India’s top order crumbles, Sehwag scores ton
In what could be considered as the most crucial match of the Dambulla triangular series between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virat-Kohli-c95424 managed to find a place in the Indian squad after Pragyan Ojha and Rohit Sharma were dropped. India is now playing with four frontline seamers.
As the day started today, India won the toss and decided to bat on a clear wicket under relatively clear skies. As India opened the batting, Karthik seemed shaky against Mills as he could not survive for more than 3 balls when he was caught by Hopkins off a beautiful delivery. India was one down with zero runs on the board and seemed ready for trouble. However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virender-Sehwag-c95429 was unfazed by the loss of Karthik as he continued to play beautiful cricket with his confidence intact.
Kohli was the next victim off the Kiwi bowling attack, when he nicked a ball to wicket keeper Hopkins and India were 2-0 down with 27 runs on the board. Yuvraj Singh joined Sehwag on the crease and with his presence in the middle, Indian fans seemed to be reassured that he would help them build a partnership with Sehwag. However, that could not happen as Yuvraj fell prey to the brilliant Kiwi bowling. He fell to a seaming Mckay delivery which Yuvraj nicked to wicket-keeper Hopkins and India were already in trouble with 3 wickets down and 61 runs on the board.
Suresh Raina is another promising young batsman in the Indian ranks. However, he could not settle down at the crease as well. Raina was soon sent back packing as he scored just one run for the day. India’s batting line seemed incredibly vulnerable today. However, Virender Sehwag showed his teammates how a batsman had to bat. He hit a plethora of fours and sixes all around the cricket stadium alongside http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 to complete a stellar century. Sehwag was finally sent back at a personal score of 110 runs.
It is time for Dhoni to lead the team from the front and set an example for his batsmen who have not been able to settle down with their batting in this particular series. Being relatively new to the side, the burden of responsibility rests on the shoulders of MS Dhoni to guide India to a respectable total. On this particular track which assists seam bowlers in particular, a score in excess of 240 would be one that could certainly challenge the Black Caps.
After being denied a century against Sri Lanka, Sehwag finally scored a century against New Zealand. But it’s now up to Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja to rotate the strike. India however must not lose any more wickets for that would mark the end for the side in this tournament.
New Zealand’s bowlers need to make sure that they maintain their bowling line and length. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/A-Dent-c41093 in the Indian side which seems extremely vulnerable.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ravindra-c84236 Jadeja at 4 and MS Dhoni at 33.
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