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Indian cricket team leaves for South Africa

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Sept 18 (ANI): The Indian cricket team left for South Africa from here on Friday to participate in the Champions Trophy.

South Africa has been a happing hunting ground for India who was runners-up in the one-day World Cup in 2003 and Twenty20 World Cup champions four years later.

India has received a boost before their Champions Trophy campaign when in-form opener Gautam Gambhir was passed fit to return after injury.

The left-hander has recovered from a groin strain and will travel with the team to South Africa, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement on Thursday.

India, already without the explosive Virender Sehwag, were sweating on Gambhir’s fitness after the Delhi batsman missed this month’s tri-series in Sri Lanka.

India won the Colombo tournament, also involving New Zealand and the hosts, and went into the prestigious eight-team event as one of the favourites after not having lost a one-day series in the past year.

India has been grouped with defending and world champions Australia, Twenty20 champions Pakistan and former champions West Indies in the preliminary phase.

A young Indian batting unit struggled against short-pitched bowling in this year’s Twenty20 World Cup in England.

Ishant Sharma will spearhead the five-man pace attack in the absence of experienced left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan, who has been ruled out until the end of the year after undergoing surgery on an injured shoulder. (ANI)

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Indian cricket team leaves for Sri Lanka, Kirsten rues Sehwag’s absence for tri-series

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Chennai, Sep. 9 (ANI): Before boarding a special Air Indian flight for Colombo on Wednesday,Indian cricket team coach Gary Kirsten said the team would draw inspiration from its past success in Sri Lanka and also cope with the “huge” loss of explosive opener Virender Sehwag during the the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the island nation.

The Indians will play their first match against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Asked who would be opening the innings with Gautam Gambhir, Kirsten said, “We are not sure about the combination. We would decide it on the day of the game. But obviously, missing Sehwag is huge. He is a high quality player and any team would love to have him in the mix. But we have got a lot of depth in the team.”

Kirsten also said that he was quite excited about Rahul Dravid’s return to the team after being out for close to two years.

“It’s great to have him. With the sort of experience he brings, it’s going to help the team. It’s great,” he said.

A clean-sweep in the short series would catapult India to the top of the ICC ODI rankings and Kirsten said being the best in the world is high on the team’s list of targets for the next eight months.

“We have set our goals. One of them is to be the best cricket team in the world. We are headed that way and we are very excited. We know we have to perform well as we continue the quest to be the best,” Kirsten said.

He said that the six week long break for the team was great.

Asked about the team’s chances in the tri-series, Kirsten said, “We won the last two series in Sri Lanka and we are confident. But we think ahead and don’t harp on the results ofthe past. We have got a good batting line-up which is quite flexible in the middle. We would like to mix it up during the series.” (ANI)

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Kiwis relieved about Sehwag’s absence during tri-series

September 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Colombo, Sep.8 (ANI): New Zealand cricketers have expressed relief that swashbuckling Indian opening bat Virender Sehwag will not feature in the tri-series in Sri Lanka and in the upcoming Champions Trophy in South Africa because of a shoulder injury.

A shoulder injury means New Zealand avoid one of the most devastating strikers of a cricket ball.

It maybe recalled that during the recent one-day series in New Zealand, Sehwag had tonked 299 runs at an average of 74.25 to help India win by a margin of three games to one.

“It is a relief,” said vice-captain Brendon McCullum when asked about the significance of Sehwag not leading off the Indian order in against New Zealand on Friday.

“The way he played against us in the home summer, he was pretty terrifying at the top of the order,” stuff.co.nz quoted McCullum, as saying.

“He really tore us apart so to not have him in their team is a bit of a blow for them,” he added. (ANI)

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Sehwag will be missed by Team India, says Gautam Gambhir

September 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Chennai, Sep 4 (ANI): Cricketer Gautam Gambhir on Friday said that swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag, who is sidelined due to injury, will be desperately missed by the team during the tour of Sri Lanka as well as the Champions Trophy.

“Any team will miss Sehwag (Virender Sehwag) because he was in such a form, that would have been a great advantage for any team,” Gambhir said.

Gambhir said this on the sidelines of ceremony held in Chennai, where he was appointed the brand ambassador of MRF.

