Transcript of the Commentary - Sri Lankan Innings

Prem: OKAY, GUYS, BREAK TIME, SEE YOU ALL BACK IN ABOUT 35 MINUTES.

Rams () Seshan: Then it cant be a second spell||||
--------------------------------------
mooli () follow what sreenee said sometime back.... goto- http://www.rediff.com/sportschat/pop_home.htm -------------------------------------- rsinha () Seshan the lesson to learn from Atapattu's innings is for Dravid. The strike rate of Atapattu is well above 50%. The reason why he is in the SL team is also because he can open and play aggressively when the situation demands, i.e he can play the hit out or get out game, while dravid just does'nt know how to get out. Ivariably he always hangs in there for 20 overs plus consuming a lion's share of the bowling there,60-80 balls and scoring at an average of 30. How can you Dravid fans tolerate One-day internationals? Prem: dharma off the last ball swings it round, just three runs all told in the final over which is brilliant work from tenndulkar, and after the allotted 50 overs, Sri Lanka ending up with 249/7, which gives India exactly 250 to chase. to describe that chase, we will be back here in about 35 minu8tes, until then, break time.

Prem: bal four and driven, single only to long off, brings mahanama on strike. ball five, on off, driven, finds the sweeper at coer, only one. 2 runs thus far and one ball left.

Deenar (dtoraskar@hotmail.com) Prem: Could you broaden the size of the comm. window. I get scroll bars and is painful to read the commentary. Also would it be possible highlight wickets in caps, makes it easy to locate. BTW, I too get says "Line 12 : Access Denied" while submitting expert comments ---------------------------- Shriram (shriram@andrew.cmu.edu) For a chane our bowlers seem to be bowling very well in the death. Good show by Srinath. Prem: ball three, on off and driven to cover, no run, great work here with three dot balls on the run

Prem: next ball, yorker and dharma can only hit it back to the bowler.

Prem: \tendulark to bowl the finla over, dharma hits it straight to cover, no run.

Prem: not sure why umpire orchard there did not call for the third umpire, all that happened very fast, rather than rule on his own,.

Srini (Srini_neeluru@hotmail.com) Prem: Why did Azhar not retain a over for Agarkar or Srinath to finish the innings ? -------------------------------------------- milman (milman@cyberspace.org) I think the Indian quickies have put a lot of effort in the nets on yorkers...and i think it is paying off. --------------------------------------------- Seshan (K.seshan@ct.utwente.nl) It would be nice if India could bowl Agarkar only for his second spell! Prem: srinath to mahanama, and a great straight drive, srinath gets his hand to it, ball hits the stumps at the non strikers end, srinath appeals and the umpire says not out -- that one looks a bad decision, the batsman was out of the crease and srinath appeardd to have got a touch. next ball, driven to ,ong off and again, kumble misfields, permits the second. end of the over.

Prem: two balls left and then an over to go after this one, lannka with three wickets still in hand and looking for a minimum of 12, i would think, from the last 8 balls. no ball next p, and a single as dharma plays it to fine leg.

neeraj (jainneeraj@hotmail.com) Now Tendu must bowl last over. Prem: srinath has been keeping it bang on target in this over, and vaas paying for tryying to swing across the line, always risky to such deliveries on a very full length.

Prem: srinath, ball four, this one angled from wide of the crease into off stump, vaas swings and misses and the ball crashes into middle stump.

Prem: srinath now to mahanama, over the wicket, yorker right up int eh block hole, batsman digs it out and gets one more to point.

Prem: srinath now going round tthe wicket, to the left handed chaminda vaas, five left in this over and one more to go after this one. full toss on off, swung around, single to midwicket.

Prem: srinath, in for the penultimate over of the innings, to mahanama who finds the single to sweeper cover off the first ball.

Prem: agarkar for the last time in this over, yorker, vaas flicks, chopra comes running in from the line and makes a mess of a simple catch, in the process, two for it to the batsman.

Prem: agarkar, and mahanama slogs him across to midwicket, gets one more.

Prem: agarkar again, to vaas, full pitch on off and driven to long off, one more.

Prem: chawla, no, just reload once. yorker again from agarkar, vaas hits out to cover, finds azhar, no run.

B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Prem, I get this runtime error whenever I click be an expert, it says "Line 12 : Access Denied" I use Windows 98!. Is it a known bug! Prem: agarkar to mahanama, the yorker length, and a single off the first ball. ball two, vaas flicks, in the air but wide of midwicket, two more.

Prem: Chaminda VAas the new man in. but that was the last ball of the 46th

Prem: fine innings this from the young batsman, and it is to the lankan board's credit that he was persisted with after a dismal start -- now settling nicely into the number three slot, checking his own strokeplay and letting the stars bat around him while he anchors the innings -- taking over, in that sense, from asanka gurusinghe who played that role superbly diuring the world cup.

Mehul Shah (mshah@eng.usf.edu) It is time for Sachin to come on. ---------------------------------------- Srikanth (cheeka@erols.com) And God said: 256/6 will be the final score. Prem: srinath for the 5th ball, a yoprker and he's gone, trying to flick against the line, atapattu, misses and that ball was bang on the stumps and full in length. the lbw appeal immediately upheld.

Prem: srinath again, to mahanama, who goes a long way across to off, plays it at his feet and races the single.

Prem: srinath, and atapattu drives, azhar dives and stops well at cover, single. srinath, ball three, mahanama lifts over midwicket, gets two to the sweeper.

Seshan (k.seshan@ct.utwente.nl) Probably there is a lesson for India in Marvin Atapattu's innings. Dravid can do this well and our (so called) stroke makers try their tricks around him. If SL can do it I do not know why our PUNDITS are after Dravid all the time. Do we lose matches because one stayed too long, may be that an excuse we should try to validate. ------------------------------------------- milman (milman@cyberspace.org) I dont think SL can post anything above 250 at this rate. ---------------------------------------- Shriram () Sorry, about the typos. I am doing to many things at once. good wicket from Agarkar. Once again, he is our breakthrough man. If Srinath had the luck agarkar had, he would easily have 250 wickets by now. Srinath seems to miss wickets by a whisker all the time. ----------------------------------------------------- Dhirendra () All right folks !! got to go for work. Hope India wins today - Dhirendra ------------------------------------------------------- BadeMiyan () Who can forget Kanitkar's performance in the match against Pakistan few months ago ( I don't know the exact date). India were chasing 317 runs and it was a superb match and Kanitkar's batting was superb at that moment which made India to create a record by defeating India. More over, if chnaces are given to him like Dravid, he will be a better choice into the team than Dravid. --------------------------------------------------------- Alps! () Sreenee: Guess Kalu afterll will not get SL to 300. 246 still sound perfect, u agree?? RAajababu:: Where r u in Deutschland?????? Prem: 4.86 the run rate and srinath comes back -- not sure, if he bowls now, he will bowl the penultimate over, be more sensible to have him bowl the final one though. ball one, atapattu plays to point, no run.

Prem: agarkar now to atapattu, four overs after this one to go, played to long on and one more, ends the over.

Prem: mahanama this time working the full length ball off his pads, through square leg, single.

Prem: atapattu on strike, agarkar for the 4th ball of the 46th, on off and the on drive on the up gets him the single. chawla:: no idea why, pal, who can guess these mysteries?

Prem: yorker length, mahanama plays it down at his feet, gets one.

B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Prem, any idea why Azhar not gives Robin a chance to bowl and also Saurav - both have been match winners! Prem: agarkar continues, mahanama the new man, and a wide first up.

Prem: shriram:: harsh?? a missed stumping and atapattu is still here, a missed catch, twos stolen to the throw, six i thought was lenient. meanwhile, kalu attempting to improvise there, was going across to off to try and play to leg, good thinking because there was no one behind square leg so if he cleared the fielder the four was on, but unfortuately for him, the lenght too full for the shot.

B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Trust only Azhar to bring Joshi in at this time - I would have bet on Sachin! If Joshi takes a wicket otherwise he would give away 10 runs and all the good work done by Srinath would go waste! Luckily Joshi just gave away 7! Still on target for 50 runs in 7 overs! -------------------------------------------- Shriram () Prem, your rating of six seems abit hars. However with the talent idnai has we should be winning just about every game we play in! --------------------------------------------------- rajababu () I completely agree with bademiyan's choice of the dream team but would like to add Dravid's name as the team has quite a few all-rounders already! Prem: nice clean hit that, very straight and hitting through the line, and ball two, across the stumps, yorker length, kalu tries to flick, gets bottom of the bat on it and finds backward square, kunmble and that is the end of kalu.

Prem: into the last five overs, and kalu down the track, lovely straight hit off the first ball, back over the bowlers head for four.

Prem: 189/4 in 40 and now 215/4 in 45, lanka, as agarkar resumes.

Prem: brings kalu on strike, last ball of the 45th, the paddle tgets one more. 7 in the over.

Prem: alps:: would give them 6, and I would pick robin. atapattu this time on his knee, hitting over midwicekt and again, two. ball five, on drive, one more to atapattu.

Shriram () Srinivas, why would you have Kanitkar in a dream team?? What has he realy done. Would be better to take Dravid as a batsman. ------------------------------------- Alps () Prem: On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being excellent), what do u give India today??? And who is your pick in the field today??? ------------------------------------------ B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Sanjay, I think Sri Lanka in the next 7 overs will make around 50 runs more provided they do not lose more then 2 wickets in the process! ------------------------------------------ rajababu () regarding Deutschland query, yes I am one of them. Prem: atapattu off drives, finds the bowler on the follow through. ball three of the 45th, the batsman getting udner it, lifts over cover, great work by gnaguly, diving stop on the line keeps it down to two.

Prem: joshi now being brought back on, he has 5 to go and agarkar has two, so has srinath, so the six overs seem to be covered here. joshi nees to bowl two tight ones, kalu sweeps and a lovely throw in from the line at backward square by sachin keeps it down to one.

Harry () lot of Chat on Dravid. Hey Lads there is lot of talentin India whtaif board does not like Dravid let them find a other more suitable player younger than dravid ---------------------------------- BadeMiyan () Instead of taking Dravid into the team, it is better to give a reduction of 10 overs to the opposite team.... -------------------------------------------- srenee () Alps>> hav you forgot 1996 world cup the way kalu played as a opener, he can always repeat that performance ------------------------------------- Alps () Rajababu: (**aa eee uuu o, ...:.) ) In England dravid better play cuz u definitely need an anchor man. India has very bad record here (apart from the aorld cup win that is) ------------------------------------------- neeraj (jainneeraj@hotmail.com) Dhirendra, Don't mind for these comments. Neeraj Jhumritaliya ----------------------------------------------------- Sanjay (sober_9899@hotmail.com) Today only Sachin can take India to victory. If he gets out cheaply then no point watching the match. --------------------------------------------------- Shriram () No way, SRi Lanka will get 300. Srinath and Kumble will make sure of that! Prem: kalu on strike, srinath for the last time in 44, bowling off a slightly shorter run now, yorker and kalu digs it out, runs with the shot, single.

