The chaotic world of Indian cricket hit a new low in 2007 with reluctant captains, invisible coaches, warring officials and rebel games hogging the spotlight.
The real test start over the next two months when India take on world champions Australia in four Test matches Down Under followed by a tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka.
"Australia is the benchmark every team sets for itself," former Test batsman and television commentator Sanjay Manjrekar told AFP. "But some good individual performances gives me hope we will do well." Sourav Ganguly, 35, sacked as captain and player by the then coach Greg Chappell, ended the debate over the future of ageing stars by hammering 1,023 runs from nine Tests with three centuries.
Sachin Tendulkar, 34, the world's leading century-maker with 37 Test and 41 one-day hundreds, was dismissed in the 90s seven times this year but remained in top form with 699 Test and 1,425 one-day runs.
Rahul Dravid, 34, had a lean year by his lofty standards - 585 runs in nine Tests - and was dropped from the one-day team, but remains India's most dependable batsman overseas. The younger Yuvraj Singh, 26, inspired India's Twenty20 triumph with six sixes in one over from England's Stuart Broad and marked his overdue return to Test cricket with a century against Pakistan in Bangalore.
Gary Kirsten will offically take over as the Indian Cricket Coach only from March 1.
Showing posts with label Sourav Ganguly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sourav Ganguly. Show all posts
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
India wins Test series at home against Pakistan after Two Decade
Anil Kumble raised visions of a dramatic Indian victory with a five-wicket haul before Pakistan managed to escape with a draw in the third and final Test here on Wednesday. The veteran leg-spinner grabbed 5-60 with shrewd variations on a wearing track as Pakistan finished at 162-7 in fading light chasing an improbable 374-run target off 48 overs on the fifth and final day. The Kumble-led India clinched the Test series 1-0 after winning the opening match by six wickets in New Delhi and drawing the next two in Kolkata and here.
It was India's first Test series triumph against Pakistan at home in more than two decades, the last success coming in 1980 under Sunil Gavaskar. India needed the last three wickets when bad light thwarted their incredible victory bid. Mohammad Yousuf (10) and tailender Mohammad Sami (four) were the unbeaten batsmen with 12 overs remaining. According to the playing conditions, both the teams had agreed that artificial lights would not be used in the series. There was no hint of collapse when Pakistan were 144-3 in the 32nd over following a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket between Faisal Iqbal (51) and in-form Misbah-ul-Haq (37).
But Kumble virtually turned the match upside-down when he dismissed Iqbal and Kamran Akmal off successive deliveries in front of his cheering home fans on a day when team-mate Sourav Ganguly missed out on a rare landmark. It was the second time the spinner had grabbed two wickets in an over, having earlier removed opener Yasir Hameed (39) and stand-in captain Younis Khan. Kumble was brilliantly backed by part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh, who celebrated his 26th birthday by removing Misbah and debutant Yasir Arafat as Pakistan lost four wickets for 10 runs in a dramatic collapse.
A dull draw looked on the cards when India declared their second innings closed at 284-6 an hour after the lunch-break. But Kumble enlivened the proceedings by striking in quick succession to push Pakistan on the verge of defeat with his 34th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings. Ganguly's march towards to a rare feat and Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's duel with the batsmen were the only talking points in the first two sessions. Former captain Ganguly fell nine runs short of becoming the seventh batsman to score a double-century and a hundred in a Test.
The left-hander, who cracked a maiden double-ton in the first innings, was dismissed for 91 after an impressive exhibition of strokeplay. Ganguly looked set to join the elite club in his 99th Test before uppishly driving fast bowler Mohammad Sami to Iqbal, who took a smart catch at gully. But he had completed 1,000 runs in a calendar year at that stage. Australians Doug Walters and Greg Chappell, West Indies' Lawrence Rowe and Brian Lara, Gavaskar and England's Graham Gooch are other batsmen to have scored a double-century and a hundred in the same Test.
It was India's first Test series triumph against Pakistan at home in more than two decades, the last success coming in 1980 under Sunil Gavaskar. India needed the last three wickets when bad light thwarted their incredible victory bid. Mohammad Yousuf (10) and tailender Mohammad Sami (four) were the unbeaten batsmen with 12 overs remaining. According to the playing conditions, both the teams had agreed that artificial lights would not be used in the series. There was no hint of collapse when Pakistan were 144-3 in the 32nd over following a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket between Faisal Iqbal (51) and in-form Misbah-ul-Haq (37).
