Indies? Still gives me goose bumps.
Quoting a few lines:
"May 12, 2002
Broken jaw, what broken jaw?
Nursing a broken jaw - heavily strapped up, with bands going around his jaw, over his head and across the back of it - takes the field on the third day of the fourth Test at St. John's and sends down 14 numbing overs, dismissing Brian Lara lbw with one that rips from off. None can deny the efforts of Kumble, whose grit and resolve are there for all to see. The match ends in a tepid draw, and Kumble flies home - a hero, no less - to have his jaw sorted out. "
Now that Dravid is injured, and it may be medically unlikely for him to feature in the South Africa series, let's jump to the next topic.
Selection Dilemmas for the South African Test Series:
We have Dravid, Laxman, Yuvraj and Sreesanth injured. I personally don't think it makes much of a difference with the latter 2 being injured right now. With Dravid and Laxman though, it's a big deal.
I assume that atleast Laxman will be able to make it to the tests. I doubt if Dravid/Yuvraj/Sreesanth will take any part. More info here http://www.cricinfo.com/indvrsa2010/content/current/story/446005.html
So, that brings us to the next interesting portion. #3 and #6 up for grabs. Who's gonna take it?
Murali Vijay is by far the #1 candidate for the #3 slot. I don't see any competition here. He could walk in blindfolded. And I still think that he should play for India in Test Matches instead of Yuvraj Singh @ #6.
#6 opens up possibilities. My front-runner would be Subramaniam Badrinath. Let's face it - atleast for a first-class average of 58.63, this guy deserves a chance. He has always been in the reserves during the test matches pretty recently as well, so I don't think there could be other competitors for this. If at all any, it would be Virat Kohli/Manish Pandey/Suresh Raina/Mohammad Kaif/Abhishek Nayar (yes, he's just scored 259 against North Zone in the Duleep trophy http://www.cricinfo.com/duleeptrophy2009-10/content/story/445991.html), and of course, if Laxman also cannot make it, the choice will be between the above 5 people, and I have a feeling it might go to Virat Kohli.
My playing XI would be:
1) Sehwag
2) Gambhir
3) Murali Vijay
4) Sachin Tendulkar
5) VVS Laxman
6) Subramaniam Badrinath
7) MS Dhoni
8) Harbhajan Singh
9) Zaheer Khan
10) Ishant Sharma
11) Pragyan Ojha.
With the crisis in South African cricket, one could question the mental make up of the side - but I don't see it as a big factor http://www.cricinfo.com/southafrica/content/current/story/445957.html
Instead, I would imagine that the South Africans would be licking their lips in anticipation to have a real good go at an injury-ridden Indian side, which is clinging on to it's #1 ranking, and desperately doesn't want to let go.
Desperate situations demand desperate measures, sometimes, heroes are also unearthed. Could we see the future of the Indian batting middle order at display starting the 6th of February 2010?
Time will tell.
Cheers,
V
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