Prem: single this time to kalu, out on the on side towards midwikeet, srinath again, to atapattu. on off, and driven, single to long off.

srenee () Alps>> I am kovuri srinivas but from Deutsche Bank(sing) ------------------------------------------------ BadeMiyan () ... Indian dream team is Tendulkar, Ganguly, Robin, Jadeja, Srinath, Azhar, Mongia, Kanitkar, kumble, Agarkar, Prasad with Sunil Joshi and another alrounder.. Any comments ---------------------------------------------- B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) I do agree BadeMiyan, however, we are one batsman short - how about Khoda (another opener!) (13th player), one more batsman (14th player), one wicket keeper (15th) and one more bowler (16th player) ----------------------------------------------- Harry () dhirendra! I'm sorry if you have mind it Do keep writing your comments I wrote just because I was getting irritated by USA Prem: srinath, ball three, to atapattu, on off and driven, finds long off, tendulkar, single. 4.7 the run rate, kalu now on strike to srinath.

Prem: srinath again, 44th over in progress, atapattu on strike and pushing through point, the fielder on the line, chopra, rather slow on the release, they take two.

Prem: srinath still has three overs to go, the question is about the other four. agarkar is the option, though india could have been in an even better postion by bowling a couple of overs of the non regulars, to keep regular bowlers back fot ehd eath. outside off, srinath, atapattu slashes and misses.

rajababu () I still think Dravid is the ideal no. 3. It is not all slam-bang when an early wicket falls and the matches are played in England where u don't get scores like 300+ and pitches are not conducive to on-the-rise strokes ---------------------------------------------- Sanjay (sober_9899.hotmail.com) Going by this pace, Srilankans should be restricted to less than 250. ------------------------------------------- Alps () Sreennee: I am sorry bud, but 300+ are you a Kalu FAN??? I think realistically SL will get 246 or so, your thoughts please all!!! Prem: kumble again, full toss and kalu swings it round, two to the sweeper to end over number 43.

Prem: another yorker, good bowling here from kumble, kalu digs it out. no run,.

Prem: the fster flipper, kalu pulls and fails to get it in the middle of the bat, palys it at his feet. hyorker next up, kalu flicks, misses, hit on the boot, huge appeal for lbw but apparently there was an edge thhere, two down to third man.

Prem: kumble continues, being bowled out here which does raise the question of who is going to bowl the final overs at the other end from srinath. kalu and atapattu working the singles out on the on side.

srenee () I woud say Azar shud play in 10th place here after so that India do not hav any hopes on him in near future as he shud me there in the team as he is a very good captain ------------------------------------- Alps () Is it talluri Srinivas rao??? Also are there any followers from Deutschland??? Prem: kumble continues, being bowled out here which does raise the question of who is going to bowl the final overs at the other end from srinath. kalu and atapattu working the singles out on the on side.

Prem: lovely yorker to end a very good comeback over, atapattu can do no more than dig it out back to the bowler. ALPS:: 270-ish sounds good. DHIRENDRA:: just do your thing, pal, you dont need to bother about such comments.

srenee () if Kalu is on the ground till the end then SL can very easily get 300+ ------------------------------------ dhirendra (dhirendra@hotmail.com) Hello Guys >> You all misunderstood me. I do not want to make a point that I am in USA and thats a big deal !! Prem >> Could you please let everybody know that the first time when you introduce this format, you asked us to include the location as well?? -Dhirendra --------------------------------- Alps () Prem, What do yuo think is a tough target to set India, 255??? Prem: that one was off the inner edge onto boot and the single. next ball, played by attapattu but finds midwicket, no run.

Prem: kalu now on strike to srinath, 7 overs to go after this one so around now, the acceleration should be on. yorker, kalu digs it round and gets one.

Prem: correction, that was atapattu playing that stroke, srianth again and this time, pushed to point, no run. srinath bowled a good first 5 overs, then got badly mauled in the 6th, by gunwardene, disappearing for 19 runs. coming back now and on a good line thus far. ball three, to atapattu, on middle and flicked around, single.

srenee () is it sreeram Talluri ---------------------------------------- BadeMiyan () Yes no.3 should be Robin and Srinath should be sent as a pinch hitter in some crucial matches and at no.4or 5 in the batting order in all the matches nad push Azhar down the order. ------------------------------------------- B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Agarkar should bowl 1st change. Opening can be by Srinath and Prasad, if he is playing or even Robin Singh till Agarkar learns not over exert himself with the new ball - let some one talk to him! Prem: Srinath now back into the attack, with 4 overs to go, kalu tries to swing him over midwicket but gets it high on the pad, no run.

Prem: atapattu on strike, to the last ball of the 41st and now one short of a very good 50, superb performance in the anchor role there from a batsman increasingly gaining in stature with each outing. an on drive, and that is the 50, to end the 41st over with 9 left in the innings.

Prem: next ball, a flipper on off, atapattu waiting on the back foot, lets it come on, drives well through cover and two more for it.

Prem: kumble to atapattu, full length, driven and kumble on his knee, stops the drive.

Prem: nice control on that shot, from kalu, and the next ball is played squaer on the on, gets the single.

Prem: kumble fontinues and a lovely back cut by kalu, letting the ball come on, hitting it almost off the off stump and finding the gap past point, four.

Prem: sri lanka moving on from 156/3 in 35, to head into the slog overs at 186/4

Dhirendra () Harry>> if you are a rediff regular you must be knowing that there are people from Japan, Singapore etc also join prem from ball one - Dhirendra ------------------------------------------------ Alps () Guys, I think Ajit will do a cumback, by getting 3 more wckts in his last spell! and he needs snth like that, AGREED???? ----------------------------------------------- B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Next at no. 5 should be Jadeja, no. 6 Mongia, at no. 7 we need an allrounder - Agarkar! no. 8 Srinath! no. 9 Kumble no. 10 Prasad and no. 11 the spinner ------------------------------------------------ Dhirendra () Harry>> It is the desired format, i suppose, Prem wants. Specify the name and location. Thats the only reson boddy. No big deal. Dhirendra --------------------------------------------------- harsh (harsh@hotmail.com) wish all the russians a happy red october revolution. ---------------------------------------------- deep (deep@rocketmail.com) well bowled agarkar..beating both batsmen in one over and getting the crucial wicket for india ------------------------------------------- B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Carrying on, the slot for no.3 should be for Robin Singh as you mentioned the other day, Prem! Next at no. 4 Azhar still! ------------------------------------------------------- Shriram () They shoul dbring Srianth in now. Try to rattle Kalu with some aggressive fast bowling! ---------------------------------------------------- srenee () Dhirendra USA >> thanx for the info,and about the teams of japan ,nepal etc etc .I woud like to let you know that even you and me can get qulified for those teams OK . see again TenDu magic arguna(out) --------------------------------------------------- Shriram () Though Agarkar gets hit around, he seems to get the breakthroughs. If, only he would bowl a more consitent line and stop strayng wide of the stumps h could take many more wickets. Anyway, India are back in this game. ------------------------------------------------ mooli () AGARKAR STRIKES BACK...... so guys, i think we have been blaming chopra and agarkar who might be as much a key to india's victory as tendulkar!!!! ---------------------------------------------- Alps () Prem I bet it wasn't a difficult catch as such, this is why India lose crucial matches, ones which they could win with considerable ease!! ---------------------------------------------- neeraj (jainneeraj@hotmail.com) Harry, Might be Dhirendra is thinking that going to US is a big Deal. I am From India But I am not writing Neeraj Jhumritaliya. Prem: agarkar now to kalu who plays off his pads, single.

Prem: agarkar now to atapattu, this time finds jadeja in the way of the cover drive, no run. agarkar in this over bowling the right line, very full on or around off stump. ball four, slightly shorter, pushes the batsman onto the back foot, the off drive,w ell placed, gets the single.

Prem: agarkar continues. atapattu off the first ball pushes to cover, jadeja dives but doesn't stop clean, permits the single. brings kalu on strike, be interesting to see what his approach here is going to be. agarkar again, ball two of the 40th, and kalu onto the front foot, chips over midwicket, gets one.

Prem: kumble now to atpattu, the checked cover drive fetches two, this time, with some good running and kumble helps it along by failing to hang on to the throw in from the deep -- not sure why he is glaring at the fielder, since he was the one who muffed it. last ball, the on drive fetches one more.

Prem: 4.59 run rate here, kumble to kalu, who tries to sweep, gets it on the pad, lbw appeal but that one was drifting to leg. ball four, onto the front foot and kalu gets one to midwicket.

Prem: Kaluwitharana getting the promotion ahead of mahanama, but it is atpattu on strike, gets one to cover off the first ball of kumble's over, the leggie being brought back here, with three oves in his spell to go. kalu, ball two, defends on line of off.

Prem: arjuna gone for 43, and now things getting into the really interesting phase as the lankan innings rounds into the straight.

Prem: a wicket at that point would have brought a fresh batsman to the crease, costly miss there from Kumble after getting both hands to a low one. off the last ball, though, agarkar again with the slower ball, this time it is Ranatunga who gets the leading edge as he tries to play to leg and agarkar gets it easy on the follow through, the ball lobbing up in the air and back down his throat.

Krishna Kaliappan (Krishna.Kaliappan@chiorg.unige.ch) Prem, Often, our opposite captains show our great leader!!!! Azza how to bat. Still he doesn't understand where to bat and how to bat, still says the same thing (We batted badly, bowled badly, fielded badly). ------------------------------------------------------ mooli () when guys are proclaming the spread of REDIFF, let me say, prem is very famous for his wonderful commentary and also his long and exhaustive reports.... thanks prem for all that..... and thanks also to rediff Prem: ball two on a better line, on off and played to cover, no run. ball three, agarkar to atapattu, on off and this time, he tries to flick, gets the leading edge as the bowler holds one back, ball going in the air to mid on and kumble reacts late, gets it in his hands and spills it.

Prem: guys a reminder, with this format, not really in a position to field questions, so hold it down would you please? agarkar to atpattu who flicks to midwicekt, gets two more.

Harry () Hey Dhirendra ! Why are you using USA as your sir name Most us are abroad and being USA is not a big deal ---------------------------------------------- Dhirendra (Dhirendra@hotmail.com) srenne>> Singapoor has a national cricket team. They participated in ICC qualifying tournament for Asia Cup along with Japan, Nepal, Bangladesh, UAE etc... Dhirendra USA ------------------------------------------------- Alkesh Shah (ashah1@luc.edu) Hi PRem,..did u get my email?? By the way, this new layout is pretty cool...but how about trying to work in a box that has current and required run rate?? so i dont have to keep switching to cricinfo for that...you wouldnt want that now, would you? *big smile* ----------------------------------------------- chandra (divyarb@hotmail.com) Prem, from cric info I can see that Srinath and Ajit were mauled yet again. Did they bowl badly or were the batsmen too good. More than sanath guna.. seems to have gone for the bowling Prem: alps:; keeping it down to commentry for now, pal. dravid dropped for the extra bowler. tendulkar, last ball of the 37th, and the sweep fetches Atapattu one more.

Prem: atapattu with the on drive, shutting the bat face this time to get it through midwicket for tghe single. another single to ranatunga, this time towards point, these two now getting singles at will here and the lankan score looking increasingly healthy.

