[Surprise]

Originally Posted by lurker

In a sense yeah, Sachin failed to rotate the strike and was glued onto the crease. Frustrated young Kartik

Now, at the risk of crashing the servers, the Snikometer shows no edge on the Karthik dismissal ...

Sticks and stones are thrown to fruit bearing trees

2 runs in 23 deliveries

[mclaren1885]

Looks like the nervous 90's might have got to Karthik as well, though it could be a little too early to say. Though, his dismissal was very unfortunate I did sense some slight hesitation in his footwork after he reached 87 (only those few odd ***** or so). Also, he seemed to be playing some odd loose shots loosing concentration every now and then. But, its really good to see him come of age. If he carries on the way he is and tightens up his concentration he should be a very good prospect.

Dravid got out to a scorcher of a delivery. He was playing really well. Would have loved to see more of him. And since the fall of the two wickets the pitch seems to have gone wild? Because the ball is seaming quite a bit. If there is more pronounce reverse swing after tea I am guessing we could have our batsmen fall like a pack of cards.

However, bad decisions do happen in this game. Lets just move on and not make it a big issue shall we?

[rks]

Quoting BBC commentary:

The princely Ganguly is the next man at the crease. Sketchy from Ganguly, who is off the mark with a sliced cut for four. Just seen a replay of that Karthik dismissal and it looks like it might not have hit. Ouch.

Ganguly knows fully well that his technique is flawed under these conditions; but at least he will chance his arm every now and then and with some luck, get some runs. Sachin on the other hand has a good defense but his aggressive strokes have completely dried up. It is almost painful to watch the man, whereas once upon a time I used to rush home from office just to see Sachin bat. No way I am returning home now, at least not until Sachin either gets out or shows some flair. One can expect more of the same from Laxman. Must be mighty frustrating for Yuvraj, who would have loved to come in at this stage and dominate the bowling.

[mclaren1885]

Guys shall we rename this thread "Thread to crib about Sachin's poor performances" or are we supposed to come here and talk about a cricket match and not one particular person alone. Its really getting repetitive and leading to nowhere.

[normally_crazy]

What do you fellows feel about Dravids dismissal ?
Great ball or Bad shot ?

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

What do you fellows feel about Dravids dismissal ?
Great ball or Bad shot ?

Great ball with a hint of reverse swing. Not much but enough to move out of the line of Dravid's bat. Also he might have played a tiny winy bit early. Also, it looked like it squared him up a bit too. Which is the hint of some away movement.

[esteem_lover]

I think the ball dipped a little. Bad shot.

[normally_crazy]

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Also he might have played a tiny winy bit early.

Spot on - he also played right across the line , if he had a straight bat the result would be different. Anyways - lets watch Sachin struggle hehe

And bang on - a rank long hop goes to the cover boundary - Nice shot Sachin

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

Spot on - he also played right across the line , if he had a straight bat the result would be different.

Also, it looked like it squared him up a bit too. Which is the hint of some away movement. Though playing straight might have saved his wicket, its very difficult to predict a shot at the time the ball is nearing you.

[rks]

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

are we supposed to come here and talk about a cricket match and not one particular person alone. Its really getting repetitive and leading to nowhere.

Well, what about the repetitive hyping of our "Big 4" by the Press and everybody else? Isn't that a bit boring as well, expecially when the ground realities don't match the hype? It appears to me that the time has come for the Press and all other forums to repeatedly hammer home the inadequacies as well, if the talented youngsters waiting in the wings are to get any justice. Karhik and Jaffer at the top and Dhoni in the middle order have shown that it is just plain garbage to assert that India cannot do without the big 4.

And let us face up to it. Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman have shown an increasing tendency to get bowled or LBW in recent times, indicating a slowing down of reflexes. There might have been a hint of reverse swing, but it would not have gotten past the defences of a younger Dravid.

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by rks

Well, what about the repetitive hyping of our "Big 4" by the Press and everybody else? Isn't that a bit boring as well, expecially when the ground realities don't match the hype? It appears to me that the time has come for the Press and all other forums to repeatedly hammer home the inadequacies as well, if the talented youngsters waiting in the wings are to get any justice. Karhik and Jaffer at the top and Dhoni in the middle order have shown that it is just plain garbage to assert that India cannot do without the big 4.

Rks, can your cribbing change the composition of the team? Its the duty of the team management and selection committee to know what team to play and no one can change that. Write a plea to them suggesting your opinion than going on whining on and on about this topic. Its sounds like the fiat threads now, though only difference is here we are talking about our likes/dislikes for the famous 4.

