The Skipper Dilemma

November 7, 2007 at 1:39 pm · Filed under cricket

India’s captaincy woes continue. Surprising - we don’t have a coach, and we’re as tentative about our captaincy dilemma as Sehwag would be on a grassy MCG, yet we’re winning. Though it pains me to agree with the likes of Ramiz Raja, the guy certainly made sense when he said that the Aussie tour was a good one for India.

Australia, he said, expose your weaknesses to the limit, allowing you to sort them out better.

But we’ve seen a few letdowns as far as the management goes. First, Dravid. The million dollar question - ‘why’ he gave up the captaincy - will probably go with the cricketer to his grave. Dravid’s stubbornness in his defence apparently has rubbed off a bit, and being the diplomatic gentleman that he’s always been, he would never bring the game into disrespect by pointing a finger or blaming anyone. Simply put, Dravid’s the perfect student of cricket, the sport’s biggest nerd, the front-bencher that the ICC love to have, that Indian cricket need as a leader, the one that a corrupt BCCI never deserves.

If Dravid is the Indian ambassador of batsmanship after Gundappa Vishwanath, Tendulkar is nothing short of a cricketing deity. One would think that the most capped player, a master of analysis - a cricketing genius that he is - would raise his hand and say “Yes, I shall lead the team.” Instead, he chose the easier option out.

Fine, so leadership doesn’t come naturally to Tendulkar. Indian cricket is slowly being dominated by youth, and handing over the Test captaincy to Dhoni at this stage is just way too early. The Australian tour would obviously make him more of ‘Test-captaincy-material’ but when you send your national cricket side down-under, you have no excuses to pick the best team, and the best captain. Sachin, with all due respect, has run away from responsibility in declining the captaincy. Which sucks.

When on the turf, when things aren’t going well for you, when Gilchrist and Hayden have each scored fifty not out, you start to look around for an inspiring, commanding and respected presence on the field. T20 and ODIs are a different game altogether, but in Tests, batsman work real hard for their runs, and bowlers work real hard for their wickets. Strategy is of immense importance. Whoever thinks that Dhoni can do this ahead of Dravid, Ganguly or Tendulkar right now, is horribly wrong. It’s about time you acknowledge this fact. Perhaps, a year down the line, Dhoni would be the ideal captain. Indian cricket, at this stage, is in a transition, and it needs experience to slowly rub onto youth. Welcome, seniors.

The ’seniors’ also might another option to the table - Anil Kumble. Is he as inspiring as the big three? More importantly, are we willing to go with the second-best option? If we are, then you might as well pick Dhoni. The kid is here to stay. Kumble’s retirement is just around the corner.

If only Dravid would revoke hid decision, walk back and say, “Okay. I’ll lead the test side till MS can take over.”

Well, fortunately or unfortunately, Dravid is no Kumaraswamy to make an absurd U-turn.

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India v Australia 7th ODI, Mumbai

October 17, 2007 at 11:58 pm · Filed under cricket

Let’s state two highlights today. The first, Dravid was rested. Secondly, India won. No, I’m not correlating, but merely stating two facts.

On a rather serious note, people have hit back on the Wall’s exclusion. Spare a thought for the selectors - the guy doesn’t perform, you drop him, and the match you drop him requires the services of a strong middle-order batsman strong in defence chasing 193 where run-rates aren’t too worrying. How unfortunate indeed.

On the Mumbai ODI itself, well, what do you say at a team like ours? We bowled exceptionally well - Karthik surprisingly got wickets, six of them to be precise, he’s the same guy who was initially offered to comment on the series from the media-center - and we fielded decently although there were chances we didn’t take. Not many teams end up bowling Australia out within 50 overs for less than 200, and with only 193 to chase, one would think India had the match safely pocketed.

Yeah, right. It just occurred to me - we’re a team that’ll make a match out of chasing 24 on a belter, if we could.

- - -

So the batting card walked out there, and horribly shuffled around, ducked, swayed and shuddered in fright before perishing to the pace of Yellow. Ganguly and Karthik - Dravid’s replacement - decided to give the scorers the day off, Tendulkar has the woodwork in a mess, Yuvraj was uncharacteristically measured and Dhoni hopped around for a bit. When Pathan had strolled out for a quick see-in (and promptly walked back after a quicker see-you), India were reeling at 64-6 before Uthappa and Bhajji had enough. Utthappa played extremely well for his 47, a fighting knock in the context of the match, one that brought India to within a whisker of the victory. The tail held their nerves, common sense prevailed and some wayward bowling from Australia (who actually conded 20 wides, would you believe it?) allow India to scamper through and regain some respect from a series they deserved to lose from day one.

Simply becase, hello, Australia played more professionally, were more consistent and were more positive.

India’s aggression, on the other hand, was limited to a fiery burst of pace from Zaheer and Sreesanth, the latter sprinkling a bit of southie profanity to stir the Australian camp up. Didn’t go down too well with Andrew Symonds, and if looks are anything to judge by, he’s one bloke I wouldn’t want to piss off. Instead, Sreesanth got whacked all over the park in his recent outings provoking the selectors to show him out and draft RP Singh in, injuries be damned.

Eventually, we limped across and won, and all is forgotten.

- - -

It will be interesting to see the team selection for the one-off T20 at Bombay in a few days from now. I’d pick the same team that won the finals at the Wanderers, but then again, that’s me. Will bring the match live, ball-by-ball come Saturday evening. Until then, adios.

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Willowmasters Trio

October 13, 2007 at 12:06 am · Filed under cricket

Vengsarkar has been yapping, Sachin states the obvious - performance over age - and the world is writing all about the big three.

A quick look at the trio, probably India’s best servants of cricket in recent times. Let’s not even get into stats, reputation or their services until date. Unquestionable. Here’s what I think of each of them.

Sachin Tendulkar

Worshipped as if he were God Himself. I had gone for the first ODI at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, and I can tell you that Tendulkar is still the biggest crowd-puller. The roar that went up when the 5′5 cricketing genius graced the third-man boundary was deafening. There is no bigger name in Indian cricket, and only a handful might compete with him for popularity. The word ‘Endulkar’ is enough to invite the wrath of millions.

Memories - April 1998 - Sandstorm. Sachin Tendulkar murdered the might of the Australian attack. Kasprowicz was taken to the cleaners. Damien Fleming felt all kind of pain except physical. It’s not every day you see Shane Warne bowl a googly, only to see it screaming over the sight-screen for six. It’s not every day you see him hang his head in shame and walk back to the ropes, like a prisoner sentenced to the gallows.

Tendulkar had made it clear. He’s boss.

Verdict - His inconsistency has been worrying. Dropping him doesn’t make sense, because even the off-color champion is an asset to the team, and not a burden. Tendulkar has the aggression to step it up, his arm is still strong and he can chip in with the occasional off-breaks when Bhajji gets hammered. Useful, do retain.

Rahul Dravid

He isn’t nicknamed ‘The Wall’ for anything. Most bowlers, until last year, would have rather broken through Fort Knox. Dravid played two crucial roles during the Ganguly-Wright ‘revival’ of Indian cricket. First, he doubled up as a wicketkeeper, allowing India the extra batsman. Second, he played around the explosive middle order (the Yuvis and Kaifs) and the tail (the Agarkars and Khans), becoming India’s best and most clinical finisher in recent times.

