In the year 2003 Team India led by Saurav Ganguly has shown everyone that the present team has finally got rid of the age old tag that made us look like tigers only at home and paper tigers away from home. The historical Boxing Day innings played by the talented Sehwag, very valuable knocks from the ever reliable Dravid, the bold counter attacks by Saurav, the artistic knocks from Laxman and a foretaste of what is still to come from Sachin makes this team look like tigers away from home as well. Zaheer, Anil and Agarkar have been the only bowlers to take five or more wickets in an innings. The highly talented Australian bowlers have not been able to achieve such a feat even once on their home soil so far in this series. A few more good partnerships like the ones between Dravid and Laxman will make this team almost unbeatable and our permanent tigers everywhere. Good luck boys ! We are proud of you ! Thanks for the thrilling moments so far ! Jai Hind and a Happy New Year 2004 !
Difficult to win in Melbourne without good quicks. (India has them but Zaheer is injured and Nehra still seems in recovery mode)Should have played for a draw at Melbourne, but it really does not matter. It is time to start thinking about Sydney. Maybe this was always our best shot. A turner from day one or two, it is going to be the best ground for Murali Kartik. Ray Price had Australia in trouble in October and Katich picked up wickets. With so many good players of spin, Ganguly, Sachin, Laxman, Chopra, Waugh is unlikely to change his winning side unless Gillespie declares himself fit. Kumble has to rework his bowling for the spinner's paradise and Kartik must learn to grip the ball. Might want to consider Bangar again for this match, for batting(though Nehra is accurate). Good close in catches. Sachin must also look to bowl. Sehwag can try some off-spin, but really it will be about getting Hayden out quickly and then running through the rest. We will see if Ponting has really improved against spin. 169 against Zimbabwe at Sydney.
It is quite interesting reading of the coments of Mr.Rahul Dravid, the Vice-Captain of Indian Cricket team. In my opionion, in case all the eleven players plus reserve along with Team Manager, Physiotheraphist etc. all of them enter cricket field they can not stop Australian to make 95 runs which is the lead given by Indian Batsman. Rather the entire team should join in praying that there is heavy reain through out the fifth day so that the second inning by the Australian is not played without delivery of single ball. Optimism is good but not beyond a certain limit. Let us watch and wait what sort of fight is given by Indian team to make it difficult to score 95 runs. However, I wish the Indian Team good luck.
All i can say is dravid is very positive and its a good sign but he cant do it alone. someone has to support it. in both innings wicket fell like pack of cards after he departed. come on guys you can do it again. but i dont think in this test. Wait fot the next one. Expect a 100 from dravid and Sachin .
