It was not his defining innings. Yet it carried a lot of meaning - for him and for India. Yuvraj Singh was returning to Test cricket after a year-long hiatus in his fitful eight-year career in the longer form of the game. As the Man of the 2011 World Cup, and India's heartbeat in the tournament, walked into a sunny Trent Bridge arena, the English fans, led by the boisterous Barmy Army parked inside the Fox Road stand, started jeering. Used to taunts from much larger crowds in India, Yuvraj walked onto the field languidly. From afar, his body language suggested he would rather be sitting and sipping English tea in the beautiful dressing-room balcony.
Andrew Strauss crowded Yuvraj with four slips, a gully, point and a short leg. Immediately, James Anderson piped out two absolute jaffas that beat Yuvraj and had him jumping and rolling his eyes. "Welcome back to Test cricket," Anderson and Co. might have jibed. Off his fifth delivery, against Stuart Broad, he played softly into the hands of Kevin Pietersen at gully. Luckily the man who had labelled Yuvraj as a "pie chucker" let the easiest offering of the day slip through.
Tim Bresnan replaced Anderson, and he and Broad tried hurrying up Yuvraj with seam movement and surprise bounce. But as the minutes passed, Yuvraj settled down.
For a man coming out of the cold, Yuvraj showed an amazing ability to time the ball whenever he thought he could hit it. This was his first international match after the World Cup; he missed out on the Caribbean trip because of a lung infection he picked up during the IPL.
His position in the squad had raised a few eyebrows especially since he has never been an automatic selection in Tests over the years. He has made eight comebacks in as many years, destined to do the 12th-man duties whenever he returned. But as witnessed during the World Cup, there is a certain calmness to Yuvraj these days. Viewed wrongly, it could be judged as being aloof. But in fact he has worked hard to understand his game and his shortcomings. He has probably started accepting them and that has allowed him to move on.
Today he did not let those early hurdles stop him. With the sun out and the ball old, he understood Graeme Swann, who had not bowled till the second session, would be given the ball. England might have been confident considering the world's No.1 spinner has a terrific record against left-handers. That and Yuvraj's well-recorded troubles facing spin gave hope to the hosts.
It was also a critical time for India. After the quick departures of Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina, Rahul Dravid needed a man who could stand his ground and not get drawn into erroneous strokes. An angry Dravid had charged over to Yuvraj after Pietersen's spill and advised him.
Swann's entry only eased Yuvraj's nerves as he played with freedom both on the back foot as well as on the up. His timing was perfect as he unleashed a wide array of strokes - the sweep, the powerful cut, the flowing cover drive through silly mid-off and cover. A pull over midwicket for four off Swann took Yuvraj to a brisk fifty. Dravid, this time, joined the crowd in their applause and congratulated Yuvraj, showing how much confidence he had derived from, and had in, Yuvraj.
"After we lost Sachin there was some pressure, and then we lost Suresh. I thought Yuvraj played really well and that partnership was really good," Dravid said at the end of the day. "We knew that 60-80 over period before the new ball was crucial and there was not much help for the spinners. So we needed to cash in and Yuvraj played some shots and got to a good score."
Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding felt England had missed a trick by not persisting with the fast men against Yuvraj. His reasoning was that Yuvraj had shown he was suspect against the moving ball and at times against the fast, short delivery. Yuvraj, though, did not panic as Raina had during his brief stint at the crease. In fact, after the early jitters, Yuvraj became more assured about which balls to leave and when to go for his shots. With Dravid at the other end, he understood how to construct an innings and not throw away a start.
Yuvraj's 128-run partnership with Dravid seemed to have put India on course for a total of 400, a score that would have put England under the cosh. That did not happen. But in those 132 minutes, Yuvraj showed he belonged. He showed he could adapt and learn quickly from his mistakes. It was a partnership that has kept India in the game and given them a slight edge.
