Sehwag hits unbeaten 284 in a single day of Test Cricket!

Test cricket does something inexplicable to Virender Sehwag. There’s no visible sign, but it all comes beautifully together with deadly affect.

Even after a decade of international cricket, he has remarkably managed to retain his free-spirit and what he seems to add to his repertoire while playing Test is discretion. Whether the entire process occurs by merely donning the white flannel or he consciously makes the adjustment is something only Viru could explain. Though there are chances even he may not know for batting comes so naturally to him. And it often means playing shots.

With Sehwag in sublime form, the patrons of Brabourne stadium, where Test cricket returned after 36 years, couldn’t have asked for more. Runs came like torrential rain, as Sehwag scored a magnificent 284 not out, which included 40 fours and 7 sixes. This was his sixth double century. At stumps, India scored a record 443 for one. Incidentally, this was India’s second 400-plus runs in a day in as many Tests.

World’s highest wicket-taker, Muttiah Muralitharan has rarely been so decisively dominated by any other batsman, as Sehwag did on day-two. In his five spell of 20 overs, Murali conceded 119 runs and went wicketless. Tried from both ends by captain Kumar Sangakkara, the off-spinner never looked so hapless and ineffective before. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was treated with utter disdain, as Sehwag clobbered him for four towering sixes. He conceded 112 runs from 22 overs for lone wicket of Murli.

Test cricket is changing decisively. It may be played over five days, but it’s fast changing into five days of One-day cricket. Or else how does one explain 366 runs on day-one and 443 runs coming off in 79 overs from India on day-two.

Rahul Dravid: God of slips

Envy and admiration rarely go together. But when one watches Rahul Dravid in a slip cordon, taking those breathtaking blinders, these contrasting feelings run through the veins.

Is Dravid naturally gifted, genetically designed to be a slipper or is it hours and hours of practice at the nets?.

On the second thought, it should be easier on our conscience for we lesser mortals are not even engineered to create such beautiful cricketing moments. But what about iconic names like Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman who stand next to him in the slip cordon. Both of them are fine slippers in their own right but deep down even they know Dravid is a class apart.

Is Dravid naturally gifted, genetically designed to be a slipper or is it hours and hours of practice at the nets? The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.

A closer look reveals the perfect alignment of Dravid’s body while waiting for an edge to come his way. With his palms open and hands bend at the elbow, Dravid crouches really low. With the two legs nicely spaced and body weight equally distributed, the back makes a beautiful arch forward, giving him a perfect balance to move either side.

It’s only in the fitness of things that the world record of highest number of catches  in Test cricket rests on his shoulder as effortlessly and gracefully as he makes those catches.

Source: Cricket Nirvana

Sachin Tendulkar - The True Legend

Sachin Tendulkar begins a third decade in world cricket next week, insisting he is still as passionate to play for India as he was as a wide-eyed teenager 20 years ago.

"My love for cricket and the honour of playing for my country have kept me motivated all these years," said Tendulkar.

"Cricket is my life and I am lucky and absolutely honoured that I have been able to wear the India cap for 20 years."

He has risen to become the world's most successful batsman in both Test and one-day cricket, a result of both his unparalled genius with the bat and amazing longevity in the game.

When he started,  Mahendra Singh Dhoni was an eight-year-old schoolboy and team-mates Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli were barely a few months old.

"We call him 'grandpa' in the dressing room," joked compatriot Yuvraj Singh. "But he is just amazing. He has achieved everything there is to achieve, but still wants to improve with every game.

"Frankly, I can't think of an Indian team without Tendulkar."

Former captain Ganguly calls him "the king of cricket", West Indian great Viv Richards, one of Tendulkar's childhood heroes, regards him as "99.5 per cent perfect."

For his countless fans, Tendulkar is a joy to behold. For there may never be another like him again.

Source: Cricket Nirvana