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Fly Slip-Looking for lost balls...: Aus v Ind, 2nd Test Preview, Should Dhoni Captain?

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Aus v Ind, 2nd Test Preview, Should Dhoni Captain?

The first test promised much but delivered very little. The first 4 days dragged on without too much happening until Pricky made a generous declaration. In the end rain made sure that the affair ended in a dull draw.

So we look ahead to Mohali now.

Which isnt really known for its result oriented pitches. Teams batting first generally tend to do OK. But the 2nd and 3rd innings have proved to be the most profitable for the batsmen.

Batting
Australia-Polishing off the edges

Ponting and Hussey stole the show and Bagaloroo, what the hell is up with that anyway, We predicted a lean series for Pricky but he proves us wrong. Top effort. Still might be troubled if the spinners get their act together. Hussey just looks like hes on another plane altogether at the moment.

Clarke owes some runs to the team. I expect him to make a significant contribution in this game.
Watson and White did enough to keep their place. Hayden might need to make some runs to secure his place in the team. But the question is will Australia consider dropping him if he fails again? Jaques is breathing down his neck and is a very good replacement.

India-Relying on the openers.
All it takes is one innings from Sehwag and everyones predictions go out the window. He is due.
Gotham City Gambir played a solid hand but must convert his starts into considerable scores to make Ponting sweat.

The fab4 came to the rescue in the last innings but still look dodgy. Another false start in the first innings might leave India reeling.

Bowling
Australia- Team effort.
They bowled well as a unit , without exceeding at an individual level. Stuey needs to put up a better show in the wickets coloumn and Lee needs to make better use of the new ball for early break throughs. Watson, White and Clarke all will chip in with handy wickets. But you wonder when the lack of a quality spinner will finally tell on the Aussies.

India- Relying on the quicks.
Zaheer bowled superbly to put the Aussies under pressure. A repeat performance is expected. Sharma will be expected to deliver some early wickets as well. The biggest issue for India right now is the fitness of Kumble.

If he is unfit who do they go for? 3 quicks and Bajji?
Or bringing in Chawla?

Tough decisions. Personally Id back Chawla. He bowled well in the warm up game. Had the Aussies in trouble more often than not.

Captaincy
India is facing a huge dilemma at the moment. Whether to go with Dhoni or Kumble. An hour and half under Dhoni revealed a lot more about than Kumbles leadership than it did Dhonis. The players seem to respond to Dhoni more. He seems at ease with the job. He has his players respect and is Ian Chappels man for the job.

If Kumble is unfit, then Dhoni must be given the reins. If so then another issue arrises when Kumble is fit for the 3rd. If Dhoni does well the the problem is compounded.

I predicted the end of the road for Kumble after this series. It might not even go that far for him.

Verdict:Im going to go out on a limb and say an Aussie victory. They seem the more assured team. Their key players are firing. The captaincy is in safe hands and seem the team that can push on for a victory when the opportunity presents.

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5 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Good review, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Few notes,
first test was light affected, not rain
- Mohali pitch will be interesting. - Rick(y) said he heard the groundsman on TV saying the pitch will be prepared for India's spinners.
- Hayden didn't really fail in the first match, he copped a bad decision from Rauf in each innings. Still, he was a bit scratchy against the new ball, and his form in the warm up was ordinary.
- agreed that Clarke will pick up this game, he looked really good against the spinners with little reward

- Sachin was looking disturbed by the light, perhaps his cataracts are growing
- Sharma was my pick of the Indian bowlers
- hopefully Anil is fit

October 17, 2008 at 8:56 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

does this count as a home game for Lee?

October 17, 2008 at 8:56 AM  
Blogger Damith S. said...

moses> thanks mate,
i was a big groggy after i got back from my holiday, so pardon me!

i read contrasting reviews on the pitch, cric365 reports that the pitch will be batter friendly again :(

-haydos has to come up with the goods in this game though, cuz australia can ill afford to have punter in at 10-1 everytime.

October 17, 2008 at 9:40 AM  
Blogger Damith S. said...

any game in india is a home game for binger.

btw how to u add those links on comments ?

October 17, 2008 at 9:40 AM  
Blogger XYZ said...

I think yes.

October 17, 2008 at 10:51 AM  

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