Indian batsmen to look out for (Part 3)
(Continued from Part 2...Suresh Raina) His recent advent into Test cricket came about after maintaining a strike rate 143.47, and a batting average of 37.20 in the 20-over format of the game.
However, the new aged Indian left hand dasher has played only two Test matches, but has scored 223 runs at an average of 111.50. His strike rate in Test cricket is 58.07, with 1 half-century and 1 century to his name. He has a best of 120 runs in a single
innings.
Keeping in mind, that the current ongoing two match Test series is hosted by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, Raina would surely be an effective batsman in familiar conditions. The left-hand batsman is known to be called “Sanu”, can bowl a bit of right-arm off-break.
Interestingly, the youngster is one of those few players, who bat with their left hand and bowl with a right arm action. He brings variety in both bowling and batting departments, as his contribution to the team might just hurt the visitors a bit more than
expected.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-c73820 is one the finest wicket-keeper batsmen and, along with the pressure of captaincy the Indian skipper, has done extremely well in all three departments. Whether it is batting, wicket-keeping or captaincy, one can never see the Indian
skipper lose his cool on the field.
He is always looking to improve his game and his biggest mastery in the game is that he is one of the few wicket-keeper batsmen, who have maintained a batting average of over 50, after playing more than 150 ODI matches.
Dhoni’s 5 years of Test cricket has enabled the Indian skipper to play 46 Tests, with an average of 41.90. His batting average is beyond impressive as he bats lower in the middle order. He has scored a significant 2556 runs, with an effective strike rate
of 60.69. With 4 centuries and 18 half centuries the Indian skipper will surely be a challenging wicket for the visiting bowler to take down.
His infant Test career is extremely explosive in nature, as he has struck 280 dashing boundaries and has smashed 45 sixes out of the park. With a best of 148 in a single innings, Dhoni will be a prized wicket for the Australians. The visitors should look
to ensure that the skipper doesn’t get a chance to settle down because as he builds his innings in the middle order, he can surely take the game away from the Aussie’s.
The Indian batting line up is a bit more experienced than the visitors in terms of matches played and above all, they are more used to their home playing conditions. Not to forget, that the Indian’s have the upper hand in the 2 Test series, as they are the
No.1 ICC Test team and the fact that the last Test encounter between the two nations belong to the Indians as they won the 2008 series 2-0.
The Aussies will surely be praying for the Indian top order batsmen crumble in front of their world-class pace attack. Meanwhile, if the Indian batsmen fail to settle down in the crease, it will definitely a plus point for the Aussies.
Cricket experts have viewed a series win for the hosts, only if the batting power delivers. On the other hand, for the Aussie’s it is a much needed series win for mainly two reasons. Firstly, they want to regain the coveted No.1 Test team ranking, and secondly,
they need some confidence in Test cricket before going into the Ashes.
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