Nov 17, 2009

India v/s Sri Lanka - Day 2 - At Lunch!

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Struck by Ankit Poddar @ 12:11 PM | 0 runs off this stroke!

Elbow Injury forces Lee for Early Retirement?!

Belief in himself, and speed! Aren't those Brett Lee's biggest assets?!

It seems, suddenly though, that Lee may lose both to the elbow injury! The bone spur problem in his right elbow may force Lee to face surgery and be out for up to three months, ending his chances of appearing in a Test for Australia in the baggy green, this summer.

With Australia's second string bowlers bowling so well against India during the Hero Honda Cup 2009, Lee may face a strong opposition, if and when he returns.

The above truth could force a serious dent to the confidence of the pacer! At the same time, an elbow injury could force him to lose his speed as well!

Would Australia, who have a brilliant system of recruiting players, want such a Brett Lee in their team?! Tough call to answer! Lee has proved his ability, time and again, both as the pacer and the low order batsmen! Lee has showed that he is a team player and a brilliant sportsmen!

Hence, Lee should make his place in any team when he returns! But then, Australia is not any team! It is a special team, it has a special system and it doesn't approve of half measures!

So, what will happen to Lee?!

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Struck by Ankit Poddar @ 11:27 AM | 0 runs off this stroke!
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Nov 16, 2009

Dhoni plays a paddlesweep!!

Yes its true! He really did.. although not as perfectly as our master does it but he managed an impressive one... to all the cricket aficionados of style and technique you have someone waiting for your recognition... He did it when we were 177/5 in the second session.

To all the test cricket lovers, we all know why we love this (format of the) game.. the style , the strategy , the technique, one could just go on and on, and the ease and calmness with which the proceedings happen..oh, its kind of a stress buster session...

And yes we were all satiated today, forget the start, no comments... the Wall stood up again when the rest were falling, and he stood in style, with his perfect Leg-Glances, all nearly hitting the ropes and coupling them with his superb cover-drives and straight drives...I could go on and on about Dravid... opps forgot something, his score-177(251), it had 25 fours and 1six. Dravid even completed his 11,000 runs in Test cricket. The fifth person to do so.

Lets not forget Yuvraj, he was at his best, except for his edgy shots at the beginning, a good knock of 68 before having a soft dismissal at Muralidaran’s bowling..

Our captain was no less today, what a knock!,with style and grace, with those (after along time), straight drives and backfoot punches he looked all geared up to take India along with Rahul Dravid to a handsome total of 385-6, and scoring the highest total for India on Day 1..

All in all a good start for The India V/s Sri-Lanka series 09, and a wonderful day for we Bored Cricket Crazy Indians...

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Struck by sushil rajmane @ 9:22 PM | 1 runs off this stroke!
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India v/s Srilanka - Day 1 Review

India hold all the aces at stumps on Day 1 of the first test match against Srilanka. India stand at a commanding 385/6 lead by a magnificient Rahul Dravid's unbeaten 177 and terrific support from Dhoni and Yuvraj.

385 is the highest ever total by India on Day 1 of a test match, which is incredible, considering India were staring down the barrel at 32/4 in the first hour. But, when the backs were against the wall, our own Wall stood up and played, perhaps one of the most confident and free flowing knocks of his career scoring at a amazing strike rate of 71.

This was Dravid's 27th Test century and his reaction after getting the century was one of 'You may have dismissed me from the ODI side, but I am still a force to be reckoned with.' Dravid never looked like getting out and looks set to reach his 6th double century and many more.

One must not forget an equally aggressive century from the captain Dhoni, his 2nd in Test cricket which ensured India reached a position of strength, after Yuvraj was dismissed for a well made 68 and India were at 157/5. Dhoni got out in the dying stages of the day after scoring a brisk 110 of 159 balls and his massive 224 run partnership with Dravid meant India wrested the initiative and can call the shots from now on.

For Srilanka, it was a great start, which eventually turned out to be another disappointing day on Indian soil. Their quickies took 5 of the 6 wickets, with spinners Murali and Herath taking just 1 for 163. Interesting indeed!

