Sunday, July 10, 2011

India emerge triumphant !




Chanderpaul's ton denied India victory, but India emerged triumphant in the series, beating the WI 1-0 in Tests and 3-2 in ODIs. Chanderpaul was unconquered on 122, when WI crashed to 322 all out. India scored 94/3, with Vijay scoring 45. Dravid was not out 34 and India drew the Dominica Test. Bajji took 4/75.

India fielded a second XI, with Sachin, Sehwag, Gauti and Zaheer conspicous by their absence, but still kept the numero uno position in Tests.

The man with the Midas touch, the brilliant Dhoni helped India win the Test series easily and India under Raina performed well in the ODIs.

Despite the mediocrity of Indian batting, certain knocks stood above the rest. Dravid's century in the First Test and Laxman's glorious half centuries in the second, were the redeeming grace for India. Dhoni was also resting on his laurels with only a brilliant 74 run knock to remember. Bajji's 400 wickets and Dravid's 15th year in Test cricket was also accompanied by the return to form of Ishant, who bowled with fire to take 22 wickets in the Test series.

Nobody thought that the World Champions would reign supreme in both the formats and that too for the first time in the Carribean. With the Test at Dominica ending in a draw, India ended her Carribean cruise, emerging victors in both formats of the game.

Strauss has warned that England will give India the baptism of fire and Indians are relieved that the veterans are back in the game. India now take on England in England ! Will Dhoni's men rise up to the challenge ?

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