India has announced the squad for the Sri Lanka tri-series followed by the Champions Trophy, in which they have recalled Rahul Dravid and left out Sehwag due to his shoulder surgery.

Gambhir further sad that international cricket was all about handling pressure, and you have to continuously deliver for the team.

“When you are playing international cricket it’s all about the pressure. You should know how to handle it and you should be able take that responsibility, which is very important and the responsibility only comes when the team starts expecting that you can deliver,” he said.

The series in Sri Lanka, which also involves New Zealand, will be held from September 8 to 14. (ANI)

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Keen contest expected at One Day tri-series cricket in Sri Lanka

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Sep 1 (ANI): Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming has said that the upcoming One Day tri-series in Sri Lanka would see a tough competition.

The series in Sri Lanka, which also involves New Zealand and India, will be held from September 8-14.

The hosts are upbeat after clinching a recent two match test series over Kiwis 2-0.

“Well I think Sri Lanka is a decent side…this series is going to be great…India is of course a good one day side, New Zealand have been in one day format. So, Kiwis are the underdogs…” Fleming told reporters here on Monday.

India earlier this month declared the squad for the Sri Lanka tri-series followed by the Champions Trophy, recalling Rahul Dravid and leaving out explosive batsman Virender Sehwag due to his shoulder surgery.

The former captain, Dravid’s last one-day international appearance came in October 2007 before selectors opted for a more youthful side with an eye on the 2011 World Cup.

Indian selectors hope Dravid will bolster the batting in the Champions Trophy on pacy South African pitches. A young Indian batting unit struggled against short-pitched bowling at the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June.

Sachin Tendulkar returned to the frame after opting out of the one-day series in the West Indies, which the tourists won 2-1 last month. (ANI)

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Cricket player Ishant Sharma returns to conditioning camp in New Delhi

August 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 24 (ANI): Ishant Sharma returned to the fitness camp at Ferozshah Kotla field for the upcoming Delhi Ranji Cricket Trophy on Monday, ending the speculation that he was joining Virender Sehwag who raised the issue of favouritism and nepotism in selecting players.

Other player Gautam Gambhir is expected to join the camp from Tuesday.

Ishant along with Left arm pacer Ashish Nehra, who returned to practice on Friday, and other players was training with Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya.

Dahiya, Delhi Cricket Coach, said all the cricketers are fit and playing great.

“All the guys are playing very nicely and the atmosphere in the dressing room is great,” said Dahiya.

Sehwag, who is still missing the conditioning camp, will have a meeting with Arun Jaitley, President of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), on Tuesday to resolve the issues raised by the senior cricketers on corruption of the selection committee. (ANI)

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BJP sweeping polls in Himachal Pradesh

May 16, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Shimla, May 16 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in all the four parliamentary constituencies of Himachal Pradesh.

The four seats – Shimla (reserved for Scheduled Castes), Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra – saw 59.17 percent polling May 13.

The main contest is between the Congress and the BJP. There are 31 candidates, including nine independents, in the fray.

The high-profile Mandi seat is being contested by five-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh (Congress) and Maheshwar Singh (BJP). This constituency saw the maximum voter turnout of 64 percent.

The Congress fielded sitting MPs Dhani Ram Shandil and Chander Kumar in Shimla and Kangra respectively against the BJP’s Virender Kashyap and Rajan Sushant.

In Hamirpur, the Congress has fielded BJP rebel Narinder Thakur against the BJP’s sitting MP Anurag Thakur, the son of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

The Congress had won three seats in the 2004 general elections, while the BJP had one seat. (ANI)

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80-feet long bat to convey best wishes for Twenty20 World Cup for Indian team

May 11, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Mumbai, May 11 (ANI): Cricket fans in Mumbai sign up on a huge 80-feet long bat, sending best wishes for the Indian team ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in England beginning next month.

At 80 feet, organizers claim it’s the world’s largest bat ever made. It would need only a superhuman to hold the bat but that’s not what it’s intended to.

Put up on display in Mumbai, the huge bat was thrown open to cricket fans on Sunday to pen their best wishes for the Indian team.

“It is a very innovative way of wishing Indian cricket team. Earlier people used to wish by SMSing. It is a very innovative and useful way of wishing Indian cricket team which even they (the cricket team) won’t be able to ignore,” said Karan Singh, a fan.

