Dhoni in Afro-Asian Cup 2007

The Afro-Asian cup tournament 2007 consists of three ODI matches and one Twenty20 match. The Twenty20 match and the first ODI will be played at Bangalore on June 5 and 6 respectively. The second and third ODIs are scheduled at Chennai on June 9 and 10 respectively.

With Sachin opting out of the tournament and some other players are unavailable, the team has been revised and finalised. Mahela Jeyawardane will lead the ODI team, which is as follows:

1. Sanath Jayasuriya,
2. Virender Sehwag,
3. Upul Tharanga,
4. Mahela Jayawardene (Captain),
5. Sourav Ganguly,
6. Mohammad Yousuf,
7. Yuvraj Singh,
8. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Wicket-keeper),
9. Harbhajan Singh,
10. Zaheer Khan,
11. Dilhara Fernando,
12. Mashrafe Mortaza,
13. Mohammad Rafique,
14. Mohammad Asif

Shaoib Malik will lead the Twenty20 team, which is as follows:

1. Tamim Iqbal,
2. Imran Nazir,
3. Mohammad Ashraful,
4. Shoaib Malik (Captain),
5. Tillakaratne Dilshan,
6. Shahid Afridi,
7. Kamran Akmal (Wicket-keeper),
8. Farveez Maharoof,
9. Abdur Razzak,
10. Mashrafe Mortaza,
11. Sreesanth

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Bangladesh Tour: A review

The Indians had completed the Bangladesh tour on a winning note. The Indian team should feel very relieved now. Not because of the way they beat Bangladeshis; but since they have managed to avoid any further humiliation. Its true that the victories are not that convincing, but it should give the Indians some confidence before the bigger assignments.

Dinesh Karthik has displayed his batting skills in the tests as an opener and he did everything right to cement his place as a test opener. In fact, he scored his first hundred in test matches.

The resting of seniors like Sachin and Sourav from ODI series had given them an opportunity to adapt to the less demanding but more meaningful test matches. Both came up with centuries in the first test match. Sachin scored yet another century in the second test match. His effort is the slowest in terms of strike rate compared to the other three centurions, but this should give him some advantage and peace of mind for future matches.

The bowling department looked really weak with the absence of Munaf Patel, Sree Santh, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble for the first match. Only Zaheer khan produced some good spells and he deserved the man of the match award for the second match test victory. Anil Kumble's return to the second match has proved vital for the Indians triumph.

It looks certain that the bowling department will have a complete shuffle in the next series, whereas in the batting arena VVS Laxman might find it unfair and unlucky to miss out.

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Milestones

The following milestones were reached during the second test match between India and Bangladesh, played during 25-27 May 2007.

• Anil Kumble has quietly crossed his 550-wicket mark. It took him 115 matches and his wicket tally stands at 552 now.
• Ishant Sharma made his debut in the second test match and took his maiden wicket in the first innings.
• Dinesh Karthik hit his first test match hundred during this match. He brought up this feat in his 13th match and 18th innings. He now has 1 century and 3 half-centuries.
• Rahul Dravid scored his 24th century in 109 matches and 185 innings.
• Sachin scored his 37th century in his 137th match and 220th innings.
• Wasim Jaffer got to his 4th test hundred in 19 matches and 35 innings.

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Dhoni in Test match #17

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh Test Series (2007) - 2nd Test
Date: 25-27 May 2007

Dhoni's performance in the 1st innings:
Catches : 2 / Stumpings : 0
Batting: 51 runs-Not out (50 balls), 4s: 3/ 6s: 4

Dhoni's performance in the 2nd innings:
Catches : 3 / Stumpings : 0
Batting: Did Not Bat

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Dhoni in Test match #17

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh Test Series (2007) - 2nd Test
Date: 25-29 May 2007

Day 3 (27 May 2007):

The Indians completed a convincing win, by an innings and 239 runs, well within 3 days. The Indians victory was well on the cards once they scored 600+ runs. But, I expected more resistance from the Bangladeshi batsmen. Instead, they succumbed, in just 38 overs in the first innings and lasted for 58 overs in the second innings.

Resuming on 58/5, they lost the wicket of Shakib immediately to the second delivery of the day from Zaheer Khan. The rest did not pose great problems to the Indian bowlers. Zaheer finished with 5 wickets, Kumble took 3 wickets, Ishant Sharma and RP Singh picked up one each.