Alps () Hi there Prem!!! India deserve to win a cup now! SL is a good ODI and ti should be fun. What has heppened to RDravid???? I hope Azhar clicks, your thought please! ---------------------------------------------- madan (madanks@hotmail.com) srnee>> I'm malaysia and the same here. Nobody knows cricket!! Prem: very fine innings agian from ranaunga under pressure. here he is back onto his back foot, driving through cover, one more. 81 run partnership for the 4th wicket here and it has really pulled the lankans back into the gme.

Prem: With 14 overs left in the innings, things should be coming to a boil any time now tendulkar, round the wicket, to ranatunga who paddles, edge onto pad and two to fine leg.

srenee () India can and even achive the target of 300++ unless and until tendu scores remember the last sharjah cup with auzee it was again tendu's magic do't you agree guys ------------------------------------------------ deep (deep@rocketmail.com) India need to do sthg different to break this partnership ------------------------------------------------ Dhirendra (dhirendra@hotmail.com) Prem >> I read Gordan Greenige(WI) and J Marsh(Aut). Both were praising Rahul Dravid like anything. These people know cricket and watched Rahul play. I never saw Rahul play cricket and by reading match reports in USA, i also was against Rahul's inclusion in One Day team. But after these criketers comment I am sure there is something in Rahul Dravid which is not come up yet. I hope he does well in future. Dhirendra - USA --------------------------------------------------------- Anil () Why azhar is not using robin ? Prem: agarkar to ranatunga, onto the front foot and again, a very risky single to the gentle push out on the on side, jadeja just failing with the direct throw.

Prem: agarkar this time on better line, on off, atapattu drives off the back foot, inner edge takes it to midwicket, no run. ball four, agarkar in his second spell, again strays to leg, the flick gets the batsman one more.

Prem: down the leg side and called wide, an extra to the lankan total. meanwhile, ranatunga has gone on to his 7000th odi run, and agakar again wide odwn leg, atapattu flicks, misses, but off the pads, four down to fine leg. bad line that, straying to leg.

Prem: agarkar now being brought back, joshi being held back presumably for late, and off the first ball, ranatunga pushes to mid off, robin, slight misfield makes the very quick single on, but that was incredibly risky.

Ramnath (ramnathts@hotmail.com) You can't expect Tendulkar to do the trick time and again. Srilakans are good at playing him. ------------------------------------------------ B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Let's make the team for the world cup 99 from the current set of players we know:Opening Batsmen 1. Sachin 2. Saurav 3. Dravid (yes!, I think he should be tried as an opener, many times he comes in the first over!) ------------------------------------------------ srenee () Yaa I am in singapore and all the channels over here are crzy for football etc etc they do not even show a single clipping of cricket,most of them do not even know what is cricket -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Asish (asish@worldnet.att.net) Has any reason been given for dropping Dravid? Prem: atapattu's turn to on drive, single, and tendulkar spears one in faster, has ranatunga hurryying a defensive push. last ball of the 35th, the paddle fetches one more. lanka going from 130 to 156 between overs 30 and 35, nice bit of consolidation there.

Prem: holding seems to think that lanka cant afford to be less than 250 -- i would think 270 is challenging, 250 quite gettable on a batting track in good conditions. single, next ball, with the drive to long on.

Anil () I just noticed that Kumble got the wicket of desilva, Its encouraging for kumble becoz desilva used to get a lot runs in kumble's bowling Prem: holding seems to think that lanka cant afford to be less than 250 -- i would think 270 is challenging, 250 quite gettable on a batting track in good conditions. single, next ball, with the drive to long on.

Prem: for india, tendulkar to continue post the drinks, joshi has 5 to go and kumble has three. ranatunga drives, finds cover, jadeja misfields but not seriously enough to permit the run. next ball, ranatunga slashes, not getting hold of an off break outside off, but enough wood to take the ball to third man, two more.

Prem: from a sri lankan point of view, this partnership by ensuring against a continuation of the collapse,has put the batting side in a position to go for the bowling towards the end, by virtue of having wickets in hand.

Prem: drinks on the field and rest for my fingers, folks be right back.

Seshan (K.Seshan@ct.utwente.nl) Looking at the bowling left in this innings, I assume SL will end up somewhere around 27-280 runs. Time to start hoping (SRT) and worrying (MA) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dhirendra (dhirendra@hotmail.com) PC >> Crik info does not suck !! Rediff site is important and useful because of Prem Panikar. I visit this site only for Prem. But for anything else, Cricket Info( and to some extent KHEL.com) site is very good Dhirendra USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- kapil (kbose98@hotmail.com) The indians are klacking in many aspects in cricket field firstly they don't have thatt grit to win as the sa and and have severe politics going in the board rooms -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Thanks to you, Prem, we can know what is happening out there! I am in Jakarta but cannot see the cricket as the ESPN and Star Sports telecast only the South East Asia feed and not the South Asia feed! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- srenee () these 1's and 2's are going to be very costly for India, once these guys get settled then they can easily get around 300 unless and untl Tendu does some magic as he has always been doing from last couple of years in sharjah -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- mooli () SA snatching the world cup?! i think they sort of DESERVE it... but they still have some work to do, they might have to beat INDIA which it tough if sachin bats or bowls! ha ha ! as marsh says, " INDIA's VICTORY DOESNOT DEPEND ON TENDULKAR!! it depends ONLY on him!"" ha ha ha ha ha ha -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Prem>> Wonderful to see young Chopra bowl so well...pleasant surprise, hasn't he been? Prem: Anil:: very defensive in line and length, good control, flat and fast like dharmasena of sri lanka, only turning the odd one. but immaculate control and good temperament

Prem: ranatunga and atapattu both getting singles, both concentrating on driving in the V to the fielders out on the line, which is good thinking here, and off the last ball, ranatunga gets one more, ends the over at 150/3 in 34.

Anil (anil_a@cyberdude.com) Prem , How did Chopra bowl ,His figures r decent but did he really bowl well? He is an aggressive bowler or restrictive ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Any one for change of captainship here? Who do you want to bet on? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- bobby333 (bobby333@hotmail.com) oh there he comes, tendy, reminds me of myself this chap. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dhirendra () Morning folk !! PC >> DO not abure cricket info. They are also doing a great job. It is consistant, also provide inforamtion about international criket and domestic cricket for each country Prem: joshi continues, atapattu down the track, off drives, finds the single. brings rnatunga on strike, with 17 overs including this one to go. sightscreen being readjusted for the southpaw, joshi round the wicket, and ranatunga trying to use his feet, joshi pushes it through flat and forces the gentle push to midwicket. next ball, rnatunga down the track again, this time gets to the pitch, under the ball and hoists it back over the bowler's head for the first six of the tournament.

mooli () pamm, take it easy boy.... I think prem has quite a bit of work to do, screen our mails, watch the match and comment abt it..... i am sue it will come up soon.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- srenee (srenee@hotmail.com) Prem sorry for that I did not mean too do that -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- prasad (()) How abt SA snatching the world cup'99.Respond ur views. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 007 (d007@yahoo.com) A score of about 250 world would be easy for India Prem: chawla:: not really, the fielders are placed quite okay this time round, but at this point, with spinners in action, there are going to be singles for the taking anways. sachin meanwhile tries to get ranatunga round his legs, ends up bowling a wide. next ball, faster and on off and ranatunga pushes. ball four, on off and cover driven, now bowling off breaks to the left hander and leg breaks to the right hander. ball five is short, angled on off and played to midwicket, no run. last ball of the over, to ranatunga, short, he tries an almighty heave, edge onto pad and without that edge, the batsman was a natural for the lbw. end of the over.

Prem: chawla:: not really, the fielders are placed quite okay this time round, but at this point, with spinners in action, there are going to be singles for the taking anways. sachin meanwhile tries to get ranatunga round his legs, ends up bowling a wide. next ball, faster and on off and ranatunga pushes. ball four, on off and cover driven, now bowling off breaks to the left hander and leg breaks to the right hander. ball five is short, angled on off and played to midwicket, no run. last ball of the over, to ranatunga, short, he tries an almighty heave, edge onto pad and without that edge, the batsman was a natural for the lbw. end of the over.

B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Prem, are the fielder near the line again so that the single is there for the taking? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- pam333@hotmail.com (pamm) hey, why am i not showing up on the screen??????? Prem: 71 wickets in odis thus far, and here he starts off with a leg break to atapattu, the ball trns quite a bit, atapattu cuts and finds point. ball two, is a bit wide of leg, atapattu swings it round, finds one to sweeper square leg.

Prem: 18 overs to go and with some good batting to come, in Mahanama and Kaluwitharana, be interesting to see when these two decide to try and turn it on. Meannwhile, after Chopra ends his spell, it is Tedulkar coming on, bowling leg breaks here

PC () Cricinfo sux, the scorers don't even know the field settings, right and lefty handers confuse them and can't recogonise players.. smartass commenst are no use.. get those on TV -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SameerC () Prem, what kind of target SL will be looking for, at this stage? I think 240, maybe? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- mooli () hey srenee, i have 5 windows on 2 monitors open! ha ha, i am on cricket, on jagged, on khel, on REDIFF, and i spend my time running between them trying to reload before they do themselves.... thanks again! PS: the real video comes only in frames and so it is not reallllly like TV uc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) I am all for Sachin for the second innings but should be done after this tournament. He showed who had brains and was ready to use them in the Bangladesh matches! jadeja -- i do not know for sure as he himself is suspect on fast pitches! Prem: 4,35 run rate, atapattu and ranatunga in this over consciously looking to work the ball around, finding the singles though the boundaries have been scarce for quite a while now, over 10 overs since we last saw a four.

Prem: Joshi continues, into the 32nd over, and atapattu off the second ball finds the single to long on, driving against theturn. ranatunga, in his turn, plays off his pads, the single on to the midwicket region. nice little partnerhship, 51 off 84 balls thus far, helping lanka recover after losing three wickets for just 7 runs around the 15-16 over mark.

Prem: srenee:: advertising for cricinfo, pal? sure, why not, go for it. :-) Chopra, last ball of his spell, atapattu on drives, chopra 10-2-34-1 and that inthe circumstances has been a very very good spell.

PC () fair recovery, looks like a 250+ total is going to be on -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- srenee (srenee@hotmail.com) Hi mooli! you can see all your requirements at cricket.org site its in very very clear than this site you can see every thing happening every 90 sec try it -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) We need to change the captain - before the world cup - and he should be given quite a few matches to get himself set! How about jadeja or sachin. Remember we still rue that kapil (yes Kapil Dev) was not given a second chance as a captain. We also lost a possible strategist in Ravi Shastri due to politics! Prem: atapattu this time onto the back foot and on driving, gegs the one. 4.3 per over the lankan run rate.

Prem: chopra now, to ranatunga who paddles, finds short fine leg, no run. ball three, of his final over, and ranatunga off the back foot guides through cover, tendulkar the man on the line there, they walk the single.