“This is an eighty feet long bat which is longest in the country and I feel it would be in the whole world. This is another opportunity where we are trying to engage people with the brand and with the sport so that it comes out as a good fusion,” said Ketan Girap, a sponsor.

India won the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007 to ensure the game’s newest format gained instant popularity in cricket’s commercial hub.

Indian team for the Twenty20 World Cup in England next month comprises of Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Rudra Pratap Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Pragyan Ojha and Irfan Pathan. (ANI)

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MakroCare announces workshop on Advanced GCP on May 15

May 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Hyderabad, May 6 (ANI/Business Wire India): MakroCare, a global clinical services firm, provides clinical research support to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries, is taking a lead in the training of professionals for the clinical research industry by providing series of informational through workshop and seminars.

Advanced GCP workshop will be held at CHITRAMAYEE Auditorium, State Arts Gallery, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur, Hyderabad on May 15.

The focus of this workshop is to impart important information about advance areas in good clinical practice to the medical/clinical community. It will include technical, oral and poster presentations presented by some of the top researchers in the field of clinical research fraternity.

Keeping to the motto of “educating the clinical / healthcare ecosystem”, this workshop is conducted at no cost to participants.

The preliminary program includes keynote presentations by industry speakers and leaders: Dr. Subodh Bharadwaj (Sanofi-Pasteur), Manish Narang (Abbott Vascular), Dr. Mukesh Kumar (Daiichi Sankyo), Dr. Virender Sangwan (LVPEI), Dr. Mukund (CARE Hospitals).

Physicians, investigators, clinical quality assurance, clinical research associates, project managers, and clinical professionals in clinical / healthcare / pharmaceutical / biotech industry professionals are eligible to participate this free workshop. (ANI)

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No surprises as India names T20 World Cup squad

May 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Mumbai, May 04 (ANI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the Twenty20 World Cup team on Monday.

The selection committee, headed by Chairman Krishnamachari Srikkanth, named Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the captain of the 15-man squad.

The other players included in the squad are Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Rudra Pratap Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Pragyan Ojha and Irfan Pathan.

A preliminary meeting was held in Cape Town on April 24.

The selection committee said they had considered the players’ performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League as well before naming the squad.

However, despite his astounding performance in the IPL so far, Mumbai Indians’ Abhishek Nayar could not make it to the final list.

Other players who were expected to be included were L. Balaji, Dhawal Kulkarni, Ajit Agarkar, Robin Uthappa, Joginder Sharma, S. Sreesanth and Piyush Chawla.

The T20 World Cup will start in London on June 5. (ANI)

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Delhi Daredevils beat Royal Challengers by six wickets

April 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Cape Town, Apr 26 (ANI): Delhi Daredevils beat Royal Challengers by six wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Sunday.

Bangalore got off to a poor start after captain Kevin Pietersen won the toss and chose to bat in overcast conditions, as Jacques Kallis was dismissed on the first ball of the match.

Kallis’ opening partner Robin Uthappa also could not place him well and went to pavilion after scoring only three runs.

Royal Challengers were struggling after losing two key wickets at a score of 10, but skipper Pietersen and Ross Taylor controlled the inning and added 62 runs for the third wicket.

Pietersen scored 37 runs off 25 balls with two fours and two huge sixes, while Taylor made 31 runs off 35 deliveries with three fours.

Royal Challengers lost wickets at regular intervals, but some late hit by Mark Boucher and Virat Kohli helped Royal Challengers to score a respectable total of 149 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.

For Delhi Daredevils, Ashish Nehra was the most successful bowler with two wickets.

Chasing a victory target of 150, Delhi Daredevils also got a poor start after skipper Virender Sehwag returned to pavilion at a total of 11.

After Sehwag’s departure, Gambhir and Tillakaratne Dilshan added 31 runs for the second wicket.

Delhi Daredevils also lost wickets at regular intervals, but Dilshan continued to play his natural shots. Dilshan scored an unbeaten 67 runs off 47 balls with five fours and two sixes.

For Royal Challengers, Pankaj Singh took two wickets.

