Transcript of the Commentary - Indian Innings

Would have been better if srinath was sent ahead of agarkar : pawan (pawan@mistralsolutions.com) AFTER A BRILLIANT COMEBACK INDIA AS USUAL FALLING LIKE NINE PINS : MURTUZA TAYEB (murtuza_tayeb@hotmail) India must learn a thing or two from aussies as far as fielding is concerned : rajiv (rajiv@ais.apexinc.com) Prem: agarkar on strike, to kapra, ball six, and pulled round from off stump, finds midwicekt, one more.

Prem: Kapra again, to joshi the new man, and a quick single to the ush to short coer, ponting had the chacne pon the direct throw but missed with joshi about half the pitch short of his ground.

Hats off to the Aussie fielding... they haven't allowed the pressure to get to him.. lesson for the Indians here. : Satish (sati_sh@yahoo.com) Prem: Kapra to robin, who tries to run it down, gets the edge, caught by the keeper -- robin getting cutesy on that one, could have played in front of him but wanted the runs to third man, beaten by the slant across his body and india, here, really making a meal of the last 5 overs aftrer being in complete control till that point.

Prem: next ball, agarkar cover drives and one more.

Prem: Kapra might have given it away with the ball but he sure as heck made up with those two throws to get rid of the two most dangerous batsmen in the side. Meanwhile, robin slams through cover, brilliant work again in the sweeper position by bevan keeps it down to three. agarkar on strike and a lovely straight hit, and that's another incredible stop by damien martyn, throwing hismelf a long way to pull it back on the line, again, only two where it looked like four.

Stage ideal for robin, joshis and srinaths to swing their bats and make merry. : Satish (sati_sh@yahoo.com) Prem: Agarkar the new man in, tries to work the last ball of the 46th down to third man, misses contact.

Prem: juline again annd this time, jadeja stepping to leg and smashing through cover, taking two, but again a lovely throw in from the deep, agian by kapra who was involved in the sachin run out as well, this one to the keeper's end and jadeja is gone, by about a foot and a half, again a brilliant throw so that is two run outs in the over and that has turned things around, australia now back in the game just when india looked to be going for something around the 320 mark.

Prem: next ball, middle and leg and jadeja flicks, two more.

Prem: On the replay, jadeja was actually looking at where the ball was going, and not at his partner. bit of a pity after a lovely partnership. julien meanwhile to jadeja, waist high full toss, hit back over the bowler's head, and this time it is robin singh who pushes for the second and makes it in time.

Prem: That came just when sachin looked like he was ready to open his shoulders. 54 runs came between overs 40 and 45, and now with 4.5 overs left in the innings, it is up to robin singh and aja7y jadeja to keep the momentum going.

Prem: Back, jjust in time with the bad news, sachin tendulkar wanted two to a stroke to deep cover, jadeja sends him back, too latge for the batsman to make his ground and india, in 45.1 overs, 279/4. that was a bad error, sachin was really pelting for the run and jadeja momentarily relaxed, wasn't alert to the second.

Prem: Sachin batting 129 and jadeja 64, both going at over a run a ball now and seven overs left in the innings, so the final score should be over the 300 mark with little problems, unless they bat really badly from here on.

Does Suresh Kalmadi has any doubts about Sacchu's integrity. What a better way to play for the antion : Nayak (nvnayak@hotmail.com) Prem: tenndulkar on strike, two balls left in the over, and a late cut, gets one to third man.

Prem: kapra, and outside off, jadeja drives to mid off, sigle.

Prem: kapra agin, to jkadeja, and wide again, down the leg side.

Prem: Teh camera focussing now on a pensive steve waugh meanwhile, kapra bowls this one waist high, full toss, and wide down leg, he is really hving a nightmare run with the ball today.

Prem: 5.2-0-47-1 for kapra thus far, indicative of his problems and here goes sachin, again, pushing behind point, one more.

Prem: ow jadeja also turning it on, 62/57 balls here and looking increasingly ominous. sachin on strike, kapra fires it down the leg side, wide called, as kapra tries to fire it down that direction to keep sachin quiet.

This is the best of Sachin & Jadeja. Hope this continues till end. Expecting Jadeja to repeat the Bangalore event again, but this time against Aussies. No commect about SRT as he is good always.: Amulya (akjena@hotmail.com) Prem: Kapra to jadeja, gentle push and one more to mid off.

Prem: The crowd is now alight with excitement, cant seem to sit still, sachin meanwhile calling for a change of gloves, it is jadeja on strike though to kapra, being brought back. short, and pulled, that was pitched way too short and kapra's problems continue, pulled through midiwkcet for four more.

Friends ...India is to visit Australia for a series in 199-2000, after the world cup,SRT can then hammer them in their own backyard then...Ramesh : (rjagannathan@wpsmtp.siumed.edu) Full credit to Jadeja. He has really fine tuned his game to go from a player who lost his temprament everytime he hit a six to the player he is today. Calm, and one of the best at getting the single and doubles. Bravo : Rahul (Rahul@IndiaNJ.com) Prem: They've added 27 runs in just two overs, with eight more to go in the innings.

Prem: next ball, down the track, driving to mid off, one more. 252/3 in 42.

Prem: and now it is jadeja's turn -- down the wicket, moving towards leg to make room for the shot, gets under the ball and lofts, straight back over the bowler for another six.

Prem: 126/113 now sachin, jadeja on strike one short of his 50, and he gets it with a gentle push to long on, runs coming at will here for both batsmen, as india move on to 244 in 41.3, having been 225/3 at the 40 over mark. 53 balls jadeja for his 50 and sachin off the next ball checks a push to extra cover, one more.

Prem: 11 runs came in that over, which is a pretty handy way to start the final ten. India at this point, with 6 wickets in hand, will need to make a push for the maximum possible. tendulkar, meanwhile, down the track to the first ball of the next over, lehmann the fielder, covered the angle, made room and lofte dthe ball from leg stump, over the extra cover region, six more. ball two, driven to long on and one more.

Aussies are going to have nightmares of sachin. Up until now it was only Warne's problem, but the phobia is likely to spread through the whole aussie team. : niks (niknaw@hotmail.com) Prem: 49/52 jadeja, and tendulkar on strike to the last ball, onto his knees, sweeps, brings in the midwicekt sweeper, one more.

