Mystery revealed, India win Series

Indians finally untied the Mendis box in the ODI series. Dhoni & co used their feet as weapon to unsettle the spinner combo of murali and mendis and eventually won the series and the last ODI being a mere foramlity to the series.

The script started with Dhoni winning the toss for the 4th time in the series and electing to bat on the flat surface. Ghambir, looking ordinary in the ODI, and Kohli gave India a decent start of 44 run when the former was caught for 17. UV came into the scene. Patience was the word from the doctor i guess. After consuming a 11 ball for without scoring one expected a UV to stamp his authority latter but fell as the 400th victim of Vaas. Disappointment again. Then Kohli played a decent knock as a teenager and left pitch with score reading 81-3. This brought the Raina-Dhoni duo. They played beautifully finding gaps and testing the fielders. Rotating the strike was the key factor.

Dhoni and Raina went passed their 50's. India seemed to gain momentum when the disaster struck for India. Dhoni and Raina went in wuick intervals leaving a tough job in the hands of Rohit Sharma. India was restricted to 258 in 50 overs.

Srilanka chase was supposed to be easy given the flat surface. But just fell for selection of their shots. With warnapura and Kumar sangakarra gone with the score of 38, it showed a sense of panic in the dressing room with the run rate required creeping up. The YOUNG GUN, Sanath Jayasuriya came up with a blitzkerg smashing 8 hits to fence and 2 over the fence. The duo of jayawardena and him made a threat. However it was cleared when TURBUNATOR scalped him. He was involved in a crucial run - out of Jayawardene. It was a clear panic in Lions camp.
However, Dhilsan, Kapugedera and Vaas tried to bring back the hopes they kept finding their way back to the dressing room.

UV found his lady luck with the ball filling up the quota of the 5th bowler. He did bowl with zest and valour giving the ball flight and mxing up deliveries and struck 2 crucial blows as well. Thushara tried to make a mtch out of it but was of no use. Zaheer and Praveen went through the top order and continued their form as well.

Earlier, India just gave 2 wickets to Mendis and Murali. Indian Think-Tank is on the right track. Congrats to TEAM INDIA

US OPEN kicks off

The final grand slam of the season is on with Nadal leading the seedings this time. Nadal, after his first round victory seemed bit exhausted though he gets a through in the second round. He may recover in that period.

But the former numero uno got his first round alomost as a practice session when he eased passed Maximo Gonzalez 6-3 6-0 6-3. Roger fired 15 aces in the match compared to 1. Roger, still, has got the extra gear that PETE SAMPRAS mentioned. watch out the King for you have a rejuvenated champ coming after you.

Roger is in the US to prove that he still rules the flushing meadows. He has won the last for slams here. And he needed this one to get something of the loss in this season. But long way to go. on the other hand is Nadal, the new king from spain who wants to continue his good form this season with clay and grass slams to his kitty already. added to these is his Olympic medal.

Novak started his season with the slam at the Oz but couldn't add more to that. He seems to be out of form but he was at his best last year in flushing meadows. He wants this slam as well and be a potent threat to both RF and RN.

Anna Ivanovic seems to be the potent threat in women section to the unstoppable sisters - serena and venus. But one cant deny the emerging Dinara safina. She seems to be a vital force. The glam girl, maria, seems to be way off target needs, to break all the odds to get into the title clash with the rest. But one expects another sisterly final this slam. But lets expect against all odds that something new happens and prevails.

This leads us to a exciting Slam ahead. One cannot predict any winner here. Its almost impossible to bank on a player. But one seems glimmer of hope in RF and Venus in singles side. Expect the unexpected.

KP starts ODI in style

KEVIN PIETERSON started his ODI captain debut with a spectacular 10 wicket victory over the South Africans. This is only their 3rd victory with 10 wickets in bag. It is always a dream way to kick start your career as a captain with all your bowlers firing in the right area and the openers finishing it in a grand style. Amazing.