Prem: chopra into his final over here and atapattu starts off with a nice on drive, gets the single.

srenee (srenee@hotmail.com) hai Guys! you can even see the match live on the screen just like on the TV go to cricket.org.com select the nearest site and you can see it all just like on the TV -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- prasad (pere@rocketmail.com) Why don't Tendulkar take rest for a while and guess India's perforance????? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pradeep_Andrade (Pradeep_Andrade@i2.com) Any comments on Azza's attitude towards batting. Seems more to me like if I click fine, otherwise eveybody be dammed. Maybe he should hang out more with the likes of Jadeja & R. Singh. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () I wonder if tendulkar will be tried out once Chopra's overs are through? Prem: oops, ranatunga attempting to guide the ball, gets the inner edge and the ball actually lobs through the mid off region, bit of a mix up between jadeja and kumble ends up giving them two. last ball, turned to point, but no run, 130/3 in 30 sl moving on from 105/3 in 25.

mooli () Prem paniker, i have a couple of suggestion for this wonderful web commentary... 1. Run-Rate added with the score card 2. Split the commentary into 2 columns, one with the normal commentary and the other with all the useful fights among us who would have better liked it if we were more face to face in front of a great TV.... 3. REDIFF on WEB is like CHANNEL 9 of TV ! Prem: joshi to continue, bowling around the wicket, to atapattu, on off and played through cover, finds one to the sweeper. joshi has been bowling a nice tight line here, but not turning the ball appreciably in this outing. flights the next one, ranatunga down the track, finds azhar at cover with the push. ball three is on off and this time, ranatunga pushing just wide of jadeja at mid off and racing the single.

B S Chawla (bschawla@hotmail.com) Azhar is not a strategist - this is very clear from his bowling changes - many times he just follows a set line; further his field placing is terrible - always players are too far behind on the inner circle (line) - so that a single is for the taking! And his promotion to bat at 3 is hilarious Prem: next ball, atapattu on drives, gets one more, ends the 29th over with 21 still to go in the innings.

Prem: nice little paddle by rnatunga this time, leaning a long way forward, then angling the bat and running it down to fine leg, gets two more. into the 29th over here, chopra to ranatunga, this time he rocks back and cuts, brings in tendulkar from the fence and one more. 124/3.

srenee (srenee@hotmail.com) Aaab India need a wicket if this guy(ranthunga) is made to sleep on the pitch then he become dangerous latter on may joshi needs to do the magic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- raman (raman@hotmail.com) Thanx Satish for ur kind piece of suggestion which saved quite a few bucks from visiting a ophtamalogist. Prem: chopra continues, bowling now to atapattu, on off, the batsman leans forward, palys with the shut bat face, running it down to fine leg, gets one more.

Prem: Yes, the replay confirming that, atapttu safely home ahead of the throw on that one, so he's safe and one more for ranatunga.

Prem: chopra, into his 9th over, continues and atapattu gets the leg bye to start off. ball two, is played square, to point, jadeja gets the ball and throws the stumps down, atapattu was ambling a bit on the run but looked like he just might have made his ground before the stumps were broken.

Satish () Guys, if U want the commentary on a more "user-friendly" full-length screen, type in the full URL http;//www.rediff.com/sportschat/pop_home.htm... Prem, why don't U guys make the commentary link bring up a full-length screen? Prem: Joshi to ranatunga who is a long way forward, playing square on the on with the turn but tendulkar very quickly onot the ball this time, no run.

Pradeep Andrade (Pradeep_Andrade@i2.com) I would love an Attapattu equivalent in our side instead of Dravid. Both classical players but Attapattu gets the singles, nudges the ball into empty spots Prem: outside leg this time and atapattu helps it on his way down to fine leg, gets two more. 4.18 the run rate here, dipping all the time. ball ffive, off the back foot, through point and another single.

Prem: joshi being continued, atapattu onto the back foot and against the turn, working a rather risky single to jadeja at midwicket, jadeja's throw just failing to beat ranatunga home. next ball, held back a bit, and ranartunga almost plays it back into joshi's hands,the ball just dropping short. ball three, gentle push to mid off gets one more.

Prem: singles to both ranatunga and atapattu, and the latter ends the over with another single, the fifth of the over, down to long on.

Satish () Guys, if U want the commentary on a more "user-friendly" full-length screen, type in the full URL http;//www.rediff.com/sportschat/pop_home.htm... Prem, why don't U guys make the commentary link bring up a full-length screen? Prem: ranatunga, this time, on strike and playing late off his pads, getting the single behind square leg, 4.15 the run rate thus far for lanka, dropping drastically from the 6 an over they were at one point.

Prem: chopra, again flat and quick through the air, pitches middle and with the turn, atapattu working it to long on, gets the single.

Prem: chopra being continued, here, seven overs bowled, 7-2-18-1 thus far and going at 2.57 which is very very good, has three overs left and now bowling to atapattu, on off and played to midwicket, with the turn, finds azhar.

Ravi (dvravi@singa.pore.net) I think Chopra should be bowled thru. Kumble should now make way for Joshi and come back in the end. the key is what to do with the 9 overs left of the pacers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alok (kumaralok@hotmail.com) Can any body will explain why Rahul is not playing or is he going the Kambli way !!!1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Makhan (seru@home.com) Prem: Is it a spinner's pitch? Please fill in about Chopra! Thanx Makhan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BadeMiyan () Well we can't compare Chopra with kanitkar presently.. because from one match we can't judge a bowler. Kanitkar is good alrounder. Prem: ranatunga drives, back to the bowler and atapattu has a scramble to get back into his ground there. ball four, tossed up on off and ranatunga onto the front foot, playing down the line and finding cover. joshi, ball five, and ranatunga driving away from his body, in the air and finds the gap at point, the umpire calls one short there, so just one where they had run two.

Prem: Joshi now being brought on for Kumble, who has three left in the over, bowling to atapattu, starts with a wide down leg, now gets his line right, pitching leg and turning to middle and off, forcing the defensive push, and joshi getting some turn here early on. ball three pushed to mid on, single.

Prem: chopra flights one this time, to atapattu, who flicks, playing off the pads, tendulkar quickly in off the line at midwicket, keeps it down to a single with a flat, fast throw in from the deep to end the over. lanka going from 93/3 in 20, t0o 105/3 in 25.

Pradeep_Andrade (Pradeep_Andrade@i2.com) Seriously guys the current set up is very brittle. Except for Tendulkar, Jadeja and R. Singh we have a bunch of moody players. Click and you win any cup. On a mediocre day an English County side could whip us. Not my team for a shot at the worldcup -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- raman (()) Anand,For ur kind information dravid is pretty consistant of his low profile game as far as 1 dayers are considered irrespective of situation of his entry. Prem: chopra flights one this time, to atapattu, who flicks, playing off the pads, tendulkar quickly in off the line at midwicket, keeps it down to a single with a flat, fast throw in from the deep to end the over. lanka going from 93/3 in 20, t0o 105/3 in 25.

Prem: chopra flights one this time, to atapattu, who flicks, playing off the pads, tendulkar quickly in off the line at midwicket, keeps it down to a single with a flat, fast throw in from the deep to end the over. lanka going from 93/3 in 20, t0o 105/3 in 25.

Prem: sameer, chopra is very steady, in that sense way ahead of kanitkar, very commendable accuracy and every now and again, now, he is making one turn so that puts a bit of doubt in the batsman's mind. ranatunga on strike, chopra bowling and spearing it in on off, flat and no room for the batsman to get under the ball and lift. ball five, off his hips, single through square leg.

Sameer () Prem, how do you compare Chopra's bowling with Kanitkar's? Prem: One over short of the halfway mark and the game in delicate balance -- consolidation the name of the game for the lankans, and here atapattu, facing chopra, on drives, nice shot again but again, just the one to the fielder.

Prem: good tight line here from kumble to ranatunga, keeping him quiet, into his 7th over here kumble so about this time, he should be looking to be tken off.

BadeMiyan () If there are players like Dravid & Azhar in our team we can have Tendulkar & TENdull-kars in our team. Azhar is a successful captain not because of his cricket talent but because of the other team members. He is a good captain but not a good player presently. Satish () Prem, now the question is, do U take Kumble off and keep him for the end or bowl him thru?? interesting to see what Azza does here... BadeMiyan () If there are players like Dravid & Azhar in our team we can have Tendulkar & TENdull-kars in our team. Azhar is a successful captain not because of his cricket talent but because of the other team members. He is a good captain but not a good player presently. Prem: kumble to atapattu, outsdie off, lovely drive, there is a pleasing fluency about atapattu's strokeplay but on this occasion, with the sweeper in place, just the one for a copybook shot. rtnga waits, tries to work the next one off his pads, finds square leg, no run.

Prem: 4.34 per over at the 100-run mark, and ranatunga on strike, kumble the bowler and rtunga plays to mid off, the fielder there is a bit wide, so the single is easily on.

alok (kumaralok@hotmail.com) anandji (anandjee@hotmail.com) India is not 10dulkar or ten joker but it is a Single man show Prem: chopra to ranatunga, who leans back, lets the ball spin away and slams it through cover but robin dives there to stop, very good stop it was too and no run. ball six, the paddle, single to short fine to end the over.

Prem: Now that is the first time I've seen Chopra this morning give the ball a tweak, ball comes in from outside off, atapattu was playing for the straight one and had to hurry his push. next ball, played with the spin on the on side by atapttu, gets one through midwicket.

anand (anandchand@hotmail.com) Come on guys, u bring a guy into the team who has no idea where his one-day career is and who comes in at the fall of 2 quick wickets and u expect him to plunder the attack. Are u joking ???? I was talking about Dravid Prem: Chopra continues and ball one, Ranatunga down the track, swings free and hits him back over his head, straight down the ground for four. the lankann skipper apparently looking to take the attack to the offie, next ball is played to mid off, very quick single taken.

Pavan (psibal@Yahoo.com) well Very goodmorning all of u from US India is back lets see how good adv they take of the early wickets after a good thrashing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nat (nliyer@home.com) BadeMiyan - I must ask you to be more informed.. we have of late won matches only because of the benius in Tendulkar...other than that everyone else in the Indian Team is complacent nunch of idiots. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pradeep Andrade (Pradeep_Andrade@i2.com) Ranatunga is most dangerous with his back against the wall. snap him and you have a low scoring game Prem: kumble, ball five, slows it down, atapattu pushes back down the track. last ball of the 22nd, the faster flipper and atapattu cuts, finds the fielder, sachin at point, another maiden so that is two on the trot and a good comeback here from the indians.

Prem: kumble continuing, bowling nnow to atapattu, into the 22nd over here and keeping to the line around off, atapattu very clean in defence, feet and head right together, but not able to find the room to pierce the field thus far. forced, off ball three, to rock back and try the cut, but again, with the ball this close to the stumps, no room, can only find point. another attempt to cut, beaten by the extra bounce on a faster flipper and mongia collects.

mooli () OK guys! i have been listening to ur comments and i think it is time to make some of mine.... 1. one should not judge a new player with contempt... chopra has done very well so far... 2. agarkar/prasad--though i feel that prasad should be given a chance, there is always this possibility that he might go to jaya as he did in the past(at least when he was in form) but still i pity prasad... u cannot have sachin and TEN-dulkars in the team! 3. get rana OUT!!!! 4. i hope indian team is NOT TEN-dulkar and TEN-jokers!!! Prem: there is now a slip in place for chopra, good thinking by Azhar as the offie is bwoling to the left hander, and ranatunga in any case has the habit of trying to run the ball through to third man. ball four was just outside off and Ranatunga slashes and misses. bad shot selection on that one. ball six of the over, pushed through quicker through the air and ranatunga defends, chopra gets his second maiden, good bowling thus far.