Prem: Chancy shot but at this point, jadeja wont worry how they are coming. an attempted inside out push through cover this time, but young beating the bat with one on middle turning to off. ball five, jadeja down the track, off drives, single to julien riding the boundary there.

This is amazing. These guys can score 11 runs in an over withput hitting a boundry. : arvind Prem: young again, to jadeja, the 41st over still in progress, and again, the drive, mishits, was trying to hit over extra cover, off the edge and again, the four down to the vacant third man region for four more.

Prem: young to jadeja, outside off, too much room, punched through the covers, two more to the sweeper.

Prem: 41st over, and it is brad yyoung, jadeja down the track, gets it over extra cover, great work by julien running around from long off, lunging and stopping it as it was crossing over the fence, keeps it down to two. ball two, down the leg side and wide called again, bucknor today harsh on anything at all down the leg side.

SRT and the Aussies have a love-hate relationship - The Aussies hate SRT but he has only luv for them :-) : Chuck Sachin, as he does always, allows his bat to talk to his critics.: Kaliappan (Krishna.Kaliappan@chiorg.unige.ch) Prem: 118/110 to scahin, and now jadeja down the track, through midwicket, one more. End of 40 overs and India, moving from 184/3 in 35, are noww 225/3.

Prem: lehmann, and this time sachin makes room to leg, intending the inside out hit but the bowler follows him with the ball, sachin checks his shot and plays it back down the track. ball five, inside out drive through cover, finds the sweeper, one more.

Prem: 115/107 sachin, and a lovely little cut, waiting on it and easing it past point, two more.

Agreed Tendlya is fabulous. But any good opener can score more than half the score of that team! See David Boon, Marsh, Anwar, Sohail. Dont blame the others! Its that tendlya does it more consistently that he is great! : Pa2 Prem: Water being brought out for Sachin, it is near the 35 degree mark out there and he must be exhausted after all that running, having been batting right through the 39 overs thus far. lehmann to bowl, jadeja tries to make room and drive through extra cover, finds the fielder. ball two, flicked to square leg and again, sachin running though that shot was straight to the fielder.

"Playing out of one's skin" acquiring a new meaning here.. Guys, don't forget Jadeja's role here. He has batted superbly so far.. what a man to have in such positions!! Accepted Tendu is brilliant but a team comprises of 11 men.: satish (sati_sh@yahoo.com) Prem: youngagiain, jadeja opens the bat face, runs it to short third man, single to end the 39th over. 11 more in the innings.

Prem: young again, to jadeja, on off, played to short cover, finds the fielder.

Prem: Young to sachin, who is acorss to off, trying to sweep, misses, pad onto body and a leg bye taken to short third man. 37/42 jadeja, now on strike, down the leg side the next ball and called wide.

hats off to Sachin, hope his critics in commonwealth game will shut their mouth for ever : abhijit (chatt@tniri.go.jp) Prem: Krish:: sorry, no idea, friend. Jadeja meanwhile guides to backward point, single, 7 in the over thus far and three more balls to go for the end of the 39th.

Prem: young to tendulkar, and this is brilliant -- lets it cross the stumps, then taps it on the head down to third man, long chase for the fielder posted at short third man, three more to the batsman.

Prem: probably the most amazing thing about this innings is not that sachin has batted right through it and run every run as hard as if he had just come in, but that despite having to do both the hitting and the anchoring, he's going at over a run a ball. Young, meanwhile, and jadeja checcks a cut, places it well wide of sweeper cover, great running again by these two, three for it.

Well Tendla needs to score more than half the score against any team if India is to cross 250 Mark. God, When will others come up to age??? : sunny (sunoz@hotmail.com) Prem: and this time, tendulkar onto the front foot, beating the cover fielder with the drive played on the up, brings in the sweeper, two more to sachin to end the over.

Prem: jadeja off his pads and before he can actually put bat to ball, tendulkar is off nd running to the danger end, the stamina of this man is amazing. now on strike to fleming, outside off and brilliant placing, just waited for it outside off, gently guided it past mark waugh at point, no chance for anyone to get there, four more. there wre two fielders in the deep and one at point and tendulkar beat all three. next ball, keeps low, tendulkar cuts and misses.

Prem: Fleming to sachin, outside off, guided past cover point and one more, mark waugh's slight misfield, getting a bad bounce, making the single easy. 106/102 now to sachin.

Prem: Into the 38th over, 12 to go including this one, and it is Fleming to bowl. outside off, played through cover by jadeja, single.

Prem: Both players now using improvised shot, tendulkar there paddling, ready for the shot before the ball was even bowled. one more, and jadeja gets a wide down leg side, that brings up the 200, India batting itself into a formidable position here on the back of the tendulkar 100, jadeja square drives the last ball, one more to India, 201/3 at the end of the over.

Satish (sati_sh@yahoo.com) If I was a bard, I would write paeans of praise. If I had money, I would in the tradition of hero-worshipping Tamils, build a temple...what can one say?? I bow to a great player!! In the conditions in which he came in, one could justify Dravid's innings. what say, Prem? Prem: Jadeja cover drives, misreads the flight of the ball, gets the edge of the bat to it and to his luck, no one in the third man slot, fetches him four in that direction off the mishit.

Prem: Young agian, 37th over, on off, gentle push to mid off and sachin races the single.

Prem: Meanwhile, just updating commentary for a moment, be back with the scorebaord and such in just a bit. Meanwhile, change in bowling and Brad Young, 5-0-35-0 thhus far, back into the attack as Steve waugh rotates his limited bowling around in the face of a brilliant knock from schin tendulkar. On off, first ball, and a defensive push from sachin.

Prem: Two centuries in Sharjah and now this -- if you leave out the non-regular innings he played against Oz in Kuala Lumpur, this is his 3rd successie century against a team who's bowling he clearly fancies. One more, to third man, off the last ball, 191/3 India in 36.

Prem: Single to Jadeja off the pads, off the third ball, 25 off 35 now to Jadeja, and Sachin back on strike, to Fleming being brought back into the attack. Punch off the back foot, finds cover, no run.

Prem: Okay, guys, very very sorry about that, we had a server freeze due to overload, back now, with sahcin having made his 19th ODI century, and Indxia after 35.2 overs, 190/3

Prem: julien agian, to sachin, on leg, played gently to square leg, jadeja quickly across for the single.

