After first test tame draw the Indians are under pressure to perform as well as win the test series so under this circumstances captaining the Indian team that too at home will be a herculean task. No point in cribbing about the chances floored by Dravid and Patel which in my opinion always happen if you are playing under pressure. Since Dravid is new to this area, in my opinion as a senior cricketer Sachin should have shouldered the responsibilities w.r.t bowling & fielding department and making full use of the bowling resources (Shewag & Yuvraj). In my opinion Harbhajan is still not fully fit probably could have replaced with Agarker. With second new ball due and with Styris not really comfortable against the spinners (although Indian spinners in particular Harbhajan not bowling well) Fleming made a wise decision by promoting Styris this will help Styris to set his eye for rest of the innings. For Dravid to make any impression against this move by Fleming on the second day he should attack with change of pace maybe Khan or Balaji with spinners (Kumble).
Indian cricket is looking in a high need for a Seamer. Though Zaheer Khan has been bowling fine and the new comer Balaji is looking enthusiastic but you need to be a match winner and you need to have a variety in the bowling when comes the last day and urgent wickets are needed, but Indian bowlers failed to give us a victory and that is seen on the first day of 2nd test too as bowlers seems helpless when it comes to take wickets. And full marks to the kiwi batsmen. It has been seen in the past too that India is always short of the Pace bowlers and match winners like our neighbour (Pakistan) have, so this is the high time that some proffessional attitude should be developed to encourage the Fast Bowling in the domestic cricket,as lot of importance in India is given to the spinners taking into account the slow wickets in the home but you need to have a fast bowler to clear the path of victory by taking wickets of tail enders. Thanks Gaurav
It is fact that on the first day India has lack of preparation and planning. I can not understabd why we again for Balaji?Agarkar would be a better choice for three reasons1.He has an experince 2. He is an all-rounder3.He has an art of reverseswing with the old ball. I didn't understand to give Sachin an over in just 11th over.We made lots of blunder there is no doubt. It was Dravid's bad day on debu as skipper
its was better to select ajit agarkar rather then yuraj. Indian players have not done there theror homework. its shame if we dont win a test series that also in india.
So its now that NZ is playing well. If ganguly was the captain then it would have been his fault that NZ played so well. Now i do not find any bitting or sarcastic comments from the rediff team. As a journalist at least try to cover your hypocricy!!
