February 11, 2007

Sreesanth stakes his claim

After a series of poor one-day outtings Sreesanth turned in figures of 2 for 39 off ten overs. Has he done enough to book his ticket to the West Indies? What about Irfan Pathan and his failings? Do you think Munaf Patel should make the trip - he's bowled really well but his fielding is shambolic. Post your opinion on Match Vox.

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Vying for a ticket to the West Indies

One match to go before the selectors pick their squad for the Caribbean. The sole question mark seems to be over Sreesanth, who's been out of sorts in the one-day game. With India bowling on a lively wicket, this is his chance to turn the tide in his favour. Sehwag is the other person who needs a good outing, though his passage seems assured. What do you think the selectors will do on Monday?

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February 8, 2007

Will inexperience count? - India v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI

With just four games left before the World Cup, both India and Sri Lanka go into this match without some experienced players. Sri Lanka haven't included Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan in the series squad, while for this match India are without Yuvraj Singh, Ajit Agarkar and Irfan Pathan. Will inexperience count? And can the youngsters getting a chance to perform do so with so much pressure on them?

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January 31, 2007

Series in the balance - India v West Indies, 4th ODI

The series is in the balance as the teams walk out at Vadodara. Opinion is split over how India should tackle these matches: Some feel they should try to win at any cost and so field its strongest team, others feel the smaller victories - an opening combination that clicks, a middle-order bat who scores, a bowler who fits into the attack - are crucial in the longer run. What's your take on this? Win now or set things up for a win down the line?

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January 27, 2007

Let's talk about West Indies...

After being hit all over the park, West Indies have bounced back to ask India some searching questions - first with some excellent fielding and steady bowling, now with their strokeful batting. Let's talk about West Indies now: have they shown signs of being serious contenders for the World Cup?

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Let's talk about West Indies...

After being hit all over the park, West Indies have bounced back to ask India some searching questions - first with some excellent fielding and steady bowling, now with their strokeful batting. Let's talk about West Indies now: have they shown signs of being serious contenders for the World Cup?

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A pleasant distraction? - India v West Indies, 3rd ODI

India are off to a flying start, thanks mainly to two fringe players (and a helpful batting track). Uthappa's innings was a delight but does it really solve any of India's batting problems or is he a pleasant distraction?

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India v West Indies, 3rd ODI

India cannot lose this series and will use that position of advantage to try out new combinations. Yet though they are 2-0 up, they haven't fully convinced and today's changes may help them answer a few questions. What do you think are the signs that India should be looking for in this match?

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January 24, 2007

The one shining exception - India v West Indies, 2nd ODI

On a day when India batted pathetically, the one shining exception was Dinesh Karthik, who made an intelligent 63 (till he allowed himself to be bowled). Karthik is reinventing himself as a batsman, though his keeping isn't bad, and his emergence is good news for India

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There's one thing that's worse than the Indian batting

There's one thing that's worse than the Indian batting: The state of the Barabati pitch. The bounce is uneven, though consistently low, and doesn't seem to be any kind of preparation for the World Cup. We are unable to find any rationale for this pitch; can you?

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Lara's absence could be key - India v West Indies, 2nd ODI

Welcome to Match Vox, to a game that's important for several reasons. At Nagpur, India flattered to deceive, with poor fielding almost undoing the heavy scoring on a flat track; West Indies, by contrast, will take heart from the manner in which they almost upset their opponents. However, Lara's absence could be the key to what happens at Cuttack. What's your take on the match prospects? Post your comments here

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January 6, 2007

Sachin's dilemma

Chakravarthy, one of our readers, wishes to start a debate regarding Tendulkar. He raises two points: one, that Tendulkar hasn't been able to really dominate the ball pitched outside his leg stump in the rough for quite few years now (ever since Nasser Hussain employed Ashley Giles for it) and that teams around the world have picked up his perceived weakness for this delivery; and two, that he should retire from one day cricket after the World Cup and prolong his Test career by addressing these problems. Comments?

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Which choker will choke first?

South Africa require a further 156 to seal the deciding Test with India after closing day four in Cape Town on 55 for 2. They have eight wickets in hand, which India will hope to grab. A tense final beckons, especially with the storied history of choking these two teams possess. Its just a matter of who coughs up first...isnt it?

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January 5, 2007

The difference between the sides?

For sheer attitude, application, and discipline, South Africa have left India in the shade today. What is the fundamental aspect between the sides that kept South Africa on top and India faltering?

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Ganguly leads India's fightback - 3rd Test: South Africa v India at Cape Town

After India lost their openers, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid added 67 before lunch to propel India's lead past 100. Ganguly was the aggressor in the stand, and for a man lambasted by almost every quarter this past year, he has come back into the team and become India's highest run-scorer in the series. How much confidence can the man take into the future, especially given the heavy one-day calendar in 2007?

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Match poised on a knife-edge?

India may believe they have the advantage, but a collapse here will put South Africa right on top. Three or four wickets in the first session, and we’ve got a sure result on our hands. The series is 1-1, and no one wants to lose. India would like nothing more than an away series win to make up for their recent travails, but batting third, and even fourth, is a tricky proposition after you've put up good runs in the first innings. Will both sides force a win at Cape Town?

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January 2, 2007

India on top courtesy opening partnership - 3rd Test: South Africa v India at Cape Town

Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik have forged an excellent opening partnership on a track ideal for batting. No South African bowler has really looked menacing, while Jaffer and Karthik have gone from strength to strength. What should India's game plan be from here?

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What's your take on how this pans out? - 3rd Test: South Africa v India at Cape Town

India win the toss but how much of an advantage will it be in this South African citadel? Lots of personnel changes, the most interesting being Karthik opening with Jaffer. Lots of reputations at stake, too. What's your take on how this pans out?

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