Memories - Dravid has scored many memorable hundreds and fifties in winning causes, but I recall one innings against New Zealand. First day after marriage, Dravid walks out, scores 50 in 22 balls. Mind you, none of those were remotely slogs, all perfect cricketing shots. Never seen better timing ever. Here’s a batsman who can drop it short, sneak the singles, play the big-shot, pull on bouncy tracks, and evade the bouncer with the ease of slicing through cake, as even Tendulkar and Ganguly would clumsily play all over it, ducking in fright.

Verdict - The dip in form has been horribly worrying, and without the ‘keeper role anymore, Dravid will need to really turn it on towards the end of this ODI series to keep the critics mum. Personally, I’d like to see Dravid call it quits from limited-overs cricket soon, while focusing on Tests. Dravid has been a great adapter and a greater servant, and though he’s the safest pair of hands in the slips, he needs to make room for agility. What Dravid brings to the team is rock-solid stability in the middle order, a role that probably few can fill. There is unfortunately no one in the Indian team who can match his temperament, and that would certainly be India’s worry in a side without the Wall.

Sourav Ganguly

What do you say of this bloke? He might be ‘princely’ and stubborn, a tad lazy too, but aggression knows few limits in the presence of this Bengal tiger. One of the few Indians who mustered up the guts to take the attack to the opposition, once regarded as the finest on the off-side after God Himself, Sourav Ganguly has made a great comeback this year, and though his fitness looms under a huge question-mark, he makes India’s best bet as an opener alongside the great Tendulkar.

Memories - Muttiah Muralitharan is probably capable of turning the ball on glass. In he hops, the face contorted in determination, the ball leaves the fingers. It’s the doosra. Ganguly has stepped out, gets to the pitch of the ball, and lofts it as only he can, banging it dead straight. Long-on and long-off are reduced to mere spectators. The sight-screen shudders in fright. Fewer sights can better that if you wear Blue.

Verdict - F is for fitness, a worry for the man. Ganguly hasn’t been bowling much either, and with Gambhir showing excellent signs of strong maturity, one is tempted to see dada retire to Test cricket, although knowing the fighter in, I’d put my money on him coming out tops against adversity yet again. He still hasn’t managed to work his away around the shorter one which has more than troubled his career, so I’d like to see Ganguly quit at the peak than be ushered out of the team due to lack of form.

Having mentioned it all, there really is no substitute for merit. Performance should drive selection, always, as reputation counts for nothing in a new game. For instance, let’s say, three poor consecutive performances is enough to create doubt in the selectors’ minds, and with the likes of Raina and Badrinath knocking the doors, and with Karthik already at the porch, a fourth or fifth poor performance should put things beyond doubt.

Personally, I believe that Test cricket is indeed the ‘real’ form of cricket, if that does exist. It is in Tests where you really apply your skills and tactics. Bowlers work really hard for their wickets in Tests. Batsman work hard to score runs in Tests. ODIs form a packaged version of this display of skill as the batsmen make the bigger impression. Twenty20 absolutely destroys the bowlers, turning the into a necropolis for anyone who has the guts to fancy their arm.

I’d like to see the seniors focus on Tests and make graceful exits from limited overs cricket, so that younger blood can take it up. The Twenty20 win was no fluke, is is testimony to the capability of India’s youth, even in a shorter form of cricket where luck plays a bigger role than in ODIs. As the yellow-pyjama dominance doesn’t look like deteriorating, India (and the rest of the world) need to show more aggression and fire on the field to counter-attack. It calls for youth, and perhaps Indian cricket is finally asking for the biggies to leave gaps that people can fill.

A tooth falling out on its own terms goes unnoticed. Pulling it out, however, is both hard and painful.

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India v Pakistan World Twenty20 Final Live!

September 24, 2007 at 11:20 pm · Filed under cricket

The champagne is oozing all over the place. The graffitti is flying, Everyone are getting a hand on the trophy! Dhoni has it in his hands! SRK comes along and wishes each and every player, hugs them. Quite a sight, a versace-clad SRK hugging the sweaty team. Who cares? Chak de India! The world watches as India rule T20. They’re standing across a board that goes: champions.

With that textual scene, I’ll leave you, because simply put, I needn’t say more. India are the T20 champions. This, by far, has been the happiest day in the history of Indian cricket in recent times. And for me too.

Hope you enjoyed the commentary. Until next time around, this is Sandy signing off. Apologies for not being able to replicate the scenes out there on text, though. For once in ages, I’m at loss for words.

Goodbye!

Presentation

Ravi: A big thank you to all the players, officials, broadcasters - one massive event. A match worthy of a final. They got all the subcontinental spice to the party. Congratulations to the Indian team.

I’d like to call up the ICC match officials to come up: Ranjan Madugalle, Simon Taufel, Mark Benson, Darryl Harper, Billy Doctrove. Well done gentlemen.

The Pakistani team come up, in alphabetical order … and now, Shoaib Malik

Always difficult to be on the losing side.

Shoaib Malik: I want to thank you Pakistan and wherever Muslims live all around the world. Sorry, we gave our 100% and our team gave our 100%, I want to thank them.

India have a strong batting line up, and our plan was to restrict them to 150. We did that, but our batting line-up wasn’t up to it. It wasn’t pressure, we played a few bad shots.

We enjoyed this Twenty20 tournament, our guys played very well. We have a series against South Africa and InshaAllah we’ll work hard to win again.

The man of the match - Irfan Pathan!

Ravi: Excellent figures, Irfan. Outstanding performance. You were under a bit of pressure.

Pathan: MashaAllah it’s a great feeling. Obviously when I came, I was under a bit of pressure, but I held my nerve. It was a bit slow, I was holding a bit bowling split-finger slow ones. I had to bowl many slower ones, they were going after the bowling.

Ravi: What was going through the player’s mind?

Pathan: Pressure! (Laughs) I think Joginder bowled well, not just him, they all bowled well - RP, Bhajji, we fielded pretty well, we batted well, we deserved it after the World Cup

The player of the tournament: Shahid Afridi!

Ravi: Well, Shahid, disappointed?

Shahid Afridi: First of all, I want to thank Almighty Allah, winning and losing doesn’t matter, we played great cricket. Congratulations to India and the Indian Nations (whatever that is). The atmosphere is great, and I want to mention one more thing, before the tournament, my friend Salim said you will be the man of the tournament. This (the medal) is for him!

And now, the Indian team collect their medals. The crowd erupt when Yuvraj’s name is announced! They go entirely berserk when Dhoni’s name is announced! Too many Singhs in the side …

Ravi: Congrats, MS! How does it feel?

Dhoni: It’s one of the things I’ve achieved in the last three years, a treasure for my whole life. Thanks, boys, for the effort and for the response. No one expected us to win, and the way we have won, we deserve a big celebration.

Ravi: Pakistan did well to restrict you to 150?

Dhoni: Arafat and Gul bowled well, but we know that we scored 150. They have to make it. Chasing, pressure, it was going to be hard.

Ravi: Joginder, Harbhajan, why Joginder?

Dhoni: Bhajji wasn’t 100% sure, Jogi wanted to do well at the international level. Surely, now, T20 will catch up in India. After the way we departed from the World Cup, this will do the repair work for some time. We have Australia and Pakistan visiting us!