Let us enjoy the on going action on the field. And enjoy the game whoever is on top. Rather than getting carried away with every instance like this.

There might have been a hint of reverse swing, but it would not have gotten past the defences of a younger Dravid.

And stop making it sound like they are some kind of robots. Every batsmen has gotten out for the silliest b@l!s possible (younger or older, more or less reflexes). Or the most lame of shots. The way you are talking Dravid should never loose his wicket unless he gets a jiffy? Thats not the way it works in cricket. In the same effect, good b@lls should not be hit for sixes or fours right? But they are.

Some might think Sachin is useless. Maybe he is right now. But look at the cheering he got from the crowd when he came to the middle. Also, I am considering that the fans who come to watch the games at Lord's or the Oval are very knowledgeable. If they can stand up and applaud a good show by any batsmen or bowler in the world can't we? Or is it in our blood to always ridicule?

Btw, did anyone listen to the interview with SRK? I loved the last line he mentioned before signing off. About how we could save the families of cricketers from the wrath of our stupid mob who can't take up failure.

PS: Everytime I decide not to come back to this thread, I eventually do for the love of the game hoping some nice technical discussions. Its saddening to see that almost 90% of the pages are hardly talking about the game in itself.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Its sounds like the fiat threads now, though only difference is here we are talking about our likes/dislikes for the famous 4.

Only now you are on the FIAT side. he he he

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Btw, did anyone listen to the interview with SRK? I loved the last line he mentioned before signing off. About how we could save the families of cricketers from the wrath of our stupid mob who can't take up failure.

Who is SRK ?

[rks]

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

And stop making it sound like they are some kind of robots. Every batsmen has gotten out for the silliest b@l!s possible (younger or older, more or less reflexes). Or the most lame of shots. The way you are talking Dravid should never loose his wicket unless he gets a jiffy? Thats not the way it works in cricket. In the same effect, good b@lls should not be hit for sixes or fours right? But they are.

I am basing my comment after observing Dravid get out frquently after getting to a good start in recent times. The younger Dravid was almost impossible to dislogde once he got set. Now he gets out frequently in his thirties, forties and fifties. And on most of these occasions, the once-impenetrable defence was found wanting.

Some might think Sachin is useless. Maybe he is right now. But look at the cheering he got from the crowd when he came to the middle. Also, I am considering that the fans who come to watch the games at Lord's or the Oval are very knowledgeable. If they can stand up and applaud a good show by any batsmen or bowler in the world can't we? Or is it in our blood to always ridicule?

Why don't you look at the hard cricketing facts? In the present instance Sachin comes in with the score reading 189-2 at over 4 an over, thanks to Jaffer, Karthik and to a lesser extent, Dravid. Sachin starts off with 2 runs off 23 deliveries. Right now he is on 20 off 60, under good batting conditions against an average attack at best. Ganguly is on a more respectable 21 off 41 deliveries. Ganguly will take risks initially till he gets to a respectable score (he knows he cannot get runs by defensive batting because his defensive technique is weak). Once Ganguly gets to about 30 or so, you will see him shut shop.

We should praise when praise is due and not be afraid to criticize when criticism is due.

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

Only now you are on the FIAT side. he he he

Johny baba, all I am asking is let it be. Unlike.........

Also whats with all this debate about anything starting with F? Fiat, Ford, Famous Four .

Who is SRK ?

Sharukh Khan baba.

Rks, this debate is endless. So I will sit out of it. Soon, we should have a thread on football and see how many take these many digs at the famous 11 of Real Madrid for lack luster performances after the hype and $$$ tags they come with. Or is this a cricket exclusive only? Specially related to only the Indian team?

[rks]

Originally Posted by rks

Ganguly is on a more respectable 21 off 41 deliveries. Ganguly will take risks initially till he gets to a respectable score (he knows he cannot get runs by defensive batting because his defensive technique is weak). Once Ganguly gets to about 30 or so, you will see him shut shop.

The poor fellow got a bad decision. But my prediction was on the mark. Ganguly 30 off 49 deliveries, apparently going great guns. Ends up with 37 off 77, i.e., 7 runs off his last 28.

Anyway, a great situation for India to be in, at 316-4. A flurry of 4 late boundaris, 3 from Laxman. Sachin and Laxman should hopefully be able to see off the new ball tomorrow and then mount a counter-attack. More realistically, we will probably see the counter-attack from Dhoni. But I have to admit that Dhoni does look very suspect early on. Hope he gets set and then we can have some entertainment.