Chepauk and King George VI

Cricket is the national sport of England. National sport in other countries become the main focal point facilitated by a good TV coverage so that every nook and corner of the country can indulge in it. After the 2005 Ashes, here is an opportunity to do that in England as "Channel 4" won the rights to telecast India vs England test series on the nation's terrestrial free channel TV. Well done "Channel 4". I am sure all cricket lovers will be delighted.

Day 5 - Emphatic win for England!

Congrats to Cricket England for a fabulous win away from home. Unbeaten 11 Tests win under Root's captaincy and Root leading the way to Team Glory. Root also equalled Vaughan's record of 26 wins as a Test captain.

Anderson did the major damage to shake up the Indian batting order with his reverse swing (what a bowler). Spinners made use of the track and did their job.

England did cash in early after a good toss to win. The first two days are vital when playing in Indian pitch conditions which was showcased using their skill and talent. The verdict of the pitch is, the new curator of the Chepauk pitch prepared the pitch very similar to the past as it favoured bowlers from Day 3 through to Day 5. Any good team would have succumbed on Day 5 at Chennai as the worn out pitch does not favour the batters.

The difference between two teams was Root's double century (by Runs) and the inexperienced bowling line up. Nadeem might have come good (a speculation) if Team India had won the toss and batted first with some help from the pitch later from Day 3. The inexperience was easily exposed. Would Team India give him another opportunity? This is a big question for the team selectors. Probably Sundar should have bowled in the second innings as that was the only period India saw some success in this test.

Some names that comes to mind are Rahul, Jadeja, Kuldeep if they are fit and are they ready for team selection. Also if they aim to play fresh players to replace tired legs, Siraj and Shardul are waiting for the word "Go". Hardik Pandya will be a good addition only if he can bowl as all rounder is the ask I think.

This is my kutti (short) story....this is my kutti story (if you are interested search on YouTube "Master - kutti story lyric") a fun song with a message.

Thanks for reading my blog. Please post your comments about my blog.

Day 4 - Mind Game Monday

It was Washington Sundar again who added some valuable runs to get India to a decent total. The way these youngsters dice the opponent's game plan and penetrate with their valour definitely takes us all to the edge of the seat in our living rooms. The onslaught attack in Test cricket during an adverse situation disrupts the opponent's thinking and constantly nudges to review their strategies. Hats off to Pant and Sundar.

The first glimmer of hope for Team India to get back into the game was the first ball wicket in the 2nd innings from Ashwin. The ball saw just three touches: bowler, batsman's bat and the slip fielder taking the catch (The replays still shows the brand name of the ball clearly). The English openers have historically succumbed to the innings first ball several times and the latest one was in 2016 by Alistair Cook of Hardus Viljoen. Ashwin makes a record as a first Indian spinner to take first ball wicket in Tests.

A fantastic execution of bowling by Indians see England score less than first innings score of Root. This has definitely raised the percentage from 0 to a bigger number from the morale point of view. We all know when morale is very high Team India have responded good. Ashwin's feat of 6 for in Chepauk is another feather to his hat. His personal best is 7 for.

A big applause to Ishant Sharma for his milestone 300 wickets.

This test is highly expected to go favourable for England as they have the upper hand. Last time when India chased a big total (387) in Chepauk against England was in 2008. The new generation Indian team think differently. If they get a good start, nothing is impossible.

