Beating Australia 4-0 is no mean feat. No matter what the conditions, beating a mainstream international team four times in four Test matches and often well under five days is a terrific achievement.
Sanjay Manjrekar writes.
Ravindra Jadeja and pacer Ishant Sharma were warned by umpire Aleem Dar for wildly celebrating the dismissals of Australian batsmen during the third day's play of the fourth and final cricket Test, in New Delhi today.
The slide has been alarming for the most dominant team in cricket history. HT's expert columnist believes the debacle in India has highlighted the fact that the famed Australian cricket system hasn't been working for years now.
Ian Chappell writes.
When Arjuna Ranatunga recently said that cricket would be hit by Sachin's departure, he had a point. Khurram Habib reports.
Australia won another important toss but as has been the feature of their cricket through this series, they failed to cash in. But in this case there is a chance that their bowlers might bail them out. Sanjay Manjrekar writes.
It was only a few weeks back that I saw Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan put on a 100 runs playing for the Rest of India. So, it was really pleasing to see them put on 100-plus runs for India in a Test match this time.
Sanjay Manjrekar writes.
He loves twirling his moustache, sports tattoos on his bulging biceps, often comes to training riding customised Hayabusa bikes --- in a nutshell Shikhar Dhawan epitomised everything that was 'larger than life' in Delhi cricketing fraternity till Virat Kohli arrived.
Watching Dhoni captain India over the last couple of years, a psychologist would probably describe his performance as schizophrenic.
Ian Chappell writes.
Ian says
Perform or perish, the message for Sehwag had been unambiguous for a long time, more so before the start of the ongoing Test series. The latter is what has been decided for him, at least for now. He must go, the selectors have unequivocally ordered, and justifiably so, for his Test records in the recent past haven’t been impressive.
Aakash Chopra writes.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, none of whom have played more than 14 Tests, were the chief contributors to that triumph.
Sanjay Manjrekar writes.
Australia’s second innings collapse was swift and comprehensive but wasn’t unexpected. There have been obvious signs for a while that this team could struggle against good spin bowlers and the retirement of Mike Hussey only added to the perception. Ian Chapell writes. Ian says
Those who have followed MS Dhoni's career closely wouldn't have missed that extra enthusiasm in his celebration after India wrapped up the Hyderabad Test. Normally a smile would be followed by the uprooting of a stump for his souvenir collection. Firoz Mirza reports. India's best, at least statistically | Captain's corner
India's middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have achieved their career-best rankings in batting and bowling, respectively in the latest ICC Test Player Rankings released here today.
Big Merv must have loved every moment in the stands on the opening day of the second Test, especially the afternoon session when Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag brought alive the crowd by playing along to their calls.
The more I watch Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the more I am impressed with him. Wicket-less in his debut Test, it was great to see him make an impact straight away in the second.
Sanjay Manjrekar writes.