BCCI REWARDS! A CRORE FOR YUVRAJ SINGH for the sixers! TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE TEAM! There goes my tax, sigh …

- - -

The channel in question was Aaj Tak. Bhajji and co. are doing the jig on the grounds, back to ESPN now. These are great pictures, for anyone who is still reading (I don’t expect many), tune into ESPN right now!

Why is the presentation taking so long? Dhoni, probably, is getting the shirt back on. In fact, he’s put up a sleeveless jersey and then a gesture of thanks to the Pakistani team. Both teams played this with great goodwill.

SRK has his SLR with him, and he’s clicking away.

- - -

I’ll be back with the presentation commentary soon. Incidentally, I was there at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore at 5.00 am to pick up tickets for the India-Oz match. Can’t wait, now! More on that incident later, because …

I need to lock up the woman at my home, who is - incidentally - my mother. She’s gone absolutely crazy with excitement, and (oh God!) switched channels to watch the news! That crime called for quick action.

- - -

One must feel for Pakistan, they played extremely well throughout. Everyone has been ranting about India’s dismal World Cup, but few realise the damage to Pakistan. They had their coach murdered, and they lost Inzy as a captain. To have recovered from the trench of failure, is no mean feat. Full credit to Pakistan for making this tournament, and this match, memorable as ever.

- - -

A fitting finale in the end, and a gripping match of cricket. T20 is here to stay, it’s power-packed, it’s fun, it’s entertainment - and now - it’s India’s :-) Imagine what this does for the T20 circuit back home! The BCCI have loads to do, for now they’ll bask in the glory of picking a great team.

- - -

A couple of Emirates Airlines airhostesses bring the trophy. Meanwhile, Yuvraj is on top of another player, oh, that’s Sehwag? For a moment it looked like the gay-pride-parade, but then sanity is restored. Indian brotherhood.

Dhoni is topless!, he’s lost the shirt!

- - -

The phones are ringing, the neighbors are ecstatic! Hindus, Muslims, Atheists, everyone are out there bursting crackers! This is, by far, the happiest moment in recent times for Indian cricket. Yusuf Pathan hugs the flag. There’s not a single Pakistani out there on the camera! Can you believe it?

Misbah ul Haq just scoops it up in the air, would you believe it? He smashes a six, SURELY he would back himself to score another boundary straight down the ground?

- - -

Can you believe this? Chasing 157, Pakistan made a whole mess of it and the men in blue pull off an amazing victory! The fireworks have gone off at the Wanderers and in my backyard to! This isn’t the Ganesh festival, it’s India winning the T20 World Cup!

India are doing the victory round at the Wanderers in the meantime. A great team, a great captain! Dhoni looks the part - those locks running all around! Bhajji points the flag at the crowd! One of the happiest moments in cricketing history for the nation.

19.3 - Sharma to Haq, OUT! Scooped to Sreesanth at fine-leg and India have won the Twenty20 WORLD CUP! They’re through!

What a shot under pressure! My fingers have gone cold though …

19.2 - Sharma to Haq, SIX!, straight down the ground and it’s gone all the way! 6 to win from four now!

19.1 - Sharma to Haq, played and missed! It was width and it was offered, Misbah would be disappointed with that. 12 to win from 5.

19.1 - Sharma to Haq, WIDE! What a criminal ball first up! How crucial is that? What’s with Sharma and the last over?

What a match this has been! Not bored one bit, RP Singh is stunned! Asif celebrates. 13 from one over, you would back Pakistan and Misbah-ul-Haq against Bhajji here. Sharma will bowl it.

19.0 - RP Singh to Asif, FOUR!, edged and it runs down to third-man! 13 required from the last over! Match on!  145-9 

India heave a sigh of relief, but Misbah ul Haq will play the final over. Asif will have to keep this ball out. His favourite shot is anywhere for six. That’ll do for Pak!

18.5 - RP Singh to Gul, OUT!, you miss, I hit, and leg-stump goes out for a little smoke. RP Singh delivering when needed. India one wicket away from victory, within a whisker!

I’ve already lost fingernails this tournament. Am down to the skin.

18.4 - RP Singh to Haq, single, he gets a glove to it. Misbah was eyeing the short boundary.

18.3 - RP Singh to Haq, louud shout! Not out! India go up! Cat and mouse … Simon Taufel under pressure!

18.2 - RP Singh to Gul, missed but they run across for a single. RP isn’t happy.

18.1 - RP Singh to Haq, run down to third man for a single. It’s Misbah versus India, yet again. Are we on couse for another bowl-out? 1000 bucks looks like mine for the taking, Jerry did place a bet, interestingly.

Umar Gul comes out to the middle to bat. Haq is on strike. RP Singh returns for the penultimate over.

Read the rest of this entry »

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IND v SA World Twenty20 Super8s Live

September 20, 2007 at 9:20 pm · Filed under cricket

Unbelievable scenes here. SA were sitting pretty on the top of the table, and now they’re out! Back home, already, well they’re back home already! RP Singh’s figures - 4-0-13-4, a four wicket haul that he’ll remember.

And the semi-finals, India take on Australia. New Zealand take on Pakistan. On to the presentation now.

Graeme Smith says its disappointing to lose just one match in the tournament and walk out of it. Very disappointing, he can’t find the words. Dhoni is very proud of his team, though, says India played professional cricket. He talks about fielding - damn, did India outfield SA or what? Robin Singh would be proud today too.

Dhoni said he wasn’t too concerned about the grass, ‘we got good decent fast bowlers in the side’. Oh, really? RP Singh is more than decent here. Rohit Sharma, however, picks up the man of the match, a good fifty. Says he’s used to all the conditions.

20.0 - Harbhajan to Ntini, there it is, all over, Ntini can only take a single. India is jubilant! South Africa are OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT! YES YOU READ RIGHT, THEY’RE OUT! India are celebrating all over! They’ve knocked South Africa out of the tournament in their own backyard! Scintillating stuff! Mind-boggling! Dhoni is all smiles! Yuvraj runs into the center too. The crowd are a mix of berzerk and silent ones here!

That’s it from me here. See you when we take-on Oz. ‘night!

19.5 - Harbhajan to Ntini, thick outside edge, FOUR, 11 to get off 1 now. Unless Bhajji doesn’t bowl a wide here …

A stunned silence fills the ground. SA knocked out in their own backyard? Ntini is here …

19.4 - Harbhajan to der Wath, ANOTHER WICKET! OUT! STUMPED! Another doosra! The tricolor flags areo ut there, South Africa are well on their way out of the tournament! Is this the coup de grace? This is a South African coffin there, not a dug-out!

19.3 - Harbhajan to der Wath, swing and a miss!!!! 15 to get from 3!

19.2 - Harbhajan to M Morkel, just a single to long on. 15 from 4 to qualify.

19.1 - Harbhajan to der Wath, swing and just a single to long-on! Where is the six?!?!? 16 runs needed from 5 to qualify!

Andrew Millers in CricInfo said that only a miracle can make South Africa go out of the World Twenty20. Will he eat his words? Bhajji to bowl the final over.

19.0 - RP Singh to M Morkel, misses it and RP Singh steams in. 109/8

18.5 - RP Singh to M Morkel, no run there. Keeps the batsman quiet.

One Morkel replaces another.

