http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid torment the Kiwis
On the first day of the Test match between India and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754, the visitors have been given a glimpse of the gargantuan task that truly awaits them in the next few days. There is a reason that India is currently the top Test side in the world. The home
team have paved their way against the Kiwis to comfort mostly due to the ballistic innings of Virendar Sehwag who scored his fifth Test century of the calendar year.
The pair have clearly tormented the visitors as Sehwag made his way past the 150 mark in his usual explosive fashion, while Rahul ‘The Wall’ Dravid played his characteristic innings as he cautiously approached his 50. The pair have managed to add 183 runs
for the third wicket that has left the Kiwi morale in tatters.
After winning the toss at a track that has little on it for the bowlers, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 did not hesitate in deciding to bat first with a huge grin on his face. Harbajhan upon finding out that India was batting first rejoiced in his usual manner. Following the
decision to win the toss, it was a real piñata for the fans as he cracked boundary after another in explosive fashion. This run machine was in a good mood as well when in the third over; Chris Martin overstepped Sehwag signalled for a free hit. There are none
in Test cricket. However, free hit or not, he still struck the next delivery for a four.
Once he started, there was no slowing down after that as he managed a strike rate of above 85 throughout his innings. While on the other hand, his partner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623 was struggling to find the flow in his innings. He seemed tentative and the New Zealand
part time spinner, Jesse Ryder got the better of Gambhir as he misjudged a delivery to catch the inside edge of the bat, which then went on to hit the stumps. Gambhir has struggled with his form in 2010.
Sehwag was then joined on the field by Rahul Dravid who played cautiously. Dravid has been under a lot of scrutiny for not being able to find his form and deliver for his side. Therefore, Dravid gave Sehwag the freedom to hit fluently as he rotated the strike
effectively to keep the scoreboard ticking. Sehwag had scored 82 runs in the first session and could not reach three figures. The second session started rather slowly for Sehwag however he soon found his usual rhythm as he hit some swashbuckling shots off
offspinner Jeetan Patel to hit a couple of fours.
Sehwag's innings has not been devoid of its flaws as the Kiwis failed to capitalize on a number of chances. Brendon McCullum missed a direct hit onto the stumps in the sixth over. There was then a close lbw appeal from Daniel Vettori while Sehwag was batting
on 144. While the off spinner Jeetan Patel missed a close caught and bowled chance in the next over. The Kiwis were not on their top in the fielding department as well, as Bennett completely misjudged a chance of a simple catch at long-on in the final over
before the tea break.
The visitors will have to step up their ante if they wish to make http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Dent-c41093 in the rather formidable Indian side; otherwise the odds weigh highly in favour of the home side.
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