Dilshan was later declared ‘Man of the Match’ for his match-winning inning. (ANI)

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Sehwag likes to bat in middle order

April 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 12 (ANI): Indian opener Virender Sehwag on Sunday said if given a chance, he would prefer to step in as a middle order batsman.

“I was a middle order batsman. I like to bat in middle order. But currently, team demands me to open batting and I am doing so,” Sehwag told reporters on the sidelines of a friendly five-over cricket match between his team and co-opener Gautam Gambhir’s teams here.

Sehwag also revealed that his request to bat in lower down was turned down by the team management.

However, if records are reckoned, Sehwag’s average as an opener is 51.21, as compared to 41.55 when he batted in the middle and lower order.

Sehwag also pointed out that his opening partner Gautam Gambhir was a regular opening batsman.

“Gautam is a regular opener and someone forced me to do the opening. I was a middle order batsman and the team asked me to open the inning. I am not considered as a regular opener. I never opened in first class cricket before opening in Test cricket,” Sehwag added.

Meanwhile, Gambhir said that the bowling of his Delhi Daredevils team is pivotal for his team’s chances of winning this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL).

“I think in Twenty20 format having a good bowling is very important. We have good bowlers like Daniel Vettori, Glenn McGrath, Ashish Nehra, Amit Mishra and Mahroof. The conditions in South Africa are going to suit these bowlers. If we set a good target, we have very good chance of winning the IPL this time,” Gambhir said. (ANI)

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Victorious Indian cricket team returns home

April 9, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi/Mumbai, Apr 9 (ANI): Triumphant Indian cricket team received warm welcome on Thursday on their return from New Zealand after their test series victory on their soil in four decades.

Fans waited outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport to just to have glimpse of their favorite cricketer.

Virender Sehwag, who arrived in New Delhi, has been named as the international player of the year by the annual Wisden almanac.

Meanwhile in Mumbai, cricket fans cheered and clicked photographs of their favorite cricketers outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

Sachin Tendulkar said: “We are happy about everything. After 41 years, its good achievement for the team. And team supports us.”

India won their first test series on New Zealand soil in 41 years on Tuesday after rain spoilt their chances of winning the third and final test at the Basin Reserve.

In 2006, India won their first test series in West Indies in 35 years and in the following year recorded their first test series victory in England in over two decades.

India also won their first test on South African soil in 2006 and emerged surprise winners of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa two years ago. (ANI)

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India tail ensure third test v New Zealand in balance

April 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Harbhajan Singh and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni resurrected India’s innings after tea with half centuries on the first day of the third test against New Zealand to lead them to 375 for nine at the close of play.

The last pair of Ishant Sharma (15) and Munaf Patel (14) were together for the visitors at the close.

Harbhajan scored 60 while Dhoni made 52 as the pair combined for a 79-run partnership to ensure the first day at the Basin Reserve ended in the balance after India had been reduced to 204 for six shortly into the final session.

The pair came together after Rahul Dravid, who had ground his way to 35, fell just after the tea break following New Zealand’s capture of three wickets in the hour before tea to give them the advantage as they sought to level the test series.

Dhoni and Harbhajan, however, threw caution to the wind, slashing at anything short with several shots sailing over the slips or just wide of the exasperated New Zealand fielders.

“It was crucial to contribute lower down the order and if you look at the scoreboard we have got some decent runs,” Harbhajan told reporters.

“When I went into bat it wasn’t the same and thankfully me and Dhoni and all the other guys got some runs.”

India scored 185 runs off 35 for the loss of four wickets in the final session, as Dhoni, Harbhajan and Zaheer Khan (33) hit out.

“We probably let it slip 50 to 60 runs too many there,” New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin said.

“But again they got away with a few lucky shots and the ball didn’t quite go to hand. Sometimes that’s the way it can be with the tail.”

AGGRESSIVE START

Earlier, Virender Sehwag (48) and Gautam Gambhir (23) had been dismissed in quick succession before lunch after making an aggressive start, scoring 65 runs in the first hour.

Sehwag had stroked seven boundaries and a six before he nicked an O’Brien delivery through to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum with the score on 73. Gambhir fell two runs later when he was trapped in front by Franklin.

After lunch Sachin Tendulkar brought up his 53rd test half century, however, he was dismissed shortly after when he got an edge to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off Martin for 62.