18.4 - RP Singh to Morkel, OUT! BOWLED!! Lovely ball there, yorked! 8 down, 109. YORKER on MIDDLE STUMP! Awesome stuff.

18.3 - RP Singh to Morkel, top-edge and it flies behind the keeper, just a couple of runs more.

18.2 - RP Singh to der Wath, good ball and just a single, leg-bye, der Wath missed it entirely.

18.1 - RP Singh to der Wath, swing and a miss! Oooooh, nearly took off stump that.

RP is back.

18.0 - Harbhajan to Morkel, just a couple to long-off, brilliand fielding prevents the four. 106/7

17.5 - Harbhajan to der Wath, top edge and third man in the circle fields, just a single.

17.4 - Harbhajan to Philander, OUT!!! Stumped! It’s the doosra, Philander misses it and the bails are off in a flash! 7 down now, 103.

17.3 - Harbhajan to A Morkel, around the wicket, good yorker, and just a single to square leg. Good outfielding, good bowling.

17.2 - Harbhajan to Philander, single to square leg.

17.1 - Harbhajan to Philander, no run there. Pressure all over here! Philander is on strike and Morkel needs to get there soon.

17.0 - Sreesanth to Philander, single to third man. Excellent over. 101/6

16.5 - Sreesanth to Philander, no run there.

16.4 - Sreesanth to Boucher, OUT! BOWLED! Inside-edge! Sreesanth can’t believe it! He thought it missed the stumps! The bails are away!

16.3 - Sreesanth to A Morkel, excellent yorker but Morkel picks up a single as the 100 comes up.

16.2 - Sreesanth to Boucher, doesn’t time the pull well and he picks up a single.

16.1 - Sreesanth to Boucher, played to point for nothing.

16.1 - Sreesanth to Boucher, WIDE! Oh dear, wide again, off stump.

Sreesanth is back. Is he bringing the wides too?

16.0 - Harbhajan to Boucher, full toss and a single to mid-wicket, as he will hog the strike into the next over. 97/5

15.5 - Harbhajan to Boucher, aaah - the doosra! Lovely flight too, drawing Boucher forward.

15.4 - Harbhajan to A Morkel, single to long-on.

15.3 - Harbhajan to Boucher, good flight there and a single to third man. Where’s the big shot? SA playing for a slot in the semis here.

15.2 - Harbhajan to A Morkel, just a single to mid-on, heaved away.

Where is Kallis when they need him?

15.1 - Harbhajan to Boucher, a single, busy cricket here. Gives Morkel five balls at the spinner. Will we see a doosra?

Never thought I’d see the day when a bowler goes for nine runs in the over and still gets a pat on the back! At any rate, good one Sharma. Meanwhile, Bhajji is back. Oh, come on, not again?

15.0 - Sharma to Boucher, slower ball and only a single to long off. 92/5, 60 from 30 now, 2 per ball.

14.5 - Sharma to Morkel, a single to square leg, on the pads.

14.4 - Sharma to Morkel, nice slower ball. Very good comeback, two dot balls and Morkel is guessing now.

14.3 - Sharma to Morkel, oooooh what a comeback! Bouncer, takes Morkels’ helmet off, surprised him, it nearly fell on the stumps!

14.2 - Sharma to Morkel, SIX! Straight down the ground, right in the slot, easy pickings for Morkel! The ESPN cameraman takes his eye off to fetch the ball from the stands.

14.1 - Sharma to Boucher, brilliant fielding by fine leg in the circle, Pathan showing good commitment.

Will Dhoni surprise us and bowl now? No, it’s Sharma …

14.0 - Pathan to Morkel, swing and a miss. 83/5

13.6 - Pathan to Morkel, WIDE ball there, he’ll have to rebowl that.

13.5 - Pathan to Boucher, just a single, played straight, Pathan dives to his left but can’t stop it off his own bowling. Ooh, that was an off-cutter.

13.4 - Pathan to Morkel, slapped to mid-off for another single. 50 partnership in 47, sweet.

13.3 - Pathan to Boucher, just a single, no room to free his arms, played off the back foot to mid-off.

Dhoni puts on his bowling boots.

13.2 - Pathan to Morkel, thick edge to third man, another single. They’ll be fine for India.

13.1 - Pathan to Boucher, slower ball and perfectly timed, driven to point, just a single. Boucher fighting hard here.

Pathan will continue. Can he get the pressure back on?

13.0 - Harbhajan to Morkel, slapped over extra cover, two more to the total. Good over, 15 from it. 77/5

12.5 - Harbhajan to Boucher, single to mid-on. Can’t he grip the ball? This will be fun though, one ball to Morkel.

12.4 - Harbhajan to Boucher, FOUR more here! 12 from 3, lovely placement, flicked again between midwicket and square leg. Poor bowling.

12.3 - Harbhajan to Boucher, FOUR, consecutive boundaries here! Boucher plays a cheeky shot, a little tickle to third man for four. Bhajji needs to take the pace off the ball.

12.2 - Harbhajan to Boucher, FOUR, lovely placement but you have to say, it’s a bad ball, fulltoss on the pads and it’s gone between mid-wicket and square leg.

12.1 - Harbhajan to Boucher, starts off with a doosra. Karthik rips off the bails in a flash, batsman never left home though.

Bhajji into the attack now. This will be fun. How will the Proteas approach him?

12.0 - Pathan to A Morkel, wide ball there, how is it not called a wide?! 62/5

11.5 - Pathan to A Morkel, FOUR, slapped over extra cover! Pathan bowls it up and gives him width, and the ball vanishes over extra cover. First boundary off Pathan.

11.4 - Pathan to Boucher, slower ball and just another single there. Nice and tight, he keeps it.

11.3 - Pathan to A Morkel, no room at all there, the batsman can only get an inside edge and pick up a single.

11.2 - Pathan to Boucher, single to square leg.

11.1 - Pathan to Boucher, no run, mid-off comes around to stop the single.

11.0 - Sharma to A Morkel, defended, no run there. 55/5, all the 5s here.

10.5 - Sharma to Boucher, full toss and mistimed to long off for a single. 7 from this over so far.

10.4 - Sharma to A Morkel, single down to square leg.

10.3 - Sharma to A Morkel, on the pads and no run taken. Good comeback from Sharma.

10.2 - Sharma to A Morkel, FOUR, hit hard and through mid-off for four. Sharma isn’t quick enough here. Morkel can hit hard, can he be SA’s hero today?

10.1 - Sharma to Boucher, flicked to fine leg for a single.

When is the Surd coming in to bowl? Sharma continues here ..

10.0 - Pathan to Boucher, RAPPED ON THE PADS again and Boucher survives! Pathan can’t believe it! 48/5

9.5 - Pathan to A Morkel, single down to mid-on. India will be happy with that. Are SA playing for 125 or 154 here?

9.4 - Pathan to A Morkel, no run there - hee hee, point stops the run from being scoerd.

9.3 - Pathan to A Morkel, oooooooooh!! Swing and a miss there, Morkel needs to cool down. Pathan has to be patient. He’s bowling really well here.

9.2 - Pathan to A Morkel, oooooh! Beaten! Lovely ball from Pathan, a tinge of outswing there, subtle but enough to trouble the Morkel bro.

9.1 - Pathan to A Morkel, two to fine leg. Karthik is furious as the throw wasn’t flat enough. It’s hot out there.