Prem: 4.65 now the run rate as chopra continues, and again, that flat, full line on off stump, ranatunga pushes defensively. faster ball, next up, outside off and ranatunga lets it go.

Prem: 4.65 now the run rate as chopra continues, and again, that flat, full line on off stump, ranatunga pushes defensively. faster ball, next up, outside off and ranatunga lets it go.

BadeMiyan (narendra.n@pcm.bosch.de) Well raman you can't judge a bowler from his sing;e match performance ( Even our selectors are doing the same). The contribution of Karnatake Bowlers to Indian cricket is enormous. Even now show me a bowler like Srinath, Prasad & kumble who can win matches for India. India has rarely lost a match because of bowlers.. it has lost many matches because of batsmen like Azhar & Dravid Prem: Both batsmen keeping the strokes in check, looking for the singles, ends the 20th on 93/3 progressing from 80/1 in 15.

Random (probability@mailexcite.com) Prem, where is ur funny bone? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Random (probability@mailexcite.com) DC, Dharmasena means religion's army. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nat (nliyer@home.com) I think we are a batsmen or two short Compare our batting to Australia..where Darren Lehman comes in at No 7...our tail is exposed at number 5 Random (probability@mailexcite.com) Prem, where is ur funny bone? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Random (probability@mailexcite.com) DC, Dharmasena means religion's army. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nat (nliyer@home.com) I think we are a batsmen or two short Compare our batting to Australia..where Darren Lehman comes in at No 7...our tail is exposed at number 5 Random (probability@mailexcite.com) Prem, where is ur funny bone? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Random (probability@mailexcite.com) DC, Dharmasena means religion's army. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nat (nliyer@home.com) I think we are a batsmen or two short Compare our batting to Australia..where Darren Lehman comes in at No 7...our tail is exposed at number 5 Prem: kumble to atapattu, who drives, finds the cap at cover, gets the single.

Prem: Kumble continues, full length and ranatunga flicks, finds chopra at square leg, just the single, good stop by the offie diving to his right.

lydall () Prem, Good morning. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () That's the killer punch... D'SIlva is gone, and with that, 1/3rd of the SL side... great work by the spinners.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BadeMiyan (narendra.n@pcm.bosch.de) Kumble has given runs... but not in the crucial matches..but only in Batting pitch. But Agarkar... any match you see his bowling figures.. it will be always above 50... more over now a days he is not even taking tickets which is what everyone expects from a fast & entry bowler. Selectors are really doing a wrong thing by not giving chance to Prasad Prem: outsie off but the faster ball, atapattu cuts, beaten by the extra pace, misses, no run to end the over.

Prem: someone wanted to know why I mentioned dharmasena -- the reason is that chopra bowls like him -- not much into turning the ball, concentrating instead on a flat, full line and bowling wicket to wicket, not giving room for strokeplay.

Prem: chopra, who bowls very much off his front foot, rocking onto the front foot as he delivers, to get momentum, finally gives the width outside off and atapattu rocks back, slams it through cover, four for it.

amitabh (amivira@hotmail.com) we should bring on Dravid now! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- abhay (ajajoo@zsassociates.com) Srinath continues his bad form : is he trying too hard... 6 overs 40 runs.. Agarkar comparatively did better 5 overs 26 runs.. and how about nikhil -- 3 overs 1 maiden, 4 runs and a wicket.. wow! Appears like Indian bowling problems are with the seniors : srinath and kumble not the juniors -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rajababu () I think this talk about Agarkar should not progress any further. Just a couple of bad matches and people climb on the guy's chest. He has the record for the fastest 50 wickets and is only 20 years old. Let us not prove that 'public memory is short' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- dc (dc@postimpressions.com) Prem> What a Dharmasena? Prem: the plus for the lankans here is that with a good run rate thus far, the two batsmen at the crease can take their time, settle in, ut by the same token, the indians finally in with a chance here to peg the lankans down to a low score.

Anand (anandchand@hotmail.com) Uguys keep saying about the azhar fiasco, remeber guys from 33/3 to 300/3 against zibabwe -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Crucial, crucial wicket there... Prem, if this guy can bowl such a good line and length, he should have been played against the southpaw-heavy WI.... could have been effective there... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- raman (()) This the right time for Azhar to think and work to give chance to chopra and as well its time for K'nataka guys to learn what's called BOWLING. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- () Tailormade for Dsilva.. get ste and trhen go! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mooli () I think Chopra has at least proved his inclusion! what do u say, guys? Prem: Ranattunga now to the wicket, in the 18tth over, facing kumble

Prem: ads driving at kumble and finding the fielder at cover twice on the trot, azhar now bringing his fielders in, six in the ring and that is the next wicket -- d'silva trying to play off his pads, kumble held that one back, d'silva played too early, shuffling too much to off to play the shot, the flipper coming on late, stopping a bit and a gentle chip to ganguly to mid off. soft dismissal there, gone for 0 and india finally pulling themselves right back into the game here.

Prem: ads driving at kumble and finding the fielder at cover twice on the trot, azhar now bringing his fielders in, six in the ring and that is the next wicket -- d'silva trying to play off his pads, kumble held that one back, d'silva played too early, shuffling too much to off to play the shot, the flipper coming on late, stopping a bit and a gentle chip to ganguly to mid off. soft dismissal there, gone for 0 and india finally pulling themselves right back into the game here.

Prem: jaya was looking rather off colour throughout this innings, not really given room for the shots he loves -- square through point, over mid off and mid on and off the pads, through the midwicket region. Chopra adding to his problems by doing a Dharmasena on him, finally forcing the mistake. ADS now on strike, to Kumble.

Nat (nliyer@home.com) Azhar may be at best a good batsmen...but he has cricketing brains the size of a peanut. NO Planning, No Planning, No Planning Prem: very, very bad work from jaya and chopra strikes -- fired one down on leg stump, jaya first came down the track, then changed his mind, tried to padle it down to leg, ended up playing all over it, the ball was straight and fast on leg stump and jaya out, bowled round his legs and chopra's accuracy, more than turn or flight, providing india a vital breakthrough here.

rsinha () I don't know why suddenly this campaign against agarkar. Agreed that Prasad is too good a bowler to be sitting out. But look at other bowlers, Srinath, Kumble. When was the last time we won a one day game because of his bowling and has a couple of bad overs always either at the death or at the beginning. And Kumble these days I always see a minimum of 50 off 10 these days and its been sometime since he has won a match for India. Agarkar has the best strike rate currently. Ithink India should soon find an alternative to Srinath. Agarkar could easily be groomed to be one. And yes it would be really good to see Prasad back. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sandesa () Just came along prem just fill me in .. plis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- aman (aman@xtra.co.nz) satish - let's just hope that that doesn't become necessary Prem: chopra continues, bowling to atapattu, into the 17th over and again, with a slip in place, chopra concentrating on bowling very flat, very fast, bang on line of off and keeping the batsman from swinging his arms. ball two frcationally short, played off the pads, one to midwicekt. 5.08 the run rate, being pegged back after being 6 per over some four overs back. chopra, to jaya, bowling over the wicket, outside off and too much room, the cut is well played, tendulkar runs acorss and cuts it off, two for it.

rajababu () Hello uppal, that's precisely the point we are making. That we can't recall Azhar having won any ONE match for us recently. We have to go all the way back to 1993 as u mentioned !! And i remember that match; he was made the captain for only that match and he got a repreive after that innings and he was made the captain for the whole series!! Prem: kumble really tossed that one up, and follows up with one flatter and faster, forces the defensive push, just two in the over.

Prem: kumble now to jayasuriya, azhar has 6 inside the ring for the new man but just the minimum four for jaya, into the 5th ball of the over, flighted on off, driven, finds point, no run.

Prem: third ball of the 16th, kumjble to atapattu, nice line on off and a very full length, there is a slip in place, the batsman finds point with the push, no run. ball four, driven to mid off, agarkar fields and throws the stumps down direct, but the batsmen are home.

Satish () Great bowling by Chopra thus far.... looks like he can bowl... :)) now to see if he can bat... Prem: ball two, played to long off, bringing the fielderr in off the line, single to jaya and kumble now to atapattu.

Prem: kumble to continue, india going in with three spinners here, plus two pacers and the irregulars, robin, sachin and ganguly so azhar certainly has a glut of options with the ball. jaya gets a yorker length ball, some loop on it, leans forward and digs it out, finds mid on, no run.

Prem: chopra to atapattu who is forward, pushing, finds point, no run, 80/1 in 15 SL. having moved from 48/0 in 10.

PC () Gosh passion really flying high! are they not! man wish i could start a legal betting thing on cricket.. Prem: this time, jaya pushes to mid on, gets the single and brings atapattu on strike, the right hander growing in confidence in recent times.

Prem: chopra continues, and it is Jaya on strike. on off first up, and played defensively. ball two, chopra not bothering with flight or turn, angling the ball in on off and keeping it very flat, very much in the dharmasena mould, not giving room for strokeplay. jaya turns it round and finds leg slip. no run again. ball four, to jaya, and again, very flat, very fast, no room, forces the defensive push.

uppal (uppal@aol.com) Oh my God Prem. U fell for it! Iam convinced that rediff is so ANTI-AZZA! Thanks for laying to rest my doubts!! Goodluck guys. vprabhu () Prem you are too Patriotic. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- srivatsan (chellnir@hotmail.com) manoj-irrespective what u say about azhar's captaincy sachin cannot play his natural game when he is a captain-But Sachin will learn to be a good captain with out affecting his performance as he gains experience-Azhar's performance in the field as a Captain may not be proved with mere statistics-irrespective of what u say he should be our next captain for the next world cup -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pavan (ard9711@iss.nl) I can't understand the way you are trieng to put blame on Azhar! ofcourse he will fail when the bowlers are not doing well! If sachin fails in his batting you people again put blame on Azhar by saying that Azhar is responsable for batting order failure. Captiancy is organising the quality__ and it does not create quality independetly... isn't it? Pushon (s.datta@worldnet.att.net) I don't understand the obsession in playing Agarkar inspite of less than impressive performance in matches after matches. Its a pity that a quality bowler like Prasad are sitting out and Agarkar keeps getting a chance. Well ever1 knows Bombay lads special favors in Indian cricket! If they dropped Prasad for similar grounds why on earth Ag'kar gets to play? Prem: And there is the wicket, yorker length last ball of the 14th, Gwardene trying to flick across the line, misses and loses his stump. and with that, it is drinks, folks. taking a breather here.

Prem: short ball this time and gwardene swings him round, gets hold of it well and gets the four through midwicket to get to a good 50, off 53 balls. making up for an uncertain start, here.

Prem: short ball this time and gwardene swings him round, gets hold of it well and gets the four through midwicket to get to a good 50, off 53 balls. making up for an uncertain start, here.

Prem: kumble to jayasuriya, single to mid on. next ball, the flipper takes the edge of gwardene';s bat, flies to third man and two more for it.

