The Indian side couldn't have wound up the year in a better fashion. Green top, bouncy…..and all such adjectives were used to intimidate the Indians but it was really heartening to see them turn the tables on them and give the overconfident s/Africans the taste of their own medicine in pace bowling. Sreesanth's stunning snorter to Kallis was easily the ‘ball’ of the match although Zaheer's inclusion did revitalise the entire bowling. For once Bhajji was ably supported from the other end by all the pacers and he was a totally transformed bowler! Dhoni was also spot on with his bowling changes and field setting and except for the toss everything seemed to have gone his way. But the man of the match, Laxman once again came up with his match winning very very special innings which seems to have become a habit with him.No words are enough to describe his innings on such difficult wickets at such crucial time.Is he ultimately becoming the all time 'most valuable player' for India ? Possibly yes, and this confident Indian side on this positive note should look to win the match and the series at cape town.
Over confidence on the side of SOUTH AFRICAN team sliped away the 2nd Test. Now Team India has to be cool and play the game for a historic series win victory. Congratulations & Good Luck to the Team India.
Laxman's average is not less. Its 48 and he is 150 short of 8000 runs and he has 49 fifties. That's a great record for a No.5 batsman. In comparison to Sachin(avg. 57) and Dravid (avg. 53) his average may seem less but remember he had to walk in many times when 3 or 4 wickets had fallen and when there is a lot of pressure. He had to save the game or chase down a total and he couldnt play his shots freely. Also batting at 5 means on flat tracks, other batsmen get to bat first and make runs while the pitch becomes slow and low later as it does in Indian conditions and become difficult to score. Also he had to bat most of the times with tail enders and farm the strike and run out of partners or sometimes look out for boundaries and get out like he did yesterday. Result is less centuries and lesser average. But dont under estimate this guy's genius. He is a legend.
bec laxman seems to be playing team-saving roles in many tests in recent times.
perhaps ram-laala of ayodhya-judgement and laxman-laala of test cricket, should also be awarded bhaarat ratna, along with tendulkar and vajpayee. karunaa-nidhi and his kazhagam will, of course, ask for draavida-ratnam award for himself and spectrum-scam 'raasaa'.
Ask a random passer by, what would you ideally want from Team India? A non fanatic might say World cup . A fanatic might say No1 Test status and world cup. A girl newbie fanatic might say T20 world cup.
And if you ask them why? Answer: It will make Indians proud. A non-fanatic might not even know for how many years we have a world cup.All they know is its a big cup and it will make us proud.
Why are these important anyways? We have a world cup champion for every 4 years. T20 chapmions for every 2 years. Constant doubts over our No1 status and might not hold onto it for more than 2 years.
20 years down the lane, whats so great about winning 2 world cups (1983,2011) out of 10 world cups so far and almost most of the countries will have the similar record.Whats so great about winning 2011 world cup? Indians are called champions from 2011-2015. And that too if we loose 5-2 to Aus or SA, we cant even call them champions for 4 years.
Re: Sachin
by super hero on Dec 30, 2010 05:00 AM
Notable achievements that come to my mind till now 1983 world cup, Titan cup,Hero cup, 96 SF,Sharjah cup, Natwest trophy, 2003 Finals,T20 World cup,CB Series,No1 Test status. Except for No1 status, most countries have similar achievements. But then we have 'SACHIN'.The best bastman ever(Only Bradman can contest). Most of his records will stay alive forever(If you are cricket fanatic, then u will know that most of them are impossible to break).A poll in australia twice this decade said Sachin is the current best player.Ponting was no-where near in those polls. Current and ex-crickets, commenattors, everyone alround the world praise him as the best. That makes me an Indian proud.He is like Dhyanchand of Cricket. He is like a Schumacher ,a Pele, a federer, a Tiger woods. 50 years from now, Indian cricket might become like our Hockey. Usa, Canada,Ireland,Afghanisthan might be top 4 teams.Your Grand children might not follow cricket, but they sure will be surprised and happy to hear that the best player, holder or most runs,centuries is an INDIAN. He is a phenomenon that happens once in a life time. I cherish a century from Sachin more than an Indian victory. This insight is just for Non-fanatics to weigh Team India achievments against Sachin's. Pakis with Indian names here and other morons with disgruntled lives who have to vent their frustration on someone, can keep trashin Sachin. Infact, its no fun without u guys.Sometimes ur comments make me laugh. Keep coming guys.