9.0 - Sharma to A Morkel, in the air and JUST SHORT! It’ll have to go down as a chance, Sharma there, but a tough chance, real tough one. 44/5

8.5 - Sharma to A Morkel, played to point, no run.

8.4 - Sharma to A Morkel, mistimed again but they pick up a couple. Sreesanth’s throw from the long-on fence hits the stumps! Is this India?

8.3 - Sharma to A Morkel, no run. Mistimed to midwicket in the circle.

8.2 - Sharma to Boucher, single to midwicket here.

8.2 - Sharma to Boucher, WIDE! He tries to change the line, too drastic though. Subtle changes are needed.

8.1 - Sharma to Boucher, FOUR, just beats the keeper and it races to fine leg for four. Sharma mustn’t stray on the leg stmp here.

8.0 - Pathan to A Morkel, beaten AGAIN! Past the outside edge. 35/5

7.5 - Pathan to A Morkel, beaten. Good first over from Pathan here so far. Won’t want it to get messy with a boundary though.

7.4 - Pathan to Boucher, defended to mid-off this time, misfield. Dhoni misfields!! Karthik applauds it, sarcasm all over. He can afford to - he took a stunner today.

7.3 - Pathan to Boucher, defended to mid-on, no run.

7.2 - Pathan to Boucher, rapped on the pads again! THIS IS CLOSE! Not out AGAIN! Pathan can’t believe it! Where did this pitch? Pitched on leg, would’ve clipped the top of middle, Hawkeye says its going over the top. Height undid him.

7.1 - Pathan to Boucher, rapped on the pads! Not out, ooooooh, inside-edge, close, very close.

Will Pathan come in to bowl now? Or will RP bowl out? Naw, it’s Pathan. I would’ve bowled RP out, but I’m not the skipper. Remember, there’s the Bhajji factor too …

7.0 - Sharma to Boucher, single to mid off. 34/5

6.5 - Sharma to A Morkel, inside edge again, this time they get a single to mid-on.

6.4 - Sharma to A Morkel, inside edge, no run.

6.3 - Sharma to A Morkel, no run, played down to extra cover.

6.2 - Sharma to Boucher, he gets it away to point fo a single. RP Singh leaving easy work for the likes of Joginder here. Lovely inswinger to get Pollock out, still can’t get over it.

6.1 - Sharma to Boucher, little bit of an outswing there, no run.

This is sensational stuff from the Indian camp here. Are SA choking here? Excitement all over here. Joginder Sharma comes into the attack.

6.0 - RP Singh to A Morkel, leading edge, no run. 31/5

A Morkel is taking his time here, as we see that wicket again. Lovely in-swing. RP Singh nearly takes a bit of Pollock on the way to the keeper in celebration.

5.5 - RP Singh to Pollock, OUT! BOWLED! Cleaned him up! The wood’s all over the place! Pollock walks back! RP Singh screws another nail into the SA coffin. Lovely stuff.

5.5 - RP Singh to Pollock, WIDE, oh come on, not again?

Sharma flew there, he just flew.

5.4 - RP Singh to Boucher, RUN OUT! Kemp might just be run out here, lovely fielding, Sharma comes screaming in from cover and a direct hit on the stumps, Kemp is a yard short and he walks back! Christ! India outfielding SA here! Unbelievable!

5.3 - RP Singh to Boucher, inside edge, french cut, Boucher charges back for two and a bad throw doesn’t help.

5.2 - RP Singh to Boucher, in the right area this time, good ball there. No run.

5.2 - RP Singh to Boucher, WIDE, yet another wide. Why? Why? Just freaking why?

5.1 - RP Singh to Boucher, FOUR, played between point and third-man. A nice cut-shot that only Boucher can play.

5.0 - Sreesanth to Kemp, left alone. Straight through. 23/3

4.5 - Sreesanth to Kemp, no run, good ball there and Kemp can only play it into the covers. 11 extras in 23, not looking good, SA haven’t been able to score off the bat much.

4.4 - Sreesanth to Kemp, oooh, beaten, good comeback. Pitched up but just back of a length and Kemp was tempted to drive it past cover.

4.3 - Sreesanth to Kemp, FOUR, played in front of fine-leg for four. Not a hard shot, easy pickings. Sree isn’t fast enough here.

4.2 - Sreesanth to Kemp, left alone. Dot balls only build pressure here. Good going, Sree.

4.1 - Sreesanth to Kemp, good inswinger. Kemp is a bit jittery out there, he plays all around it. India must remember Kemp’s 89 in 56 balls yesterday. They’ll have to take all their chances tonight. Can India do the unlikely and outfield SA?

4.0 - RP Singh to Bocuher, no run, good inswinger there. 19/3

3.5 - RP Singh to Kemp, single to third man.

3.4 - RP Singh to Kemp, left alone, good carry to Dhoni Karthik.

3.3 - RP Singh to Kemp, no run, point comes in. Kemp will get his eye in. The Kiwis and everyone else would know what he’s capable of. India need him out soon.

3.2 - RP Singh to Boucher, legbye to square leg.

3.2 - RP Singh to Boucher, WIDE, this isn’t helping keep up the pressure. Lucky for Dhoni he has Karthk in the team, who can keep. Without Karthik or Dravid, a stand-in keeper wasn’t the best idea with India’s pacers going haywire on the radar.

3.1 - RP Singh to Boucher, no run to point.

Karthik had 0.7 seconds to react, just FYI for anyone who wants to appreciate India’s fielding capabilities - a phrase that threatened itself into extincton until today. Dhoni gets some treatment on the back. Perhaps that’s why he isn’t keeping. RP to continue.

3.0 - Sreesanth to Kemp, no run to point. 16/3 in trouble.

2.5 - Sreesanth to Boucher, single to third man. Phew, back on target.

2.5 - Sreesanth to Boucher, WIDE, yet another one. Dhoni at mid-off runs down to Sreesanth and as a few words. Perhaps that’s why he’s taken off the gloves.

2.5 - Sreesanth to Boucher, WIDE, ah - another one - he needs to calm down.

They’re showing the Karthik catch again, awesome stuff. He’s keeping now, Dhoni’s on the field as a - er - fielder …

2.5 - Sreesanth to Boucher, WIDE, that was nearly a double-wide in length! Sree needs to get his act together and keep up the pressure. Boucher and Kemp can bat, and how. Pollock’s padded up, just in case.

2.4 - Sreesanth to Boucher, left alone. Remember, SA need atleast 125 to qualify, so that’s the first target in mind.

Pray tell me, how will Dhoni bowl with all that tape on his fingers?

2.3 - Sreesanth to de Villiers, OUT! Rapped on the pads again and he just didn’t pick the swing. de Villiers having to walk back to the dug-out. It’s all happening here! Sree joins the party. SA are 12/3, and also in trouble.

2.2 - Sreesanth to de Villiers, smashed straight to cover, no run.

2.1 - Sreesanth to de Villiers, CLOOOOOSE!!! Rapped on the pads, I thought it was plumb on leg, oooooh, hawkeye bangs it into middle and leg! God!

Awesome first over from RP Singh. Another wicket here and SA are in deep shit.

2.0 - RP Singh to Kemp, no run - defended. 12/2

1.5 - RP Singh to Kemp, no run.

Dhoni’s gotten rid of the gloves here. Looks like he might have a bowl!?! Bizarre.