If India go on to level the series, Yuvraj will definitely provide a headache for the team management. But they won't mind it.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
India can bounce back against England: Kirsten
Even as India reel under the pressure of a 0-1 deficit after the loss at Lord's in the opening Test to England, they have some words of solace from their World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten, who believes Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co are more than capable of making a comeback in the four-Test series.
MiD DAY spoke to the former opening batsman, and now coach of the South African team, here in his hometown.
Excerpts
Do you think England can snatch the World No 1 tag from India?
India have a lot of pride at stake here. They've become the No 1 team in the world after putting in a lot of hard work. I must admit that I'm not following the series closely, but I won't be surprised if India bounce back in the next Test and stage a comeback in the series. This Indian team is more than capable of doing that, after all they are the best team in the world.
From a foreign set-up (in India) you now head into a more familiar South African set-up with former teammate Allan Donald to assist you in coaching duties. You think you will be more comfortable and as successful here?
Firstly, I never applied for this job (SA coach). It just happened. So there was obviously no planning involved. Secondly, for me, it's never been about the coaching staff. It's always been about the players. It's the players, who make the assignment what it is. And it's been a privilege and honour for me to share the dressing room with some high-performance players like Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, and others. South Africa too is a high-performance team, so I'm sure it will be a great experience with them too.
Speaking of the Indian team dressing room, what's the atmosphere like, with the likes of the Tendulkars and the Dravids sharing space with a host of youngsters?
It's one of the calmest places to be. The senior players know exactly what they need to do both on and off the field. On field, players like VVS, Sachin and Dravid work the hardest and hit the maximum number of balls and that sure is an inspiration to any younger player. Without the senior lot, this Indian team would never have been what it is.
How would you sum up your India coaching stint?
I spent most of my time forming a relationship with players, bonding with them and trying to understand them. I only helped them with one or two things they needed. I think that's how a coach should go about his job.
Your style of coaching is that of being a very behind-the-scenes person. Is that the way you are in personal life too and has that been the secret to your success?
I believe a coach has to be behind the scenes. He forms a relationship with the players and only helps when needed. He need not be the one shouting on the top of his voice and going atop podiums to assert his presence. That's for players to do because it is they who soak in all the pressure when they go in to bat in front of millions of fans. The success is theirs for the taking. I've never liked to be the one taking any publicity. I always prefer to stay away from the spotlight and that has worked for me.
Could you recall the World Cup campaign?
The build-up (to the WC) for us was in trying to get individual players to rise from their individual performances and perform for the team in times of crises. In fact, besides winning the World Cup, we set ourselves the target of becoming the No 1 team in the world. And for this, we needed individuals to fight for a team cause. We worked towards getting individuals to making game-changing contributions to the team. VVS (Laxman) is one great example of this. He has been one of the greatest teammen I've ever come across.
What would be your most memorable non-cricketing experience in India?
I've had a lot of exciting experiences during my two-year stay in India, but I think the most exciting should be the time when I went skiing up north in the Himalayas. That was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.
The Indian Premier League is an exciting place to be. When do we see you there?
It sure is, but I won't be there for the next two years at least, because I'm contracted with cricket South Africa for that period.
There have been talks of the BCCI being the all-powerful and influential body when it comes to key decision-making in world cricket and until now you've been on their side with Team India. Henceforth you will be in opposite camps. What's your take on that?
I don't really look at it that way. For me, if the game is run in a fair and exciting way at the global level, that's all what matters. I think the BCCI realises that too.
MiD DAY spoke to the former opening batsman, and now coach of the South African team, here in his hometown.
Excerpts
Do you think England can snatch the World No 1 tag from India?
India have a lot of pride at stake here. They've become the No 1 team in the world after putting in a lot of hard work. I must admit that I'm not following the series closely, but I won't be surprised if India bounce back in the next Test and stage a comeback in the series. This Indian team is more than capable of doing that, after all they are the best team in the world.
From a foreign set-up (in India) you now head into a more familiar South African set-up with former teammate Allan Donald to assist you in coaching duties. You think you will be more comfortable and as successful here?