Agarkar and srinath should bowl well, if india has to win. Please provide the complete score board. India is again proving, of what Steve has told on the last battle with india, in which india won in the finals that WE HAVE LOST TO A GOOD PLAYER but not to a good team(meaning it indirectly) : Rakesh Desai (gifts@bom3.vsnl.net.in) Prem: julien again, to sachin, outside off, driven to short cover, steve waugh, no run.

Prem: Jadeja drives, finds cover, no run, 3 in the over. 164/3 in 30 overs, still managing to keep it above the five an over mark, which, the closer they come to the death phase, the better their chance of really accelerating. julien meanwhile continues, bowling now to sachin who defends to ball one.

I was going thro' Dravids ODI innings (right from his very first). I couldnt help but notice that he has gottn run out a larming number of times. He is headed to beat Azza on this one for sure. 48 of 80 just does'nt sound right even for an anchor in ODIs. I just hoping that he will improve over a period of time. Prem> Any news on the unluckiest man on earth - Vinod Kambli??TK Prem: Mark Waugh, and Sachin drives the single. Jadeja mistimes a drive next up, ball three, turns it to leg for one more. ball four, that one jumped and turned, had sachin in some trouble trying to control it, he manages and then flashes a grin at mark waugh. sort of like, how the heck did you do that? ball five, played off the pads, single to backward square.

It is true that the match is Sachin Vs, Australia : Dinesh (kdinesh@hotmail.com) Prem: Krish:: ACtually, my colleague, Sailesh Soni, is now helping with the updates, not his job, really, but he is pinch hitting with the scoreboard updates here. Julinen to Jadeja and again, cramping the batsman, just the single to sachin in that over, a good one for the aussies.

Without many players, many teams are nothing, the strange fact is that players make up a team. : g (g@mail.com) Prem: julien again, to jadeja, into the 29th over here, outside off, and again, the cover drive finds the fielder at cover, steve waugh, good line here from julien, keeping it three quarters in length and slanting it across the right hander, to just outside off.

India stands a good chance of winning this match. Therefore, lets not discard Azhar as he has proved worthy of his position in the past. : Assim Jang (assimj@hotmail.com) Sachin has developed a pretty good appetite for the kangaroos. Hasn't he ??? : Pratik (pratik_s@yahoo.com) Prem: jULINE TO JADEJA, THE COVER DRIVE, no run as it finds steve waugh.

Prem: Julien to Jadeja, who covers up and plays to midwicket, no run.

Now in this sitution Sachin and Jadeja should stay at crease, beacuse after them no body can resist australian attact.. : Arun Chauhan (achauhan@yahoo.com) Golden Truth: "without Sachin India is nothing" : ravi kumar (tsravi@wipsys.stph.net) Prem: Juline, and tendulkar pushes to mid off and walks the single.

Prem: That run was really amazing -- Jadeja was waiting at the non striker's end, tendulkar saw the throw was fractionally off line coming in and off he went, backing his legs against the bowelr's ability to field. Next ball, and agvain, jadeja plays to the on side and again, it is tendulkar, who has been batting there since the start ofthe innings, who really pushes his partner on the second run -- the stamina of this man is downright incredible, still running faster than jadeja, who has the fresh pair of legs. Two more.

It was quite unnecessary. The game was within control. However, India have fair chance of scoring 300+ as long as ST bat is there.: arun (exidefin@cal.vsnl.net.in) Prem: full toss again, this one on middle, again too much flight and again, tendulkar brilliant in running, he took off after the throw was in the air from the deep and still made his ground.

Prem: mark waugh to jadeja, flighted, driven, finds short cover, no run.

Prem: Big chat between the two batsman, with India 152/3 in 27, and a good platform in place for a score around the 280 mark or more but then, that would really depend on this pair going through till the 40th over and beyond. Bad ball that, from mark waugh, too full in length, a real long hop trying for flight and jadeja smashes it through extra cover for four.

India only have to stay on till the end and I am sure Jadeja and Singh are enough for the Aussies. : Venkatakrishnan (vkperumal@wipsys.stph.net) Ajay should play with cool as Darvid. Tendu needs a good company here. : Arvind Prem: juline to jadeja, who cover drives, finds the gap on the off side, gets one more to end the over.

Prem: Jadeja in any event in a much happier position coming in as the game approaches the 30 over mark. single through cover, gives the strike back to sachin, with julien the bowler. ball four, short, sachin pulls but that one didnt really come on as he thought it would. hit hard into the ground, finds mid on, no run. julien again, to sachin, gentle push to cover and they are off, single, run very quickly though steve waugh was close there.

azhar is ready to loose his captaincy. Thats sure. : ravi kumar (tsravi@wipsys.stph.net) Prem: The onus all the more now on Sachin, who at this point will need to look to bat right through the innings. Jadeja starts with a cover drive, finds the fielder.

If sachin stays till 45th over, then he can break the record of Anwar(194).: Mahato (jkmahato@hotmail.com) HAs Tendlya ever stayed the entire innings after going in? I wonder what he will score by then and what India's score will be then *greedy* :)) : Pa2 (phanthom@mindless.com) Prem: Next ball, sachin dabs down on the ball, which was a yorker length, dravid races for the single but that ball was too close to the stumps for that run and dravid short of his ground, goes, run out, for 48 trying one short single too many.

Prem: And now it is Bernard Juline being brought back, 3 overs for 13 thus far and coming back to replace Young, who was assaulted by sachin last time.

Prem: Deepak:: Pal, all this is hard enough to do when there is only one guy doing the ball by ball, updating the commentary, checking your posts and also updating scoreboard.

Prem: Zia:: and no offense taken, pal. Sachin drives, one more, this time to mid on.

Prem: zia:: Yeah, well, your messages have been coming through, havent they? As to the other, maybe I should do: ball two, single -- style of commentary? 139 partnership off 141 balls here, with singles off the first three balls of mark waugh's over, ball four, sahcin flicks and misses.

if india is thinking in terms of a pinch hitter, i wonder if young agarkar could offer a solution: shibu (shibug@hotmail.com) If Ttendulkar acn stay for another 15 overs, then India should be in a pretty good position: raj (Raj_ka@yahoo.com) Prem: Young, and this time, tendulkar paddles, wants one but the keeper was quickly across, stops the ball. No run. 107/2 in 20, to 143/2 in 25 and India at this point really going along superbly.

Prem: 17 in the over and two balls to go, dravid on drives and that is one more.

Prem: Next ball, gentle push to back ward point and one more.