Vangipurappu Laxman, who scored a century in the second innings of the second test in Napier, was caught at second slip by Tim McIntosh for four off Tim Southee.

Part-time bowler Jesse Ryder then had Yuvraj Singh trapped in front for nine to leave the hosts struggling at 190 for five at tea.

India lead the series 1-0 after winning the first test in Hamilton by 10 wickets, while the second match in Napier ended in a draw.

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New Zealand seize advantage in third test against India

April 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Zealand seized the advantage in the third test against India, capturing three wickets including that of Sachin Tendulkar, in the session to reduce the visitors to 190 for five at tea on the first day on Friday.

Rahul Dravid was on 31 and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni six after New Zealand captured three wickets in the hour before tea. India had resumed after lunch on 101 for two.

Tendulkar had looked comfortable despite some deliveries from Chris Martin that reared up on him off a length and he brought up his 53rd test half century when he square cut Iain O’Brien to the cover-point fence for his ninth boundary.

He was dismissed shortly after when he got an edge to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off Martin to be dismissed for 62.

Vangipurappu Laxman, who scored a century in the second innings of the second test in Napier, was caught at second slip by Tim McIntosh off Tim Southee for four, while Yuvraj Singh was trapped in front by Jesse Ryder for nine.

Virender Sehwag (48) and Gautam Gambhir (23) were dismissed in quick succession before lunch after making an aggressive start, scoring 65 runs in the first hour.

Sehwag had stroked seven boundaries and a six before he nicked an O’Brien delivery through to McCullum with the score on 73. Gambhir fell two runs later when he was trapped in front by James Franklin.

India lead the series 1-0 after winning the first test in Hamilton by 10 wickets, while the second match in Napier ended in a draw.

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New Zealand slow India’s scoring rate after two quick wickets

April 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

India made a breezy start to the third and final test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve on Friday, before they lost two quick wickets to reach 101 for two at lunch on the first day.

Virender Sehwag (48) and Gautam Gambhir (23) were the batsmen dismissed after they had raced to 65 for none within the first hour. Rahul Dravid (nine) and Sachin Tendulkar (16) were not out at the break.

Sehwag had stroked seven boundaries and a six before he nicked an Iain O’Brien delivery through to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum with the score on 73.

The right hander was particularly brutal on swing bowler Tim Southee, scoring 27 of his runs off the 20-year-old, who conceded 40 runs from his first six-over spell.

Gambhir fell with the score on 75 when he was trapped in front by a James Franklin delivery that swung back.

Sehwag and Gambhir’s onslaught meant New Zealand did not bowl a maiden until the 18th over of the innings.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori had won the toss and elected to field, bringing in Southee for offspinner Jeetan Patel while Daniel Flynn also returned after recovering from a hand injury sustained in the first test.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni returned from a back injury for India, who lead the series 1-0 after winning the first test in Hamilton by 10 wickets.

The second match in Napier ended in a draw.

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New Zealand slow India’s scoring rate after two quick wickets

April 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

India made a breezy start to the third and final test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve on Friday, before they lost two quick wickets to reach 101 for two at lunch on the first day.

Sehwag had stroked seven boundaries and a six before he nicked an Iain O’Brien delivery through to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum with the score on 73.

The right hander was particularly brutal on swing bowler Tim Southee, scoring 27 of his runs off the 20-year-old, who conceded 40 runs from his first six-over spell.

Gambhir fell with the score on 75 when he was trapped in front by a James Franklin delivery that swung back.

Sehwag and Gambhir’s onslaught meant New Zealand did not bowl a maiden until the 18th over of the innings.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni returned from a back injury for India, who lead the series 1-0 after winning the first test in Hamilton by 10 wickets.

The second match in Napier ended in a draw.

Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar lead India’s fight back in Napier Test

March 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Napier, Mar.29 (ANI): India’s much vaunted batting machinery came to its rescue on Sunday, putting up 252 for the loss of two wickets in the second innings after being asked to follow on by New Zealand on Saturday.

