India put in to bat in second test at Barbados.
By msdivkar
@msdivkar (23359)
India
June 28, 2011 10:37am CST
West Indies after winning the toss put India in to bat in the second cricket test being played at Kensington oval, Bridgetown, Barbados and struck immediately removing the opener Abhinav Mukund in second over of the day for 1 with India score reading 1/1 and 1st test hero Rahul Dravid for 5 India score reading at 8/2. Murali Vijay and VVS Laxman are at the crease at the moment with Vijay on 10 and Laxman on 9 with the score reading 28/2.
India never managed to win a test match on this venue in its 58 years old history of playing in Caribbeans. They have lost seven of the eight matches they have played on this ground with one match being drawn in famous '71 tour which India won for the first time. With the wall already back to the pavilion it is now the responsibility of Laxman to hold the fort for India. he has done it before particularly in the Caribbean. Your views please.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
28 Jun 11
India are tottering in the second test after being put in by the West Indies. Currently they are 4 down for 38 after 26 overs. The West Indies bowling has been on the money and Ravi Rampaul has got three batsmen mostly with steepling bounce. Laxman seems to be in, but all the other batsmen are really struggling here. It would be interesting to see where India end up here!!
Cheers!
Ram
@msdivkar (23359)
• India
28 Jun 11
Hi ram,
India is really struggling at 44 for 4 at lunch. With Rahul dravid, the wall already back to the pavilion, it is going to be tough for the inexperienced India side barring Laxman and Dhoni to make significant mark on this pitch. With Laxman still batting and Dhoni yet to come there is still hope for India to put on a decent total on board. Inexperienced Windies side is equally going to struggle on this pitch.
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@moksha09 (467)
• India
28 Jun 11
Vijay was batting with determination but fell unfortunately. India has got a fight on its hand and with Dhoni and the tail to follow it cannot get anymore interesting.Sorry, folks this is test cricket and you will be tested every time you step on to the pitch, this where the men are separated from the boys.
Raina gets another chance to redeem himself. If he does well here he would have added a few more inches to his growing stature.If you have the temperament and the guts you can prevail with limited technique as was shown so many times by Steve Waugh for Australia and Mohinder Amarnath for India.
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@ram_cv (16513)
• India
29 Jun 11
What is important to note is that even with some senior players returning this is a B team of India. Remember Sachin, Gambhir, Sehwag and Zaheer are not playing in this series. So yes a couple of seniors came and joined the team, but this team is relatively an inexperienced side.
Cheers!
Ram
@moksha09 (467)
• India
28 Jun 11
This is the real test gentlemen and the boys can go back home.Raina gets another chance to make a statement that he belongs here.If he can succeed now he would have done more than the likes of Yuvi and Rohit.Its about guts and character more than technique.The caliber of the truly class players comes to fore in difficult conditions as these.India has responded well in recent times and those of you who love cricket will not like to miss out on the fight that on our hands.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
28 Jun 11
Well said moksha. The test is done or assessed only when the team is in difficult situation. I feel, had Yuvraj been entrusted the role now carried away by Raine I have doubt if India could win the first test.
Sometime I feel or see the dhoni spirit in the bearing of Raina. Hope the second Test too goes in our favor.
1 person likes this
@msdivkar (23359)
• India
29 Jun 11
Hi moksha,
You are right, Vijay was batting with shear determination and held the fort for almost an hour facing 75 balls. The player who really disappointed everyone is Virat Kohli. He did not do anything so far to live to his reputation. He will have one more chance in this match and perhaps 2 more in the next match to make his mark or else he will be deemed as only T20 and O.D.I. player. Rain deserves a praise for improving on his deficiency facing the fast rising ball for whioch he suffered in South Africa. He was unlucky yesterday to be given out caught bat pad when there was no bat involved and neither there was any conviction in the W.I. appeal nor the umpire was sure in his mind. He made a fluent 53 to deserve an applause. Harbhajan could not live upto the expectations created on account of his 1st test innings and the entire innings folded at 201.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
28 Jun 11
hi divkar,
This is natural that the West Indies would try hard to save their face by winning this test and that is why they opted to field first. Besides the history also is not with India's favor.
Though Rahul Dravid got out there is Laxman. When he gets into his rhythm it is too difficult for the opponent to show him where the pavilion is. India is not the old India now that would shudder when two or ore wickets fell in the beginning.
I feel this pair would last long and frustrate the WI's bowling.
@msdivkar (23359)
• India
29 Jun 11
Hi krajibg,
The pitch is not suited for Indian type of play and it was just natural that most of the players fell to fast rising deliveries. Not only India but even W.I. players can not adjust themselves to this fast pitch. They no more have the players of the caliber of Sobers, Loyd, Richards to name a few who could flourish on this type of pitches. W.I. were 30 for 3 by the end of the day. Second day is going to be quiet interesting to see how players like Sarvan, Chadepaul and Samuel perform here. The fate of W.I. will depend on that.
@keenan_savio (416)
• India
28 Jun 11
A good toss to win and the correct decision taken by Sammy the Westindies captain. Conditions were overcast and it would definately help the bowlers and they did not let their captain down.
India lost two wiclets very quickly and then tried to get a partnership going with Vijay and Laxman but just before lunch Rampaul struck again with a double blown in one over nad India lost Vijay and Kohli in quick succession. Before lunch India found themselves at 44 for 4 wickts down. A lot of it had to be because of the conditions and definately a well disciplined bowling by the Westindies. The bowled well and pitched the ball in the right areas and were credited for thier good efforts.
Lets hope that India gets a partnership going and go on and set a good first innings score.