Prem: Uppal:: Since you keep mentioning Rediff, I could ask you to name the sites, and the international commentators, who according to you blasted Sachin's captaincy, but why bother, huh? By the way, 1993 is as far back as you had to go to get one instance?

Pavan (ard9711@iss.nl) Perhaphs, Ganguly can help in this situation!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rajababu (rajendra.ar@pcm.bosch.de) I might have agreed if someone said Dravid was good for Test cricket after seeing the last match. But in the match before that, his slow scoring was called appropriate as sachin was firing. But anyone who has seen his 2 innings - one at Madras against the old and all-time enemy and the one against Donald can't agree he is bad. It's a matter of confidence guys, give the poor chap a break. And sincerely, let Azhar take a break !! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alok (alok@poboxes.com) Jayasurya is not his usual self. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- uppal (uppal@aol.com) Manoj Iam not here to sat up anargument. Plesae get ur facts right before u say anything! For all the hype about Sachins captaincy at rediff and his bating when he was captain, PLEASE NOTE THAT IN 1997 sachin had an average of 30 something in one-dayers. 30!! thats ajoke for a player o his calibre!! And about the SA tour ravid was the best batsman on tour. And the only good score sachin made was with azza wen they both scored marvelous centuries! AND aboutthe WI tour, well read any match report other than from rediff, u'll find reputed commentators, writers etc have criticized sachins captaincy!! 1 match azza won for us?? 183 against england at calcutta 1993. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- srivatsan (chellnir@hotmail.com) After a poor test series now the Pakis are getting thrashed in one dayers too against Aussies.I feel sorry for the Paki team -the real team is one of the best in the world atleast on paper but they are not able perform in their own home grounds-ist because of the curent turmoil because of all this betting allegations- would appreciate your views on this -prem -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pavan (ard9711@iss.nl) Match is tightening up its grip by Srilankans. It's their favourite way of starting like this. Is Gunwardhane is another young opener to Srilanka? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pushon (s.datta@worldnet.att.net) Prem: The way Sri and Agarkar are bowling, I think we already know the result of this match. Are you going to take the rigor of doing a live commentary of a lost match! Prem: slip and a very short fine leg, almost a leg slip, in place for the offie bowling to the left hander, gwardene tries to drive, doesn't get hold of it, no footwork on that shot, plays it back to the bowler. ball four, gwardene down the track, chopra drops it short, the batsman defends, not being able to get under it there, he was looking for the hit over long on. ball five, again down the track, this time aiming over cover but giving himself too much room, mishits, finds cover. no run. last ball, on off and played to cover, to end the maiden, a good start for chopra, bowling length and line here without trying to turn the ball too much.

Prem: slip and a very short fine leg, almost a leg slip, in place for the offie bowling to the left hander, gwardene tries to drive, doesn't get hold of it, no footwork on that shot, plays it back to the bowler. ball four, gwardene down the track, chopra drops it short, the batsman defends, not being able to get under it there, he was looking for the hit over long on. ball five, again down the track, this time aiming over cover but giving himself too much room, mishits, finds cover. no run. last ball, on off and played to cover, to end the maiden, a good start for chopra, bowling length and line here without trying to turn the ball too much.

Satish () Good batting this by the lankans.. with just 2 good overs, they are up at the 6-an-over mark.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MANOJ (wing15@mailcity.com) PREM , I think it is the right time to bring Joshi . Kumble is not going to be effective here . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Just what the doctor ordered for Lanka.... 3 fours in an over.....the only time Agarkar *live* in action was in Toronto, and it was distressing to see him time and again straying to leg to Anwar (a cardinal mistake) without a deep square leg in one of the games.... and of course , he kept pitching it short to the likes of Inzy and Afridi and they had a ball....Disappointing to see this in such a promising young bowler.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUDEEP (sudeep@hotmail.com) We have also seen that Tendulkar's batting is seroiusly affected when he is given the captaincy. So MANOJ I feel we should stop thinking about Tendulkar as Captain for the moment. If his batting gets affected then no matter who is the captain INDIA LOSES. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arun (arun@wmi.co.in) Whats happening to our bowlers ....They are being hit all over the place :-(( -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- srivatsan (chellnir@hotmail.com) prem-I think the score card is not keeping pace with which the Sri Lankans are scoring. How many matches has this guy Gunawardene played ? He seems more deadly than Jayasurya ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MANOJ (wings15@mailcity.com) GUYS : WHO EVER IS SUPPORTING AZHAR AS CAPTAIN just minus the runs of Sachin in last one year and see what remainig team has done . When Sachin is on the crease he is not asking for the leadership of Azhar to hit the ball . Leadership is needed while side is bowling and there Azhar is the total failure . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vprabhu () Prem I told you against West Indies sachin had to be brought to bowl to phio earlier look what SA did Prem: Now going at 6 an over, Lanka, for the first time today and Nikhil Chopra the off break bowler being brought on, tough time for him to get his first bowl. not much turn in the pitch just now, for the bowler, this is his 3rd odi and he has one wicket thus far, economy rate 6.5. bowls to gwardene who pushes forward without really getting in line.

Prem: outside leg, jaya tries to flick and misses, mongia sees the stumping chance, grabs at the ball and fails to hold on, that was a chance that should have been capitalised on, jaya being a way out of his crease when the ball got to the keeper.

Prem: kumble to jaya, off the padds and again, the single to mdiwicket, fielders too deep in the ring to stop this flow of singles -- they need to be closer, or these two can milk singles all day. there goes another one off the fifth ball, to gwadene, again to midwicket, brings jaya back on strike.

Prem: kumble now to gwardene, on a wicket not exactly suited to his brand of fizzy flippers. gwardene onto the front foot, flicks, finds short fine leg, no run. gwardene was very tentative early on but he is opening out here, and this time, finds the single to midwicket with a checked push.

Prem: Kumble now coming on, replacing Agarkar. Jaya on strike, a slip in place and the first ball is gently palyed to long on, the single is on.

srivatsan (chellnir@hotmail.com) what is the present situation on Kambli ? Has he recovered from his injury? What are the chances of him making it back to the Indian team? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rajababau () C'mon Prem I was just mentioning 2 basic cricket equipment. Sorry and puzzled that u found it objectionable!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUDEEP (sudeepbh@hotmail.com) Satish>>> What I feel Ganguly might just not click in this situation since he has been out of bowling in Hard tracks for a long time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BadeMiyan (narendra.n@pcm.bosch.de) I think now a days Agarkar has lost his magic touch on the Ball.... It is better to bring back Prasad -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pushon (s.datta@worldnet.att.net) Azhar fans: He is good on flat wickets. He will keep failing on bouncy and faster tracks. This is simply because a backfoot player like Azhar is always a suspect on tracks assisting seam and swing bowling. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- anandji (anandjee@hotmail.com) Hai sachin come live and kill jayasuriya -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sameer () "srinath very impressive this morning," Prem, this is AFTERNOON!! :)) Prem: last ball of the 11th, srinath to gwardene, going over the wicket for the first time today, sri, on off and he blocks and again, the ball off the edge, in the air but wide of point and two more. agarkar went for 12, now sri's turn to go for 18 runs in that over as the lankans finally get off the blocks here. would appear time to bring the slower bowlers on, with the shine off, the ball is coming on nice ly to the batsmen here.

Prem: 12 thus far in this over, two of the drives proving fortuitous but heck, the lankans wont worry, they got two fours for it and suddenly, the pressure is off them again, and back on the bowlers. and this time, that is a spectacular shot -- gwardene onto the front foot, swung his arms nicely, took it on the up and smashed it through extra cover -- that, unlike the two previous ones, was a shot of pure class.

Prem: short ball on middle and leg, gently played away and one more to jaya, into the 11th over here. Next ball, outsdie off and this time, gwardene into the action with another blazing cover drive, four more. ball four, again the drive, in the air but again, fortune favouring the brave, ball wide of the fielder at point and with no cover behind, four more.

uppal (uppal@aol.com) Common guys!! Read Goeff March's Interview at rediff. Sachin is undoubtedly the best batsman in the world. With out a douth he is. But the best player need not be ideal for captaincy as was seen in sachin's case! u can go back in history and look at BOTHAM, when he was at his best, but he was a miserable captain. Imran Khans come only once ina lifetime!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manoj (wings15@mailcity.com) UPPAL , how can you call that period miserable . That was the only period we defeated Pak many times . Sachin did well on the tours of WI and SA . That too when no body was there to back out that guy . Everybody expects him to win all the time . Just mention 1 match which Azhar has won on his own in his captaincy . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUDEEP (sudeep@hotmail.com) I feel that Jadeja can lead the side better in ODI's. We have already tried Sachin but now I feel Jadeja should be given a chance.Azhar might be the best Indian captain statistically speaking but it is a matter of fact he still relies heavily on Ten and Gang. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan (()) Coming to the captaincy matter, I feel, Tendulkar has been always responsible and still the better choice to lead the country. It all depends on when Kambli will be fit so that Azhar can be thrown out of the team. Azhar definitely needs a permanent break. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PC () Heyy, SL not of to that bad a start.. and they can open up now, with the quicks off.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- srivatsan (chellnir@hotmail.com) if rahul has been dropped who has been given his place ? It is a bad move as far as Rahul is concerned. This was the ideal tournament for Dravid to prove he can play one day games as well as test cricket. Prem: short ball on middle and leg, gently played away and one more to jaya, into the 11th over here.

Prem: short ball on middle and leg, gently played away and one more to jaya, into the 11th over here.

Prem: Jaya on strike now to Srinath, outside off, trying to tempt him into the drive, jaya obliges, ball flying off the edge but past point and out of his reach, four for that so suddenly, the acceleration coming out of nowhere.

Prem: Thanks to that one bad over, when agarkar strayed all over the place, the lankans moving from 17/0 to 48/0 in the second five-over period, 12 of those runs coming off the last over and that was really easing of the pressure at the wrong moment.

Prem: next ball, bad line again, outside off and room for the batsman to swing his arms, gwardene smashes it through cover, for the third four of the over.

Prem: after some tight bowling, agarkar losing it there, pitches short and gwardene swings him over midiwkcet, for the four -- dont know why he feels the need to pitch the shorter length every now and again, ends up undoing all his own hard work.

Prem: after some tight bowling, agarkar losing it there, pitches short and gwardene swings him over midiwkcet, for the four -- dont know why he feels the need to pitch the shorter length every now and again, ends up undoing all his own hard work.

Satish () Sudeep>> regarding ganguly, on such flat tracks, he will be harder to get away coz of his slow pace and the batsman will have to hit that much harder... well, even though the ball won't swing and seam, U can always use him for 4-5 overs... that's what stock bowlers are there for.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rajababu () Sometime back Pakistan had decided to play seriously without accepting any more bribes. But when they lost they were still accused! So I have a feeling that the entire team has decided to take bribes and lose since it is not going to make any difference ! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- srivatsan (chellnir@hotmail.com) azhar may have flopped in the previous 2 0r 3 matches but still auestion does not arise for him to drop himself as he is a very talented player and i feel he has got atleast two years of good cricket ahead of him -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MANOJ (wings15@mailcity.com) ANIL , I do agree with you . I think it is the right time India look for a younger player to lead the team . The best thing is to fo back to Sachin otherwise Jadeja is fine . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pushon (s.datta@worldnet.att.net) Prem:Do u think it was a good idea to drop Dravid?? I thought you have to give a batsman a longer run in order to gain him in confidence. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan (Krishna.Kaliappan@chiorg.unige.ch) Mongia maynot be an ideal partner to Tendulkar as we need a left right combination. Probably Robin Singh can do that. Prem: agarkar now to gwardene, slower ball, but well picked by the batsman, was fractionally short on off, so he had the room to hit it back past the bowler, on the rise, gets four. looks impressive at times, gwardene, but very unsure outside off especially to srinath. ball three, short outside off and a huge swing gets only the bottom edge, no run as the ball bounces at his feet.