India is now just 62 runs away from overtaking the Kiwi first innings total of 619 for nine declared, and have batters Gautam Gambhir (102 not out), Rahul Dravid (62) and Sachin Tendulkar (58 not out) to thank. The match, which concludes tomorrow, appears to be headed for a draw. India will, in all probability, set New Zealand a stiff target to chase after lunch or tea on the fifth day.

Led by Gautam Gambhir, India put up a dogged battle. Gambhir’s contribution to his team’s cause was invaluable, as he thwarted everything New Zealand threw at him while on his way to his fifth Test hundred.

Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar both weighed in with crucial innings, and the fact that New Zealand’s only wicket today was because of an umpiring error was indicative of India’s control.

It was a tough, combative performance from India’s batsmen while New Zealand were disciplined, rather than dangerous, and gave away only 205 runs in the day. But they lacked the edge to roll India over a second time on a track that is getting easier to bat on.

Tendulkar, on the other hand, reached his half century off 89 balls.

Gambhir’s effort surpassed his previous centuries for durability and given the immense pressure India were under. Ball by ball, minute by minute, over by over, Gambhir gnawed at a controlling New Zealand attack. Unlike Dravid, who has a reservoir of patience, Gambhir had to restrain himself and he did so admirably.

He crossed 2000 Test runs today, the third fastest Indian to do so after Virender Sehwag.
Dravid was the other man to thank. Before this tour his critics were questioning his form and two crucial half-centuries should silence everyone. Dravid carried heavy responsibility on his shoulders – not least because of his dismissal yesterday, which was the start of a collapse – but went about his business with great skill and efficiency. With stubborn support from Gambhir, he added 72 in the first session.

New Zealand appeared to employ the come-and-get-me strategy, using spin primarily and not placing much faith in pace. There was no swing for the fast bowlers, so the approach from Vettori and Patel was to keep it tight just outside off stump.

New Zealand will need to regroup and focus on playing intense cricket, much as India did on Sunday. (ANI)

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Wright urges young Black Caps to study Indian batting style

March 25, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Napier (New Zealand), Mar.25 (ANI): Former Indian cricket team coach John Wright has urged New Zealand’s inexperienced batting unit to carefully note of how the Indian batters go about their business while at the crease.

Having seen Sachin Tendulkar, Rahuld Dravid and Virender Sehwag and V V S Laxman at close quarters, Wright now says that the Kiwi batters can learn a lot from India’s batting core, which recently helped the team to cruise to a 10-wicket victory in Hamilton.

“You learn as much off players as you do coaches even if they’re opposition players. Cricket’s like any sport, you study it, you look for what other blokes do. Every one’s a bit different but there’s always fundamentals,” the NZPA quoted Wright, as saying.

On Tendulkar, who has played 157 tests and scored 12,589 since his debut in 1989, Wright says: “There’s elements of his game, particularly his balance, the way he sets himself.”

“Balance is everything in batting. You have to pick the line and judge the length (of the ball) but your balance is very important. You want to go up and down the wicket, not across it. He’s good at that,” he adds.

Wright said the rookies should also have noticed how to pace an innings by watching Tendulkar and Dravid at Seddon Park.

“As long as the players are working hard, you have to show a bit of patience,” Wright said, suggesting the current players will be persevered with. (ANI)

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India end 33 year jinx, thrash New Zealand in Hamilton Test

March 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Hamilton, Mar.21 (ANI): Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a developed a knack of creating history as he lead India to its first Test match win in New Zealand after 33 years.

Needing 39 runs to break the jinx of not winning a five day game in New Zealand, India reached the target with all ten wickets intact.

If it was the star studded batting line-up of India which piled up the runs in their first innings following master blaster Sachin Tendulkar’s stupendous knock of 160, then it was Harbhajan Singh who scripted history by his perfect line and length during the Kiwi second innings.

Harbhajan took six wickets for 63 runs to prevent the Black Caps from fighting back .

It was Harbhajan’s 23rd five wicket haul in Tests.

Earlier in the day, India’s bowlers took an hour to break the Kiwi resistance.Taylor, slashed a Munaf delivery straight to Virender Sehwag at gully, and thereafter wickets started tumbling at regular intervals.

For New Zealand, Daniel Flynn, scored a defiant 67.

With only 39 runs needed for a historic win, Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid wrapped it up in 5.2 overs. (ANI)

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