But Kumble virtually turned the match upside-down when he dismissed Iqbal and Kamran Akmal off successive deliveries in front of his cheering home fans on a day when team-mate Sourav Ganguly missed out on a rare landmark. It was the second time the spinner had grabbed two wickets in an over, having earlier removed opener Yasir Hameed (39) and stand-in captain Younis Khan. Kumble was brilliantly backed by part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh, who celebrated his 26th birthday by removing Misbah and debutant Yasir Arafat as Pakistan lost four wickets for 10 runs in a dramatic collapse.
A dull draw looked on the cards when India declared their second innings closed at 284-6 an hour after the lunch-break. But Kumble enlivened the proceedings by striking in quick succession to push Pakistan on the verge of defeat with his 34th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings. Ganguly's march towards to a rare feat and Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's duel with the batsmen were the only talking points in the first two sessions. Former captain Ganguly fell nine runs short of becoming the seventh batsman to score a double-century and a hundred in a Test.
The left-hander, who cracked a maiden double-ton in the first innings, was dismissed for 91 after an impressive exhibition of strokeplay. Ganguly looked set to join the elite club in his 99th Test before uppishly driving fast bowler Mohammad Sami to Iqbal, who took a smart catch at gully. But he had completed 1,000 runs in a calendar year at that stage. Australians Doug Walters and Greg Chappell, West Indies' Lawrence Rowe and Brian Lara, Gavaskar and England's Graham Gooch are other batsmen to have scored a double-century and a hundred in the same Test.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
India poised to end long wait - Day 5
Misbah-ul-Haq relished India's attack with a second successive century to boost Pakistan's hopes of forcing a draw in the third and final Test here on Tuesday. The middle-order batsman followed his second-Test 161 with a brilliant 133 not out as Pakistan warded off a threat of follow-on to post 537 in their first innings in reply to India's 626.
India were strongly placed to clinch their first Test series against Pakistan at home since 1980 after reaching 131-2 in their second innings at stumps on the penultimate day for an overall lead of 220. The hosts lead 1-0 in the series, with the final Test heading for a draw. India lost openers Gautam Gambhir (three) and Wasim Jaffer (18) before former captains Sourav Ganguly (63 not out) and Rahul Dravid (35 not out) steadied the innings with an unfinished 105-run stand for the third wicket.
Ganguly, who smashed a maiden Test double-hundred in the first innings, raced to his half-century off 57 balls with a six off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and nine fours. The hosts needed a couple of early wickets in the morning to raise victory hopes after Pakistan had resumed at 369-5, but had to wait for two sessions to wrap up the innings on a track where the ball sometimes kept low. India also earned a dubious distinction of conceding a record 76 extras in a Test innings, surpassing the previous highest of 71 by the West Indies against Pakistan at Georgetown in 1988.
India were strongly placed to clinch their first Test series against Pakistan at home since 1980 after reaching 131-2 in their second innings at stumps on the penultimate day for an overall lead of 220. The hosts lead 1-0 in the series, with the final Test heading for a draw. India lost openers Gautam Gambhir (three) and Wasim Jaffer (18) before former captains Sourav Ganguly (63 not out) and Rahul Dravid (35 not out) steadied the innings with an unfinished 105-run stand for the third wicket.
Ganguly, who smashed a maiden Test double-hundred in the first innings, raced to his half-century off 57 balls with a six off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and nine fours. The hosts needed a couple of early wickets in the morning to raise victory hopes after Pakistan had resumed at 369-5, but had to wait for two sessions to wrap up the innings on a track where the ball sometimes kept low. India also earned a dubious distinction of conceding a record 76 extras in a Test innings, surpassing the previous highest of 71 by the West Indies against Pakistan at Georgetown in 1988.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Third Test : Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani bowling attack - Day 1
Yuvraj Singh and Sourav Ganguly hammered explosive centuries to lead India's fightback in the third and final Test against Pakistan here on Saturday. Yuvraj celebrated his comeback with a career-best 169 and Ganguly scored a fluent unbeaten 125 as an injury-hit India recovered from a horror morning session to post 365-5 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day.
India were wobbling at 61-4 after winning the toss on a good batting track before left-handers Yuvraj and Ganguly restored their team's fortunes with a 300-run stand for the fifth wicket. The partnership was the highest for the fifth wicket in Tests between the two countries, surpassing the previous best of 213 set by Pakistanis Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar at Karachi in 1982. Debutant seamer Yasir Arafat jolted India with three important wickets in a tight seven-over opening spell before his side ran into Yuvraj and Ganguly, who counter-attacked to steer their team to safety.