Firstly, I never applied for this job (SA coach). It just happened. So there was obviously no planning involved. Secondly, for me, it's never been about the coaching staff. It's always been about the players. It's the players, who make the assignment what it is. And it's been a privilege and honour for me to share the dressing room with some high-performance players like Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, and others. South Africa too is a high-performance team, so I'm sure it will be a great experience with them too.
Speaking of the Indian team dressing room, what's the atmosphere like, with the likes of the Tendulkars and the Dravids sharing space with a host of youngsters?
It's one of the calmest places to be. The senior players know exactly what they need to do both on and off the field. On field, players like VVS, Sachin and Dravid work the hardest and hit the maximum number of balls and that sure is an inspiration to any younger player. Without the senior lot, this Indian team would never have been what it is.
How would you sum up your India coaching stint?
I spent most of my time forming a relationship with players, bonding with them and trying to understand them. I only helped them with one or two things they needed. I think that's how a coach should go about his job.
Your style of coaching is that of being a very behind-the-scenes person. Is that the way you are in personal life too and has that been the secret to your success?
I believe a coach has to be behind the scenes. He forms a relationship with the players and only helps when needed. He need not be the one shouting on the top of his voice and going atop podiums to assert his presence. That's for players to do because it is they who soak in all the pressure when they go in to bat in front of millions of fans. The success is theirs for the taking. I've never liked to be the one taking any publicity. I always prefer to stay away from the spotlight and that has worked for me.
Could you recall the World Cup campaign?
The build-up (to the WC) for us was in trying to get individual players to rise from their individual performances and perform for the team in times of crises. In fact, besides winning the World Cup, we set ourselves the target of becoming the No 1 team in the world. And for this, we needed individuals to fight for a team cause. We worked towards getting individuals to making game-changing contributions to the team. VVS (Laxman) is one great example of this. He has been one of the greatest teammen I've ever come across.
What would be your most memorable non-cricketing experience in India?
I've had a lot of exciting experiences during my two-year stay in India, but I think the most exciting should be the time when I went skiing up north in the Himalayas. That was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.
The Indian Premier League is an exciting place to be. When do we see you there?
It sure is, but I won't be there for the next two years at least, because I'm contracted with cricket South Africa for that period.
There have been talks of the BCCI being the all-powerful and influential body when it comes to key decision-making in world cricket and until now you've been on their side with Team India. Henceforth you will be in opposite camps. What's your take on that?
I don't really look at it that way. For me, if the game is run in a fair and exciting way at the global level, that's all what matters. I think the BCCI realises that too.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The turning points at Lord's
How did India lose the first Test?
Bikash Mohapatra, who watched the Lord's Test, identifies the turning points in the game
Bikash Mohapatra, who watched the Lord's Test, identifies the turning points in the game.
It has to be Zaheer Khan's going off the field in the 40th over. When he left the ground, his figures were impressive: 13.3 overs, 8 maidens, a mere 18 runs and 2 wickets.
In the last ball of his sixth over, he trapped Alastair Cook -- the English star during the Ashes tour in Australia -- plumb in front.
Then, in the fourth over after lunch, he had his bunny, Andrew Strauss, caught by Ishant Sharma at fine-leg. It was the sixth time that Zaheer had accounted for the England captain.
M S Dhoni brought back Zaheer for his third spell in the 38th over. It was the first time in the match that Zaheer had bowled from the Pavilion End, having bowled his earlier spells from the Nursery End.
Zak would have had Jonathan Trott (then on 32) too, but an edge flew between Dhoni and Rahul Dravid to the fence. The boundary was the first runs in 34 balls off Zaheer's bowling.
Zak could bowl only three balls in his next over before leaving the field with a pulled hamstring. That allowed England to claw back into the game.
Day 2: Pietersen's double put England in command
Kevin Pietersen's spectacular, unbeaten, double hundred helped England post a formidable 474 for eight.