Trailing by 492 runs, the Bangladeshis followed on. This time, they decided to take on the bowling. Interestingly, Javed Omar collected his pair, once again off the very first delivery of the innings from Zaheer. Two more wickets fell immediately and the score card read 10/3 in 4 overs. Then came the real assault from Ashraful. He scored 67 runs off just 41 deliveries. It is too good to last and the partnership of 81 runs was terminated by Kumble. Later in the innings, Mashrafe Mortaza played a good knock of 70 runs from just 68 balls. The Bangladeshis scored 253 runs in their second essay at 4.4 runs per over.

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Dhoni in Test match #17

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh Test Series (2007) - 2nd Test
Date: 25-29 May 2007

Day 2 (26 May 2007):
Indians continued their domination of the Bangladeshi bowlers and accumulated a mammoth 610/3. When the declaration came, the top four batsmen had completed their centuries. Dinesh Karthik (129) got to his maiden century. Dravid (129) got his 24th century while Sachin (122 not out) completed his 37th. The other centurion Wasim Jaffer did not come back to bat again.

Dhoni, as usual, played a quick knock of 51 runs from just 50 balls (3 fours and 4 sixes) and helped to acceleate the declaration.

After the declaration, if the Bangladeshis thought of some relief, then it is not coming in their way. Zaheer Khan shattered the top order and suddenly the Bangladeshis were 4 down for the addition of just 7 runs from 15 deliveries. Zaheer picked up 3 wickets while RP Singh took one. Kumble removed Rajin Saleh in his first over. At stumps, Bangladesh were 58/5.

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Dhoni in Test match #17

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh Test Series (2007) - 2nd Test
Date: 25-29 May 2007

Day 1 (25 May 2007):

The Indians feasted on the good batting conditions and went on to score 326 runs on the first day. Even though no wicket fell, there were 4 Indian batsmen on view. Due to hot and humid conditions, the two openers retired hurt after creating a good platform for others to launch on.

Dinesh Karthik scored yet another half-century as an opener and retired hurt when he was on 82. Jaffer went on further to score another century and wiped off his dreadful first match double ducks, before retiring on 138.

Dravid and Tendulkar are the not-out batsmen on 88 and 9 runs respectively.

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Dhoni in Test match #16

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh Test Series (2007) - 1st Test
Date: 18-22 May 2007

Dhoni's performance in the 1st innings:
Catches : 0 / Stumpings : 1
Batting: 36 runs (38 balls), 4s: 6/ 6s: 0

Dhoni's performance in the 2nd innings:
Catches : 1 / Stumpings : 0
Batting: 17 runs-Not out (17 balls), 4s: 1/ 6s: 1

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Dhoni in Test match #16

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh Test Series (2007) - 1st Test
Date: 18-22 May 2007

Day 5 (22 May 2007):

The match ended in a draw. Once again, rain delayed play on the final day. Once play resumed, the Indians continued. But, they were unable to force the game and improve their run rate. In another 10 overs, the Indians added another 56 runs for the loss of four wickets. Then came the declaration challenging Bangladesh to score 250 runs in 43 overs, just under six runs an over.

Once again, Kumble was off the field. The other bowlers were not able to extract anything. With Habibul Bashar and Javed Omar playing well, the Bangladeshis scored 104/2 in 28 overs. The game was called off with just 15 more overs to go.

A game in which only 219 overs were possible, at least one team should be at an extraordinary level to force a result. But, with India not having any real fire in their bowling, the game had to end as a draw.

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Dhoni in Test match #16

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh Test Series (2007) - 1st Test
Date: 18-22 May 2007

Day 4 (21 May 2007):

So near, yet so far! The familiar story of the Indian cricket team's performance abroad. It doesn't change whether the opponent is Australia or Bangladesh. India was all over the Bangladeshis when they pushed them to 149-8. But, the match slipped away slowly when they allowed Mashrafe Mortaza and Shahadat Hossain to accumulate 77 runs for the ninth wicket. They have avoided the follow-on in the way. The absence of Kumble, due to illness, really hurt the Indian plans. Mortaza was the hero of the match so far, he took 4 wickets and has scored 79 runs from just 91 deliveries.

When India batted the second time, they had to run for safety as Jaffer went for a duck again and then Dravid followed immediately. With the score just reading 6/2, Karthik and Tendulkar had to play to save the match. At the end of the day, they had accumulated 44/2, an overall lead of 193 runs, still far away from a position to press for victory.

