Two Cricketing battles are set to start in this week. Both of them are in the southern hemisphere. In South Africa, a below strength Australian team reeling under recent ‘recession’ aims to thwart the beaming host team from snatching their top ranking in tests. On the other hand, MS Dhoni led Indian team, after a stupendous season in sub continental conditions, sets off to conquer the cold, windy fields and seaming pitches in New Zealand.
Kiwi Cricket team has always been enigmatic. Barring Richard Hadlee, Cairns father-son duo, Martin Crowe and the present captain Daniel Vettori, the team over the years had very few world-class performers. Yet the team has occasionally surprised some of the stronger teams, especially at home. Even without superstars, the Black Caps are hard to beat in their own backyard. That the Kiwis have managed to reach semifinals of world Cup five times speaks a lot about their resilience. But the fact that the team has never gone on to win the world Cup also reflects the lack of genuine match winners.
Kiwi Cricket team has always been enigmatic. Barring Richard Hadlee, Cairns father-son duo, Martin Crowe and the present captain Daniel Vettori, the team over the years had very few world-class performers. Yet the team has occasionally surprised some of the stronger teams, especially at home. Even without superstars, the Black Caps are hard to beat in their own backyard. That the Kiwis have managed to reach semifinals of world Cup five times speaks a lot about their resilience. But the fact that the team has never gone on to win the world Cup also reflects the lack of genuine match winners.
India won its first overseas series against New Zealand in 1969. But thereafter, its showing here has been pathetic. No Indian team, be it with world class spinning quartet(1976) , consisting of Grreats like Gavaskar, Vishvanath and Kapil (1981) or having batting mastereos like Sachin, Dravid and Ganguly (2003) has been able to win a series here since 1969. Will it be possible for today’s star studded tram, led by Dhoni to create another history?
The two teams clash with each other in the shorter versions of the game first before three match test series. The New Zealand team is fresh from its heroics in Australia, where they were thwarted by rain from winning the ODI series and lost only by one run in T-2
0 match against the Aussies. Awesome batting display of Ross Taylor, Grant Elliot, Brendon McCullum in that series must be a cause of concern for Indian team’s think tank. Return of Jacob Oram has certainly strengthened the Black caps.
Indian team too, is riding high on nine wins out of last ten ODI matches. Its flamboyant batsmen are in tremendous form. But key to team’s success against England and Sri Lanka in last two series was the role of occasional spinners, Viru, Yuvraj , Yusuf Pathan etc. They are not going to be effective on seamer friendly pitches in New Zealand. Absence of a seaming all rounder might hurt India. May be it’s time for Dhoni to play as all rounder, as he can bowl occasional medium pacers effectively!
Indian test team appears to better placed than what it was in 2003. The team has a better pace attack. It remains to be seen as to how the famed batting line up copes up with the conditions. It is the last chance for the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman to stamp their authority in this country. The Indians have to keep their good work of last year going if they are to remain in the hunt for top spot in Test and ODI rankings.
Somehow, Indian teams while playing against New Zealand, whether at home or away, used to give an impression that they are taking Kiwis a bit lightly. This team, under MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten, though appears keen to make amends. A close tussle between talent and tenacity is on cards. Any guesses for series result? Well, I give Black Caps an edge in ODI but Indians seem to be ahead in Tests. T-20? Anybody’s game really!
The two teams clash with each other in the shorter versions of the game first before three match test series. The New Zealand team is fresh from its heroics in Australia, where they were thwarted by rain from winning the ODI series and lost only by one run in T-2
0 match against the Aussies. Awesome batting display of Ross Taylor, Grant Elliot, Brendon McCullum in that series must be a cause of concern for Indian team’s think tank. Return of Jacob Oram has certainly strengthened the Black caps.Indian team too, is riding high on nine wins out of last ten ODI matches. Its flamboyant batsmen are in tremendous form. But key to team’s success against England and Sri Lanka in last two series was the role of occasional spinners, Viru, Yuvraj , Yusuf Pathan etc. They are not going to be effective on seamer friendly pitches in New Zealand. Absence of a seaming all rounder might hurt India. May be it’s time for Dhoni to play as all rounder, as he can bowl occasional medium pacers effectively!
Indian test team appears to better placed than what it was in 2003. The team has a better pace attack. It remains to be seen as to how the famed batting line up copes up with the conditions. It is the last chance for the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman to stamp their authority in this country. The Indians have to keep their good work of last year going if they are to remain in the hunt for top spot in Test and ODI rankings.
Somehow, Indian teams while playing against New Zealand, whether at home or away, used to give an impression that they are taking Kiwis a bit lightly. This team, under MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten, though appears keen to make amends. A close tussle between talent and tenacity is on cards. Any guesses for series result? Well, I give Black Caps an edge in ODI but Indians seem to be ahead in Tests. T-20? Anybody’s game really!
Dear Malhar,
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