Prem: Ankit, Chopra is an offspinner. Meanwhile, Jaya on strike, agarkar the bowler, still over the wicket, pitche middle and jaya finds a single to mid on, checking his push.

Prem: Ankit, Chopra is an offspinner. Meanwhile, Jaya on strike, agarkar the bowler, still over the wicket, pitche middle and jaya finds a single to mid on, checking his push.

Ankit (ank82@hotmail.com) Who is Nikhil Chopra? Bowler or Batsman? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- uppal (uppal@aol.com) I dont believe what iam reading here!! After a miserable year and a half with Sachin tendulkar at the helm, We have started winning again!! Stop cribbing guys. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sudeep (sudeep@hotmail.com) It is a matter of fact that everytime India relies on Ten and Gang. If this is the situation India might face the same situation what Pak is facing in the hands of Aussies Prem: Thus far, good bowling and fielding from the Indians keeping the Lankans from getting off to the kind of start they would have liked on this track.

ssp (ssp99@usa.net) hi prem , i joined recently. please tell, why srilankan start is so slow? because of tight bowling from Indians or because of "Dravid-Mania". -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satish () Guys, there is no point in cribbing about azza's captaincy by the way.. we are stuck with the man as long as he wants to lead, and that's it!! One of the obvious reasons is that the man won't play well under any other captain, as witness his rank irresponsible batting under Sachin's captaincy, and unfortunately, India does not have the wealth of talent to do without him, right now. Number 2 is the fact that Wadekar and Shivlal Yadav (the spinner who never was) are solidly behind him... and #3, there are no *obvious* captains in the team, are there?? Sad state of affairs... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pradeep Andrade (Pradeep_Andrade@i2.com) Maybe a little premature but Dravid should be dropped lower down in the order maybe to No.5. A classical player who plays with stiff hands and straight to the fielder -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- arun (arun_s@hotmail.com) Azhar is a better batsman in the middle overs rather than in the top. He should ideally play No.4 after Rahul Dravid. Inspite of his poor performance in the Wills Cup he should be included for the World Cup. He would be an ideal No.3 in English conditions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manoj (wing15@mailcity.com) I think , Rahul should replace Azhar in next match if he fails today also . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna Kaliappan (Krishna.Kaliappan@chiorg.unige.ch) Prem, Surprising to see Indians have done so much home work for the SriLankans, atleast for Jayasurya. But it is sad to see India going with one batsman short which puts more pressure to Tendulkar. Prem: Nice line again -- angling in to off on a full length, jaya plays to point and finds robin, srinath very impressive this morning, bowling off a three quarter lineup. jaya, ball four, onto the front foot trying to take it early and flick, finds ganguly at deep midwicket and both srinath and ganguly exchange smiles, looks like there is some kind of strategy to get jaya out caught in that position. single though, this time. next ball, to gwardene, but short on middle and swung around, two behind square.

SUDEEP (sudeepbh@hotmail.com) Satish talking of Ganguly to Bowl I feel that the pitch is not fit for slow medium pace and using him might not help. Azhar should have dropped himself and tried out Jadeja as the skipper.Tendulkar and Ganguly are not clicking together well this days. So Mongia and Tendulkar should be tried out. ----------------------------------- rajababu () We talk about how batsmen let the team down and all such stuff without ever giving a thought about how momentary the job can be. It takes one ball to get out even if u are batting on 375. So, guys, remember "To be a batsman, more than a bat, you need ****!" ----------------------------------------- Anil () manoj , if azhar performs well then its a bonus to the team , people don't expect any good performance from him Prem: srinath continues and agiain, briliant line here tucking jaya up around the off stump, the opener has been trying to hit across the line and being beaten for pace, time and again. ball two, flicked, just out of reach of midwicekt though that was in the air, gets two for it.

Prem: faster ball this time, and jaya plays through cover, gets one more running with the shot and just making his ground ahead of the throw to the non-striker's end from ganguly. into the 8th over here, last ball, gwardene drives, no run.

Vels (svelmurugan@dns.ufsia.ac.be) Guys>> Pak is HEADING towards one of the MISERABLE Defeats at the hands of AUSSIES (who are MINNOWS IN SRT's Dictionary) What say?? ------------------------------------ Vinayak (snagorao@kanbay.com) I think if Sachin gets out in first 2-3 overs,some pinch hitter should be sent like Srinath or Sunil Joshi. Because they are of no use in the end. ---------------------------------- Manoj (wing15@mailcity.com) Satish , I agree with you . Azhar has no faith in Ganguly 's bowling . Sachin used him perfectly . --------------------------------- gowda (gowda123@hotmail.com) What we herd and saw in the challangers cup that he is good with both ball and bat. I think India have a chances that they can win the match. -------------------------------------------- Anil (anil_a@cyberdude.com) Prem ,Do u think Robin is good enough to be in the team as an specialist batsman Prem: agarkar bowling a much fuller length here than he did in Zimbabwe and Sharjah (and Toronto, come to think of it) and immediately looking a m uch better bowler. that ball though was too full and outside off, and Jaya is on the front foot lifting over mid off, gets the four he's been looking for, for quite a while./

Prem: Makhan:: just reload, you will get it. Guys, keeping note of your questions, will reply to them in diary but for now, it is just commentary. agarkar, and jaya flicks, finds short midwicket, good thinking to place a fielder there and another in the deeper position, cutting off jaya's run-getting shots. garkar again, slower ball on middle and he flicks and misses.

Prem: Agarkar continues, and Gwardene opens his bat face and runs it down to third man, single to start the over.

Manoj (wings15@mailcity.com) Prem , I do not understand one thing , when Azhar fails both with bat and also in leadership then no boday raises any question but when Sachin was not able to win couple of matches in his captaincy eveybody wanted him out although at that time also he was brillant with the bat , Do you remember any match Azhar winning for India in his captaincy . -------------------------------- Vels (svelmurugan@dns.ufsia.ac.be) Prem>>> Looks LIKE AZZA IS NO MOOD to give the No.3 any BODY; That's why the omission fo Dravid, I suppose!!! Don't know AZZA pretty ADAMANT about it!!! What say? Manoj (wings15@mailcity.com) Prem , I do not understand one thing , when Azhar fails both with bat and also in leadership then no boday raises any question but when Sachin was not able to win couple of matches in his captaincy eveybody wanted him out although at that time also he was brillant with the bat , Do you remember any match Azhar winning for India in his captaincy . ------------------------------------------ Vels (svelmurugan@dns.ufsia.ac.be) Prem>>> Looks LIKE AZZA IS NO MOOD to give the No.3 any BODY; That's why the omission fo Dravid, I suppose!!! Don't know AZZA pretty ADAMANT about it!!! What say? Prem: pitches middle this time and gwardene flicks, gets it well off the pads, gets one more to end the over.

Prem: good work from srinath, went wide of the crease and angled it in on middle, jaya went for the heave on the leg, missed, beaten for pace and the full length. next ball, identical line nd jaya back into his favourite shot, but the fielder is there, ganguly, gets it on the first bounce, it looks like sri is trying to get jaya caught at deep midwicekt on the flick. just one that time, and now sri to gwardene, and again, robin electric in the field, throws himself high to pull a drive hit into the ground, no run again.

Satish () Taking Chopra in the team shows an obvious lack of faith in the frontline bowlers...well, now U have 5 full-time bowlers in the lineup (discounting the *theory* that Chopra can bat too....we have heard that abt everyone, haven't we? Let's see if he can bowl properly first)...then, Tendulkar, Robin and Ganguly who can all bowl....Seems like overkill to me really.. of course Gangs doesn't figure as a bowler in Azza's books *sigh* ------------------------------------- Manoj (wings15@mailcity.com) I feel Prem that Azhar must have rested himself in this match and Rahul should have been given a chance . I think Jadeja can lead the team the better . ---------------------------------------------- rajababu () Last bit on Azhar appreciation: I think Azhar has replaced Clive Lloyd as the luckiest captain in the history. If Kumble and Raju won the matches in his first stint, now it's Sachin doing it for the man who deposed him. Other tahn that. Prem: Srinath now readiy and coming round the wicket to Gwardene, again tucks him up, gets him on the pad, good calling and running by Jaya but Gwardene almost manages to run himself out, just manages to make his ground. next ball, outside off and played through point by jaya, two for it to the sweeper.

Prem: Bit of a lull as captain and bowler discuss field placing, it is srinath to continue, jaya batting 4/11, gunawardene 13/23.

Prem: anil, at domestic level they all are, dont think he is up there in the topmost class at this level though.

Anil (anil_a@cyberdude.com) I have heard that Nikhil Chopra is a good one day batsman , is it so ? Prem: agarkar now to Jayasuriya, on off and played to mid off, no run., good work both with the ball and in the field thus far.

Prem: Another good stop, this ttime i9t is Gwardene off his hips square on the on and Robin dives to stop, saves runs. good work there. to reply to Vels, is a good batting track, no problems there. Short ball next up, Gwardene tries to pull, ball climbing on him, hit the top of the bat and just manages to clear Agarkar on the follow through, single.

gowda (gowda123@hotmail.com) Is there any chances that india can defeat Sl . --------------------------------------------- domniic (nody@hotmail.com) the captain is being defensive from the start and it is not in india's interest -------------------------------------------------- Vels (svelmurugan@dns.ufsia.ac.be) Prem!!!Good Evening !! How do you do?? hi! Your WILLIS CUP MATCH REPORTS were us usual FABLUous!!! BTW, bit surprised to see India go ONE Batsmen SHORT with off-COLOR AZZA in the line-up. What do you feel about this? How is the PITCH *c* Prem: Good ball that, on off, gwardene has a hasty push at it, ball travelling out on the leg side and a good stop by Kumble, thus far the indians looking sharp-ish in the field. that stop saved a couple of runs at the least. ball three, slower ball, yorker length and gwardene digs it out.

Prem: Satish:: will answer those questions another time, for now, staying with the commentary, it is Agarkar to Jayasuriya who is batting 3/9, into the 6th over here and Jaya starts with a straight push, finds mid off but running with the shot gets one.

Pavan (ard9711@iss.nl) One must agree that Srinath already substituted Kapil! And Agarker??? --------------------------------------------------- Satish () Prem>> What is with this 15-member team thing?? Does it mean each team can have 15 members in the world cup squad?? India can now send Harbhajan in for this tournament itself, which I think they will, after all, do ------------------------------------------------- Manoj (wing15@mailcity.com) I think , Azhar should bat at one down if openers start well . If first wicket falls in first 3 -4 overs , then Rahul should come as he can defend and give other batsman the chance to hit . Prem: Last ball of the over, played defensively and SL 17/0 in 5.

