After a memorable 320-run win in the 2nd test, India is looking forward to seal the series in Delhi. Australia is under tremendous pressure here. The third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008 is going to start on Wednesday at Ferozeshah Kotla, Delhi. India played 29 test matches here and won 10 matches. 13 of them were drawn. India won the last seven test matches it played in this ground. Australia played 5 tests here but managed to win only one test. Surely Kotla is a fortress for India, especially Anil Kumble. Kumble has taken 55 wickets in 6 tests with an average of 15.41.
Ferozeshah Kotla is the home ground for the openers Sehwag and Ghambir, and Ishant Sharma. This is the second test for Sehwag in Kotla. This Delhi duo have given good starts in the series so far. They will surely be on fire in the 3rd test at their home ground. All the Indian batsmen are in good form and they have a good track record here. Ganguly, Laxman, Dravid and Dhoni average 60.55, 54.75, 58.66 and 56.50 respectively in this ground. Sachin averages 44 with 2 centuries. The bowling department is also strong with Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan on song. Kumble declared himself fit for the 3rd test. Considering his performances at Ferozeshah Kotla, he can be a major threat for Australia. Much of the focus will be on Kumble, his bowling and his captaincy. Only bad news for India is Harbhajan Singh is doubtful for the test. If he doesn't play, Amit Mishra might be retained. You have to wait for the decision till Wednesday's morning.
Austrlian batsmen are struggling with their form. They are all experienced batsmen and if they find their form it will be a bit difficult for India to clinch the series in Delhi. Austrlian bowlers are also struggling against the Indian Bastmen. Brett Lee is one of the major concerns for Australia. He has not been upto the mark in this series. Stuart Clarke is fit for the test. So he replaces Peter Siddle in the 3rd test. This might be the only change in the Austrlian side.
India is surely on top and head into the 3rd test with confidence.
Can Australia keep the series alive by winning this test?
Showing posts with label peter siddle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peter siddle. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
India Vs Australia 2nd Test Preview
It's a bit disappointing that the first test match did not produce a result where the result was definitely possible. Both captains will now make sure that they won't repeat the mistakes of the first test.
The biggest question now is 'What will be the India's team composition for Mohali test?'. Will India stick to 2 spinners on a pitch that assists pacers or will India play 3 seamers and a spinner?
Though Kumble said he is fit to play in the second test, the suspence over Kumble's appearance in the 2nd test continues. We have to wait for the decision till the match starts. If India wants to play 3 seamers and a spinner, it would be a better choice to rest Kumble and bring in Munaf. Kumble can be dangerous if the pitch supports him. But on a pitch that assists seamers, it's better Kumble takes rest. Harbhajan has a good record against Australia. He performed with the bat also in the first test. Munaf Patel is a talented bowler who can swing and cut his deliveries. This promising right arm fast bowler is known for his pace reverse swing and deadly yorkers. He bowled well in the match against Delhi in the Irani Cup. Munaf took 7 wickets against England on his Test debut here at Mohali in 2006. Munaf's inclusion will definitely boost the Indian pace strength.
The other possibilities for India would be
1. Unchanged playing XI
2. Drop Ghambir, bring in Munaf, let Dravid and Sehwag open. If the pitch assists the spinners on the last 2 days this will be a better option to play 3 seamers and 2 spinners.
Coming to Australian side, Stuart Clark is ruled of the the second test because of an elbow injury.
It opens the test doors for Peter Siddle's debut. His consistent performance earned him a place in the test squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008/09. This might be the only change in the Australian team for the second test.
The biggest question now is 'What will be the India's team composition for Mohali test?'. Will India stick to 2 spinners on a pitch that assists pacers or will India play 3 seamers and a spinner?
Though Kumble said he is fit to play in the second test, the suspence over Kumble's appearance in the 2nd test continues. We have to wait for the decision till the match starts. If India wants to play 3 seamers and a spinner, it would be a better choice to rest Kumble and bring in Munaf. Kumble can be dangerous if the pitch supports him. But on a pitch that assists seamers, it's better Kumble takes rest. Harbhajan has a good record against Australia. He performed with the bat also in the first test. Munaf Patel is a talented bowler who can swing and cut his deliveries. This promising right arm fast bowler is known for his pace reverse swing and deadly yorkers. He bowled well in the match against Delhi in the Irani Cup. Munaf took 7 wickets against England on his Test debut here at Mohali in 2006. Munaf's inclusion will definitely boost the Indian pace strength.
The other possibilities for India would be
1. Unchanged playing XI
2. Drop Ghambir, bring in Munaf, let Dravid and Sehwag open. If the pitch assists the spinners on the last 2 days this will be a better option to play 3 seamers and 2 spinners.
Coming to Australian side, Stuart Clark is ruled of the the second test because of an elbow injury.
It opens the test doors for Peter Siddle's debut. His consistent performance earned him a place in the test squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008/09. This might be the only change in the Australian team for the second test.
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