Freezing Thoughts

Seems India-Pakistan matches MUST be last over affairs. Anyway, no complaints, it was a great match, with almost 650 runs being scored(ahem ahem, do I sound like Ravi Shastri ?!). Also, its good to see the series 1-1, and it adds expectation to the coming matches. Pakistan were never in the game, and they were never out of it too. Younis Khan played a brilliant and patient innings to be the backbone of the batting. And with some sloppy fielding and bad bowling changes, Pakistan inched to victory. Indians couldnt have asked for a better start. 180 runs in 26th over is a dream start, and it is the middle order to be blamed for not building on the sound platform laid by Sachin and Gambir. Gambir needs to open the innings with Sachin, as the two share the pitch well, and its time to groom Gambir as a full fledged opener. Another reason for the Indian middle order's failure can be attributed to the fact that the team was stocked with similar type of players: Uthappa, Yuvraj, Sehwag, Gam

The 4-3 verdict in England's favor does cricketing justice to the lively series. India, were not outplayed or outsmarted, just outclassed. A team that can take quick initial lead, but concedes a huge total in the end, lacks not quality, but a consistent and persistent effort. Well begun is half done, i agree. But its ONLY half done. If you don't finish the other half, you are doomed to fall midway. That was India's plight most of the time. The positives for India are the steady improvement in fielding and the evolution of the spin duo. Neither Powar nor Chawla seem to possess the deadly ability to swing the match single handedly. But they can bowl well in tandem, and the pair can surely make a big difference in the 20 overs they have amongst them. The pacemen, provided initial breakthroughs consistantly, but need to improve a lot while bowling the death overs. Agarkar needs to consider ICL as a serious option, if he is going to continue the way he is bowling. The Indian ba

The Indian team's series victory in England couldn't have come in a better time. When India is celebrating its 60th year of independence, Team India (now dont argue its Team BCCI, please) has given a fitting gift to the nation. The series win, from a team without a formal coach, has underscored the importance of team work. How many times have you heard a series win with not one century from the front line batsmen ? (Forgive me Kumble, you are part of the tail. Perhaps near the joint, but a tail, nevertheless) How many times have you seen as many as eight 50+ partnerships in one innings ? And to top it all, when have you seen Anil Kumble torment a batsman, not only with the faster one, but also his steely glinting eyes and cutting razor sharp tone ? (I think I saw fear in Peterson's eyes.) It is one of those few occasions where we really feel proud of our Indian cricket team. The 1983 World cup win, and 2002 Natwest win are also great. But they were one day triumphs. A crick

The 2nd ODI between India and South Africa yet again showcased Team India's ability to falter under pressure and complicate matters. After a 142 run opening partnership, who would have thought India to win the match in the last over, after inducing a fear of defeat in to every Indian's mind ? Thanks to Karthik's sensible batting and Yuvraj's brilliant luck, India cruised to victory. Earlier, the Indian bowlers were erratic and wonderful in patches. Romesh Powar needs to think twice (or thrice) before spraying balls all over the pitch, esp. outside off stump. Chawla needs to mature, and it will be cruel to assess him now. He just needs to know to use his googly as a surprise delivery. The pacemen, must adjust quickly to the conditions and control their movement. Coming to batting, Tendulkar was a treat to watch, (except the last over he faced) and his shots were punishing and hurting the bowler's ego. Yet, its surprising to see how a score of 90s makes him nervous.