The 326-ball 202*, inclusive of 21 hits to the fence and one over it, was the 31-year-old's first double century against India (his third overall).
KP was involved in four substantial partnerships that helped the English cause -- the 98-run third-wicket stand with Jonathan Trott (70); the 110-run fourth wicket stand with Ian Bell (45); the 120 runs for the sixth wicket with Matt Prior (74); the quickfire 61 in partnership with Graeme Swann (24) for the eighth.
KP's final 50 runs came off just 25 balls, underlining his dominance of the Indian bowling attack.
Day 3: Dravid to India's rescue, yet again
Rahul Dravid's classic century ensured that England bat a second time.
With the top Indian batsmen -- Sachin Tendulkar included -- failing to make runs on a classic Lord's wicket, The Wall rescued India, yet again.
His 103 not out highlighted the patience and resilience that has come to mark his illustrious career. The 220-ball elegant knock had 15 hits to the fence.
Fifteen years ago, in his debut Test, Dravid had fallen five short of a century at Lord's. He made up this time, perhaps the last time Lord's will see the great man in a Test.
It was Dravid's 33rd Test hundred, his seventh against England, the most he has scored against any nation.
When he was on 50, Dravid became the second highest scorer in Test cricket, surpassing Ricky Ponting (12,363 runs). Only Tendulkar has scored more Test runs (14,726).
Day 4: Prior's ton boosts England
When was the last time two batsman scored a numerically identical unbeaten Test ton?
Matt Prior's 103 not out was equal to Rahul Dravid's similar century not only numerically, but also in the way it rescued his side.
When the English wicket-keeper came into bat, England were on the ropes, tottering after a magnificent Ishant Sharma spell.
When Prior hit a boundary to reach his hundred, England were way ahead, having declared their second innings at 269 for six, setting India an improbable 458 to win.
The 29-year-old's 120-ball ton, with five fours and one six, was his sixth Test hundred, his first against India.
Joining Prior at 107 for 6, Stuart Broad -- the leading wicket-taker (four wickets) in the Indian first innings -- scored an attacking 74 not out, boosting his already impressive record at Lord's, where he scored a century against Pakistan last year.
The 25-year-old's seventh Test half century was made in 90 balls with nine boundaries.
Prior and Broad's 162-run partnership also set up England's highest seventh wicket stand against India.
Day 5: Jimmy Anderson's triumph
The final day's morning session sent India off on the road to defeat.
Three batsmen, who could have saved the game, returned to the hut, disappointing their billion fans.
A momentary lapse of concentration saw Rahul Dravid fishing at a wide delivery from James Anderson; Matt Prior made no mistake.
'Jammy' Dravid's reaction was instant -- he slammed his bat to the ground, his frustration evident.
Dravid's dismissal brought to an end his 75-run partnership for the second wicket with V V S Laxman.
Anderson replaced Stuart Broad in the 48th over and struck first ball; Laxman meekly holing out to Ian Bell at midwicket. What a poor stroke from the man who has fought back from the cusp of defeat time and time again!
In the very next over, Graham Swann had Gautam Gambhir, the architect of India's great fightback against New Zealand at Napier two years ago, leg before.
The visitors were 142 for four at lunch. And though they had Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni still, the battle was lost.
Source: rediff
Bikash Mohapatra, who watched the Lord's Test, identifies the turning points in the game
Bikash Mohapatra, who watched the Lord's Test, identifies the turning points in the game.
It has to be Zaheer Khan's going off the field in the 40th over. When he left the ground, his figures were impressive: 13.3 overs, 8 maidens, a mere 18 runs and 2 wickets.
In the last ball of his sixth over, he trapped Alastair Cook -- the English star during the Ashes tour in Australia -- plumb in front.
Then, in the fourth over after lunch, he had his bunny, Andrew Strauss, caught by Ishant Sharma at fine-leg. It was the sixth time that Zaheer had accounted for the England captain.
