L"axeman" Does it again..
Another symphony from Motzart of Cricket, Lax, the Axeman. And what a contrasting day of cricket it was yesterday. Even if you may not have watched it, I am sure you can imagine Laxman and Dhoni sharing a long pertnership (I think this is their first century partnership). Laxman's silken touch sending the cricket ball to the fence without apparent power intersperced with Dhoni's violent treatment, was like listening to a Ghazal and a Bhangra at the same time. I love melody and rythem both equally and it was fantastic to watch. So where is this test and India's tenuous hold on the top ranking in the ICC test championship headed? I reckon, Indians will be able to force a decision in their favour even though the wicket looks nice to bat on. I believe you need to give lots of rotation to the ball on this wicket to create an impact; Bhajji and Mishra should be able to do so and with a lead of 347, put Proteas under pressure and share the series. At worst, Indians will be chasing ~50 in fourth innings.
Also, good to see Yusuf Pathan come into the ODI team. He seems to be in great form; remains to be seen if he can stand up to the pressure of playing against probably the best bowling side in the world, with the same confidence he takes into a Ranji game. I reckon he can. He seems to be that ever-elusive all -rounder, "poor-man's Kapil" that his younger sibling gave me a glimps of being, at the start of his career in 2004. All those who listened to me know how certain I was about Irfan Pathan becoming that important all-rounder Indian test team so desperately needs. While Yusuf Pathan is still many miles from reaching there, I believe he has the capability and, most importantly, ATTITUDE to be there. He can fill in that spot at 7, given that the "Prince" Yuvraj Singh at number 6 has done very little in test matches to support immense faith placed by his captain and selectors. About time to give the Prince a bit of competition..
Imagine this; after two years, Indian test batting order can read like so: Shewag/Gambhir (1 & 2); Badri Nath / Murli Vijay(3), Virat Kohli/Suresh Raina (4), Laxman (5), Dhoni (6) and Yusuf Pathan (7). While it won't be easy to replace Tendulkar and Dravid, above players if given enough exposure can at least give a start to a new order.
Care to share your late cut on this?
Also, good to see Yusuf Pathan come into the ODI team. He seems to be in great form; remains to be seen if he can stand up to the pressure of playing against probably the best bowling side in the world, with the same confidence he takes into a Ranji game. I reckon he can. He seems to be that ever-elusive all -rounder, "poor-man's Kapil" that his younger sibling gave me a glimps of being, at the start of his career in 2004. All those who listened to me know how certain I was about Irfan Pathan becoming that important all-rounder Indian test team so desperately needs. While Yusuf Pathan is still many miles from reaching there, I believe he has the capability and, most importantly, ATTITUDE to be there. He can fill in that spot at 7, given that the "Prince" Yuvraj Singh at number 6 has done very little in test matches to support immense faith placed by his captain and selectors. About time to give the Prince a bit of competition..
Imagine this; after two years, Indian test batting order can read like so: Shewag/Gambhir (1 & 2); Badri Nath / Murli Vijay(3), Virat Kohli/Suresh Raina (4), Laxman (5), Dhoni (6) and Yusuf Pathan (7). While it won't be easy to replace Tendulkar and Dravid, above players if given enough exposure can at least give a start to a new order.
Care to share your late cut on this?
Wow! Deepak,I always have been telling you to start something in these lines and I am glad to read that you have started with this wonderful blog Late Cut,
ReplyDeleteYou cannot have started this blog with a more wonderful ode to my Hero -Laxman ,
He is the only second batsman after Gavaskar to score a Century against every team except Bangladesh and England, No mean feat as said by Gavaskar himself and also to bring about 1000 Runs in the Garden of Eden his revered Cricket field and I thought Dada had scored more than him !!
Cheers and Kudos to Late Cut
Well said, Recycle; Laxman has a special place in my heart, a bit like Mark "Junior" Waugh. He may not figure in my all time world XI but will always be there somewhere. Thanks for sharing your Late Cuts.
ReplyDeleteLoved the'Ghazal and Bhangra Simile.Ferpectly said.Ziggakly Described.(Hope you read Asterix Comix)Amit Mishra,too,needs a mention.He is doing a good job as night watchman.Didn't let the bowlers dominate at the start.
ReplyDeleteThis blog brings back memories of spending 5 of the 6 days at the lake house watching and talking about nothing but cricket, something that's too difficult to do here. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jyotu..though I understoos what you said ferpectly, I need to re-start on Astrix!! I am looking forward to Amit Mishra doing a bit of damage today/tomorrow..Thanks for your encouragement.
ReplyDeleteIshan, you have an opportunity to talk cricket now on this blog! Good to see you here. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRe: Yusuf Pathan, just to show that scoring a double century in the record run-chanse in the Duleep Trophy wasn't a fluke, yesterday he scored the 3rd fastest One-Day hundred of all time in 40 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Comp!! - really does seem like his is in gr8 form, but will be much tougher against Steyn and Co., but one good thing about him is that nothing seems to phase him (showed by his first scoring shot in an international match - a 6 in the T20 world cup final and that too against Pakistan!!!)
ReplyDeleteIn regards to this test, I think the most important thing for the Indians for the next couple of days will be to take most of their chances....they dropped a fair few in the 1st test (& lost badly) and RSA returned the favour in the 1st innings by dropping/missing some absolute sitters!!
Yes Jwalit, I read about Yusuf; does not surprise me as he is one of the most destructive batsman in India. I reckon on Indian wickets he will handle Steyn and Co well. Remains to be seen on SA or Australian wickets. With the test match start being delayed (overnight rain), I hope Indians catch everything that comes there way.
ReplyDeleteLet's see 'whether' 'weather' improves.White umpires strut around with their light meters at the drop of a hat.They are doing all they can to save S.A.
ReplyDeleteLet us keep all fingers (hand, toes) crossed. Varun Dev has saved India blushes in the past many a times, but now He needs to "shower" blessings by staying away, and for Ravi Maharaj to shine bright and early. Tell all those rain dancers in your part of the globe to take a break for a while please! Indians need at least 70 overs to knock Proteas out. I can not see them being able to make India bat again now. That brings me to my next Late Cut...do we play in artificial light? Or Pink Balls?? Watch out for my next Late Cut..
ReplyDelete8.25am Varsha Rani absent,Raviraj present in Colkata.Lets hope Amla gets pickled early.
ReplyDeleteWhats your take on the SA vs India ?
ReplyDeleteThe present score is 250/7 and abt 2 hours to go,
Hashim Amla is having a Biriyani !!
Mandatory overs begin and still one wk to go..tThis has been a terrific innings from Amla, but India needs just one good ball. Let us hope it comes before bad light arrives..I would say 80: 20 to India..
ReplyDelete"Der lagi aane main tum ko
ReplyDeleteShukar hai phir bhi aaye to
Aas ne dil ka saath na chhoda
Lekin hum gabhraaye to."
Jagjit Singh's ghazal dedicated to Indian Victory
I like that, Jyotu..:-)
ReplyDelete