[Eddy]

I just hope that the SA pasting, KP saga and Strauss retirement does not derail their Ashes plan. Really really want them to retain that

[sgiitk]

Strauss retires more or less on his own.

When will our joker learn, and also (incl the retirees) stop cribbing about all and sundry.

I have rated ZA as the best team for a long time, and I am glad they have now got over being 'chokers'.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

Strauss retires more or less on his own.

Well, that is his personal preference.

I have rated ZA as the best team for a long time, and I am glad they have now got over being 'chokers'.

Their coach, Gary has a big role in they being No 1 in tests, ODI & T20. Not long ago, India were No 1 and that was when Gary was coach.

[srishiva]

Originally Posted by msdivy

Well, that is his personal preference.

Their coach, Gary has a big role in they being No 1 in tests, ODI & T20. Not long ago, India were No 1 and that was when Gary was coach.

I think Amla has been a big part of that change. I still dont know why India were no.1

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

I am glad they have now got over being 'chokers'.

Not yet

Lets see them winning an ICC tournament first. Or for that matter, one knock out game in a World Cup !

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by srishiva

I still dont know why India were no.1

Mainly due to batting consistency as a group. and a couple of freak bowling performances once in a while. in fact its a miracle that the team was ranked 1 for so long, especially with the kind of bowling strength (ha!) we have.

Originally Posted by sgiitk

When will our joker learn, and also (incl the retirees) stop cribbing about all and sundry.

not sure who you are talking about

[suhaas307]

Taking the day off tomorrow and going to the Chinnaswami Stadium to watch what I would imagine to be a great test-match. India has five and a half sessions to get the 250 odd runs. Let's hope the top-order doesn't collapse. Something that they're known for.

[wickedchauhan]

I think tomorrow's play will test the mettle of young crop. I really don't see the experienced trio of Gambhi,Viru or Sachin making an impact. If Pujara, Kohli retain their wits, we will win.

[subs]

Hi

Being a die-hard of the the little master, it pains me to see him getting bowled through the gates 3 times in a row. I just hope its just a temporary blipp and he will get back to his best and continue entertaining us with his mastery.

Rahul Dravid had a similar end to his career, getting bowled and I hope it doesnt happen to the Legend, Sachin.

Subs

[kannan666]

Originally Posted by wickedchauhan

I think tomorrow's play will test the mettle of young crop. I really don't see the experienced trio of Gambhi,Viru or Sachin making an impact. If Pujara, Kohli retain their wits, we will win.

You got that perfectly right Chauhan ! India do manage to wrap up the series 2-0, something that they were anyway expected to do. Sterner tests await them in the form of England & Australia, let us hope our young guns perform as well as they did against the Kiwis !

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by sgiitk

Strauss retires more or less on his own.

When will our joker learn, and also (incl the retirees) stop cribbing about all and sundry.

I have rated ZA as the best team for a long time, and I am glad they have now got over being 'chokers'.

Am not sure Strauss retired on his own, he was pathetic in his batting and also there was this history and the blood thirsty English press waiting for him to put one foot wrong.

Originally Posted by suhaas307

Taking the day off tomorrow and going to the Chinnaswami Stadium to watch what I would imagine to be a great test-match. India has five and a half sessions to get the 250 odd runs. Let's hope the top-order doesn't collapse. Something that they're known for.

A die hard cricket fan I see. I am totally overwhelmed by Kumble's ticket pricing and the response that has come from the Bangalore crowd. We need more players to be administrators in cricket. These guys are the ones that can relate to the fans and care for them. 20 bucks a day ? This is how it should be for test matches to have more audience in the stadium.

[Daewood]

Originally Posted by subs

Being a die-hard of the the little master, it pains me to see him getting bowled through the gates 3 times in a row.

Posted about the master's failing reflexes a few pages back, and today it's the topic for Cricket Correspondent S. Dinakar's article in Hindu. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle3856394.ece

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

A die hard cricket fan I see. I am totally overwhelmed by Kumble's ticket pricing and the response that has come from the Bangalore crowd. We need more players to be administrators in cricket. These guys are the ones that can relate to the fans and care for them. 20 bucks a day ? This is how it should be for test matches to have more audience in the stadium.

Oh yes I am a die-hard Cricket fan, EL.

The Rs. 20 and Rs. 50 tickets were sold out by the time I got to the stadium at 11 am. I paid Rs. 250 for my ticket. Unfortunately, I had to attend my first-hour of class on Monday as I had an important presentation to give. As a result, I missed the wicket that Zaheer got and missed the entire first session.

It was a gripping match. all seemed well until Sachin got out and things started to get worse when Raina went for the big heave and missed the ball completely. Pujara's wicket was an important one. That catch was brilliant!

At 150 odd for 5, it looked like a tall order. NZ were breathing fire and that's when Dhoni and Kohli stitched a good partnership together for the 2nd time.

NZ had their chances but never latched onto them. Pujara could have been so easily stumped but McCullum isn't a regular keeper anymore. Kohli had a few close moments too.

The great thing about this test-match was it never looked like either India or NZ were ahead at any point. Until we got to the final hour of the day's play when Dhoni decided to wrap it up. Trust us Indians to make even boring games seem exciting.

The KSCA pitch offered good swing and bounce if the bowlers made the effort to bend their backs and bang it short. Get the pace wrong or the line and the ball will just sit up, for the batsman to hit it.

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

Oh yes I am a die-hard Cricket fan, EL.

I heard Mr. Kumble speak about pulling down and building the North Stand. Apart from the ticket pricing, is there any positive impact seen on facilities for the spectators such as clean toilets, good parking availability, decent food, etc ?
Such basic amenities need to be in place for families to visit and enjoy a day at the cricket.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

I heard Mr. Kumble speak about pulling down and building the North Stand. Apart from the ticket pricing, is there any positive impact seen on facilities for the spectators such as clean toilets, good parking availability, decent food, etc ?
Such basic amenities need to be in place for families to visit and enjoy a day at the cricket.

Watching cricket in the stadium was so much fun until they brought in the security measures and even banned taking water bottles into the stadium. In fact, the sale of water in pet bottles inside the ground is also banned now. One has to shell out 10 bucks for a 250ml of water every time and you have to walk right up to the stall to get it. This is so absurd, even while watching a IPL match for 3 hours in the night, one ends up spending anywhere between 300 to 500 for water (for a family), imagine a full day on a hot summer. Someone's got to think of more rational answers to this.