M S Dhoni brought back Zaheer for his third spell in the 38th over. It was the first time in the match that Zaheer had bowled from the Pavilion End, having bowled his earlier spells from the Nursery End.
Zak would have had Jonathan Trott (then on 32) too, but an edge flew between Dhoni and Rahul Dravid to the fence. The boundary was the first runs in 34 balls off Zaheer's bowling.
Zak could bowl only three balls in his next over before leaving the field with a pulled hamstring. That allowed England to claw back into the game.
Day 2: Pietersen's double put England in command
Kevin Pietersen's spectacular, unbeaten, double hundred helped England post a formidable 474 for eight.
The 326-ball 202*, inclusive of 21 hits to the fence and one over it, was the 31-year-old's first double century against India (his third overall).
KP was involved in four substantial partnerships that helped the English cause -- the 98-run third-wicket stand with Jonathan Trott (70); the 110-run fourth wicket stand with Ian Bell (45); the 120 runs for the sixth wicket with Matt Prior (74); the quickfire 61 in partnership with Graeme Swann (24) for the eighth.
KP's final 50 runs came off just 25 balls, underlining his dominance of the Indian bowling attack.
Day 3: Dravid to India's rescue, yet again
Rahul Dravid's classic century ensured that England bat a second time.
With the top Indian batsmen -- Sachin Tendulkar included -- failing to make runs on a classic Lord's wicket, The Wall rescued India, yet again.
His 103 not out highlighted the patience and resilience that has come to mark his illustrious career. The 220-ball elegant knock had 15 hits to the fence.
Fifteen years ago, in his debut Test, Dravid had fallen five short of a century at Lord's. He made up this time, perhaps the last time Lord's will see the great man in a Test.
It was Dravid's 33rd Test hundred, his seventh against England, the most he has scored against any nation.
When he was on 50, Dravid became the second highest scorer in Test cricket, surpassing Ricky Ponting (12,363 runs). Only Tendulkar has scored more Test runs (14,726).
Day 4: Prior's ton boosts England
When was the last time two batsman scored a numerically identical unbeaten Test ton?
Matt Prior's 103 not out was equal to Rahul Dravid's similar century not only numerically, but also in the way it rescued his side.
When the English wicket-keeper came into bat, England were on the ropes, tottering after a magnificent Ishant Sharma spell.
When Prior hit a boundary to reach his hundred, England were way ahead, having declared their second innings at 269 for six, setting India an improbable 458 to win.
The 29-year-old's 120-ball ton, with five fours and one six, was his sixth Test hundred, his first against India.
Joining Prior at 107 for 6, Stuart Broad -- the leading wicket-taker (four wickets) in the Indian first innings -- scored an attacking 74 not out, boosting his already impressive record at Lord's, where he scored a century against Pakistan last year.
The 25-year-old's seventh Test half century was made in 90 balls with nine boundaries.
Prior and Broad's 162-run partnership also set up England's highest seventh wicket stand against India.
Day 5: Jimmy Anderson's triumph
The final day's morning session sent India off on the road to defeat.
Three batsmen, who could have saved the game, returned to the hut, disappointing their billion fans.
A momentary lapse of concentration saw Rahul Dravid fishing at a wide delivery from James Anderson; Matt Prior made no mistake.
'Jammy' Dravid's reaction was instant -- he slammed his bat to the ground, his frustration evident.
Dravid's dismissal brought to an end his 75-run partnership for the second wicket with V V S Laxman.
Anderson replaced Stuart Broad in the 48th over and struck first ball; Laxman meekly holing out to Ian Bell at midwicket. What a poor stroke from the man who has fought back from the cusp of defeat time and time again!
In the very next over, Graham Swann had Gautam Gambhir, the architect of India's great fightback against New Zealand at Napier two years ago, leg before.
The visitors were 142 for four at lunch. And though they had Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni still, the battle was lost.
Source: rediff
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