Struat Broad was the man for the English as he ripped through the top order and ending with 10-3-23-5 figures. these talk the suffers made by him to the proteas. Nel managed to get 3 boundaries in his spell in the last over. other bowlers contributes as well. Freddie picking up 3 wickets and Harminson picking up the remaining 2 in his one over spell.

From the SA batting side nothing was worth mentioning. Hardly 3 players got to the exact double digit barring Nel who got 13. Gibbs, Boucher were the two. Its was Nel with top score - courtesy the 3 boundaries in the last over of Broad. Wicket fell at regular intervals as the seamers ripped through the top order.

But the SA failed to rip the English top order. Ian Bell got to a steady start rather anchoring the spot with 28 of 51 deliveries with Matt Prior smashing 45 from 36 balls includes a massive six and 6 boundaries. This ended with the English sailing home with 10 wickets in bag and KP was a happy man with a EVIL SMILE on his face. This puts England's dominance in the series with 2-0 lead with 3 to go.

KP was inspiring as a captain. He has got the killer instinct who does not want the tailenders wagging their tail. He went for Freddie who responded with 3 wickets showed what his predecessors may have lacked. He did not shuffle the attack continuously neither fiddled with the field set up. He is yet to taste defeat as a captain. Indeed, a marvelous way to set off as captain..

Massa Reign in Europe...!

It was a mixed day at the office for the Ferrari as Massa won the race and the title defender, Kimi crashed out after the engine blew up. But, it was Massa who had the final laugh though his victory is under scrutiny. Lewis was behind the Brazilian and Kubica 3rd.

The race started with Massa maintaining his P1 which he gained in the qualifying session. Lewis was at his back forcing the ferrari to push further and make a mistake. But Massa was under control throughout the race and never forced any error except the second pit lane error. His partner, Kimi, seems to be bit shaken after the engine blew up.

Alonso ha another tough day as Williams' Kazuki Nakajima damaging the rear wheel. He managed to get back into pit lane for the repair work but was too late to gain a podium. This disappointed the crowd as well

Lewis drove another good race cut one could see he lacked the aggression that he had in the previous race. He did not push Massa further after a few period. He seemed to be contended with the position. But had he pushed further, would the result have changed is a big question.

Kubica seems to be on high. He almost lost control when a plastic carrier lodged under his front wing. But it disintegrated and didnt do much of damage. But he lost in the opening lap by not accepting a chance to overtake Lewis. He was defensive and Lewis, by all his standards, used it and made Kubica feel

the driver c'ship is on wire. Massa seems to be catching the back of the Lewis. Kimi seems to be out of contention so far. He has had pretty ordinary race comparing to his standards. With 6 race to go anything can happen, which one saw in the last year.

Roger's Doubles Gold.

One hailed him few months back as the immortal, uses his raquet as his hand seems to vanish just like that after the mononucleosis. It brought the man from Immortality to mortal. He was defeated again and again even in his own den, Wimbledon. But one must accpet the fact that the tennis he played will be remembered forever. The man is Roger Federer.

What a player considered a dream to win against him seem a little task right now. He streak of loss has put him to NUMBER 2 in ranking...! ! ! one may think is his AGE A FACTOR ? ? ? May be, but this man is struggling for his immortal form in recent times. His loss in wimbledon and in olympics seem to a huge set back. But he regianed his confidence in the Doubles to claim his Gold.

Can Roger consider playing the doubles for now? ? This is the question to be asked to him. but we definetly want to see him in action only in singles to claim his title back as NUMERO UNO which currently belongs to Nadal, the new KING... ehhh, the tennis machine...!

RF has got a tough draw. He may face the same NOVAK as a semi-finalist and then may face again the Nadal in finals. But there is a long way before that. Last season we saw the potential candidate to meet RF in finals but now the scenario is totally different. Anything may happen. Roger is on his way back to US with a doubles Olympic gold in hand while Nadal has got Singles gold and high on confidence after that.