For more details, see Cricinfo Scorecard

India would look to pile up more runs on Day 2 and reach 450, which would then give them a formidable total in the 1st innings. Watch out for all the action...

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Struck by Vyom @ 9:21 PM | 2 runs off this stroke!
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India v/s Sri Lanka - Ahmedabad - Live - At Lunch!

India had wobbled in the start, top order had failed, and India are 105/4 at Lunch! This is going to be one hell of a match!

[Live Score Card]

Sri Lanka are not playing Mendis and India is not playing Ojha and Sreesanth!

Welegedera created havoc with the Indian top order! Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir and Laxman are back in the pavilion and Rahul and Yuvraj are battling the bowlers on the tricky Motera ground in style!

India have gone into lunch at 105/4, RD and Yuvi sharing a 73 run unbeaten stand! The pair will have to stay for at least one entire session, for India to reach any sensible and respectable total in the first innings!

Sri Lanka are here to change the course of history! MSD and Men, please at least make it worth a contest!

Now, back to the match, see you at Tea!

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Struck by Ankit Poddar @ 11:54 AM | 1 runs off this stroke!
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Nov 15, 2009

Sachin completes 20 years of International Cricket!


You have been watching the news channels and going through newspapers, all of which are talking about Sachin Tendulkar and his feat of completing 20 years in international cricket. Well, at least I have!

I can not be talking about Sachin and his greatness and his dedication without being repetitive, so I will keep it simple! Keep it down, to talking about what I think of Sachin, about the impact he has made on my psyche! May be, by laws of induction, you could extend that to you as well! If you do that, let me know through the comments on this post!

I was born a year before Sachin Tendulkar made his debut on the international scene! Yes, that means that I have quite literally grown up watching the Little Master Blaster at work and play!

He was already an established name in the Mumbai circuit by the time he made his debut, and that in the year 1989 meant, that the entire country was waiting to test this young boy 0f 16 against their expectations! On the international circuit, may be, his debut wasn't as celebrated, but proved he did!

By earliest memories of Sachin Tendulkar, that are vivid in my mind, are of the 1996 World Cup. I remember, looking at the man who walked on to the crease, every time with a bat in his hand, and the hope of many a million people on his shoulders.

But during most of those times, I did not care about all that! I knew, if Sachin is out, I will be forced to go to sleep for school next day! (So long he is there, by parents would be busy watching him play and I could go undetected!) I did not want that to happen, and that is how my love for Sachin begun, because I was almost never disappointed by him!

Come 1998, the sand storm innings took me by storm and the nation, but what I remembered was that my loyalties were changing! I wasn't watching Sachin take the bowlers for a ride around the park, because that was the best way to stay awake, I was watching Sachin do that, because it affected in the most natural of manners! It made me sit up and applaud his aggression! I was all of 10, and Tendulkar was inspiring me in manner no one ever had! It was aggression, he was inspiring in the minds of us, youngsters! Aggression to bring the world to a stand still, and prove our talent! Prove that we could be young and small in size, but were the best things that come in small packets!

What was to be seen in the coming years, was the fact that this aggression wasn't a misplaced one, as can be seen in the younger players of today! This aggression was coupled with humility and humbleness, it was coupled with greatness! It was the package, that was known all over the world as Sachin Tendulkar!

Tendulkar may have failed on the cricket pitch, albeit in the rarest of rare of occasions! But the man who started off so young, never failed to inspire the boys! In the team, or out on the streets!

I will stick to talking about me. He has inspired me, to go out there on the pitch, face a fast bowling Waqar Younis (in various forms like academics, or job hunt, or whatever that may come), take it on my nose, stay my ground and come back to hit a four! Yes, Sachin is an inspiration! And that is how, it will always be!

He must have inspired you too! Let us know on the comments section, we would love to have a post on that alone! It is your chance to appear on All Padded Up!

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Struck by Ankit Poddar @ 11:48 AM | 1 runs off this stroke!
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Happy Sachin Week!!

