124 for 8, confused its not just set of numbers and symbols, this is the situation in which England was in the first innings at Trent Bridge test match. It just took a whirlwind innings from Stuart Broad which just throw the match out of gears from India's hands. Its not the first time we have these situations in Test cricket, but with Indians it has been a regularity . We have seen similar inning played by Kamran Akmal , Michael Clarke and many debutantes where India in the spirit of the game give a lending hand to be great.
But reviewing the Test, its obvious that India was clearly outplayed by the Englishmen in every department. The way India made a mockery of Dravid's fine century is in reality states the sorry state of India,s middle and tail order.The way Dhoni casually comes and goes out without a sign of disappointment,shows this guys price has price for his wicket .The position we were at 267/4 to 288 all down was one of the most horrible fall out like a pack of cards .The wicket of Harbhajan shown what blunder BCCI did in not using the DRS with LBW decision for reviews, when it was clear it was an inner edge to the pad.
The second innings of England was surprisingly with super shots and bashing where Indian bowlers where hit all around the ground. 56 boundaries !!!! whoop in a single day in test. It also created the drama about Ian Bell's run out just before Tea. By the rules of cricket , it was pretty clear decision that Bell was out . But the English crowds booing and in sense the meeting between the English skipper and coach in Indian camp made the furor. Dhoni reversed his decision and recalled Bell to play again raising debate was it right in law or spirit of the game. Whatever the opinion would Dhoni had taken the similar type of decision if the opponent was Pakistan, Aussies or a crunch game or situation.
When Pakistan toured way back in India, Tendulkar was run out with collision with Shoaib Akhtar . The crowd at Eden Gardens were furious and started throwing paper missiles and the authorities emptied the stadium and the match was finished with no crowd in one lakh capacity stadium . At that time no Pakistani skipper got back and said in spirit of game we recall Tendulkar , since they knew what blunder it would be. Thus , the only point to be made is it was not necessary to play taking only spirit of the game as excuse, you have to fight hard within laws of cricket. Since from then on due to the commotion , England in a fit of rage might have thrown wickets and the Indians would have an advantage. In a fit of becoming hero Dhoni made the sacrifice.
Chasing 478 target was next to impossible but the test was how Indians fight each session and make a statement for being No.1. No doubt there was super bowling display from Broad, Tim Brensen , Andersen with there swinging and short pitch bowling abilities. But the way Raina got out it seems he still was in the T20 phase of IPL. Dhoni form is very bad but not to offer a shot and got out was horrible. Now India has to take a tough ( in my sense easy decision ) to drop Harbhajan Singh , since he doesn't has the variety and every batsman can read him easily.
Overall, it was a very sad end to a great start by the Indian bowlers and determined century by the WALL RAHUL DRAVID !! Hope so the arrival of Sehwag changes the fortune of Indian team and bring in sense of positivity in the players .
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