Early in the day, India expected some fireworks from Dhoni. But, he fell without adding to his overnight score. The Indian declaration came with that at 387/8.

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Dhoni in Test match #16

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh Test Series (2007) - 1st Test
Date: 18-22 May 2007

Day 3 (20 May 2007):

The third day's play was called off due to heavy overnight rains and intermittent but persistent showers in the morning. The Indians were left stranded at 384/6. With only two days left, it seems no team would be in a position to force any result. But, the first thing we are more interested is whether the rain GOD will allow any further play in this match. Keep your fingers crossed and wait.

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Dhoni in Test match #16

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh Test Series (2007) - 1st Test
Date: 18-22 May 2007

Day 2 (19 May 2007):

A delayed start, due to rain, did hamper the Indians plan to further consolidate. In a day when only 20 overs has been bowled, the Indians collected another 89 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Sachin and Sourav went on further to complete their centuries, but did not last longer than that. Powar also left in his pursuit to score quick runs. At the end of day two, the Indians have scored 384 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, from the possible 97 overs.

Dhoni in the meanwhile scored a quick 36 off just 35 balls, helped by six fours.

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Dhoni in Test match #16

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh Test Series (2007) - 1st Test
Date: 18-22 May 2007

Day 1 (18 May 2007):

Dravid won the toss and chose to bat. Dinesh Karthik opened with Wasim Jaffer. The start was disastrous, with Jaffer bowled off the very first ball of the match. But, any hopes of further inroads into the Indian batting line-up was arrested by a confident Dravid and determined Karthik. They put on 124 runs for the second wicket. But, they failed to capitalise on the start and the batting conditions. They fell after reaching half-centuries.

This pair was taken over by the more experienced giants Sachin and Sourav. They carried on slowly and steadily. At the end of day 1, India have reached a solid 295 for 3. Sachin and Sourav both reached their half-centuries, making it four half-centuries for the day.

India, in fact, made some bold decisions on the team composition. They have selected five regular bowlers and two wicket-keepers in the team. It is a pity that VVS Laxman cannot find a place in this team. Sourav is preferred over VVS and Yuvraj Singh. Dinesh Karthik was included in the squad as an opener and he did not disappoint.

India should look into consolidating their position on the second day. With a score close to 500 runs, they can dictate the course of the match.

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India vs Bangladesh: 3rd Match abandoned

The 3rd and final match between India and Bangladesh in the ongoing ODI series was called off due to heavy downpour.

The Indians won the series 2-0 as they have defeated the Bangladeshis in the first two matches. This match is supposed to be a special one for two people: Habibul Bashar's last ODI at home and Dav Whatmore's final ODI as Bangladesh coach. But, it is unfortunate to end this way.

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Dhoni in ODI #71

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh ODI Series (2007) - 2nd ODI
Date: 12 May 2007

Catches : 1 / Stumpings : 1
Batting: 36 runs (54 balls), 4s: 4/ 6s: 0

India won by 46 runs thanks to some excellent batting by the opener Gautam Gambhir and some controlled bowling from the spinner-on-debut Piyush Chawla. While Gambhir scored a century, Chawla took 3 wickets for just 37 runs.

Dhoni, coming in at No. 3 again, played a controlled innings and was involved in an 87-run partnership with the man of the match Gambhir. Dhoni was also involved in the run out of Tamim Iqbal together with Chawla.

With this win, the Indians have wrapped up the three match series 2-0. A very much needed win for the Indians after the early exit from the World cup. The series win must be more satisfying as it is achieved without the big names like Sachin, Ganguly, Kumble and Harbhajan.

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Dhoni in ODI #70

India vs Bangladesh, India in Bangladesh ODI Series (2007) - 1st ODI
Date: 10 May 2007

Catches : 0 / Stumpings : 1
Batting: 91 runs-Not out (106 balls), 4s: 7/ 6s: 0

India limped to an unconvincing win by 5 wickets (with 6 balls remaining), thanks mainly to the unbroken partnership of 107 runs between the two wicket-keeper batsmen, Dhoni and Karthik. It was not the kind of innings Dhoni is famous for. But the critical partnership for the sixth wicket, where Dinesh Karthik played his part admirably, has won the match for India.

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