India vs Australia 2008-09: Third Test, Delhi

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India vs Australia 2008-09, Day One 3^rd Test at Ferozeshah Kotla, Delhi.

Bare facts:

• Dates: 29^th Oct - Nov 2^nd 2008


• Time : Play at 9.30 am (0400 GMT); Coverage 8.30AM


• Venue: Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium, Delhi


• Forecast: Sunny, few degrees over 29 ^{CNN-AccuWeather}


• Live Telecast (Cable TV and Web): Neo Sports, Cricketnirvana.com


• Toss: India should win and bat first. Post Diwali fog and early cool morning swing notwithstanding.


• Pitch: Should be usual Radhey Shyamish - plenty for all and spin towards the end.


• Kotla Deeds: Check them out as you wish - India won last seven here.


• Tossing around: Mishra could play instead of Harbhajan


• Scorecard

That's the main suggestion coming through the news portals - Mishra for Bhajji. Mishra's familarity with the ground and his deceptive loop and drift is being brought forward in place of Bhajji's shock and awe strikes within the Australian camp. Whatever Indians do, they should make it work. That's what matters. I hope they remember just the two words - FIVE DAYS - just five days of good, focussed, persistent cricket will be enough to regain the trophy.

I drove by the Kotla early this morning at 6.30 am. The smog is there but thinner than before and there isn't the same morning chill we had last year around this time. The dew will be there on the grass, some under the covers too...so pacemen could work with the heavy conditions and lively pitch. However, I think India should bat first if they win the toss. Kumble thinks the toss doesn't matter here, and he knows better than you or I; the Kotla definitely is a sporty pitch and everybody can play their game right till the end. Kumble perhaps means that.

Both India openers play here, Ishant plays here, Mishra also bowls a lot here, and this is Kumble's favorite ground - you would imagine with half the team comfy with this ground, India should seal it here and now.

Like I said at the start, I hope India remember just the two words - FIVE DAYS - just five days of good, focussed, persistent cricket will be enough to regain the trophy.


9.05 AM

These updates, in the first half of the day, naturally will be text commentary based - I get to catch up with live viewing in the second half. That's how it has been arranged for the day at work.

Before I shot off for work morning today, (I begin early), I had opportunity to take in the Stanford 20/20 for 20 between England and The Titties.

Easily the best match of the "tournament" so far, the Titties had England on the run till the final ball. They ended up losing by a run...a lone run.

That said, under similar conditions in the past, it didn't need great intelligence to predict that England would be the team to cave in under pressure; Steve Harmison would find ten different wides to bowl at; but KP has thus far made a difference - this England team wants to win all kinds of games and is willing to find ways to do so...even explore new territories such as playing the game till the final ball.

While many suggest that there is nothing peculiar in all this...there is usually no nervous disconnection when England is touring the Caribbeans or playing at home..and reluctances resurface only when a tour to India comes on...

Fair points those but I advise India to be prepared for a far tougher team in the form of England this time, than this Australian side currently touring these parts.

How did I get sidetracked into talking England? Back to Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008-09!

9.29 AM

Bhajji Out, Mishra in, India win toss and elect to bat.

India team
G Gambhir, V Sehwag, R Dravid, SR Tendulkar, SC Ganguly, VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni, A Kumble, Z Khan, I Sharma, A Mishra

Australia team
SM Katich, ML Hayden, RT Ponting, MEK Hussey, MJ Clarke, SR Watson, BJ Haddin, CL White, B Lee, MG Johnson, SR Clark

9.56 AM

Leaden Sehwag picked up by Lee

We are told, Sehwag was all in slow mo to a quick Lee incomer - plumb, according to Aleem Dar. That was in the 3rd over of the day.

Since then India have moved to 18 without further loss.

Dravid and Gambo on the go.

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