Dravid Records Most Catches in Test Matches

India vs New Zealand, India in New Zealand, 2009 - 3rd Test
Date: 03-07 April 2009

Rahul Dravid broke the record for most number of catches in test matches. The career record of 181 catches was held by Australian Mark Waugh. In the second innings of the on-going third cricket test match between India and New Zealand, Rahul Dravid held on to a chance given by New Zealand opener McIntosh off the bowling of Zaheer Khan. With the catch of McIntosh, Rahul Dravid has completed 182 catches in test match cricket. When Jesse Ryder was dismissed later on, Rahul Dravid has added another catch to his tally.

The following is the list of the top five cricketers with most catches in test match cricket:

1. Rahul Dravid (India) - 183 catches
2. Mark Waugh (Australia) - 181 catches
3. Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) - 171 catches
4. Brian Lara (West Indies) - 164 catches
5. Mark Taylor (Australia) - 157 catches

Interestingly, all the cricketers in the above list have already retired from international cricket except Rahul Dravid.

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Dhoni's Record for Most Catches in Test Matches

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India vs New Zealand, India in New Zealand, 2009 - 3rd Test
Date: 03-07 April 2009

• Dhoni took six catches during the first innings of the third test against New Zealand, which sets the record for most catches by an Indian player in an innings.



• Dhoni also equalled Syed Kirmani's record for most dismissals in an innings by an Indian wicket-keeper. Syed Kirmani has effected 6 dismissals (5 catches and 1 stumping) against New Zealand in 1976. Dhoni now has equalled that record for most dismissals with 6 dismissals (all 6 catches) against New Zealand.



• Dhoni has also moved up to third position in the all-time dismissals list by Indian wicket-keepers. With the six dismissals in the first innings of the current match, Dhoni has now been involved in 109 dismissals. With that, he has surpassed Nayan Mongia's record of 107 dismissals. Dhoni now trails the legendary Syed Kirmani and Kiran More in the all time dismissals by Indian wicket-keepers. The following is the list of top five Indian wicket-keepers, in terms of all-time dismissals in test matches:
  
  Syed Kirmani - 198 dismissals
  Kiran More - 130 dismissals
  Mahendra Singh Dhoni - 109 dismissals
  Nayan Mongia - 107 dismissals
  Farokh Engineer - 82 dismissals



• Dhoni also holds the record for most number of dismissals in an ODI innnings (six dismissals) by Indian wicket-keepers. This also is a world record, currently shared by players like Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher, Ridley Jacobs and Alec Stewart.

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Harbhajan Singh Completes 325 Wickets in Test Matches

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Harbhajan Singh has claimed 325 wickets in test match cricket. In the ongoing test match between India and New Zealand in Wellington, Harbhajan Singh dismissed Ross Taylor and Franklin in the first innings. With those two wickets, Harbhajan Singh had become the 20th bowler in test match history to claim 325 wickets or more. He is only the third Indian to reach thus far, Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev were the other two.

Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan leads the list of bowlers with most wickets in test match cricket, followed by retired spinners Shane Warne and Anil Kumble. The top five list is as follows:

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) - 770 wickets
2. Shane Warne (Australia) - 708 wickets
3. Anil Kumble (India) - 619 wickets
4. Glenn McGrath (Australia) - 563 wickets
5. Courtney Walsh (West Indies) - 519 wickets

We hope to see Harbhajan Singh up there in the top one day. All the best Bhajji, keep going!

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Dhoni in Test Match #36

India vs New Zealand, India in New Zealand, 2009 - 1st Test
Date: 18-21 March 2009

A Strong win by India

Another clinical display by the Indian cricket team under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Winning might have become a regular habit for this Indian team. But, even for them, a victory after 33 years in New Zealand should have been a sweet achievement. A mystery finally resolved. This New Zealand might not have greats like Sir Richard Hadlee or Stephen Fleming, but they have promising youngsters under a captain, Daniel Vettori, who leads by example.

Dhoni, winning the toss, inserted New Zealand in. His bowlers did not diappoint him. Immediately, Zaheer Khan picked two wickets. Ishant Sharma followed almost immediately with three wickets. Munaf Patel, not to be left behind, picked one wicket. New Zealand were in deep trouble with the score card reading 60 for the loss of 6 wickets. Then, came the New Zealand resistance through their skipper Daniel Vettori and the in-form batsman Jesse Ryder. The two put on 186 runs for the seventh wicket, Vettori being the aggressive partner. Both Vettori and Ryder scored centuries and New Zealand were finally dismissed for a score of 279 runs.

India's reply did not have the best start after Virender Sehwag was run out for just 24 runs. But, Gambhir and Dravid collected the runs in a cool and composed partnership of 105 runs for the second wicket. At the dismissal of Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar walked in and played an innings that reminded his early days. His knock of 160 runs was instrumental in India posting a big first innings total of 520 runs. Don't forget the contributions of Dhoni (47 runs) and Zaheer Khan (51 not out).