Prem: Young this time seems to be feeling the pressure, pitches short, sachin was waiting for that, two balls down the track and the short ball was the predictable one, sachin waits, lets it come and cuts, four more.

Prem: Yong again and again. \tendulakr goes for it, this one wasn't hit as well, just managed to clear fleming at the line, six more.

Prem: Vinodh:: I sincerely hope not -- Sachin here can't afford "fireworks", he iuus the man who has to bat right through. Having said that, Young tosses one up, Tendulkar down the track in a flash, gets sup[erbly under it and lifts effortlessly over long on for a six.

Prem: dazzle:: He's still to be fully match fit after breaking his ankle.

Prem: Krish:: I dont know about that one Gaekwad and Azhar have their reasons I guess.

I think Azhar should drop down the order like Rantunga or else get ready for the axe rather than getting out early and putting pressure on the team. What do u think Prem?: sunny (sunoz@hotmail.com) Prem: Mark Waugh to continue, he's been bowling well, floating the ball in nicely, keeping it on a nice tight line, scoring rate now around 5.3 as the game approahces the halfway mark, dravid driving on the on with the turn but finding the fielders, finally swings into a pull, gets it right, bevan brilliant in the sweeper position, that was headed for four when he got there and kept it down to two.

what is considered to be a safe total in this match? 300+ : ravi.r (aarravi@hotmail.com) Prem: Now Dravid paddling, to a ball on leg, and one more to end the over.

Prem: Young to Sachin, who is down the track and that is an incredible shot. Got to the pitch, adjusted with a half step to leg, and slammed it through cover, there were two fielders who could have cut it off and both were left standing. Four, and followed up with one more to mid off.

The middle overs has been India's problem always. The question being wether to consolidate or accelarate : Prashanth (sutram@aol.com) Prem: Ball three, the anggled bat face taking it through square leg, one more.

Prem: Young to Dravid, the on drive but this time, the midwicekt fielder is quickly across to cut off the single. ball two, young, poutside off, dravid cuts, but finds point.

Prem: These two seem settled into the consolidation phase, just taking the singles, not overhitting the ball, good thinking, they will need to bat this way for another 15 odd overs, tendulkar meanwhile checks a drive through midwicket, races the two before the sweeper can run round and across to cut that off.

Prem: Ontothe back foot, dravid, on drives again, one more.

Prem: Mark Waugh continues, and Dravid on drives, shutting the bat face, single through midwicket. A defneisve push next ball by sachin and off the third, single to mid on.

Prem: Krish:: Does? Pinch hitter is a non-regular. Not the most experienced player in the side.

Prem: Young to dravid, the on drive, one more. 110/2 in 21.

Prem: Arvind>> Mc\grath has an injury. PC:: It was 19/2 in 5, 9/2 is only the fall of the second wicket. Dravid meanwhile drives, slightly inside out, in the air but well wide of cover, two more. that brings up the 100 of the partnership. dravid paddles, misses, hit on the mouth but no damage.

Azhar probably is not too serious about leading India for World Cup: Narendra (naren@skyhwk.enet.qntm.com) Prem: Brad young, overpitches, dravid drives, good power on that one, and a great stop at a very short cover by Ponting, who must be one of the finest in the world at the cover/midwicket positions.

I heard someone mention some theatre in Freemont that's showing this match today. Do you know of any place in the Washington metro area where they are showing this match? I am ready to GO! : giri (giridhar_t@hotmail.com) Prem: both batsmen now rotating well, finding singles and now dravid drives, puts more punch in the shot, overhits, beaten for flight and turn -- good bowling thus far from mark waugh here, nice line. and off the last ball, an on drive fetches one more. India, 84/2 in 15, now 106/2 in 20.

Prem..., I fully ENDORSE your views about the role of anchor batsmen like Dravid; To be fair on him, he has lend admirable support to SRT both in terms of SCORINg and RUNNING between the wickets - Vels Prem: Lovely ball, quicker in length and turning a bit, beats sachin on the push. ball three, down the track and driving, finds mid off, one more.

Prem: 96 partnership, off 101 balls thus far and Mark Waugh now into the attack, the sixth bowler to be used thus far and dravid starts with a lunging off drive, single.

Prem: Zia>> The idea of an anchor is always to keep one end in place, and lett the other guy go. However, I do remember some other knocks, notably the one against Pak at Chennai, when after sachin left, dravid delivered.

Prem: Ball six, gentle push this time wide of Ponting, one more to the batsman to end the over.

Prem, point well taken. But, can Dravid accelerate the innings if a player like Sidhu is at the other end? I have seen Dravid play a fast innings only once: in South Africa :zia (zia@aim.edu.ph) Prem: Next ball, an on drive and a brilliant diving stop at midwicket by Ricky Ponting, denies the run on that one.

I agree with zia that it is not always possible for a player to take the anchor role.But i guess we can afford a player at no 3(At least supposed to be) to go for a anchor role. : Raj (pallam@cse.unl.edu) Prem: Next ball, \dravid well forward, gentle paddle to fine leg and great running to get two for it to the fielder there.

Prem: To Manish and others wondering why their messages are not getting posted, do remember that between commentary and scoreboard and your posts, there are quite a few frames to work on for a guy with just two hands. :-) Young meanwhile to dravid, who leans forward angling his bat to play to the on side, but the kepeer quickly across to field. Ball two, o off, cover drive, to the sweeper, one more and that brings up the 100, at 5.45 an over which, given the two early wickets, is very very good going. next ball, sachin off drives, single.

Rahul Dravid always plays better in company of sachin. It has been proved many times. ....: Arun Chauhan (achauhan@yahoo.com) Now I feel I should have gone to Naz cinema in Freemont to see this match : Manish (malkans@yahoo.com) Prem: Deepak:: I still think 270 orr thereabouts is a deffensible total. Meanwhile, outside off and sachin punches off the back foot through point, one more to the sweeper. singles off every ball thus far. and off the last ball, dravid on drives, one more. ends the 18th over with india on 99/2. having been 19/2 in 5, which constitutes a superb recovery.

Prem: Waugh now to Dravid, who leans forward, works it through midwicket and one more.

Prem: Sachin back on strike, to \\Steve Waugh, an extra cover drive to a ball slightly wide of off, one more, to the sweeper out on the off behind cover.

