5.00 P.M.
Well, Pietersen won the toss and elected to bat first on the opening day at Chidambaram Stadium.
As expected, India included Yuvraj and Gambhir joined Sehwag as his opening partner after serving out his one-test ban for trying to crack Watson's ribs with his elbows.
England as announced yesterday blooded Swann and went into this match with a five-bowler attack. Obviously, they are confident that their bowlers will be hard put to make an impression on the Indian batsmen and hence needed done more bowler to bowl out the over’s.
However, at 164 for 1 at tea it looked like it were the Indians who needed a 5 man bowling attack.
Fortunately, Zaheer's double strike and Billy Bowden's trigger happiness-restored parity. The wicket of Strauss at the tail end of the day has tilted the balance in India's favour.
At 229 for 5 India has an upper hand. The course of the match depends on how long the Indian bowlers let Flintoff play.
6.00 A.M.
The weather, though a suspect, is unlikely to delay the start of the first day. The pitch is bound to be wet and even if the sun blazes, it is going to help the fast bowlers during the first session. This could tempt the team winning the toss to insert the opposition and hope to wreak damage. However, they will have to inflict heavy damage for it to work.
Coming to the Indian team, based on his one-day hot streak Yuvraj’s return seems a formality. For no fault of his, Badrinath remains the eternal bridesmaid and this may well be the story of his life.
The Chepauk crowd is sure to give the English team a standing ovation when they first step into the ground. That could well be the moment of the day.
The team:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni , Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma.
4 comments:
I'm interested in how Harbhajan performs throuhgout now that he is the No. 1 spinner with no Kumble.
I feel that he does better when there is more a of a burden/pressure on him. He has been a lot more successful when Kumble is not around and when there are four rather than five bowlers.
And of course, when there is controversy
http://yellowmonkeysbananabucket.blogspot.com/2008/12/glorious-burden-for-harbhajan.html
Also, I think Yuvraj should be ok. Sure his technique is not great and he doesn't play quality spin that well, but there's no M&M or a left arm wrist-spinner.
He did poorly in Australia but that was in Tests and ODI. It wasn't as though he was in good ODI form and still couldn't get anything in Tests. His fielding in Aus also indicated he wasn't on the job, either because of attitude or lack of confidence.
don't loos hope on badri as yet...he and pujara have definite future for test cricket...
YM,
You have raised an important question regarding Bhajji and your blog post on him is worth a read.
I believe Yuvraj to be a flat track bully. Irrespective of is form or he format of the game he will come unstuck on pitches that offer some assistance to he bowlers.
Pan,
At least for Badi's sake may your words come true. :)
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