India Down Under

India heads to Australia this year with more optimistic chances of achieving something that no Indian cricket team has been able to achieve - a series win. This year could be the last tour for 5 Indian stalwarts - Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly and Kumble. The Indian team chose to drop Sehwag and decided to let Dravid open with Jaffer. The no 3 position of Dravid is taken by Laxman. The best chance for India would be to win the toss and bat well. With their bowling line up and the pressure of runs they would try to choke Aussie batsman. However, things did not go to plan at toss. Ponting won the toss elected to bat and there was India facing a daunting task. The openers started nervously with Zaheer bowling very well hitting the right line and length. Well, luck was not on our side. The edges did not go to the slips and the batsman were beaten a number of time. The Australian batsmen went to lunch at 111 for no loss. The the match changed on its head. India started the fight back when Kumble picked Jacques. From then on it was kumble show. He bowled very well to get the wickets and was ably supported by Zaheer. Harbhajan was a big disappointment.

Now day 2 has begun and Indian approach is a cautious one. I am not a big fan of wearing down strategy. But, the Indian team manages to get stuck with that strategy a number of times. I hope they will try to do away with that attitude.

But, there is one nice thing about watching Test cricket. It is enthralling and captures my attention so much that I find it difficult to do anything else. I am so tense to watch the Indian batsmen bat its disturbing. But thats what makes the game watchable and enjoyable. Well, now I will get back to cricket.