Prem: Steve Waugh to continue, bowling the 18th, with Dravid on strike, off drives to one slightly shorter in length, single to the left of the fielder at mid off.

All you guys have been praising dravid for quite some time. Imagine what would have happened if Tendulkar was not at the other end: Our score would be below 50. You cannot play the anchor role in every match. : zia (zia@aim.edu.ph) Prem: Nice little paddle by Sachin there, two to fine leg. Next ball, flighted, sachin takes it on the half volley and off drives but the bowler quickly across, fields on the follow through. end of 17.

Looks like dravid may yet do you proud:) Why is steve not getting Bevan or Mark W on? : Prem Prem: Easy action, Young, short run up, fluid arm movement in the delivery. Meanwhile, Zia's comment rather amusing -- bow abbout turning it on its head and imaging if \dravid wasn't supporting sachin, and another wicket had fallen?

Guys... I found Azhar's statement on arriving in Bangladesh kinda amusing ( Even if we lose this match, its not the end of the world or something to that effect)! This is what the captain of the Indian Cricket team says even before India have started playing in the tournament. Reeks of Pessimism. Reflects in his performance too! Krish : () consolidation is needed . but, with tendulkar going the way he seems to be going it's gonna amount to a huge score if he remains till the 35th over. : eNVy (ienvy@geocities.com) Prem: Brad Young, the spinner, now being brought on, slow left arm bowler who did very well in the Commonwealth Games, replacing Kapra who is having a nightmare match thus far. On strike, Sachin. Ball one, forward defensive to one on off stump.

Dravid should always be a part of the team. He has so much talent that only Indian Selectors can think of dropping him from the team. Remeber what Mohinder Amarnath said : Atul Prem: Interesting to see that Dravid has this many detractors out there -- he had to come in at 19/2, one more wicket at that point would have been curtains for India, but right now, the batting side pulling itself back into the game and in fact, in a very good position. \which really is the value of an anchor, when you have a sachin at the other end.

i think it's good going. appr. 6 runs an over at the end of 15. not the usual blitzkeig a la sachin/jayasurya mould. but thatz fine. : Shibu (shibug@hotail.com) Prem: Waugh to dravid, gentle on drive and one more.

Prem: Outside leg, and Sachin -- a player always aware of where the fielders are -- checks his shot, lets it come on and leg glances very late, past short fine leg, for four to the vacant region. Next ball, on middle, played through midwicket and that single brings up his 50, a brilliant knock considering the conditions he has been batting in.

Prem: Steve Waugh continues after thr break, the field now spread and Dravid off his pads, gets one to square leg to start play after the break.

Prem: For these two, the task, with the field spreading out, will now be to consolidate, to bat through to the 35 over mark which provides a platform for the likes of Jadeja and Robin to produce the 'kick' at the end.

Come on Rahul, you will not get better opportunity than this to prove yourself for next world cup : Naren (naren@skyhwk) It really looks great when someone is balsting and the other is playing a good anchoring role, rotating strike.Is itn't? : Raj pulavarthi (pallam@cse.unl.edu) You guys think Dravid will not have read the Media. He knows his job. Let him play the the way he best plays. I just want remind all Dravid critics about his Knock in Bangalore against Pak.: Madabhushi (gmadabhushi@pol.net) Prem: And with that, it's drinks, taking a bit of a breather here, folks, be right back.

Prem: Bala|:: will do, but having too many fields to update here all on my own. dravid meanwhile on drives, placing it wide of the fielder, one more and after 15, india 84/2, going along from 19/2 in 5, to 42/2 in 10 and now 84/2 in 15. Very good recovery after that early loss of ganguly and azhar

Prem: 6 no balls by him so far and now sachin on drives, brad young fields well but sachin was running with the shot, gets one more.

wHEH Attapatu first tried OD cricket he was as slow as a snail. But Jaisuriya and gang seemed to have an affect on him and he started learning to score a run a ball. Dravid will hopefully be shaped in the same mould after a a few more matches. What we need is one team that plays together. : G Prem: kapra to tendulkar, a no ballthis time, tendulkar checks his push to mid on. another extra and kapra completely at sea here, his lack of match practise really showing.

those opining that SRT would be frustrated by Dravid, seem to underestimate SRT's intelligence. He is certainly not a kid. He should know that we have another 40 overs to go: Bala Prem: kapra, with three balls left in the 15th, tendulkar gently pushing to midwicket, brings in the sweeper, dravid and sachin running that first one really hard here, get two even to the good throwing arm of julien.

Gagan>> Dravid should improve this weakness. If you remember, Ganguly also had same problem couple of seasons ago. But with time he is a different player altogether : Atul Prem: kapra to dravid, on middle, dravid quicklyl across to off playing off his hips, one more, and brings sachin back on strike.

Prem: kapra again, to dravid, over number 15 in progress, short, the off cutter and driven back off the back foot, that ball climbed well on the batsman who had to adjust his shot, check it at the last minute

Prem: \sachin going at 42 off 40 now, but for now it is Kapra to dravid, the first ball is punched off the pads to midwicket, finds the fielder.

Prem: Meanwhile, apologies again for that short break, we are now back live and the scoreboard will be fully functional again in a moment

COME on SRT!!! U are the SAVIOUR for this TEAM!!! Come on Dravid - Mr; Dependable - Lend Support to SRT - VELS :P els (svelmurugan@dns.ufsia.ac.be) Prem: Thus far in this over, a square cut for four and a flick for a single to sachin, a flicked single through midwicket to dravid, and now off the last ball, outside leg, and sachin nudges it to the vacant third man for four more. 10 in the over and aus have already used four bowlers, barring fleming, none of them really have been impressive.

SRT shd keep talking to Dravid and stressing to him the importance of rotating the strike Krish (k_shivakumar@hotmail.com) Gagan>> Dravid should improve this weakness. If you remember, Ganguly also had same problem couple of seasons ago. But with time he is a different player altogether SRT shd keep talking to Dravid and stressing to him the importance of rotating the strike Krish (k_shivakumar@hotmail.com) Prem: OKAY, GUYS, SORRY ABOUT THAT, WE HAD A BIT OF A SERVER FREEZE. Picking up play, Steve Waugh bowling the 14th, India 74/2.

Prem: \dravid pushes to mid off, races with the shot, bevan very quick on that one, hits the stumps but dravid home. good running

Prem: Satya:: we are just experimenting, hang in there, there will be lots more changes.