It was one-day specialist Yuvraj's third Test century - all against Pakistan - and Ganguly's 15th, including a second successive ton against the tourists following his 102 in the previous match. Pakistan also suffered a stroke of misfortune when ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar walked off the field after bowling two overs in the afternoon. He was taken to hospital with back pain. Pakistan's team management said the fast bowler's condition would be assessed on Sunday morning before any decision was taken. "I was nervous when we were 61-4. I have never been a confident starter in Test cricket. It gives me shivers because it's a different ball game," said Yuvraj, playing only his 20th Test since his international debut in 2000. "I feel bad sitting out, but it's not easy to replace Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ganguly and Venkatsai Laxman in the middle order. "I was disappointed to get out. I should have got a double-century, but I am happy I pulled my team out of trouble."
Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani attack in the last two sessions with a wide range of attacking shots all round the wicket.
India were wobbling at 61-4 after winning the toss on a good batting track before left-handers Yuvraj and Ganguly restored their team's fortunes with a 300-run stand for the fifth wicket. The partnership was the highest for the fifth wicket in Tests between the two countries, surpassing the previous best of 213 set by Pakistanis Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar at Karachi in 1982. Debutant seamer Yasir Arafat jolted India with three important wickets in a tight seven-over opening spell before his side ran into Yuvraj and Ganguly, who counter-attacked to steer their team to safety.
It was one-day specialist Yuvraj's third Test century - all against Pakistan - and Ganguly's 15th, including a second successive ton against the tourists following his 102 in the previous match. Pakistan also suffered a stroke of misfortune when ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar walked off the field after bowling two overs in the afternoon. He was taken to hospital with back pain. Pakistan's team management said the fast bowler's condition would be assessed on Sunday morning before any decision was taken. "I was nervous when we were 61-4. I have never been a confident starter in Test cricket. It gives me shivers because it's a different ball game," said Yuvraj, playing only his 20th Test since his international debut in 2000. "I feel bad sitting out, but it's not easy to replace Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ganguly and Venkatsai Laxman in the middle order. "I was disappointed to get out. I should have got a double-century, but I am happy I pulled my team out of trouble."
Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani attack in the last two sessions with a wide range of attacking shots all round the wicket.
Third Test : Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani bowling attack - Day 1
Yuvraj Singh and Sourav Ganguly hammered explosive centuries to lead India's fightback in the third and final Test against Pakistan here on Saturday. Yuvraj celebrated his comeback with a career-best 169 and Ganguly scored a fluent unbeaten 125 as an injury-hit India recovered from a horror morning session to post 365-5 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day.
India were wobbling at 61-4 after winning the toss on a good batting track before left-handers Yuvraj and Ganguly restored their team's fortunes with a 300-run stand for the fifth wicket. The partnership was the highest for the fifth wicket in Tests between the two countries, surpassing the previous best of 213 set by Pakistanis Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar at Karachi in 1982. Debutant seamer Yasir Arafat jolted India with three important wickets in a tight seven-over opening spell before his side ran into Yuvraj and Ganguly, who counter-attacked to steer their team to safety.
It was one-day specialist Yuvraj's third Test century - all against Pakistan - and Ganguly's 15th, including a second successive ton against the tourists following his 102 in the previous match. Pakistan also suffered a stroke of misfortune when ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar walked off the field after bowling two overs in the afternoon. He was taken to hospital with back pain. Pakistan's team management said the fast bowler's condition would be assessed on Sunday morning before any decision was taken. "I was nervous when we were 61-4. I have never been a confident starter in Test cricket. It gives me shivers because it's a different ball game," said Yuvraj, playing only his 20th Test since his international debut in 2000. "I feel bad sitting out, but it's not easy to replace Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ganguly and Venkatsai Laxman in the middle order. "I was disappointed to get out. I should have got a double-century, but I am happy I pulled my team out of trouble."
Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani attack in the last two sessions with a wide range of attacking shots all round the wicket.
India were wobbling at 61-4 after winning the toss on a good batting track before left-handers Yuvraj and Ganguly restored their team's fortunes with a 300-run stand for the fifth wicket. The partnership was the highest for the fifth wicket in Tests between the two countries, surpassing the previous best of 213 set by Pakistanis Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar at Karachi in 1982. Debutant seamer Yasir Arafat jolted India with three important wickets in a tight seven-over opening spell before his side ran into Yuvraj and Ganguly, who counter-attacked to steer their team to safety.
