Am I back??? Not really.
So after a long...very long absence indeed, I am posting something here. But this doesn't really mean I am back.
I have learnt a lot during this period. And now I am busy with currently shifting the blog. So yes, I will be back soon along with Shanav and Satya. And So Crick-O will be in a new look and out refreshed with a new name!
Hope to see you guys soon. Will try to keep an update on how the things are going to proceed.
Anyways, thanks and see you all later.
Pakistan Beat India
Not at all a good news for Indian fans.You all must have watched the match between the two arch rivals and have witnessed India's mistakes in such an important game. But one can't ignore the fact that this wasn't a full strength Indian side and surely missed world class players like Yuvraj, Sehwag and Zaheer Khan. I will highlight some of the things that went against India.
Firstly, Dhoni decided to have his par-timers bowl when India were going good and Yousuf and Malik were new to the crease. Had he continued with the pacers or even introduced Harbhajan Singh, India could have avoided the record partnership.
Bowlers bowled short on a track which seemed to be favouring the batsmen. India leaked away too many runs in the region behind square. They got the first tirthy overs right, not giving too many runs, but in the last twenty overs India conceded over 160 runs with a run rate over 8.
Gautam Gambhir made up for the early loss of Sachin Tendulkar and played a magnificent ininngs
before he got himself run out, this probably cost India the match, because he seemed to be simply unstoppable.
Middle order batsmen weren't able to maintain the run rate fell victims to Boom-Boom Afridi. Afridi's double blow consisting of Kohli's and Dhoni's wickets.
Suresh Raina being ruled out unjustly as the umpire did not notice the big inside edge. He lost his wicket just after striking two huge sixes. He along with Dravid planned a good recovery, but finally failed.
It has now become a knockout tournament for India, as Dhoni said. India must improve their feilding standards and the lines and lengths of the bowlers before the crucial game against Australia. I wish the Indian team ALL THE BEST!!!!!!!
Dravid for ODIs?
Don't believe me, better do so. Rahul Dravid, one of the best technical players in the world and my favourite cricketer is among the 30 probables for the Champions Trophy this year in September. I was totally shocked when I saw the news flash on the television, but it is completely understood why he is being considered for the One-dayers. Indian batsmen like Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and many more have struggled to face the short delivery well. Dravid's inclusion, I believe will surely give a new atmosphere to the Indian dressing room and will surely add pressure on youngsters to perform well in order to secure a place in the playing XI. Though we've seen Dravid play some long innings with strike rates around 30, but Dravid's performance in the IPL and the Test series against NewZealand have proved that he still has the ability to strike the ball at a good rate. I feel Dravid if selected will surely hold up to the expectations I have from him. Till then let's wish him luck for his one-dayer comeback.
Ashes: England or Australia?
Sorry guys I'm writing after almost 2 long months due to some problems with my internet connections, but now I'll try to be regular and make up for the lost time. I start my new session with some notes on the oldest and probably the greatest rivalry in cricket. Although I wouldn't be able to watch all the action, but still I can at least write about my predictions and previews. At present, the Australians aren't having a good time in the warm-up games- the Aussie bowlers being penalized, many struggling with form and others looking forward for a tough Ashes, this English summer. My predictions are as follows-
1. Since a lot of T20 & limited overs cricket has been played during the recent times, so expect all 5 matches to be hard fought and with no draws at all.
2. England are having edge over Australia mentally because of Australia's dismal shows in recent times and England's good run recently.
3. Australia will believe that they are not the underdogs because their key bowlers like Brett Lee and Stuart Clark are regaining form. Though Aussies don't have a well known test bowler, still their bowling attack seems dangerous. Playing Andrew Symonds would have benefited them a lot.
4.Finally my this year's Ashes predictions are that Australia reclaim their title 3-2.Such a prediction comes keeping in mind that Australia are still a champion side but would have to face intense competition from the English team.