Prem: dc:: on this track, I would have problems defending anythying under 270 -- is nice and flat and good for batting. Gwardene pushes straight back past the bowler, Srinath a fraction late getting down to stop it, gets the batsman two more.

dc (dc@postimpressions.com) Prem> What's your analysis on todays picth ie what a good batting score. ------------------------------------------------ vissu (vissu@wipinfo.soft.net) I dont recall how many ODI's before was it that India went in with 5 speicalist bowlers plus an allrounder.... ----------------------------------------------- deep (deep@rocketmail.com) No Agarkar No..no short pitches doesn't mean overpitch Prem: And now, the stable door being locked, a second slip comes on for the next ball. given that gwardene is not in any kind of form, not sure why the second slip was taken away in the first place.

Prem: srinath now to gwardene and there is the mistake -- he waves at it, the ball takes the edge, but for some reason, there is only one slip there now, azhar, ball is too wide for him to get to it, that would have been straight down second slip's throat but as it turns out, four.

Prem: Srinath in for over number five, pitches one on off and moving to middle, Jaya off his pads flicks square on the on, a favourite shot but Ganguly is there, just the single.

PC () The fun part will be when these two decide to start going down the track to these guys.. Can they hold their nerve?? Prem: Bad ball that, short and wide outside off and agarkar lucky to get away, the new boy, gwardene, not too comfortable out there, hits it straight to point, that was a gimme ball that escaped punishment. last ball of the over, though, is bang on off and played defensively.

Satish () Surprise!! Surprise!! The Indian bowlers can *actually* think!!! Based on their perfromance against WI, one would have thought Srinath would have come over the wicket and given Jaya the wisth to crack the whip:))) ....... on a serious note, good to see the Indians do some homework (can I hear Azza moan "NO, MUMMY! I HATE HOMEWORK!!" ---------------------------------------- umesh (umeshpunjabi@hotmail.com) I hope nikhil chopra proves himself.good to see no sixes or fours in the first overs ------------------------------------------- Pradeep Andrade (Pradeep_Andrade@i2.com) Prasad most definetly should have been picked Prem: ball two is better, three quarter length, on off and climbing in at the batsman, he plays a clumsy defensive push back to the bowler. agarkar looks a lot better when he keeps the ball up on a length, lets it move around. ball three goes through the batsman -- nice line on off seaming away late, gwardene with minimal footwork pushing his bat at it and lucky to miss the edge. ball four, outside off, suare driven, finds point, no run.

Prem: Thus far, signs of some thought by the Indian bowlers, especially srinath, but Agarkar at the beginning of the fourth over, overpitches outside off, driven by gwardene through the cover, two for it.

deep (deep@rocketmail.com) That's all what is required .Just pitch the ball up and keep around off stump ------------------------------------------------ Sudeep (sudeepbh@hotmail.com) I don't know why Azhar opted to come 1 down. I feel it wo't help anyway. ------------------------------------------ rajababu () One more thing guys, we have heard Azhar talking about irresponsible batting by the team but never ever does he mention about his own batting 'performance'. I hardly recall any recent innings from him that has made a difference in team's performance. All the major victoies this year have been due to the one-man shows from the 'Indian Diego' Prem: So far, Srinath on a perfect line and length and now he sends the faster one through just outside off, good thinking because after a series of deliveries on the stumps, one outside tempts the batsman to go after it. jaya cuts, no room there for the shot, beaten by pace and bounce and gathered by mongia. last ball, agian on off and played defensively.

Prem: Srinath now to Jaya, ball four of the 3rd, and again, bowled from wide of the crease, angled in on a full length on off and jaya has to come forward, and defend, no room there to free his arms.

Prem: Srinath staying round the wicket, now to gwardene, on leg stump line though and tucked behind square, gets the batsman a single, nice pick up and throw form the line by joshi.

Prem: Srinath staying round the wicket, now to gwardene, on leg stump line though and tucked behind square, gets the batsman a single, nice pick up and throw form the line by joshi.

Prem: \great line again, tucking Jaya up for room around off. ball three, slightly wider of off and pushed through cover, a single and that was a no ball as well, so two for the shot and gunwaradene back on strike.

Satish () Hi, Prem!! How r u doing?? Disappointing to see Prasad not being picked. Seeing Agarkar perform badly, it would have made so much more sense to pick Prasad...To keep team composition, I wanted to see Laxman instead of Chopra in the team; he bowls decently and is a better batsman than Chopra....now, the batting looks brittle Prem: Srinath will continue, Jayasuriya facing him. round the wicket with two slips in place and from wide of the crease, angling in to off and cramping the batsman for room on his drive. no run, played forward defensive.

Prem: Srinath will continue, Jayasuriya facing him. round the wicket with two slips in place and from wide of the crease, angling in to off and cramping the batsman for room on his drive. no run, played forward defensive.

Prem: Slower ball, on off and Gunwardene defends, inner edge onto pad means the appeal for LBW not on, a good over to start with, from Agarkar, not making his habitual error of going too short.

Prem: agarkar outside off and another swing and miss off the back foot this time by Gwardene -- he doesn't look all there, that is for sure.

Prem: Ball three, outside off and Gunawardene, who looks sort of out of his depth, waves his bat at it and fails to make contact. thus far, his feet have been very static, explaining all the problems he is having. ball four, on off, slightly shorter, the batsman guides it through cover and gets two, a more assured shot the minute the length became shorter.

Prem: good ball, bad misjudgement by the batsman who lifted his bat out of the way and let the one on off come in and hit him on the pad --- good appeal, turned down, perhaps because the umpire figured the strike was just outsdie off. next ball, on off and coming in, played to point, nice to see a much fuller length here from agarkar.

rajababu () Hello folks, I am really scared with our batting line-up today! Just take a look again. Well let's see what happens if sachin gets out early again. I dont find it a pleasant thought if we are chasing a big one Prem: Gunwardene, who in appearance looks like a young D'Silva -- without the latter's assured footwork, though -- on strike now to Ajit Agarkar. who, hopefully, has been talked into not pitching too short, too often. two slips in place for the right arm quick, bowling over the wicket. outside off and wide called.

PC () BSChawla - agree with u on SRT's second innings as captain, but he hads made it clear he does not ant to be captain! Prem: Srinath, last ball of the over, on middle and tucked down behind square for a single to end the over. A good one, first up, from Sri and good to see him going round the wicket from the outset, to the left handers.

Prem: This one was coming from wide of the crease, onto the pad but the ball was climbing and going down to leg, no problem there for the umpire. ball five, outside off, faster and Gunwardene flashes and misses.

Prem: This one was coming from wide of the crease, onto the pad but the ball was climbing and going down to leg, no problem there for the umpire. ball five, outside off, faster and Gunwardene flashes and misses.

vissu (vissu@wipinfo.soft.net) How is that Every other seems to have a game plan. A plan to attack each batsman on his weakness etc. and India doesnt seemt to exhibit this characteristic -------------------------------------- vivek (vivekr@hotmail.com) for all the talk by gaekwad that they will give prasad a run in this match and maybe nikhil chopra at the expense of dravid - still no change in the team!!! - PREM, your views on this! ----------------------------------- Sameer () Yes Prem, but recently we have also seen some low-scoring games at Sharjah, too. The ball was keeping low and was not coming on to bat. Prem: Avishka Gunawardene, another left hander, opening with Jayasuriya, did very well in the Commonwealth Games, and now facing Srinath who is staying round the wicket to the left hander. Ball three, came in faster, Gunawardene late to bring his bat down on it, off the inner edge and just past the stumps, no run.

Prem: Srinath straightaway going round the wicket, angling in to Jaya and forcing the defensive push. Ball two, more towards middle and off the pads, a single to midwicket results and Jaya is off.

PC () Prem, what is Azhar's rationale for coming in at 1 down? I mena the guy knows that in a sense his captaincy depends on this move succeeding.. ------------------------------------------ bschawla (bschawla@rad.net.id) Why Robin Singh was not asked to bowl and so was Saurav Ganguly, we cannot fathom! I seriously think we need to replace Azhar from captainship - he not have much ideas or strategy. May be jadeja or sachin (2nd innings). Remember we should have given Kapil Dev a 2nd innings as captain - we did not! Hope we do not do the same with Sachin! Prem: Srinath to bowl the first ball of the innings, and it is Jayasuriya on strike

Prem: Srinath to bowl the first ball of the innings, and it is Jayasuriya on strike

Prem: Meanwhile, the interesting change is that India is going in with a batsman short, and with Nikhil Chopra in the lineup to strengthen the bowling -- given that, I would have liked to see India bat first, though, if the strength is bowling, then it always makes more sense to give the bowlers a clue what they have to defend.

PC () Hey guys, we played one bad game against the Windies.. its not been all that bad a year otherwise. ------------------------------------------ vissu (vissu@wipinfo.soft.net) Any guess for who bats @No.3 for India?? No marks for guessing anyway..;-) Prem: Nice flat batting track laid out, so no worries there anyway.

deep (deep@ROCKETMAIL.COM) I completely agree with Alok.Ganguly should be moulded into an allrounder.Same for Srinath too.Remember when we won worldcup in 1983 we had quite a few allrounders in the team. Prem: Meanwhile, as Azhar said, "We have to get back to our winnings ways". Sounds nice, but the problem is that for now, captain, vice captain, coach and everyone else concerned seem rather clueless about how exactly they are going to accomplish that. Judging by team composition, they are sticking to the tried and the true -- in other words, no Prasad, for starters. And Azhar at three, though here he just might find the batting track more conducive to his brand of strokeplay.

Prem: Good evening, guys, we are about to go live with the first game in the Coca Cola Cup -- nice and sunny in Sharjah as always, so the game is going to start on time. Meanwhile, as always we will try and make the commentary as detailed as possible, so do hold off on the questions, but keep your comments flowing. Thanks.

Kasim () U are right Sameer. I feel so much dissappointment after each match that I cant tell u. I mean I do not expect them to win each game but u know they cant be kidding us with that pathetic performance each time. They need to maintain some international standard. Bowling or batting if the guy is not delivering then just let him rest whether it be Azza , Sri or Kumble or even if it has to be SRT. We need results right now and a professional approach. Sameer () Hi Kasim, we are hardly doing anything well recently!! Hi Anup. I am not sure about that because we have not chasing very well recently Kasim Alok (kumaralok@hotmail.com) I can't understand why Ganguly was not given a chance to bowl at Dhaka where Slow bowlers had the last laugh. He should be given fair amount of exposure if we are trying to build 11 for world cup !!! Anupam Kedia (anupam@cal.vsnl.net.in) I think India should field first, if it wins the toss as Sri Lankans are better chasers than piling up a huge total at first. Again, the same thing, Tendulkar's batting will make up the Indian batting as nobody else is in the form. Prem: Okay, guys and girls, just an update, we will be live with the first game of the Coca Cola Cup, India versus Sri Lanka in Sharjah, in about 50 minutes from now. At 0400 pm ist. See you all in hhere then.

Prem: Coca-Cola Tropy: Match 1-India versus Sri Lanka, Live from 1600 hou

Continued