First chance of felling Indies music

With their body clocks setting into a kind of a rythym, the Indian cricket team had its full practice session ahead of their tour opener against a local eleven on 16th of may.
The venue itself is a good 40-minute drive from the hotel and made one wonder if the local authorities could not arrange anything better close by.
As far as practice session was concerned Sehwag's movement can be termed gingerling, Dhoni batted as only he can but the most impressive was Powar, who with his tantalising loop and dip clearly messed Yuvraj's footwork who earlier had seemed in sublime from against other bowlers.

Master Blaster to undergo fitness test on 20th

Sachin Tendulkar, recuprating from a shoulder injury, is likely to confront a fitness test at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai on May 20.
Tendulkar arrival is sheduled on May 16 to train and practice at the state-of-the-art academy from 16th to 20th of this month under the watchful eyes of trainer Ramji Srinivasan. The later would be joined by Indian team's former trainer Andrew Leipus.
As for Lakshmipathy Balaji, Who is also out of action with a back problem, BCCI seceratory Nirinjan Shah said "both King and Gloster have given a good and positive report about his recovery. Details of the report will be made known to the national selectors, who will be picking the squad to play in the Tests in West Indies on May 24."

SANATH JAYASURIYA recalled after retirement

Srilanka's leading run scorer Sanath Jayasuriya has been recalled in test cricket again, a month after he announced his retirement from test cricket after the second and final test against pakistan. Srilanka's chief selector Ashantha de Mel, who earlier had said that jayasuriya was forced to quit test cricket, and other members of the selection comitte had ameeting yesterday and decided to send him for tests. Jayasuriya will join his team mates before the second test starting from 25th of this month at Edgbaston.

The Clash for Self Respect : England vs Srilanka

Cricket is back again in the bonny location of England. Last time when England played at their home against Australia that was the wrangle for supermacy but this time it is scuffle for self respect against the Srilankan Lions. England haven't tasted a series victory after their truimphing win over the world champions in the Ashes series last year. After their tough tour to sub-continent they are back playing cricket in home which is lot proptitious to them.
On the other hand after some sniding looses this season Srilankans are hoping to prove a point and also will be trying to make their overseas record better. Sadly they lost their tour match by 10 wickets but will try to play with their full potential in the three match test series starting at Lords this thrusday.
Both the team will feel the pancity of their regular captians. But both the teams, England and Srilanka under the captaincy of Andrew Flintoff and Mahela Jayawardane respectively will try their level best to win the series. England has the advantage of being the homeside but it will be promptitude to prohesy about the result. Suerly the virile team will be victorious.

Jammy on no. 2

One more indian who is always climbing the cricket rating charts is Rahul Dravid courtesy his consistent performance. But this time around he has moved to no. 2 spot next to Australian skipper Ponting dethroning Jacques Kallis. But this time due to poor performance of Kallis in the final test against New Zealand at Johannesburg. Kallis has scored only 9 and 13 runs in the 1st and 2nd innings respectively in the final test. These twin faliures costed him his no. 2 spot.
Now it look likes that Rahul has got the spot only due to Kallis poor performance which is infact correct. But one fact is also there that currently Indians are not playing cricket. But soon they will be playing 4 match test series against West Indies where Rahul will need to perform well to keep his current rank. But it will be tough job. Good luck for Indian Skipper Rahul Dravid.

Grooming Young Talents

As Guru Greg and the examplary cricket captain, the Great Wall of India, Rahul Dravid are trying some young talents in the TEAM INDIA, some of young grooming talents of india got a wonderful chance to press for their place in team India by performing well in the recently concluded EUROASIA CUP at Abudhabi. Unfortunately we lost the final againgt the arch rivals Pakistan'A' by 36 runs but players of India'A' under the captaincy of Y.Venugopal Rao performed superbly throughout the series. After this series some players have already made impressions, it will be a very tough job for the five wise men of indian cricket termed selectors to choose Team India for the upcoming series. Now, as I was talking about some yong talents , let me introduce them with you.
Bowling of India'A' in Euroasia Cup was superb in presence of talented young fast bowlers as well as spinners. Suddenly India have got a very good fast bowling strength. In EUROASIA cup some yong fast bowlers made their presence felt. In this series the performance of 'Rudra Pratap Singh' was very good. This left hand fast bowler took 11 wickets in 4 matches with having the average of just 11 runs per wicket(before the finals). As he is still strugling to make permanent place in Team India, it was a golden chance for him to impress the selectors and team management. He shows good pace and swung the ball both ways and got good bounce from the pitch by virtue of his high arm action which results in hitting the deck hard. Another right hand fast bowler who shown great pace and control in his bowling was 'Vikram Rajvir Singh'. The tall man who have just played only two ODI was phenomenol in the EUROASIA CUP and took 11 wickets in just 3 matches with an average of 10.3 runs per wicket(before the finals). Once again the young talented leg spinner in 17 years old 'Piyush Chawala' was very difficult for the bastsmen to cope with. The leggie who came into limelight after the latest edition of U-19 world Cup in Sri Lanka and made his test debut against England at Mohali took 6 wickets in 4 matches having an average of 16(before the finals).
Some batsmen of indian team also performed brilliantly in EUROASIA CUP. One who immpressed most was the left handed indian opener 'Shikar Dhawan' who also performed well at the U-19 world cup at bangladesh in 2004. He played both attacking as well as responsible knock looking at the condition of the game. He made couple of big scores as well. The sincillating debutant for Team India 'Robin Utthapa' again showed his great talent and performed well as the opener of India'A'. After this series he has proved that he has a long carrier ahead of him. Middle order batsman Rohit Sharma also played superb, another membber of the U-19 World Cup, scored 118 runs with an averg of 84(before the finals).'Dinesh Karthick' also proved that he can be a good replacement for M.S.Dhoni whenever required. He impressed both behind and infront of wickets. 'R.S.Sodhi' and 'R.Jadeja' also shown good qualities of allrounders.
So at last we may hope to see some of them in our national side in the coming future.

Howzzat for Indian umpires? Not too good

Former Indian paceman Javagal Srinath bridged the gap between India and the ICC officals when the latest list of refrees and officals was announced.
While Srinath follows his illustrious state-mate and distinguished middle-order batsman GR Vishwanath to the post that ensures that the game is played in the right manner,no Indian figures in the Elite Panel of umpires.
It is matter of concern the richest cricketing nation does not have an umpire in the Elite Panel. The reason: AV Jayprakash and K Hariharan, who have been in the second rung of International Panel, do not have the required stats to back them for promotion. Jayprakash is yet to stand in a test since the Elite Panel came into existance two years ago.

Cricket in Subcontinent

Bangladesh will be looking for a repeat of one of the famous days in its cricket history during upcoming ODI series against the champions which begins on sunday. The tigers caused a massive upset when they beat the best at Cradiff last june and the players will be after similar over the next week. The stage is set for the home team to lock their horns with the Australia in their own backyard.
As far as Australian team management is concerned they would love to give the youngsters a chance to get the feel of the international arena. Australia are not only supossed to get a stiff challenge from the minnows but from the heat. Pitch looks a flat belter and a score around 280-300 will be challenging.
Hopefully,supporter's from both the country will have a good match to see.