Prem: Satya:: we are just experimenting, hang in there, there will be lots more changes.

Prem: satya (satya_podury@hotmail.com) Good old times once again. Up past midnight to see SRT in action.. Prem, FWIW, the new design sure lacks some imagination. Too much wasted space with team info. Perhaps you could show more scorecard.

Prem: Julien to sachin, down the leg side, the flick misses, leg bye. into the 12th over here, and dravid on strike, to julien, left arm over the wicket. way down leg side and called wide, so that is INdia's 50/2 in 11.1.

dropping anchor aint in vogue. It went out with shatri. Ask the sri lankans dazzle Vels (svelmurugan@dns.ufsia.ac.be) prem... Well said about hanging out there!!! Hope SRT and Dravid would realise that. In the mean hope Dravid should not frustrate Tendu to go for any RASH stroke !!! - Vels TK (gagan@lsil.com) For all the technical ability of Dravid, lets us just accept the fcat that he is incapable of keeping the scoreboard moving. Frankly, I just don't see it any other way. Don't mean to slam or PO anybody. But that is my honest opinion. -TK Prem: Fleming to dravid and bang on target, as he has been throughout this spell, very very controlled bowling. he is not trying too hard, keeping it there or thereabouts and giving absolutely no rom. but that one was the slower ball, dravid spots it, onto the front foot, picked that well and up and over long on, four to end the 111th over with india 46/2.

G (g2MAIL.COM) PREM WHY CAN AZZAR NOT DO WHAT MOST RESPONSIBLE CAPTAINS DO, COME IN AT 5 OR 6 AND LEAD HIS TEAM TO THE END. HE MAKES NO SENSE AT 1. Atul () Dravid always played well in crises. He doesnt throw his wicket. He is the ideal partner for Sachin at this moment. Prem: fleming to dravid, on off, and driven back to the bowler

Prem: |That was a bad line, on leg, sachin flicks, gets the one through the midwicket region, good throw from julien in the deep.

Prem: 19/2 to 42/2, between overs five and ten, and it will be tendulkar back on strike to fleming, short and on off, punched back to the bowler.

Prem: \good line from julien there, angled across and pitching three quarter length on off, has the batsman cramped for space. ball six, of the10th, flicked off his hips, a fumble at midwicket, that ball was travelling, but fielded and no run. end of the 10th over, india 42/2

Prem: Bala:: why include me, I have been saying precisely that for a while.

Guys (including Prem) give Dravid a break. He is supposed to drop anchor, has the pressure of keeping his place, has been dropped down the order and everybody wants him to play like SRT. Bala Prem: Julien again, to dravid, on off, a punch off the front foot finds mid off, no run.

Prem: Julien to Dravid, the yorker, angled across and on off and Dravid, 9/22, digging it out. 24/29 \sachin.

but dravid should provide solidity to the innings \Ravi Prem: Julinen now with the no ball, both he and kapra showing the problems of not being in match practise. julien again to sachin, on middle, gentle push to mid on and they are off, singgle.

Aus will try to keep Dravid at strike all the time. \arvind Prem: Guys, meanwhile, the scoreboard update has hung for a few, we are trying to rectify that, willhave it working agian in about 10.

is it a bowling pitch or what? Sree Wonder when Azhar will ever learn. He's much better against the older ball. May be it's his ego which prevents him from sending Dravid before him!!!! Madhu Prem: Vikram:: too true, a better bet would be for Dravid too to follow Ganguly and Azhar back to the pavilion. :-0 on leg, and Dravid flicks through midwicket, two more to end the over on 41/2.

Dravid will frustrate Tendu before the Aussies Vikram this is perfect for schin. Aussie has asked for trouble while taking two wicket. I guess schin will cream them \deepak Prem: fleming to sachin, short outside off, cut, but finds backward point, good field setting here from steve waugh but what these two will have to keep in mind is that there are still 42 overs including this one, to go. earlier in the tournament, teams that were in trouble early on managed to turn it round by holding on to their wickets in the middle phase. fleming again, the slower one, this time, tendulkar opens the bat face, runs it down to third man, safe as they don't have a slip in place. single.

Prem: \tendulkar, 22/22, on strike to fleming, the short cover still in place, that one is on off, sachin again forward driving on the up, that is why they have a short cover in place but sachin has that angle covered, pushes past him, finds cover, no run.

Prem: dravid glances to leg, finds short cover, no run. ends the over from julien, with just the wide in it.

Prem: the slower ball this time from julien, foxes dravid, who pushes at it too early, gets it high on the bat, no damage though. julien again, to dravid, the off drive, well hit, short cover gets a hand to it, the ball bounces past him but ponting at cover is in very quickly to back him up.

Prem: that's kapra takien off the attack, dravid on strike to the left arm medium pace of bernard julien, bowling over the wicket to dravid, angling it in to leg, dravid flicks and misses. kapra's being hammered out of the attack means, now, that if they can force julien out as well, the pressure shifts to the aussies, but of course, for that they have to get a good look at him first. good line here from julien, bowling close to the wicket, getting the angle right to keep dravid quiet. this fourth ball, though, is wide of leg as he tries for the insiwing, wide called.

Prem: fleming for the last time in this over, to dravid, who on drives, back down the ground, long chase for bevan and a great throw onto the stumps, but sachin again alert to the deflection, races the extra run. 3 for it to end the over.

Prem: 7th over, fleming, to dravid, slower ball again, very well bowled, the slow off cutter on off stump, the ball that got azhar out in fact, dravid forward flicking and getting the inner edge ontothe stumps. fleming very impressive with this particular delivery. ball five, off drive, well played but straight, yet again, to the fielder.

Dravid needs to be moulded in the likes of Attapattu. Rotation with good players : gfnuk@mail.com (gfunk) Before being dropped for 'slow scoring' these were the situations in which Dravid had done the rescue act. Let's see what the reaction will be if he bats normally today.: rajababu (rajendra.ar@pcm.bosch.de) Before being dropped for 'slow scoring' these were the situations in which Dravid had done the rescue act. Let's see what the reaction will be if he bats normally today.: rajababu (rajendra.ar@pcm.bosch.de) Prem: fleming again, to dravid, this one on middle, on driven, the fielder there has been brought right in, no run.