1.4 - RP Singh to Smith, OUT! Screw me, sue me, Dinesh Karthik dives full length at third-slip and takes a STUNNER! Can’t believe it, never seen a better catch by a brown guy since Jadeja’s famous one in the ‘92 world cup. RP Singh on FIRE!

1.3 - RP Singh to Smith, no run. RP Singh is fired up. Smacks his lips at the prospect of another wicket.

1.2 - RP Singh to de Villiers, single down to extra-over.

Hawkeye suggests that the ball would go over the stumps. Dhoni didn’t think so though.

1.1 - RP Singh to Gibbs, OUT! Biiiiiig wicket, it swung in exactly as suggested and raps him on the pads. Gibbs is horribly disappointed, was there a bit of bat in it? Either ways, the finger’s up and he’s on his way back. SA are 11/1, RP Singh the aeroplane takes off, as Dhoni is ecstatic.

RP Singh will open as well. He can swing it in and trouble the batsman

1.0 - Sreesanth to Smith, left alone. Smith wants to hang in there. 11/0

0.5 - Sreesanth to Smith, beaten! Ooooooh, cut him open, pitched on good length outside off and swung in. Smith had no clue about it.

0.4 - Sreesanth to Smith, lucky to get away with that, another one wide down the off side.

0.3 - Sreesanth to Smith, FOUR, glanced down to fine-leg, poor bowling here. Sree isn’t the best bowler to the lefties, and it shows. Get it on off stump, mownay!

0.2 - Sreesanth to Gibbs, played for a single to extra cover.

0.2 - Sreesanth to Gibbs, WIDE, another wide down the leg-side. Kerala Express’ radar isn’t functioning. Bowler under pressure here.

Gibbs needs some adjustment on the sight-screen.

0.1 - Sreesanth to Gibbs, swung in, no run.

0.1 - Sreesanth to Gibbs, FIVE WIDES, way down the leg side and Dhoni misses it. All that work to score the extra runs, and wasted first ball by Sreesanth. Damn.

Okay folks, Smith and Gibbs are here. Gambhir has the ball in the hand! What? Huh?! Oh, he chucks it to Sreesanth. Goodness me, scared me for a bit. Game on.

Back soon. This promises to be a great game. Dinner beckons for now, apologies.

Mid-match round-up

So India have found Sharma. He fills in for Yuvraj Singh, and does a good job here. India should be happy with 153, after recovering from 64/4. It’s a very competitive total on this track, although the Indian fielding isn’t good. They’ll have to get Kemp, Smith and Gibbs out soon though.

And the big question, is this enough? Dhoni must be pleased - 150+ is a psychological plus. Not overjoyed, but the runs are on the board and it’s a slippery wicket. Pathan might get the ball to swing into the right-handers and out of the Smiths, so that should help his cause. One thing is certain, India will have to field like tigers out there. Atleast it wasn’t a batting collapse like their Lankan counterparts earlier today?

Rohit Sharma is the man of the moment though. 50 in good time, he and Dhoni rescued India from self-destruction today. Good momentum into the break. On the flipside, Graeme Smith is due for a biggie here, so India will have to watch-out.

South Africa need 126 to qualify for the semis, but certainly, they must be going for the kill. India’s strategy will have to be two-fold - use the conditions to first pick up wickets and then make scoring difficult after the first few overs by making use of the uneven bounce. India’s pace-attack is more swing than hit-the-deck (like SA’s) so they’ll have to pitch it in the right areas.

It’s not a big score, so SA can afford to get their eye in. Of course, that introduces us to a possibility - complacency - could well undo SA’s chances. Graeme Smith is a real fighter though, and I’ve said this before - he is the man to watch out for. India get him early and they got a real, real chance.

20.0 - A. Morkel to Sharma, full toss and SIX!. Six, six, six! Morkel can’t believe it. Went right over the ropes. 153/5. Is this a good total?

19.5 - A. Morkel to Pathan, swing and a miss, they scamper for a single. Boucher misses the stumps. Single here. Only fitting that Sharma faces it.

19.4 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, DROPPED TWICE! Boucher drops it twice on the re-attempt, and Dhoni survived - only just. He tries to sneak in the second run and it’s a direct through, Dhoni might be out here. Third umpire comes into play!

And it’s OUT. Touch and go stuff. Good intent, though. Someone needs to take India to 150+ now. Can Pathan smack a few sixers? He’ll have to smack them from the word go.

19.3 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, FOUR, heaved away - that was in the slot. 145 now, 5 to get from 3 balls if 150 is the target in mind. This isn’t a run-chase though. The shot injures a kid in the crowd!

Four sixers from now will be a safe total, I think. Just saying.

19.2 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, lovely yorker again, Dhoni scoops it for two more.

19.1 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, dot ball. Good yorker.

Another Morkel to bowl the last over.

19.0 - Morkel to Sharma, lovely yorker and another dot ball. Excellent bowling. 139/4

18.5 - Morkel to Sharma, a good dot ball again. Sharma can’t middle it. India should’ve capitalised on that.

18.4 - Morkel to Dhoni, just a single, Dhoni make a big swing and gets hardly anything.

18.4 - Morkel to Dhoni, FOUR to mid-wicket and a no-ball! Next one a free hit to Dhoni and whoop-dee-doo India! Smith isn’t pleased. Drops in a few words of profanity to Morkel.

Where will Dhoni go?

18.3 - Morkel to Sharma, makes room and plays it to third man for a single. Good over so far, keeping India quiet.

18.2 - Morkel to Dhoni, down to mid-on for a single.

18.1 - Morkel to Dhoni, big big swing and a dot ball. Dhoni can’t middle it.

Dhoni on strike now. Morkel comes in. Two overs to go, India should aim for 20 atleast.

18.0 - der Wath to Sharma, missed out again, fine leg in the circle and he misses another scoop. Invaluable dot ball for SA. 131/4

17.5 - der Wath to Sharma, missed it, tried to make some room and the bowler kept his line. Sharma moved too far, too quickly. Bowler spotted it.

17.4 - der Wath to Sharma, FOUR, smashed over point! Picking up the gaps and India are finding the gaps here. Lovely shot there. 131 already in no time, on course for 150 here.

17.3 - der Wath to Dhoni, slapped to point for a single. He sees the toe of the bat. Wants a new bat there.

17.2 - der Wath to Sharma, attempts a cheeky shot, just a single. Sharma’s disappointed, but Dhoni back on strike though. The crowd are going Dho-ni, Dho-ni, Dho-ni …

17.1 - der Wath to Sharma, SIX more! Over mid-wicket this time. Good cricketing slogs in these conditions, low full toss and he gets entirely underneath it. Chak de India! 38 from 32 the lad.

Whew, 18 off that over.

17.0 - Morkel to Dhoni, SIX over long on! SIX! That ought to shut Morkel up for a bit. 119/4

16.5 - Morkel to Dhoni, smashed through extra cover for two more. Dhoni is fired up. India recovering well here. 52 from 38 this partnership.

16.4 - Morkel to Dhoni, FOUR, top edge and another four behind the keeper. They’ll take anything now. Dhoni and the bowler exchange a few words, albeit unpolite.

16.3 - Morkel to Sharma, a pacy bouncer and he plays all over it. Dhoni hops quickly and pushes for a single. Shastri reckons there’s juice in this pitch, the curator might’ve overdoe the watering.

