As the saying goes, "In Test cricket, bat first if you win the toss. However, if you see moisture on the surface, think once, and bat first. More moisture, think twice, then bat first.”
Dhoni, being Dhoni, was seldom going to follow traditions just for the heck of it. He is this ultra cool bloke, who always follows his instincts when it comes to decision making. Yet again, we saw just that this morning when he decided to bowl first, citing a very practical reason - that he wanted to give his bowlers the best chance in the first couple of hours to take wickets with whatever little help the other wise placid looking wicket was going to provide.
The fact that team India managed to claim six wickets in the first 2-hours, kind of vindicated his stand, and his decision seemed to be a brilliant one.
But to me, this decision was a good one for a quite different reason. Team India has never started a fresh series well. Under the given conditions, there was a great chance that we could have found our team in a similar situation as the Kiwis found themselves in, with almost no chances of bouncing back. More than anything else, this could have played on our mind creating a self doubt for the entire series upfront. This is exactly what Vettori & Co were desperately looking for, as more than anybody else, they are aware of our strength and form. Hence, Dhoni thought that even a couple of wickets would hand us back the momentum and it did.
The decision would have been slammed down as utter defensive had it backfired. Team India knew this and went all out to prove it right,
Zaheer has been the true leader of the attack for the past couple of years and he showed the way by claiming the 1st two wickets. He could have had one more had Sehwag held on to that sharp chance Taylor had offered when on naught. Ishant Sharma again showed why he is such a good bowler when it comes to overseas conditions. Munaf too stuck to the task. Repeatedly, off late, this seam bowling department has been one of the major reasons of India’s success abroad.
With their back against the wall, at 60/6, we saw the real quality of a test match when Vettori and Ryder got involved in that record 186-run stand. Finally 279 did look like a very decent total.
The Indian innings started on an expected note with Sehwag and Gambhir starting breezily to end the day at 29/0.
All eyes will be now on second day, when India would be looking forward to build up a good total on a relatively eased up surface after seeing off the first hour. On the other hand New Zealand will fancy their chances to restrict India to a modest score.
Boy! What entertainment right from the word go......Can we ask for more!!!!
Dhoni, being Dhoni, was seldom going to follow traditions just for the heck of it. He is this ultra cool bloke, who always follows his instincts when it comes to decision making. Yet again, we saw just that this morning when he decided to bowl first, citing a very practical reason - that he wanted to give his bowlers the best chance in the first couple of hours to take wickets with whatever little help the other wise placid looking wicket was going to provide.
The fact that team India managed to claim six wickets in the first 2-hours, kind of vindicated his stand, and his decision seemed to be a brilliant one.
But to me, this decision was a good one for a quite different reason. Team India has never started a fresh series well. Under the given conditions, there was a great chance that we could have found our team in a similar situation as the Kiwis found themselves in, with almost no chances of bouncing back. More than anything else, this could have played on our mind creating a self doubt for the entire series upfront. This is exactly what Vettori & Co were desperately looking for, as more than anybody else, they are aware of our strength and form. Hence, Dhoni thought that even a couple of wickets would hand us back the momentum and it did.
The decision would have been slammed down as utter defensive had it backfired. Team India knew this and went all out to prove it right,
Zaheer has been the true leader of the attack for the past couple of years and he showed the way by claiming the 1st two wickets. He could have had one more had Sehwag held on to that sharp chance Taylor had offered when on naught. Ishant Sharma again showed why he is such a good bowler when it comes to overseas conditions. Munaf too stuck to the task. Repeatedly, off late, this seam bowling department has been one of the major reasons of India’s success abroad.
With their back against the wall, at 60/6, we saw the real quality of a test match when Vettori and Ryder got involved in that record 186-run stand. Finally 279 did look like a very decent total.
The Indian innings started on an expected note with Sehwag and Gambhir starting breezily to end the day at 29/0.
All eyes will be now on second day, when India would be looking forward to build up a good total on a relatively eased up surface after seeing off the first hour. On the other hand New Zealand will fancy their chances to restrict India to a modest score.
Boy! What entertainment right from the word go......Can we ask for more!!!!
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