India Carry on their Path to Redemption

India was the number one test team when they set foot in England. But what followed was nothing less than a debacle. They faced a total white wash in both the Tests and ODIs. They seemed to have gained their lost form in ODIs by whitewashing the Englishmen at home. But the Test series against West Indies was the first after their English debacle. So the stakes were high for this test series. Two teams having huge potential locked horns.

FIRST TEST

Pragyan Ojha Picked up 6 wickets in First innings

Shivnarine Chanderpaul Scored a century

First test went under way in Delhi. West Indies won the toss and decided to bat first on a track that would slow down and assist spinners in the final two days. Kraigg Braithwaite (63) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (118) held the innings together. In spite of not many significant contributions except the couple West Indies reached 304. Pragyan Ojha took 6 for 72 for India. India got off to a good start in the first innings with Gautam Gambhir (41), Virender Sehwag (55) and Rahul Dravid (54) getting out when they looked set for a big score. But the middle and lower order batsmen failed to deliver slumping India to 209 runs all out. So West Indies had a formidable lead considering the state of the track in the first innings.

Ravichandran Ashwin had an impressive debut picking up nine wickets 

Stand between Sachin & Laxman took India to victory

But there was a turn in fortunes as West Indies folded for a meagre total of 180 in second innings. Only Shivnarine Chanderpaul (47) and Kirk Edwards (33) offered some resistance. Ravichandran Ashwin making a debut for India ran through the West Indies line-up with his figures of 6 for 47. India fared much better in the second innings and got to the winning target of 276 for 5 wickets. Sachin Tendulkar (76), Virender Sehwag (55) and VVS Laxman (58) helped the winning cause with their half centuries. India went one up in the series with their 5 wicket win. Ravichandran Ashwin got the man of the match with his match scalp of 9 wickets.

SECOND TEST

The great Eden Gardens in Kolkata was the venue for second test. India won the toss and elected to bat. What followed was a total Indian dominance. Having got off to a good start with a opening stand between Gautam Gambhir (65) and Virender Sehwag (38), India made the most of it. There were three centurions in the innings with Rahul Dravid (119), VVS Laxman (176 not out) and MS Dhoni (144). India reached a great total of 631 for 7 before declaring.

Laxman & Dravid scored centuries each to Power Indian first innings

MS Dhoni made a stroke filled Century

This was a stiff challenge for West Indies and they managed only 153 runs in their first innings. Darren Bravo (30) and Marlon Samuels (25) were the only mention worthy contributors. Pragyan Ojha picked up 4 for 64 and Umesh Yadav had 3 for 23 for the home team. Made to follow-on West Indies had their backs against the wall. But they provided an improved show in the second innings. Darren Bravo (136) got a century and Adrain Barath (62), Kirk Edwards (60) and Marlon Samuels (84) all got to their half centuries. West Indies ended at a total of 463 which was 15 runs short of India’s total. Thus India won the second test by an innings and 15 runs. India clinch the series 2-0 with a match to go. VVS Laxman was the man of the match.  

Darren Bravo got two back to back centuries in second and third tests

THIRD TEST

Ravichandran Ashwin got his maiden test century in the third test

Sachin Tendulkar narrowly missed his 100th Century

With the series already gone it was time for West Indies to salvage some pride. Third test was played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. West Indies won the toss and elected to bat. They made merry of the flat track with nothing in it for the bowlers. Darren Bravo (166) helped himself to yet another century. Adrain Barath (62), Kraigg Braithwaite (68), Kirk Edwards (86), Kieran Powell (81) and Marlon Samuels (61) all got half centuries to power the West Indies total to 590. Facing an imposing total India made a competitive reply. Sachin Tendulkar who is awaiting his hundredth century missed a golden opportunity when he got out for 94, thus falling in the nineties again. Ravichandran Ashwin (103) though cracked his maiden century during this innings. Other significant contributions from Indian team were Rahul Dravid (82), Gautam Gambhir (55) and Virat Kohli (52). India ended on 482 in their first innings.