16.2 - Morkel to Sharma, FOUR, smashed over point, it was in the air for a long time - perhaps mistimed - but who gives a **** anyway?

16.1 - Morkel to Dhoni, absolutely creamed and extra-cover inside the circle stops the bullet. AB de Villiers, take a bow. Dhoni’s made his intentions clear.

Four overs to go, 40 from here will get India a decent total.

16.0 - Philander to Sharma, no run, excellent yorker there. 101/4

15.5 - Philander to Dhoni, single to mid-off.

15.4 - Philander to Sharma, another top-edge but it lands nowhere. 100 comes up.

15.3 - Philander to Sharma, no run to extra cover, Sharma doesn’t capitalise on the full-toss.

15.3 - Philander to Sharma, WIDE, over the batsman’s head. He’ll have to rebowl that. Serves you right for making my fingers fly!

15.2 - Philander to Sharma, he makes room, and a swing and a miss. Philander runs back to the start, why? Give me type to type, Vern!

15.1 - Philander to Dhoni, just a single. Someone has to start taking chances here. 150 is a good score on this pitch.

15.0 - A. Morkel to Sharma, and the batsman hurry - a direct hit would’ve been interesting! Ooh, aah, things are happening. 97/4

14.5 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, goes airborne and falls in the middle of nowhere, between keeper and bowler. Funny stuff on the camera, no one makes an effort. More stuff for Jonty to write, I guess.

14.4 - A. Morkel to Sharma, another single. Jonty Rhodes, the SA fielding coach and legend makes a note of all this in the black book.

14.3 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, middles it and straight to extra-cover, just a single.

14.2 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, FOUR, another chance goes begging. Graeme Smith isn’t pleased. Morkel misses it entirely.

14.1 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, no run to extra cover.

14.0 - Ntini to Sharma, FOUR, lovely placement, through extra cover. Rubbing salt into the wound here.

13.5 - Ntini to Sharma, FOUR, misfield at the fence lets a four. Morkel (the M bro) at fine leg misses it, Ntini had bowled a good low full toss there.

13.4 - Ntini to Dhoni, single to mid-on. Graeme Smith dives and cleans up, although the abuses are still there.

13.3 - Ntini to Dhoni, no run to extra cover. The batsmen think about a single and then sanity prevails.

13.2 - Ntini to Dhoni, edged to third man who comes screaming in to save the boundary. Two more.

13.1 - Ntini to Dhoni, he absolutely creams it straight to mid-on. Methinx Dhoni would enjoy his pace.

Ntini comes in for a few pacy ones here.

13.0 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, single to mid-on, the rebuilding continues. 79/4

12.5 - A. Morkel to Sharma, legbye as Sharma misses it. Back to Dhoni now.

12.4 - A. Morkel to Sharma, FOUR, creamed past a diving Gibbs at point. Sharma moves to 18 and plays it in the gap, although airborne.

12.3 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, single to square-leg, flicked off the pads.

12.2 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, no run to extra cover again. 6 an over won’t do for India with their substandard bowling and ielding.

12.1 - A. Morkel to Dhoni, no run, extra cover runs in to prevent the single.

The other Morkel bro, Albi, gets the ball.

12.0 - Philander to Dhoni, single to mid-on. 72/4

11.5 - Philander to Dhoni, two runs to extra cover, good running here. There’s a buzz in the crowd and a stride in Dhoni’s walk here. Weird bounce though.

11.4 - Philander to Dhoni, no run, played to cover.

11.4 - Philander to Dhoni, FIVE WIDES, high and on the leg side, Boucher couldn’t reach it.

11.3 - Philander to Dhoni, beaten - oooooooh! Nearly kissed off-stump there. Nearly. Said hello on the way to Boucher, it did.

11.2 - Philander to Sharma, single to mid-on.

11.1 - Philander to Dhoni, single to mid-on. Nasser insists that Kallis is a bette choice than Philander.

Philander comes in for a bowl here. Time to make up for the dropped chance.

11.0 - Morkel to Sharma, straight back to the bowler for zero. 62/4

10.5 - Morkel to Sharma, beaten. Philander looks more relaxed here.

10.4 - Morkel to Dhoni, edged to third-man for a single.

Dhoni comes in. Graeme Smith is all charged up. Wheoever said there’ll be little intensity.

10.3 - Morkel to Utthappa, OUT, the catch is taken at mid-off! 61-4 and in more trouble!

10.2 - Morkel to Utthappa, FOUR, tries to take a pull and it takes the edge, goes behind third-man. Philander isn’t looking up too much there.

10.1 - Morkel to Utthappa, lovely yorker and the batsman keeps it out, no run there.

Decent counter-aggression from Sharma in the previous over. Hopefully he doesn’t get silly and start slogging here. Adrenaline can do it to men.

10.0 - der Wath to Sharma, uses his feet and goes over the top, four more. 56/3

9.5 - der Wath to Sharma, mistimed shot to mid-wicket for four. Such a fast outfield, even mishits are reaching the fence. Ouch, ouch, ouch if you’re a bowler.

9.4 - der Wath to Sharma, smashes it straight back but mid-off comes in and prevents the single.

9.3 - der Wath to Sharma, defended back to the bowler. No room again. Butterfingers tonight, is Philander.

9.2 - der Wath to Utthappa, single to the sweeper. Tell you what, if Robin Utthappa goes on to score big here, Philander will do well to keep away from the skipper.

9.1 - der Wath to Utthappa, a sitter is DROPPED! Can you believe this, the simplest of catches and Utthappa lives on. Philander drops a simple one. Smith and der Wath aren’t pleased. The batsman make two.

9.0 - Morkel to Utthappa, a quick single to mid-on. Economical start for Morkel here. 48/3

8.5 - Morkel to Sharma, he makes room for himself and plays it down to third man. Improvisation there.

8.4 - Morkel to Sharma, accurate as ever, played to mid-on. Can’t run there. The scorers stifle a yawn.

8.3 - Morkel to Sharma, defended back to the bowler.

8.2 - Morkel to Sharma, beaten again, good line here. Morkel carrying the good work on from yesterday. Rohit Sharma needs to be sensible here.

8.1 - Morkel to Sharma, beaten - big swing and a miss - he needs to get his eye in. Common-sense goes missing.

Morkel into the attack now.

8.0 - der Wath to Utthappa, SIX over midwicket, into the crowd. Utthappa is away. 46/3

7.5 - der Wath to Utthappa, doesn’t time it and it goes to midwicket.

7.4 - der Wath to Utthappa, perfectly timed but just a couple to the point fence.

7.3 - der Wath to Utthappa, a bouncer and Utthappa plays all over hit. Ends up missing it entirely.

7.2 - der Wath to Sharma, played to third man for a single.

7.1 - der Wath to Sharma, beaten, lovely delivery.

Will Ntini bowl out as well? Or will Smith retain him for the death, if India make it there>

7.0 - Pollock to Utthappa, defended back, a lovely spell comes to an end. Pollock’s been as miserly as Shylock the Jew here. 37/3

6.5 - Pollock to Utthappa, rapped on the pads again well outside off and Pollock more than asks the question. Umpire uninterested.

6.4 - Pollock to Utthappa, again cramping Robin for room. Bowling well in front of the home crowd here.