Road may seem rough for Roger but it may not be forever, for he may use his magical wand to get back again as the numero uno anytime. He has done that in the past. He fights and handles situation better than anyother. As Sampras said, "He has the extra gear that nobody has." He may use that gear to win as many matches as before. He is a proven champion. 5 wimbledon titles. Its going to take a lot from Nadal to reach that.

Right now The Lion may be low on confidence but,may pounce on the prey at anytime. The King Of Jungle may return at US open.

The final Victory

Team India finally got their taste in victory in the 2nd ODI to level the series. This win kept their chances of claiming the trophy alive. However, it was not a easy victory for the tourists. They were hanging on the top with only 3 wickets left in chase of their victory of just 143. The bowlers were bang on target for the Indians and so were for the host.

MSD won the toss and chose to field first admitting to the fact that the top order lacked experience. At the end of the day, the result did prove that his instinct was right. The Indian bowler, Zaheer was bang on target the first ball on. He ripped through the top order like what the SPINNERS of SRILANKAN did to Indians in the Test. This left the host at 10 for 3. One wondered what UV was doing in the slip corridor when he took a juggling catch of Jayawardene from zaheer. however, Thushara and Kulasekara rescued Lankans for the 7th wicket with a 74 run stand to help their side to a descent total of 142. This still seemed a tough task for the Indians when they came on to bat.

The Indian reply was bit shakky from the start. It started with Irfan, the suprise opener.That suprise didnt stop the Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara from picking their wicket. However UV and Kohli were patient on their 36 run partnership. That brought India closer.

But the magic spinner removed UV leg before. Rohit Sharma had his hard luck with a wrong decision, was out for nought. This brought the duo of Dhoni and Badrinath together. they piled runs easily. They made 64 runs from 90 odd balls to rescue India. Another wicket before their stand would have bought another defeat but the cool captain maintained composure to win the 2nd ODI. Not to be forgotten, Badrinath played a handsome knock to guide India home with a 3 wicket haul.

The victory gave India something to cheer. but that fact that Indians have to manage those 20 overs of the spinner is a threat. Dhoni and Badrinath were comfortable. With Viru and Gauthi not playing the 2nd ODI it provided a problem. Gautham set to return in the next ODI shall be the factor for the Indians. Lets see that in near future.

KP's first..

People in India thought that captaining Team India was the toughest job. Those who said that are probably not watching the English cricket. High dramas happen there as well like the Indian camp. Micheal vaughan resigned his captaincy decently unlike Indians.. ( Nothing personal). There was a man standing tearful giving his resignation speech. So pathetic for a real insipirational captain who won the Ashes for their country after a long wait. But that was ages before.

Enter the new captain - KP - Kevin Pieterson.

Kevin Pieterson won his debut captain match with a win over the Proteas. The win was set by the openers, Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss,who played solid cricket. Both conquered their half-centuries and that laid a platform for their victory. It was Freddie who finished of in a style with a six. Though the wickets fell at a pace after the opening stand of 123 it didnt stop them from winning the match with a comfortable 6 wicket win.

This however didnt change the name on the trophy to England. The Proteas won 2-1 courtesy Micheal Vaughan. The fighting from the Suth African squad came from AB de Villers fighting 73. English seemers were on a dominant form in the match leading from the front was Anderson. Wickets kept falling like a pack of cards for the Proteas 265 for seven at tea, leading by just 143 runs.

KP have won the first match as captian. But there is a long way to go before their World Cup Test- The Ashes. He has got enough time to analyse the team balance before getting into the Ashes with a positive mind set. But, there is a long way to go KP. We wish him a Goodluck..

Padraig Harrington Rocks On...

Padraig Harrington is the first man since 1930 of Tommy Armour to win the years final major.This makes 2 majors in 3 weeks time. Ghosh..!

This month birthday boy (August 31st) gifted himself with The Open and also added the US PGA to his kitty. He is also the first man after Tiger Wood to win back to back majors title. It only depicts his class. He came into the tournement feeling fatigue which he admitted openly. Remember he won the claret jug coming from a wrist injury.