Prem: kapra went for 4 fours in that over, and that will help both him nd dravid cool down, absorb the pressure of the early loss of two wickets. fleming to dravid, on off, driven, finds cover. ball two, down the leg side, slower ball, dravid misses the flick and gets it on the pad, fleming bowling the slower ball really well here.

dravid gets it all to his plus. long look in and a situation which requires his slow n steady method : rr (ramji@rediffmail.com) Prem: Now the off drive, but this time straight to the fielder. \those three fours in this over has eased the pressure a bit on the indians, they can now play the next over on merit. and here is more -- on off, just short, sachin just walked out a pace, let it come on, anggled his bat and next thing you know, the ball has beaten cover and left the field standing en route to the fence. the best shot of the day thus far, and one of the best i've seen in this tournamnet -- perfect position, perfect timing, immaculate placement.

This is what scares me.. Dravid plays the over out, Tendlya gets a ball or two per over, gets frustrated and then lashes out... Hope dravid rotaes the strike :PC Prem: kapra again, to sachin, whose timing thus far has been immaculate. this one is on middle stum p, sachin spots it early, moves across to off, and off his pads, through midwicket, and four more. kapra has always had problems with sachin and he is having more ofthe same here.

Prem: kapra to sachin, this one is good length on off, another classical cover drive but this time, mark waugh just about managed to get his hand to it, that ball was timed so well that the fielder, though he was standing in the right spot, had to scramble to stop. kapra again, outside off, the cut but not timed, into the ground and no run.

Prem: Short, outside off and |for sachin, that is a gimme -- he's onto his toes and smashing through cover on the up, four more.

Prem: been a while since he last bowled, kapra, in an international so that rust willbe showing as well. adjustments to the field meanwhile, Bucknor seems to think that the filders are not really inside the circle, so that is being corrected here.

Prem: Kapra now to sachin and wide of off, called. he is having real trouble here, kapra, not sure what line to bowl to sachin and is wandering all over the place here.

Prem: 19/2 in 5 is not exactly what you would call an inspiring start on this kind of track. \dravid on strike, to kapra, and another no ball, and vvery very good thinking by sachin, dravid played that defensive and with the fielders relaxing since it was a no ball, he calls and races, that means India gets two, the extra plus the run the batsmen took, for that ball.

The only thing which can rescue India is a century form SRT and a long innings from Dravid : shriram (shriram@andrew.cmu.edu) Prem: tendulkar on strike and off driving, fleming doing well to get down and field on the follow through to end the over.

Strange in the world. Azza was supposed to be the man. But did not work out? Damn.. Atleast RR should do the trick later.. : Jim Morrison (sinofcity@yahoo.com) Prem: fleming again, to dravid and that was just on off, dravid guiding, rather than driving, through cover, beats the field and is off with three. he checked himself on that shot, not overhitting it, good thinking this early in the innings.

Prem: More than Sachin, it willbe Dravid under pressure here. Already unsure of his place in the side and coming in virtually as an opener, with two established players back in the hut. Good ball from fleming, on off, played to cover, no run. next ball, outside off seaming away and dravid covering up, letting it go through.

I don't know i still have a feeling that dravid is going to make a century. long remembered innings : Punit (punit@hotmail.com) Now Dravid should play a long inning and Tendulkar should do bulk of scoring : Atul Prem: \dravid now on strike and for him, the job will be to rotate strike, let Sachin fire, hold up the other end but first he will need to get his eye in. Fleming on the leg stump, Dravid flicks, inside edge onto pad, no run.

dravid should come at no.3.that's where he belongs.azhar can come after him.:anish(anishm@wipsys.stph.net) Prem: Kapra, to Sachin and again, the punch off the front foot but very good fielding by |Ponting at cover stops the runs, that one was headed tothe fence but Ponting was quickly across, got the benefit of favourable bounce as well. Outside off, to end the over, Tendulkar letting it go through.

That was stupid.. flicking across two balls into his innings : PC Now 2 down, india is really in big trouble as seen from past, australia is all set for low score : Pankaj (pankajkjain@homail.com) Prem: Outside off and climbing and Sachin, no sign of adrenalin rush, lets it go to the keeper. Sachin now really has no option but to bat through the innings, the only way India can put up anything like a defensible total. |Ball four, on off, played to short cover, fielded, no run.

Prem: Tendulkar seems not too worried about all that drama -- Kapra starts with one short and wide, and the batsman is promptly onto the back foot, covering the line and slamming the square cut through point. Next ball, short on off, Sachin forward, driving on the up, four more through cover.

Now its all left to tends to hang around there and play a long innings: raj (raj@hotmail.com) Ozzies have got a long "tail" , couple of early wickets n India in with a real chance :Sands Prem: Meanwhile, that was an intelligent bit of bowling by Fleming, held it back on off and middle line, the slower pace of the ball foxing Azhar on the flick. Fleming now to Dravid, who should ideally have been the man to have come in at one drop. Outside off, left alone. Ends the over

do not understand of Azhar coming at No.3 Prem why dravid is in the team, He is like M Amarnath Who was ideal for N0.3 position : Atul (Atul.Moghe@asu.edu) Prem: Fleming to Azhar, and there he goes. Slower ball, on off, cutting in, Azhar didnt pick the slower delivery, tried to flick, played all over it and plumb in front. India losing two wickets in a hurry, which was precisely what they didn't need, Azhar again coming in too early for his own good. And now the pressure will be all the more on Sachin, with two good players hback in the hut this early in the game.

Prem: 300th odi, the only player thus far in the world to have played that many so whatever he lacks, experience is not one of them.

Prem: Jim, no, Ian Smith not in the lineup in the television box. \Azhar the new man in, and now facing Fleming, good line, on target on off, Azhar defensive.

Prem: Hello, to all the tguys posting hellos in there.

Dravid should come at no.3 He is waste down in the order :Atul (Atul.Moghe@asu.edu) Prem: To respond to Bala, yeah, McGrath could have made a difference both at the start and in the death -- but it depends really on how the Indians bat, if they keep wickets in hand towards the end, then Kapra in particular becomes vulnerable.

Prem: Do you think McGrath not playing will play a big part especially at the death. : Bala Prem: And there goes Ganguly -- this one was down the leg side, that was a bad ball really, Gnaguly was looking to crack it away to leg, was overeager, ended up with a faint tickle and Gilchrist dived to pull off a beauty of a catch.

Prem: Kapra, with two balls left in what is proving to be a very long over, to Ganguly, on off, a checked push finds cover, no run. Not much room thus far for Ganguly to drive, bowlers around the world seem to be increasingly aware that it doesn't pay to let him get room.

