India's Chances in Cricket World Cup 2011

Where do India go from here? They are still at the top of group B with 7 points. But, there is a small probability of them not making it to the quarterfinals. But, thats more of a theoretical calculation. But, I believe they should be through.

Why Dhoni is not giving Ashwin a chance? Can someone remind Dhoni that Ashwin is the bowler who helped him to win IPL3 and the Champions League for Chennai Super Kings? I am not discounting the performances of Bollinger or Murali, but Ashwin was the key; he was the surprise element in IPL. Why Dhoni always hesitates to use Ashwin for India in international matches?

Its time India gives Ashwin a chance in the last league game, that too at Chennai (Ashwin's home ground). I also would like to try Suresh Raina in place of Yusuf Pathan in the last match. My team for the game against West Indies would be:

1. Virender Sehwag
2. Sachin Tendulkar
3. Gautam Gambhir
4. Virat Kohli
5. Yuvraj Singh
6. Suresh Raina
7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
8. Harbhajan Singh
9. R. Ashwin
10. Zaheer Khan
11. Munaf Patel

Let us do it boys; we have much more challenges awaiting in the knock out rounds.

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IPL Rajasthan Royals Team

Rajasthan Royals, defending champions of Indian Premier League (IPL), once again exudes confidence ahead of IPL 2009. They have the advantage of having South African team captain Graeme Smith. Smith's experience and understanding of South African conditions might be a big asset. In addition, they have bowler Morne Morkel, another South African on their side.

The combination of Shane Warne, Morne Morkel and Shaun Tait gives them a formidable bowling attack. The unpredictable Munaf Patel could come in as the third seamer option. You have a solid opener in Graeme Smith. Add to this excellent all-rounders like Shane Watson, Yusuf Pathan and the upcoming Ravindra Jadeja. Rajasthan Royals certainly have a team for the big occasion.

The sad part is that Mohammad Kaif has to return back to India, as he was not included in the final squad. Kaif is one of the most under-achieved players from India, who was not able to raise his performances beyond a certain level. He is a consistent performer and a live wire in the field, but his batting is not electrifying.

The Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2009 is as follows:

1. Shane Warne (Captain of Rajasthan Royals), Australia
2. Graeme Smith, South Africa
3. Morne Morkel, South Africa
4. Tyron Henderson, South Africa
5. Justin Langer, Australia
6. Shane Watson, Australia
7. Shaun Tait, Australia
8. Lee Carseldine, Australia
9. Shane Harwood, Australia
10. Rob Quiney, Australia
11. Dimitri Mascarenhas, England
12. Munaf Patel
13. Yusuf Pathan
14. Ravindra Jadeja
15. Swapnil Asnodkar
16. Mahesh Rawat (Wicket-keeper)
17. Gajendra Singh
18. Raiphi Gomez
19. Kamran Khan
20. Mohammed Arif
21. Atul Sharma
22. Amit Singh
23. Paul Valthaty
24. Aditya Angle
25. Siddarth Chitnis
26. Parag More
27. Naman Ojha
28. Niraj Patel
29. Siddarth Trivedi
30. Mohammad Kaif
31. Dinesh Salunkhe
32. Paras Dogra
33. Anup Revandkar
34. Srideep Mangela
35. Ashraf Makda

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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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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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Jayasuriya on song

The early dismissal of Dilshan did not stop Jayasuriya from being aggressive. It is no secret that Jayasuriya loves Indian cricket bowlers. Today is no exception. While Sangakkara is putting caution over aggression, Jayasuriya is in his style early in the innings. If he goes on further in the innings, India will face another Jayasuriya dominated defeat. While it is still too early in the match, it is such kind of effect normally Jayasuriya leaves on the Indians. Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel could not have any effect on Jayasuriya. Dhoni had been successful containing Sangakkara. But, how long can he be contained.

Will the Indian bowlers strike early? Sangakkara and Jayasuriya are kind of batsmen who cannot be allowed to bat longer. It looks India is going to chase a big total.

At the end of 12 overs, Sri Lanka are 42/1, with Jayasuriya on 32 (36 balls) and Sangakkara on 9 (34 balls). The current run rate is 3.50.

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Dilshan falls early

Dhoni won the toss and elected to field first in the first match of the cricket ODI series against Sri Lanka. Dhoni's luck with the coin still continues. With three seamers on the side and helping conditions early in the morning, Dhoni decided to field first.

As expected, India went in with the bowling combination of Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel and spinner Pragyan Ojha. Unfortunately, India lost opener Virender Sehwag to injury. With Sehwag out of the game, Gautam Gambhir will open with Sachin Tendulkar. Rohit Sharma gets a chance and will most likely be batting at No. 3.

Zaheer Khan started with a tidy spell and sent down two maiden overs. In his first over, though, Dilshan was run out off the third delivery. India could not have expected a better start to the series. Dilshan was the best batsman in the recently concluded Pakistan cricket series and he won the man of the series. Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel shared the new ball. With Dilshan gone, India has to face two batting stars in Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara.

At the end of 6 overs, Sri Lanka were 17/1, with Jayasuriya on 15 and Sangakkara on 2.

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