6.3 - Pollock to Utthappa, no run, defended back to the bowler. No room at all. Frustrating for a batsman in T20, even when you’re three down.

6.2 - Pollock to Utthappa, played away down to mid-wicket for a couple.

6.1 - Pollock to Sharma, single down to mid-on, Shaun continues with his miserly line and length.

Who will save India today? More importantly, will someone?

6.0 - Ntini to Utthappa, hits him on the pad and Ntini pleads with an extended appeal. Hit him outside off, surely, with the angle, how can he be given out? Ntini very optimistic there. 34/3

5.5 - Ntini to Utthappa, defended back to the bowler.

5.4 - Ntini to Sharma, glanced to fine leg for a single. Dhoni isn’t smiling anymore.

5.3 - Ntini to Sharma, no run, played to cover.

5.2 - Ntini to Sharma, beaten, excellent ball first-up. The bloke’s on-fire here, time for India to rebuild.

3 wickets in 4 balls. Damn It was only time before the grass acts up. Rohit Sharma joins Utthappa in the middle.

5.1 - Ntini to Sehwag, OUT, edged to Boucher who dives to his right and takes a good low catch. 33/3 and India are coasting downhill here.

Pollock gets a cheer from the crowd as he makes his way back to patrol the fence. Deserves it. Meanwhile, Utthappa has walked in.

5.0 - Pollock to Karthik, OUT first ball here, a chip to squarish mid-wicket - catching practice there, Karthik plays a shocking shot. India in trouble already. 33/2

4.5 - Pollock to Sehwag, single to fine leg.

In walks Dinesh Karthik … a busy player, in for Yuvi. He’ll be off-strike though, the Delhiites crossed.

4.4 - Pollock to Gambhir, OUT, caught at mid-off, mistimed and Smith pouches it safely. 32/1. Kick me for making the frustrated comment.

4.3 - Pollock to Sehwag, another single, frustrating for Smith who should’ve snapped a few men in blue with that grass and SA’s pace. Dhoni smiles in the dug-out as he always does.

4.2 - Pollock to Gambhir, edgy shot to third man for another single. Pollock has bowled well, but hasn’t made the breakthrough yet. Sehwag hasn’t opened up either.

4.1 - Pollock to Sehwag, run down to third man. Watchful start by India. Field changes for the left-hander

4.0 - Ntini to Sehwag, soft hands and drops it to short leg for another quick single. 29/0

3.5 - Ntini to Gambhir, on leg-stump and played away to fine-leg who is inside the circle. At Ntini’s pace, why is he inside the circle?

3.5 - Ntini to Gambhir, WIDE down the leg side, as we see some stats - Hayden leading the run scorers with 200+ already in the torunamnet. Damn.

3.4 - Ntini to Gambhir, good comeback here, played to cover for nothing.

3.3 - Ntini to Gambhir, two runs, skied and it went nowhere, Vernon Philander tries to get underneath but not enough of an effort to make teh catch.

3.2 - Ntini to Sehwag, oooh, uneven bounce there and it just kept low. In the 3rd over? What was that? Eye-opener for Sehwag.

3.1 - Ntini to Sehwag, FOUR, clipped away through square leg, the outfield’s as quick as Reliance’s mutual fund disclaimer.

6 an over isn’t much, but with all that grass (on the pitch) around, not a bad start.

3.0 - Pollock to Gambhir, left alone and Bocuher jumps to clean up. 19/0

2.5 - Pollock to Gambhir, FOUR, he flashes hard and a thick edge over slip. Smith can’t do much here, good bowling but no jelly.

2.4 - Pollock to Gambhir, excellent timing for nothing, a good strike to extra-cover.

2.3 - Pollock to Sehwag, run down to third man for a single. Miserly Shaun in action.

2.2 - Pollock to Sehwag, two runs through midwicket, Sehwag is cramped for room here.

2.1 - Pollock to Sehwag, no run, played to extra-cover off the backfoot. Couldn’t get the placement.

2.0 - Ntini to Gambhir, FOUR, was in the air for a bit but landed safely. Welcome runs here. 12/0

1.5 - Ntini to Gambhir, aaah! Cut him like a can of peas, swung away from the batsman. Gambhir acknowledges it with an ‘oh’ of surprise.

1.4 - Ntini to Gambhir, left alone, good carry to Boucher. Ntini’s bending his back here.

1.3 - Ntini to Gambhir, FOUR, glanced to fine-leg. Makhya’s strayed way down the leg here, with the angle to the lefty. Not a good idea.

1.2 - Ntini to Gambhir, no run, defended to cover. Sehwag gives Gambhir the ‘this-pitch-is-made-for-them’ look …

1.1 - Ntini to Gambhir, beaten, movement off the seam. The grass acting up for Gambhir here.

1.1 - Ntini to Gambhir, WIDE on the off-side, screamed past the batsman but the radar’s a tad rusty here. Goodness me, that swung!

Ntini keeps Pollock company here …

1.0 - Pollock to Sehwag, ooh - beaten - the ball moves away from Sehwag who plays and misses. Tidy start from Pollock 3/0

0.5 - Pollock to Gambhir, played with soft hands to short leg, Sehwag hops about for a single.

0.4 - Pollock to Gambhir, no room whatsoever, defended to point.

0.3 - Pollock to Gambhir, on leg stump, flicked away for two. Pollock getting a bit of swing but he needs to get the line right.

0.2 - Pollock to Gambhir, on the pads, ball drops onto the crease.

0.1 - Pollock to Gambhir, beaten, half-an appeal, that one nipped in off the seam.

Preview

Welcome folks to this crunch game, India have nothing to lose and everything to gain here. There’s been lots of talk about SA going with lesser intensity into this one as they’ve nearly qualified, but I somehow can’t picture a subdued Gibbs or Graeme Smith. Maybe it’s me.

Either ways, the rain Gods are keeping away tonight, so game on - definitely. Folks are still recovering from the Yuvraj show last night, but there’s a big disappointment here - Yuvraj Singh isn’t playing this match. Extremely depressing for his fans, for India and for anyone who loved yesterday’s aggression.

More importantly, Yuvraj’s innings was the one thing that separated victory from defeat yesterday, and India would have that at the back of their minds. Besides, SA would have the entire home crowd behind them. Dinesh Karthik comes in for Yuvraj as Dhoni wins the toss and elects to have a bat. Ntini’s playing in today’s game, and there’s a bit of grass on the pitch, so the Proteas and their pacers would be interested. It’s a different pitch today. ‘Fresh’ and ‘plenty of cracks’ goes Nasser. Bouncy-douncy, Sehwag will need to watch his head. Literally. Tailor made for SA, this pitch.

Is Piyush Chawla still unfit? SA aren’t the best players of spin and I would’ve played him in place of Sharma, bad luck yesterday notwithstanding.

India’s strength is certainly the batting. They’d expect Sehwag and Gambhir to build a good, firm and strong base. The bowling isn’t great, and the certainly can’t outfield SA, so they’ll need to be economical and bowl wicket-to-wicket. For the home side, Justin Kemp is in form - and when the likes of Kemp sees the ball well, the ball loses shape for reasons more than one.

It’s a sell-out. Without Yuvraj and with the crowd backing SA, I’d put my money on the home team. Let’s hope I’m proved wrong.

And we’re off. Gambhir and Sehwag to open. Pollock for SA.

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