He didnt show any tiredness after he had to come early to finish his 3rd round. He sunk 4 birdies in a row from 13th to 16th to be back into contention to put him four under par. In the final round he showed his cool temper to putt in the final 3 holes to keep Curtis and Garcia on bay and eventually capturing the trophy by 2 shots over Ben Curtis and Sergio Garcia.

But it was garcia who started as favourite. He sunk a 1.5 metre birdie followed by a eaglie. His 16th hole was perhaps the changing point were he found water and soon followed a bogey. He then had gis ups and down and made it unlike harrington who despite the poor start made it to the trophy.

With 3 holes to play, Garcia was in lead with a shot. With 2 holes to play Garcia had the worst by finding water but retrived with a bogey that made all equal going into the final hole. And the final hole was just another one for harrington were he putt on to dull the chances of garcia and Curtis.

People have started to compare him with the Tiger but he modestly said that he had a long way to go get to the jungle to meet the Tiger himself. And finally, is another Tiger in town...? Time shall answer the question....

The Fall Of Team India..!

The injured team Indian were beaten by 8 wickets by the srilankans to win the series 2-1. Expectations were high through out the series courstesy- sachin break of Lara's record. But that didnt workout as the master didnt pile even a 172 runs in a combined 3 test. Bhajji's bowling was under scanner and with Kumble who has a pretty ordinary bowling.

The batsman were in poor form excpetional of Sehwag and Gautham. Gautham is still in his dream form. One hopes that he continues throughout the ODI's as well. Dravid showed his class again in last innings with a fighting knock but no cause to victory. Laxman was better to other batsman in team.

Ishant was banf on target throughout the series and Zaheer supported beautifully. Bhajji's 10 wicket haul,is perhaps the only thing the bowling department could relish. Keeper karthick has a out-of-form series. Patel couldnt be judged from a match alone.

On the injury point of view, its heartning to see Sachin out of ODI as well. But he is replaced by the Tamilian, Badrinath. One hopes he plays well and secures permanent spot in the squad. Lets wait and watch. Skipper, MSD should be thinking hard enough to tame the 20 overs from Mendis and Murali.

On srilankan side, it was exceptional. They were on course throughout the tournament inclusive of second test were the losing of a session made a great deal in the final result. The spinning sensation, Mendis, was their find. HE cherished bowling to team India and ripped though the order easily. He is the Man To Break Murali's record. Only tim e can tell us the details.

Jayawardena, their captain was a happy man to lift the trophy finally. It was nice to see a test match with a result in all the games. But one wonders if that is the effect of T20...? But its debateable. ...

The ODI squad.

The Indian squad was announced 7th August. Not much change was made to ODI squad. But there was a few changes that mattered the most. The bowling spear head - Ishant Sharma, misses out of the tournament on cause of resting him for keeping him afresh in Pakistan for champions trophy.

Much awaited was Sachin's return to ODI squad. The team now has 3 openers. However, the Viru-Gautham partner is not expected to be broken by the little master. He may bat at No.3 replacing Dravid in that spot. It still remains a question. But, again, Ganguly and Dravid did not find their spot.

Another arrival was the slap-gate controversy player, Bhajji. He maked to the squad after the ban. He replaces the spinner, Chawla. It must have been a big bang to Piyush as he had bowled beautifully in Kitply. And Virat Kohli finds his spot as well. With UV and Raina making it to ODI squad the batting order looks in great form.

MSD, think tank has arrived which boosts the batting order. However the bowling dept is a area of concern where Ishant is out putting Munaf on his spot. With Irfan, Zaheer, RP, in the spot it seems to a good bowling attack.

Sreesanth is out of the side after the injury and he needs to play domestic matches to prove is fitness. Robin Uthappa is again out of the side due to consistent failures. The side on a overall look seems to be balance. Master returns, Bhajji back, Zaheer back in form with his zest, RP and Munaf are the ones who needs to prove that they are in good form as well.

Indian ODI team for Sri Lanka: MS Dhoni (captain), Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Munaf Patel, Parthiv Patel, Irfan Pathan.