Anil Kumble: The 10-o-10 Man
Posted November 4th, 2008 by Nanda No Comments »
Posted November 4th, 2008 by Nanda No Comments »
Anil Kumble - A legend and a Gentleman
Posted November 2nd, 2008 by Nanda No Comments »
3rd November 2008 will forever be marked as a day when India’s second greatest test player, and India’s best bowler bid adieu to international cricket. To many, Kumble was a thorough gentleman. To his opponents he was a fierce competitor. To his compatriots he was simply Jumbo. I like to call him the Silent Killer, or simply Killer. He had the knack of picking up wickets whenever required. There would be an air of anticipation as soon as Kumble got the ball in his hands. For the better part of his career he was India’s Lethal Weapon.
Anil Kumble, age 38 years, has left international cricket amid emotional scenes today at the Ferozeshah Kotla. I, for one, had this feeling at the start of this match that this series would be Killer’s final. Even though he had failed miserably in the last couple of series, Anil Kumble will forever be remembered as one of India’s greatest champions. Who could forget 10-out-of-10. Not me as I was there to witness the one of the finest moment’s in Indian cricket. I still remember that match. Pakistan openers Afridi and Saeed Anwar were smashing Indian bowlers to a pulp. The crowd wanted Kumble. They knew if anyone could pick up a wicket then it was him. And Jumbo did not disappoint. In fact he went 9 more steps further by becoming only the second player in Test cricket history to take all 10 wickets in an innings.
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Australia in India, 2008: Second Test - Diwali extended
Posted October 28th, 2008 by Nanda No Comments »
On Tuesday, 28th October, over a billion people celebrated the Hindu festival of Diwali. Fireworks, sweets, gifts, gatherings - it is a festival that encompasses all of India. The third test match is going to be something like a Diwali festival. Expect plenty of fireworks from both the teams. There will be some sweet moments and some not so sweet. The pitch itself is a “parting gift” to Indian captain Anil Kumble.
In what could be described as a unique opportunity for India, they now have a chance to seal the series in Fortress Delhi. India have won their last 7 matches that they have played in the capital city. They have been unbeaten in the last 21 years in Delhi. The most destructive opening pair in test cricket at the moment are from Delhi. Indian skipper, Anil Kumble, took 10 out of 10 in Delhi. Saurav Ganguly, in his last test series, averages 60.55 here.
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Australia in India, 2008, First Test: Day 3 - A close encounter
Posted October 11th, 2008 by Nanda No Comments »
The day belonged to the men from Oz, but the evening was India’s. A gritty fightback at the end of day’s play means that India have some hope going into the last 2 days of play. Day 3 started with India in a seemingly comfortable position of 68 for no loss. How that turned to 106/4 is anybody’s guess? Perhaps it was the variable bounce. Perhaps it was the Aussies’ game plan. Whatever it was, the visitors had quickly reminded everyone why they are still the Number 1 test team in the world.
The hyped and under-pressure Fab 4 had mixed results. Whereas Dravid and Ganguly got amongs the runs, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman had a miserable outing, the former going out at 13 and the latter at a big fat DUCK. All credit must go to Mitchell Johnson who has always been India’s nemesis in the shorter format and it looks like he is going to continue that title in the longer format, aka pinnacle, of the game.
All is not lost for India though. The fightback from Harbhajan and Zaheer in the final session proved that there is not much to worry about in this wicket, especially if you have a little luck and apply yourself properly. The fact that Bhajji made 54, the highest Indian score in the innings, proves that its only a matter of time before one of the experienced batsmen get a big score.
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