Indian team celebrates after the fall of Darren Bravo's wicket on final day

Twist in the tale when West Indies batting had a dramatic collapse in the second innings on the final day.  West Indies were all out for 134 and Pragyan Ojha again proved the wrecker-in-chief with his 6 wickets for 47 runs. Darren Bravo (48) and Kraigg Braithwaite (35) had held the innings together for sometime, but their exit sounded the collapse. India were set a winning target of 243 of 64 overs. They looked well on track with an attacking innings by Virender Sehwag (60 off 65 balls). But Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman could not put up big scores. Virat Kohli (63) scored an impressive half century under the circumstances to ensure India did not lose the test. But India fell short by just one run in the ultimate over of the test. So the match was drawn.

Indian Team after winning the series 2-0

Ravichandran Ashwin was named the man of the series for his impressive debut series in which he took many wickets and scored a century too.

Fair Team Selection for Windies Series

Whenever the BCCI selection committee sits to pick out a team there is some fingers pointed at them. They are always the villains for not providing enough chances to certain players. To be very fair to the present group of selectors they are giving a fair go to the youngsters. It is always difficult to select a group of players from the vast pool of resources available in India. But they seem to have unearthed many talents so far largely due to the unavailability of the leading Indian players. But the Indian team will be seen with all its stars fit and raring to go after the South African tour in December 2010. 

Big Four are Back

With Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman all fit it would have been tough for the national selectors to give chances to the youngsters in upcoming test series against West Indies starting shortly. The flat tracks in India would be perfect match for the stroke play of Indian stars such as Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman. They have to get into the groove before the series Down Under coming up in December. All the rust has to be shed before they reach the Australian shores. 

Virat Kohli & Ajinkya Rahane - Two Young Guns

Ajinkya Rahane who was the only bright spot in the disastrous English tour has been retained in the side for first. Though there are large question marks over the number of opportunities he will get now that the superstars are back to full fitness. Similar is the fate with ODI star Virat Kohli. Yuvraj is fit and that will mean he will be favourite for the number six batting slot in Kotla Test. There has been much rivalry between these two good friends in the last few years. Both should be given at least a couple of matches to prove their mettle. And it seems Yuvraj will get the first go. If Yuvraj fails miserably then Kohli might sneak into the team.

Raw talent: Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav & Rahul Sharma

In the bowling department the major omissions were Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra and Praveen Kumar. This was the second setback for Harbhajan Singh who was also omitted from the ODI and T20 series against England. Though Harbhajan was seen in awful form throughout the test series against England, he still a class act and number one spinner. Now or later he will make a comeback. It would be good to give him a run in this series to have him in his best shape in the Australian tour. Amit Mishra on the other hand has got many chances since the test retirement of Anil Kumble but has squandered all of them. Though he put up a decent show with the bat in England but failed to deliver with the ball. Praveen Kumar has now become the leader of the Indian attack in the absence of Zaheer Khan and it is wise to provide ideal rest to the bowler before the all important series in December in Australia. While Ishant Sharma has again got his place in the side there are many new bowlers he has to compete against. Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav have impressed the selectors with their pace and line. Thus these two young guns get a place in the test side. 

Point to Prove for Spinners Pragyan Ojha & R. Ashwin

Pragyan Ojha and R. Ashwin will be the leading spinners for India in the test series. Ashwin has become a regular for the ODI squad and some decent performances are expected of him in the test series too. While Pragyan Ojha has been taking wickets at ease in the domestic cricket for much time now and a match winning effort dawning the Indian colours will do his chances a world of good. Rahul Sharma the lanky leg spinner from Delhi is the new face in the spin department.     


Though M.S. Dhoni has been retained in the squad for the tests but he is due for a much needed break. The Indian team has a point to prove in the test arena so he may be kept in the team before India clinches the series. But for the ODIs he should be given a rest and the likes of Wriddhiman Saha, Parthiv Patel or Dinesh Karthik should be given an opportunity. 


Squad for First Test: M S Dhoni (Captain), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, R. Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Virat Kohli, Varun Aaron, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Sharma.