India Australia Series Preview

Hi Cricket Lovers

This is my Attempt to write a blog about one thing i can never get bored of. CRICKET. I would like to be begin this journey as a blogger with the one series i had aspired to watch live.Now i will have to be satisfied of watch it on TV. No problem!!

I would like to start with my Analysis of the both the Squads for this series.

Starting with Team India.

1.    Virender Sehwag

2.    Gautam Gambhir

3.    Rahul Dravid

4.    God (Sachin Tendulkar)

5.    VVS Laxman

6.    MS Dhoni (capt/wk)

7.   Virat Kohli

8.   Rohit Sharma

9.   Ajinkhya Rahane

10.Zaheer Khan

11.Ishant Sharma

12. Umesh Yadav

13. Ravichandra Ashwin

14.  Abhimanyu Mithun

15.  Pragyan Ojha

16.Wriddhiman Saha (wk)

Top 5 are comprise of the best top order batsmen in the world today with the God (Sachin) leading the way followed by the Wall (Dravid), then VVS laxman is there to strengthen the middle order. The opening pair of Viru and Gambhir as set to give India blistering starts to set up this Series into one of the most awaited series in recent years.

Dhoni is a very able captain and has grown a lot as a wicket keeper in the past 12-15 months.  There might be a fight for the last spot of the batsmen between Virat and Rohit with Virat making a statement by scoring a century in the tour game in Canberra.

I think this tour might put Zaheer into the league of greats like Kapil and Srinath for India. This is only possible if Zaheer’s fitness does not become the road block once again. Add to that if Ishant can repeat the form he had shown in the 2007-08 series when he trouble the Australian top and middle order batsmen especially the Punter.

This series can be career defining moments for the 2 young bowlers in the team. The tearaway fast bowler Umesh Yadav and the new off spinner Ravichandra Ashwin.

I hope they get ample opportunities to showcase their skills on this  tour.

Now moving on to the Australian Squad for the Boxing Day test.

1. David Warner
2. Ed Cowan
3. Shaun Marsh
4. Ricky Ponting
5. Michael Clarke (capt) 
6. Michael Hussey
7. Brad Haddin (wk)
8. Peter Siddle
9. James Pattinson
10. Nathan Lyon 
11. Ben Hilfenhaus
12. Mitchell Starc

Looking at the new look Australian side i must say there Batting will depend on the experienced Ponting and Hussey. Though both of them are not in form. New opening pair of Warner and the debutante Cowen might be crucial for Australia. Clarke is not only the skipper but has been in good form. Shaun Marsh's return from his injury will also be very critical and this is the point where the Indian bowlers can cash in on the inexperience Batting lineup.

The bowling side also looks depleted  as they have Ben Hilfenhaus joining the team after a long time while he will partner Pattinson and Siddle. I am not sure if the Indian Batting line up will be troubled by the offies of Nathan Lyon. 

Aussies will be missing the services of Shane Watson,Pat Cummins and Mitchell Johnson through injuries. If Indian team does not suffer the same fate it went through during the humiliating 4-0 loss to the England in the Away series.

I guess this series will be a very closely fought one with a few unpredictable things coming out of the series. 

My take on the Indian XI for the first Test will be 

1. Virender Sehwag
2.  Gautam Gambhir
3.   Rahul Dravid
4.  God (Sachin Tendulkar)
5.  VVS Laxman
6.  MS Dhoni (capt/wk)
7.  Virat Kohli
8. Ravichandra Ashwin
9. Zaheer Khan
10. Umesh Yadav
11. Ishant Sharma
12. Rohit Sharma

I think if the Indian batting fires and starts the series on a positive note this will auger well for it and pave the way to an elusive series win in Australia having missed the chance last time they were here.

I will post my Daily updates once the Boxing Day Test starts.

Till then 

Bye.