New Zealand started the second innings requiring 241 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Controversial dismissal of McIntosh off the third delivery from Zaheer Khan did not help them. Regular wickets by the Indians put New Zealand under pressure and the innings defeat looked on the cards when Daniel Vettori was dismissed and the score was 199 for 8. Then came a partnership of 76 runs between Brendon McCullum and Iain O'Brien that ensured India bat again. Harbhajan Singh bowled well for his six wickets.

India needed just 32 deliveries to knock off the 39 runs required for victory. The victory was achieved with a day to spare and with a margin of 10 wickets. History rewritten after 33 years!

1st Innings:
New Zealand 279 (Daniel Vettori 118, Jesse Ryder 102, Ishant Sharma 4 for 73, Munaf Patel 3 for 60)

India 520 (Sachin Tendulkar 160, Gautam Gambhir 72, Rahul Dravid 66, Zaheer Khan 51 not out, CS Martin 3 for 98, Iain O'Brien 3 for 103)

2nd Innings:
New Zealand 279 (Brendon McCullum 84, Flynn 67, Harbhajan Singh 6 for 63, Munaf Patel 2 for 60)
India 39 for no loss (Gambhir 30 not out, Dravid 8 not out)

Match Result: India won by 10 wickets

Man of the match: Sachin Tendulkar, for his 160

Dhoni's performance in the 1st innings:
Catches : 3 / Stumpings : 1
Batting: 47 runs (123 balls), 4s: 7/ 6s: 0

Dhoni's performance in the 2nd innings:
Catches : 1 / Stumpings : 0
Batting: Did Not Bat

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New Zealand Cricket Team for Test Matches

Yesterday, we saw the Indian Cricket team selected for the test matches against New Zealand. We also went through the probable line-up for the first test match. Today, I will give you the list of New Zealand team that is selected for the first test match. The New Zealand squad consists of 13 players, led by captain Daniel Vettori. The squad is as follows:

1. Daniel Vettori (Captain)
2. Jesse Ryder
3. Martin Guptill
4. Tim McIntosh
5. Kyle Mills
6. Brendon McCullum (Wicket-keeper)
7. Ross Taylor
8. Brent Arnel
9. James Franklin
10. Jeetan Patel
11. Chris Martin
12. Iain O'Brien
13. Daniel Flynn

In the Twenty20 tournament, New Zealand came victorious. But, that was quickly nullified by the Indian cricketers efforts in the ODI tournament. New Zealand was completely outplayed in the first four one-dayers, including the abandoned ODI. But, New Zealand came back strongly in the final ODI, just in time to keep the interest alive for the Test match series. Will this have an impact on the Test match series?

In my opinion, India still starts as favourites due to their experienced batting line-up. Sehwag and Tendulkar were blazing in the one day matches. If they bring forward some of that form to the test matches, New Zealand will always be chasing the Indians. Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan had been exceptional over the past one year or so, particularly in the test match arena. With helpful conditions, they may prosper further.

But, let us not completely discount New Zealand. They have the home advantage. Some of their players like Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum and Guptill are in good nick. Their bowlers might not have been executing the plans well, but they have the potential to do well in test match setup.

We are in for a good, gripping contest for the next five days.

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Indian Cricket Team for Test Matches

The teams will take a new look as shorter version of the game gives way to traditional test matches. The test matches had been interesting, of late, and had produced some excellent nail biting finishes. The recent India-Australia series, Australia-South Africa series and West Indies-England cricket series were really good. Going along these lines, we should have an interesting series ahead.

The Indian team for the test series will have some of the seniors coming back to replace one-day/ T20 specialists. The Indian team is as follows:

1. Virender Sehwag
2. Gautam Gambhir
3. Rahul Dravid
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. VVS Laxman
6. Yuvraj Singh
7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain and wicket-keeper)
8. Harbhajan Singh
9. Zaheer Khan
10. Ishant Sharma
11. Munaf Patel

The Batsmen
It is certain that Sehwag and Gambhir will open the innings. The No. 3, 4 & 5 are assured places for Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. Yuvraj Singh is most likely to fill in as the sixth batsman, unless Dhoni decides to play five specialist bowlers.

The Bowlers
Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma are three bowlers who will be automatic selections. The only place that might be up for discussion will the last bowler slot. It will be a fight between Munaf Patel, Dhawal Kulkarni, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Amit Mishra. It is unlikely that India will be playing two spinners in New Zealand. I personally feel that Munaf Patel might just make it, even though I prefer to try out Dhawal Kulkarni.

Reserve Players
The other players including M. Vijay (reserve opening batsman), Dinesh Karthik (reserve wicket-keeper) and Amit Mishra (reserve spinner) have to wait unless someone is not able to play.

The first test match is scheduled to be played from March 18 to March 22 at Hamilton.

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