Access to a morning paper and scorecard

Access to a morning paper and scorecard

As i get access to a morning paper that gives you break up of a Saturday match fever, i am reminded of how vulnerable Cricket India is against formidables. Topping the table where West Indies and South Africa have yet to equal India's 5 match participation just goes on to show how points have been raised by getting minnows who could not create much sensation. Some would have suggested it to be a cracker of a contest against Proteas but the way the batting line up threw up in despair gives the shudder of who would have done the repair had Sachin, S'wag and G'tam scores been not a commanding share. The fall began from the 39th over and in less than 10 overs Cricket India going beyond 300 would have looked like they doing themselves a big favour. Virat made one, Harbhajan three and Zaheer, Asish, Munaf none. That is how the scorecard read and gave Proteas more than an outside chance to see Cricket India in completely red. Hash 61, Graeme 16, Kallis 69 made the opposition side lose its shine. Though entry to Quarterfinals has been breached (looks to be) but it could still be an insurmountable odd when they face Kiwis and they could literally sneeze. A good outing against Windies could be a good moral support otherwise they are in for dwindling local bloat.
Dhoni has chided the team for playing for the crowd rather than the country and herein lies Cricket India's root of misery. Had IPL bus been abandoned for long, the team members would not have swayed to beats of spectators and would have rallied to the cause of Cricket India's lasting upswing.
At 257 for one in 38.4 overs, those suggesting that Cricket India would post 400 plus total were living in fool's paradise as some including me believed that breaching 300 could still be a big battle and if it happens it would be a big surprise if Proteas won. Returning after two hours interval to the travelwallah office when Proteas were 60 for one and seeing Cricket India bundled out for 296 with four scoring none, i assumed the battle the Proteas had almost won. Thirteen to get in six, the Proteas in 4 balls made a clean sweep.
The lesson to be registered: The batting and bowling are failing and it is only improvised reverse batting from the likes of de villiers that is reigning. Let us hail his feat and hope Cricket India has reservoir of pride to play for the country and give us a treat.