West Indies series - End of THE match

If the first test match was won by India easily, the final test match (THE match as everyone will call it going forward) was won even more easily than the first. The after effect of the series was very similar to one who had enjoyed a good meal at the local restaurant (West Indies) instead of a five-star hotel (South Africa). By not allowing Sachin to bat more than 2 innings in the 2 test match series, the Windies did spoil Sachin's party as they mentioned earlier!

Sachin scored 74 in his final innings, 74 more than what Don had scored in his last innings. Deonaraine had his 'Hollies' moment and all were happy. That is what it finally was - a Happy feel-good series just like the one that you see on the numerous channels on Indian television. No one was bothered about the result or the statistics - they were side-acts in the story.

Sachin's speech was a fitting climax not only to the test match and series but a 24-year career. He ensured that everyone who had made a contribution to his career were covered.

What everyone forgot was the way the top 6 lineup in the Indian team had been replaced completely from the next test match from - Gambhir, Sehwag, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly - to the current crop of batsmen - Dhawan, Vijay, Pujara, Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rahane. The beginning of Post-Tendulkar era seems to have started on a bright note but one has to remember that it will not be glowing as it is now.

There will be more downs than ups in the near future and these batters will be tested thoroughly. If they can withstand and become tougher, that is what will benefit Indian cricket. PATIENCE then will be the virtue that the Indian public will need in large doses in the coming days. 

Will it be another 2-0 for India?

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India start the second test against Bangladesh in the right form to go for a 2-0 win in the series. There will be however 2 replacements in the team - Sreesanth and VVS Laxman ruled out of the match today.

The Indians will be looking to improve their performance in the first innings, as compared to the same in the first test. Gautam Gambhir will be looking to join Bradman at the top with 6 consecutive hundreds in as many test matches. Sehwag will be keen to improve his average against Bangladesh from his current 32 to somewhere close to his career average of 52 (to do this, he needs to score 140 in the next innings). New Zealand and England are the 2 other countries against whom he has got an average less than 50.

Whoever comes in place of VVS will have a chance to impress the selectors and retain his place in the squad for the next series. Yuvraj also gets another chance to prove his worth at the test level. The bowlers did a decent job in the first test for most of the time (except for the phase where tailenders enjoyed themselves). There will be 2 changes to the team with Sreesanth going out and Harbhajan coming back to the squad. I would suggest that Amit Mishra given another chance alongside Bhajji,

Bangladesh will expect someone to support their captain Sakib in the batting while they will try to prove Sehwag wrong in showing their ability to take 20 wickets in a test match.

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• India complete the win at Chittagong (myhistoryisinteresting.blogspot.com)
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Gambhir puts India on course for another win

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5 centuries in 5 consecutive test matches - Who are the players who have achieved it in test cricket? Kallis, Mohammed Yousuf and now Gautam Gambhir. Has anyone done better? who else, Don Bradman.

Centuries against NewZealand (away), SriLanka and now Bangladesh has made Gautam Gambhir reach the elite list of players. He has been in prime form since the T20 World Cup two years ago.

His confidence is at sky-high and the Indian team is reaping the benefits of this form. Today was no different. First with Amit Mishra and then with Rahul Dravid, Gambhir went on piling runs at a rapid rate that put pressure on the Bangla team.

Sehwag had mentioned about Bangladesh being an ordinary team. This infuriated the hosts which resulted in a low score in the first innings. But, this team will not make the same mistake twice, in the same match.  Everyone made contributions around Gambhir to keep the run-rate ticking along.

The Indian team scored enough runs in time that ensured that they had time to bowl out the Bangladesh (which will be justified only tomorrow).  2 wickets fell today, thanks to good bowling from the Indians. Ishant seems to be coming back to his old form - only time will tell if it is for good. Zaheer is doing his bit by guiding the bowlers on the right line and length to bowl on this pitch.

I do not feel that the Bangladesh team will be able to withstand the pressure of the large target ahead of them. If the weather does not interrupt tomorrow, the match will be over in the next 50-60 overs.

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• India flexes their muscles at Chittagong (myhistoryisinteresting.blogspot.com)
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• Bangladesh trip up India as Shakib Al Hasan sparks collapse (guardian.co.uk)