List of Test matches saved in reverse order:
· Ahmedabad Test vs SL in 2009
· Napier Test vs NZ in 2009
· Bangalore Test vs Aus in 2008
· Adelaide Test vs Aus in 2008
· Lord’s Test vs England in 2007
It was Sachin Tendulkar in Ahmedabad, Gautam Gambhir in Napier, Zaheer, Harbhajan in Bangalore, Sehwag in Adelaide and MSD in Lord’s Test 2007.
Neither of this batters are around on the middle now and the patience factor has deserted Indian batsmen in this Test.
Except for Tendulkar, Dravid an Laxman none of the other batsmen played more than 90 balls, most important to save the Test match when following on. Laxman is baffling still, he has hold on one end yet to avoid the defeat.
Sehwag lasted 30 balls, Yuvraj and Dhoni combined not even 20. Gautam Gambhir could not stay past 1st over in both innings. He has had good outing in the first warm up game, yet he made a score line of 2, 0 in the Test, a much rare failure for the Delhiite.
Sehwag got a 100 but threw it away both times when he would have been the key man for India to save the Test in both innings. A big score from him (bigger than 110) in both innings could have meant India would be safe on day 5. But then it was not to be. Dravid fell both times for his own mistake and Sachin as usual once for a poor umpire decision (lbw both times).
All said and done, this is one Test we would like to forget sooner than later and hope from 2nd Test ownwards India shows its true class which has made it # 1 in the rankings.
We have got a jacked S bowling attack with none owing up responsibility to be premier strike bowler. Ojha is not a Test material, forget Tests he is not even an international material. He is good for Deccan Chargers in that overhyped Bollywood hijacked T20 tournament. Harbhajan Singh badly needs Anil Kumble down the other end to take wickets or to appear as a decent bowler. His ODI bowling is taking a toll on him as a test bowler. ODI bowling as in restrictive role. Line and length ustaad, wicket blub.
Lest bowling attack improves the likes of Lanka would continue to have bat-a-thons and make 500, 600 or even 1000. Our best bet to survive this kind of negative tactics is to bat stronger. We’ve got the best batting order in the world, but at times it falls prey to the bowlers who have forgot to play Test cricket for good 3 years. But as SP said, India is always vulnerable as it comes out of a long break. Once that cooling period is gone, its tough past getting the greats. And I bet the Indians would be in their true Test form 2nd Test ownwards.
Just wishing a heavy downpour in Galle NOW.
Read the original Post Here: Why we failed in Galle
