India vs. SA Day 4 - Report
South Africans set for the kill early on. Graeme Smith promised make more runs than he made in this entire tour. SA batsmen were not short of courage and played some shots. It all ended as De Villiers edged one in VRV Singh’s bowling and later Smith was clean bowled by Sreeshanth. With the early departure of Prince, Gibbs and Boucher, India was suddenly looking at an improbable win.
That’s when Rahul Dravid struck for South Africa.
Yes, you read it right! He struck FOR South Africa and how! Instead of looking to finish off the tail by bringing on his better bowlers like Kumble and Sreeshanth, he persisted with VRV Singh and Sehwag (Can you imagine why?) who endlessly carried on without the sight of any success. The South African batsmen, who were reeling under the pressure of a possible series defeat had the time of their lives with these two part timers bowling and played them with utmost ease.
When Dravid realized the blunder he committed and brought back his strike bowlers, it was too late. SA had set a challenging total for India under deteriorating lighting conditions and a pack of hostile fast bowlers.
Indian Innings
Before the start of the innings, Indians were practically one wicket down as Sehwag will not be considered reliable by anyone in their right mind. To be fair to him, he tried his best; that is, to get out! He nicked a few that didn’t go to anyone. Then he adjusted his game, edged one perfectly and returned back happily to the dressing room, where his true calling lies.
Make no mistake; I am a fan of Sehwag. More than anyone else, I desperately wish for his return to form and I wish to see him thrashing the bowlers as he has done throughout his international career. But off late, he’s had too many chances and he needs to return to the first class cricket and try and get his form back. Look what one break did for Ganguly!
Rahul Dravid is one player on whom you can rely on such crunch situations. I consider his judgment on off stump best in the world. Even better than Sachin and Ricky Ponting. But it seems the pressure of captaincy is getting to him. After facing 25 deliveries and scoring five runs, (One of them a boundary on backward square leg) he nervously poked at one delivery and Boucher gobbled up this New Year gift with both hands. This happened in the bowling of Ntini and with Dravid, India’s hopes of saving this match evaporated in thin air!
When India was 38/2, forces of nature came to the rescue and umpires stopped the game because of bad light. And that’s how it ended. India reeling at 38/2. There are some hopes for India though! Either Sachin, Ganguly or Laxman can play the innings of their lives or it may pour and save India the blushes.
Let’s see how it goes!
That’s when Rahul Dravid struck for South Africa.
Yes, you read it right! He struck FOR South Africa and how! Instead of looking to finish off the tail by bringing on his better bowlers like Kumble and Sreeshanth, he persisted with VRV Singh and Sehwag (Can you imagine why?) who endlessly carried on without the sight of any success. The South African batsmen, who were reeling under the pressure of a possible series defeat had the time of their lives with these two part timers bowling and played them with utmost ease.
When Dravid realized the blunder he committed and brought back his strike bowlers, it was too late. SA had set a challenging total for India under deteriorating lighting conditions and a pack of hostile fast bowlers.
Indian Innings
Before the start of the innings, Indians were practically one wicket down as Sehwag will not be considered reliable by anyone in their right mind. To be fair to him, he tried his best; that is, to get out! He nicked a few that didn’t go to anyone. Then he adjusted his game, edged one perfectly and returned back happily to the dressing room, where his true calling lies.
Make no mistake; I am a fan of Sehwag. More than anyone else, I desperately wish for his return to form and I wish to see him thrashing the bowlers as he has done throughout his international career. But off late, he’s had too many chances and he needs to return to the first class cricket and try and get his form back. Look what one break did for Ganguly!
Rahul Dravid is one player on whom you can rely on such crunch situations. I consider his judgment on off stump best in the world. Even better than Sachin and Ricky Ponting. But it seems the pressure of captaincy is getting to him. After facing 25 deliveries and scoring five runs, (One of them a boundary on backward square leg) he nervously poked at one delivery and Boucher gobbled up this New Year gift with both hands. This happened in the bowling of Ntini and with Dravid, India’s hopes of saving this match evaporated in thin air!
When India was 38/2, forces of nature came to the rescue and umpires stopped the game because of bad light. And that’s how it ended. India reeling at 38/2. There are some hopes for India though! Either Sachin, Ganguly or Laxman can play the innings of their lives or it may pour and save India the blushes.
Let’s see how it goes!
posted by Raju @ 8:55 AM
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