It was one-day specialist Yuvraj's third Test century - all against Pakistan - and Ganguly's 15th, including a second successive ton against the tourists following his 102 in the previous match. Pakistan also suffered a stroke of misfortune when ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar walked off the field after bowling two overs in the afternoon. He was taken to hospital with back pain. Pakistan's team management said the fast bowler's condition would be assessed on Sunday morning before any decision was taken. "I was nervous when we were 61-4. I have never been a confident starter in Test cricket. It gives me shivers because it's a different ball game," said Yuvraj, playing only his 20th Test since his international debut in 2000. "I feel bad sitting out, but it's not easy to replace Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ganguly and Venkatsai Laxman in the middle order. "I was disappointed to get out. I should have got a double-century, but I am happy I pulled my team out of trouble."
Yuvraj and Ganguly demoralised the Pakistani attack in the last two sessions with a wide range of attacking shots all round the wicket.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Yousuf and Younis saves the day for Pak. - Day 5
Stand-in captain Younis Khan staved off a spin threat and scored an unbeaten 107 under pressure to help Pakistan draw the second Test against India here on Tuesday. Pakistan finished at 214-4 in their second innings chasing a stiff 345-run target off 81 overs on the fifth and final day. Mohammad Yousuf played the supporting role and was unbeaten on 44 when the game was called off with four overs remaining. Pakistan, trailing 1-0, now have a chance to square the three-Test series when they clash with India in the third match at Bangalore starting Sunday.
Indian spinners Anil Kumble (2-73) and Harbhajan made the batsmen struggle for runs on a slow turning track, keeping a tidy line and length with four men in catching positions close to the bat. Pakistan were in trouble midway through the afternoon session when they lost four wickets for 78 in 40 overs, but Younis came to his team's rescue as he added 136 for the unfinished fifth-wicket stand with Yousuf. Former captain Sourav Ganguly, playing on his home ground, completed 6,000 runs in Test cricket during his 46 before being bowled by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Pakistan, trailing 1-0, now have a chance to square the three-Test series when they clash with India in the third match at Bangalore starting Sunday.
Indian spinners Anil Kumble (2-73) and Harbhajan made the batsmen struggle for runs on a slow turning track, keeping a tidy line and length with four men in catching positions close to the bat. Pakistan were in trouble midway through the afternoon session when they lost four wickets for 78 in 40 overs, but Younis came to his team's rescue as he added 136 for the unfinished fifth-wicket stand with Yousuf. Former captain Sourav Ganguly, playing on his home ground, completed 6,000 runs in Test cricket during his 46 before being bowled by fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Pakistan, trailing 1-0, now have a chance to square the three-Test series when they clash with India in the third match at Bangalore starting Sunday.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
India on a strong position on Day 2
VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly completed their centuries to take India to a formidable total against Pakistan in the second Test on Saturday. Laxman scored an unbeaten 112 for his 11th Test hundred and left-handed Ganguly a solid 102 for his 14th, as India posted a mammoth 616-5 declared in their first innings after resuming at 352-3.
Under-pressure Pakistan lost Yasir Hameed (21) in leg-spinner Anil Kumble's opening over before reaching 50-1 on the second day. Salman Butt (26) and Younis Khan (three) were at the crease when bad light stopped play.
Laxman and Ganguly were not the only batsmen to reach the three-figure mark against a hapless Pakistani attack on a flat track as opener Wasim Jaffer (202) earlier completed his second double-century. Mahendra Singh Dhoni also joined the party, smashing one six and six fours in his unbeaten 50. India's total was their highest against Pakistan at home, surpassing the previous best of 539-9 declared at Chennai in 1961.
Nearly 60,000 spectators enjoyed the run feast at Eden Gardens as Ganguly scored his first Test hundred on his home ground before Laxman completed his century with a string of elegant strokes. "It feels nice to get a hundred anywhere, but at Eden Gardens it feels a bit different because I've played all my life in this ground and to have ended without a Test hundred here would have been disappointing," said Ganguly.
Under-pressure Pakistan lost Yasir Hameed (21) in leg-spinner Anil Kumble's opening over before reaching 50-1 on the second day. Salman Butt (26) and Younis Khan (three) were at the crease when bad light stopped play.
Laxman and Ganguly were not the only batsmen to reach the three-figure mark against a hapless Pakistani attack on a flat track as opener Wasim Jaffer (202) earlier completed his second double-century. Mahendra Singh Dhoni also joined the party, smashing one six and six fours in his unbeaten 50. India's total was their highest against Pakistan at home, surpassing the previous best of 539-9 declared at Chennai in 1961.
Nearly 60,000 spectators enjoyed the run feast at Eden Gardens as Ganguly scored his first Test hundred on his home ground before Laxman completed his century with a string of elegant strokes. "It feels nice to get a hundred anywhere, but at Eden Gardens it feels a bit different because I've played all my life in this ground and to have ended without a Test hundred here would have been disappointing," said Ganguly.
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