Oh we love him so much! And our newspapers can dedicate a week long newspaper to him! No, wait that is exactly what they did!

Our channels now running his stories for 'n' times back to back! And add to that, the fact that no one is going to complain. Certainly, not us!

This week has been a carnival of sorts, as people from highest echelon of the game to the common man share their experiences with regards to our beloved Sir!

Of all the things, I would like to thank the news channel for showing his best innings, talking about which one, well you have your pick! I would give you a clue though, "Wow! What a Treat!

It has almost been like a "Sachin Tendulkar Week"! No, I am not complaining, but if you really want to celebrate your exclusive Sachin Tendulkar week in your own way, then go grab that bat of yours and walk on to the pitch and face some balls and if you are talented enough and know how to play some of his shots, try them! If you can do it, wonderful!! If not then just wonder how the master does it!

Happy Sachin Week!!

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Struck by sushil rajmane @ 11:22 AM | 0 runs off this stroke!
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Nov 12, 2009

Dead rubber washed out...Hero-Honda Cup 2009

The seventh and the last match of the Hero -Honda Cup 2009, was washed out due to unusual November rains in Mumbai, there was even a storm scare somewhere around in the after-noon...

and the reason i am report so sadly like a news reporter is that, it's not worth it!...

yes the Indain Team has let us down here at all padded up... right from even before the series started we chanted "Aussie Ki taissi"and what we get..."Aussie ne kardi India ki taissi"....

Guys i think India will never let go of its inconsistent performance attitude.....

Dosto aise hi chalta rahega ye sab..chaar paanch haarenge phir Gaali khaayenge phir 3-4 match jeetenge!! and the cycle will continue....

So long i wish after being tamed by the kangaroos we fight well with the Sri-lankan Lions...

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Struck by sushil rajmane @ 10:10 PM | 5 runs off this stroke!
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Nov 11, 2009

A short take on the Indian Squad..

Before commenting anything i believe that you have had a good look at the squad, otherwise just scroll down ...





Freesanth oops i mean Sreesanth has made a comeback...vannakam sir...

I Feel sorry for Ashish Nehra and Munaf Bhai...

And atlast i will get to see Dravid playing his flawless and stylish defences and yes.. forgot strokes....

Dying to see some great batting from VVS Laxman..missed him...

We have three talented spinners in the line up...looks interesting...

Badrinath and M Vijay( if he gets the chance).. will have to deliver...high time for these people...if you want to see their game just watch the Ranji Trophy Match between Andhra Pradesh and Gujrat...currently they both are on the crease, batting for Andhra...

Anyway... i am happy for the arrival of short Test season...relax and enjoy guys!!

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Struck by sushil rajmane @ 8:51 PM | 1 runs off this stroke!
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Team India for Sri Lankan Tour Announced - Sreesanth and Zaheer recalled!

Aussie has made India ki Taisee, and it is time for Sri Lanka to tour India. It is a home tour for India, and India has declared their squad for the first two test matches.

India squad:


Batsmen:
Virender Sehwag (selects self - ss)
Gautam Gambhir (ss)
Rahul Dravid (ss)
Sachin Tendulkar (ss)
VVS Laxman (ss)
Yuvraj Singh (ss)
MS Dhoni (capt/wk) (ss)
M Vijay (Tamil Nadu ss)
S Badrinath (Tamil Nadu ss)

Spinners:
Harbhajan Singh (ss)
Pragyan Ojha (finally)
Amit Mishra (ss)

Seamers:
Zaheer Khan (ss)
Ishant Sharma (ss)
Sreesanth (??)

Yes, a few surprises there, and most standard faces! What is surprising is the selection of just 3 seamers in the squad and 8 specialist batsmen (counting MSD as the non specialist). May be there aren't enough TN bowlers!

Sri Lanka is practicing at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai amid strict security and as this is the first time they are playing in a foreign sub-continent country after March 2009, it was expected.

You can not make any predictions when India is playing, so I will not do that!

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Struck by Ankit Poddar @ 8:36 PM | 0 runs off this stroke!
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