Venue Changed Again! Ahemadabad Out, Mohali In!

The venue and the match schedule has been changed again for the England tour to continue. The England team went back to their home after cancelling the last two ODIs after the terror attack in Mumbai.

The 2nd Test was scheduled to be played in Mumbai, but it was changed to Chennai. Now, the schedule has been drawn again eliminating the practice match against the Indian Board President's XI.

The first test will be played in Chenni and the second test will be played in Mohali. Ahemadabad has been removed as the venue for the first test and Mumbai has been replaced by Mohali.

The revised schedule:

Dec 5-7, 2008: Indian Board President's XI v. England XI - Vadodara - CANCELLED
Dec 11-15, 2008: 1st Test: India v. England - Chennai
Dec 19-23, 2008: 2nd Test: India v. England - Mohali

India bundled for 76! Kalis gives lead!

What is happening to the Indian team? Is it a complecency that is set in or is it because of Sachin's absence? I don't think it is the latter.

With a good wicket and just to play out the first session would have given the Indian a huge advantage. Smith would have been by now for losing the toss.

India were bundled out for 76, the 2nd lowest total for India in Indian soil. The previous low total was 75 against West Indies in Ferozha Kotla Ground, Delhi on November 25, 1987. The lowest total by India in an innings was against England on June 20, 1974 in Lords when they were bowled out for 42.

The beautiful bowling by Steyn and Nitni rattled the Indian batsman. Excpet Dhoni and Pathan, no one crossed double figure except the extras, which in fact was the second highest in the Indian innings--19.

Jaffer was the first batsman to go, when he edged the well pitched ball to slips for 6. The in form batsman Shewag--triple centurian, dragged the ball to the stumps in the next over for 9. Laxman didn't read the in swinger. He left the ball to the wicket keeper, but it kissed the outer edge of the off stump.

Two balls later, Ganguly, was half-minded on whether to leave or play, dragged the ball to the stumps for 0. Nitni struck twice in the same over. India was struggling at 30 for 4. Out of this 4, three were picked by Nitni.

Dhoni and Dravid were expected to restore the reputation of India, but Dravid was bowled by a blinder from Steyn. The ball pitched on the middle and swung away, Dravid, playing forward missed it completely and it knocked the off stump. Beautiful piece of bowling by Steyn.

Rash shot by Dhoni sent him to pavilion. When he tried to hit ball which was pitched well away from the off stump, the ball took the egde and Boucher accepted hit with ease. He was out for 14 leaving India struggle at 55 for 6 in the 15th over of the match.

Though Pathan was styaing in the crease, none of the tail enders provided him support. Kumble was bowled for 0 by Morkel, Harbhajan leg before for 1 off Steyn, RP Singh was caught at slips for a duck off Steyn and in the same over Sreesanth was bowled for a duck.

Four players were out for duck and three players did not even cross 5 run mark. It is not the first time the tail enders were dismissed for cheap runs, it happened in Chennai also.

Pathan was not out on 21 and only 6 players were able to play more than 9 balls off which only 2 were able to go beyond 20 balls. The highest number of ball was played by Dravid--26, followed by Dhoni--22.

The Indian team batting was tormented well before the first half of the day. Their batting was completed in 20 overs and in 109 minutes--less than 2 hours.

Steyn ended with 5 for 23, his best against India. Nitni picked 3 wickets and Morkel 2.

With a good opportunity to post as many runs as lead, South Africa started the innings well with an one more 50 run partnership. When they cross the Indian score and got 2 runs lead, Smith was judged leg before, a doubtful decision though off Sreesanth. He was bowling over the wicket and the ball pitched on the leg stump. He was out for 34.

McKenzie was the next to go, caught at slips off a doosra by Harbhajan. He played for the turn, but it went straight. Dravid took a good catch.

Amla, the centurian in Chennai was caught at short leg off Harbhajan for 16. Prince was plumb in front of the wicktet for 2. At this stage, India could have put more pressure, but Kallis and de Villiers studied the innings well and played sensible cricket. At the end of the day, South Africa were 223 for 4 with Kallis on 60 and de Villiers on 59. Harbhajan picked 3 off the 4 wickets.

With alrady 147 runs ahead, every run counts for both the teams. India has very minor chance of winning this test. It would be 99.99: 00.01 ratio.

Smith and Kumble Blame the Pitch!

The skippers of both the sides blamed the Chepauk pitch for the drawn first test match in Chennai.

Probably the rain before the week of the start of the test could have hampered the conditions of the pitch. He also mentioned that the pitch did not crack or deteriorate as expected and the weather condition also added to the existing woe.

Both the captains praised the batting of Virendra Shewag. Smith said, "all credit to him for the way he played"

In the meantime, Sachin is not playing the second test due to groin injury. Kaif is his replacement.

Both the captains expect the Ahemadabad pitch to produce a result.

Sachin and Kumble Injured!

Sachin will miss the 2nd test and it is almost confirmed that he is suffering from the groin injury. He was already advised to take two weeks rest which he didn't pay attention to.

He was also not in the field but had a substitute fielder. He missed part of the fielding on 1st, 2nd and 4th day. He was not in the picture on 5th day.

Anil Kumble, the skipper, who also felt a strain in the groin area, did not risk bowling too many overs. As the game was trending towards draw, both Sachin and Kumble felt that it is safe to take a back seat rather than risking their future.

Kumble's situation will be evaluated on April 2, a day before the start of the 2nd test.

Kaif is looked as a replacement for Sachin and he will be joining the team for the second test in Ahemadabad.

RP Singh also seemed to be unfit for the 2nd test. He recently recovered from hamstring injury, but he seems to be not fit 100 per cent.

Let us hope that Kumble recovers faster though Sachin is not available for 2nd test. Get well soon guys!

In the meantime, Ishanth Sharma has been declared fit and will most likely to play in the 2nd test.