Prem: No ball for Kapra again, he seems to have some problems with his run up here. All of which is letting the Indian batsmen settle, Ganguly on strike, on his leg stump, played square on the on, finds the fielder.

Prem: Kapra, over number2, to Sachin, Bit of a lull with the sightscreen being shunted around.

NICe to SEE SG is off the BLOCKS QUIGLY HERE - Vels Saurav's running between the wickets seems okay thus far :-)) Balaji Prem: Ball two, outside off, Sachin lets it go, no run. Ball three, Kapra, in the 2nd over, on off and punched to cover, finds the fielder, no run.

we need to look at two major things to know if we should continue to back ind- one is running b'ween wiks and two is fielding Ramji Prem: Kasprowicz to bowl the second over, a short cover still in place, this one is pitched short, over the shoulder, and a no ball for overstepping as well, so one more extra. Kapra again, to Sachin, on off and a defensive push from the batsman

India needs to keep on looking for singles and not just boundaries in the first 15 overs. Amit Shaligram Prem: Outside off to Ganguly, the dirve finds the fielder, no run. One ball left in the over, on off, Ganguly defends, end of the first over

India go in with a mental 'low' (losing to Zim)as much as Aus is on a high(win in pak) Ramji Prem: Fleming again to Tendulkar, this one is on leg and Tendulkar guides it to backward square, single.

Prem: Tendulkar has been all fired up against the Aussies thus far, and this second ball down the leg, Tendulkar gently flicks at it, no run. A slip and short cover, the latter fielder kept there I would think to capitalise on Sachin's penchant to play the drive on the rise. Sachni turns it round through square -- leg bye, actually -- and they race two.

Prem: And the very first ball, tucked around, a single to Gannguly brings Tendulkar on strike.

The Karnataka spin duo should settle the issue. Hopefully :-)) Balaji Prem: Damien Fleming will open tthe bowling for the Aussies, and it is Ganguly on strike, McGrath perhaps being held back to bowl to Sachin Tendulkar

Prem: And here we go, the Aussies are out there already and out come the Indian openners, Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly coming out to bat and the stadium is in complete ferment. To respond to Sanchit, against this Aus side, with the bowling lineup we have, I wouldn't really be comfortable defending annything under 270 -- we have a weakness in that we have only four regulars, so if one of them is hit about early, then the pressure on the "fifth bowler" combo becomes all the more severe.

Dravid in and four bowlers with RS, SG and SRT bringing up the fifth. Balaji Prem: To Vels and others, Australia won the toss and India are batting first. Guys, keep the questions down, okay? Have enough to do with teh commentary -- do try to post your comments, and not questions for me. Thanks.

Prem: The other edge for India is that the pitches here are turning, and tghe turn will be more towards the latter stages, so that should be a plus for India again.

I think Azhar can score heavily in this match, given the pitch and conditions.it'l be a good idea to go in with 3 spinners. And, for God's sake- don't send Srinath as teh pinch hitter, as suggested by one. Sanchit Prem! That is so beautifully hedged! You been covering too much of politics, ask u a name and you give me three names...:), not for pasting but what de heck PC I believe Azza should leave Dravid at the No. 3 spot. Ofcourse, I dont want to see either of them for some time to come :-)) Balaji Prem: And to start off, it will be India batting first, Steve Waugh having won the toss and inserted the opposition. Steve must be looking at the fcat that thus far, the teams batting second have won all the three games. For India, this gives an in -- if they can bat well, especially in the first 15, and power along to around 270 or more, then Australia could come under enormous pressure in the chase, you also have to remember that a bulk of this Aus team was playing Tests till Monday evening, and have come here straight into conditions that are as humid as the inside of a pressure cooker. It could all tell on the Aussies, unless India do really badly with the bat and set up an easy chase fr them.

Prem: PC:: I would thing Tendulkar, but I would like for it to be Azhar. Tendulkar and Ganguly you expect runs from, but if Azhar also fires in what is a big game for him, his 300th and all that, then India is in with a real good chance.

Hi Prem, give us a guess on which Indian batsman will be the top scorer? Won't hold you to it :) PC Prem: Roshan:: I basically like Dravid at three but this time round, I think India need depth in bowling, to cover for any bowler the Aussies go after, so on balance, I would go for dropping Dravid. Pa2:: Warne hasn't played any cricket after the Sharjah match against India thanks to his shoullder injury

Do you'll think Dravid might be added to the line up to lend some stability or they will prefer to play an extra bowler? Roshan Bellavara Prem: This -- for the Dhaka cricket fan -- seems to be THE game. They have taken up every inch of available space, and the stadium seems electric.

I feel the whole Indian team should contribute towards winning the game. Sachin alone cannot take the task on his head. Also, I would like to say hi to Dharma from Singapore. Cheers, Dharma, from Iowa, USA. wouldnt it be best to play agarkar since he has been so succesfull. also he can be an added bonus with the bat. i've had the privilage of playing against him and he was primarily a bat b4 he took up bowling. manu from virginia Here we go again. Shold be a cracker of a match. Azza the man. 300th one-day and lots of runs too surely. Robin Singh will do well too. Not Sachin's day. Not the Aussies day either in the end. They are too tired to do lots of damage, and Indians are fresh. Azhar and Robin will lead India to victory. It is a SIN.. later, Jim Prem: The teams haven't been declared as yet, we will update as soon as they are available.

Prem: Udayan was asking for a weather forecast -- well, the met guys report another hot, humid day, similar to conditions prevailing in the Kiwi-Lanka game. Temperatures up around the 42 mark, humidity in the high eighties.

Hi prem dharma here from singapore how are you. As far as the match today a lot of course as usual depends on sachin tendulkar. But playing 3 spinners may not be a good idea despite the wicket being a turner, as this will weaken the batiing slots since chopra ia not expected to contribute much.It is better that dravid be played in the game.It will be a good idea to promote robin singh even a better idea is to let srinath go in at no4 or 5 to have a quick go at the bowling, as it is not much is being depended on his batting so it will be a bonus if he can get runs. Dharma Prem: Good morning all, this to remind you that the fourth match of the Wills International Cup, between India and Australia, will be live in 25 minutes from now.

Prem: India Versus Australia, October 28, 1998. Match starts at 1315 IST.<

Continued