Part 3 Direct Video Link
Watch Day 4 highlights – West Indies vs India – the 1st Test from Sabina Park played on June 23, 2011
Scoreline: West Indies 262 all out (2nd Inn target 326) – Darren Bravo 41, Rampaul 34, Chanderpaul 30 | Praveen Kumar 3/42, Ishant Sharma 3/81
A cricket fan who follows the game over a lengthy period of time will keep coming across moments when obvious facts require reaffirmation. One such happened with me yesterday and involved Dravid and his relevance to his younger teammates.
For a couple of years now his almost-perfect technique has waned among other batting aspects. Even yesterday, his hundred missed the artistry of old. It’s not about the influence of the conditions because he’s batted in more difficult situations while still holding onto the artist in him.
Then there’s been the emergence of Pujara in the middle order (unlucky to not be here due to an IPL-injury); the IPL itself with its younger talents which indirectly has created a kind of mental-snigger in the general public every time players like Dravid or Laxman are involved (it might be a different format and a test match could happen a month after the IPL – but a snigger once it begins, generally remains). And finally, you have a World Cup winning team with younger players.
So yesterday, each time Dravid walked down to meet a new batsman with some advice, I was left wondering, “How do these guys look at him, or think of him now that his end’s nearing.” Very gratifying therefore to see that his team firstly thinks he belongs, and more importantly, that he’s got lots they could learn. Because the last thing you want happening with someone like Dravid is him being around a place that thinks he should just quietly leave. (If you skipped yesterday’s highlights, they’re worth watching just for this – in particular Raina – Part 1 – 03:40 onwards).
Some inevitable changes looming for West Indies. Would do well to bring Samuels into the middle-order. You add an unfettered Marlon to the chase today, and it would have had more of a probability to it.
Regarding Admin’s Comment….
When India performed very well downunder during their last tour to Australia, the Aussies remarked that once the senior Indian players retire India would not remain that big a force in world cricket…. (the effects of an ageing team showed to Aussie team much before India but lets stick with India for now)
Does this kind of remark have justification?? If we look at the Indian sucesses in Tests abroad (Aus, WI, SA, Eng) you would invariably find two names Dravid and Laxman as engineers of the wins (yes I did leave out even Tendulkar here). Does India have replacements for these three veterans!!
(It was very nostalgic when Laxman, Dravid and Tendulkar were taking pictures at the WACA after India’s win at Perth, they were at the playground and taking pictures with their kids, very touching!! But it showed the importance of winning a test in Australia.) (When these three guys used to bat it looked as if batsmen are in control otherwise the Aussue bowlers looked like hounds!! Enough said I guess!! got to add Sehwag to that list for this purpose though!)
Sehwag and Gambhir do have the skills and mental strength to be successful on foreign soil, I am also impressed with Rohit sharma in patches, Kohli hasn’t played enough test cricket yet, dhoni is goodish, but when we talk about replacements for dravid, laxman and tendulkar i can just hope!!!
IPL or should I say T20 cricket is not doing any good for Test cricket (just look at the west indies batting in the second innings for an example) India got to concentrate on Test match cricket. Got to groom players for Test cricket!!!!
These last couple of years of these three legends are worth treasuring. I look forward to watching Laxman’s knocks. As rightly pointed out by Admin younger Indian batsmen need to listen to these guys for valuable advice, they would learn more from such greats than from any coach!!
(Regarding IPL I believe serious cricket followers don’t belittle players like Dravid and Laxman, yes the corporate world could do anything!!!)
Its really nostalgic to say that Laxman, Dravid and Tendulkar are in their last few years. India would miss them very very very much!!!! (once they hang their boots!!)
(I hope Indian selectors would read the statements made by Simon Katch regarding selection/non selection of Ageing players!!!! He made excellent remarks!!)
I sincerely thank Admin for the highlights and for the work put in day in day out. We rely on you!!! A big thank you comes out from our hearts in appreciation of your great work everytime your site is visited. Thanks!!!
thanks.
yeah, it’s a depressing feeling watching indian test cricket nowadays with each game reminding you, that’s one less game these guys are playing.
the future isn’t that bleak though if rohit sharma (as you mentioned) can learn something from his mentor of sort’s (yuvraj) comeback during the wc. apart from those two, there’s pujara and kohli (while there will probably never be another laxman in our time, kohli’s wrists are quite unbelievable sometimes and don’t seem to get enough mention – not elegant like vvs, more like furious work with them that takes the ball to crazy places).
won’t be surprised if raina’s game evolves significantly. he seems to have the same thirst for improvement that gambhir had. i mean, gambhir has changed hugely from his 1st few games – they used to call him “mentos” in the dressing room cos he was always bugging the senior players with numerous questions (a reference to a “mentos” ad in which this guy gets slapped cos he’s always got a question). raina seems similar in that sense.
I don’t know why Jerome Taylor is kept away and don’t realize where powell has disappeared. These two can rattle any batting line up together with Edwards and the resurgent Rampaul!! Also can’t digest Sammy as captain of the Test team!! Of course the WI selectors know much better than a common man like me! (i did not forget about Gayle but i can’t say too much!!)