Scenario prediction:

End of Session 1 - No wickets fall - India 5%, England 70%, Draw 25%

End of Session 1 - Up to three wickets fall - India 0%, England 90%, Draw 10%

In Session 2 - Up to five wickets fall - India 0%, England 95%, Draw 5%

In Session 2 - Up to three wickets fall - India 5%, England 75%, Draw 20%

Start of Session 3 - Up to three wickets fall - India 10%, England 85%, Draw 5%

Start of Session 3 - Up to five wickets - India 5%, England 75%, Draw 20%

Start of Session 3 - Up to eight wickets fall - India 0%, England 100%, Draw 0%

Some of the Netflix watch list to inspire players:

Saving Private Pant

The Imitation Game by Virat Kohli

Catch me if you can - Joe Root

The End Game - Washingston Sundar

Day 3 - Horses for the courses

The top order is the pivotal for cricket matches played in India especially. The top order require the patience and temperament to strategize the game to win session after sessions. The difference between two teams is evident if we take a look at the top order - Sibley, Burns, Lawrence and Root are red ball specialists who have practiced to be patient and play the mental mettle to stay in the centre for long. These players does not list in many white ball matches as they are Test Specialists. From India Rohit, Gill, Virat and Rahane play across all the formats Test/ODI/T20 and nowadays T20 and ODI are played more than tests. It is very hard to prepare mind between several formats. Pujara is the only player as a specialist who can be compared with the English top order.

The new swagger of bat Mr. Pant reminds me of Vivian Richards. Viv Richards has played many matches coming to bat after few quick wickets and be the sponge of the pressure by attacking. Pant is playing a very good attacking batting time and again to ease the pressure. If not the test hostility will crush a battered team.

Fabulous Pujara does it again for Team India. The Wall 2 in the making.

The Team India top order can destroy big variation spinners with ease. However they can't play simple off break especially against England. Moieen Ali and Dom Bess are good examples.

In my opinion, the wake up call for restructuring Team India test team came from the Australia tour and I hope that it will be under scrutiny after England tour to bring changes. A pool of Red ball specialist players must be identified and meticulously prepared.

Horses for courses approach to structure the test team may reap benefits on a medium to long term. It will also lessen the burden and pressure on the players.

On Day 4, two Tamilians (Ash and Wash) is set to play in their home Tamil Nadu ground. Can they take the leaf from the Sydney test and nurture it as it is the last resort to recover the damage for Team India.

Possibilities:

Day 4 (India) - Ash and Wash play three sessions to recover.

Day 4(England) - Wrap up, ask India to Follow-on

Day 4(England) - Wrap up, England bat a T20 or ODI.

Day 5(India) - Top order play proper test, save the day and test.

Day 5(England) - Wrap up spill over from Day 4 and Win the test.

Two Chennaites talking about Ash and Wash:

England bada bejaar mamu...

Vannarapettai Sundar damma thooondu Kapees mathri thakiriyamma aadanum maamu...

Ash machiii centre pitchla...stump mic-la oru youtube video content kodu maamu,,,,

Semma veedu kattu maamu...

Day 2 - King George VI

February 6th is the death anniversary of King George VI (Died in1952). Why talk about King George VI? On this day in 1952, the English team was in Chepauk playing Test Series against India. England continued to play wearing a black band (Tradition goes back to many years). India won that test and registered their first ever test match win.

Root continued from where he left the previous day making a good progress. Root instilled fear in opponents and soared with confidence hitting a six to get his double hundred of Ashwin. Root is the first batsman to score double hundred in his 100th test. Before Root, highest score was 184 by Inzamam in his 100th test. Guess against who? India in 2005. Ben Stokes is ever ready to either start from scratch or top up. This time it was a top up option and he increased the strike rate with his personal strike rate (69.49) to put England to a further strong position.

A prelude of significant stats for Day 3 through Day 5 with a positive/negative to gauge for Team India:

India scored 759 in 2016 against England at Chepauk. So been there done that - Positive

No one from the current team hold the highest score in Batting - Negative

No record of highest runs partnership by the top order - Negative

Highest number of Test wins by any captain is Virat Kohli (33 matches out of 57 matches) - Positive

Victory against England in a large margin (279 runs at Leeds) - Positive

It is three positives against two negatives. Close call.

The task is cut out for Team India batters to be at the centre of the pitch for at least five sessions. Also to not get carried away to score runs quickly instead naturally score runs by spending most of the time in the middle. Rohit, Gill, Virat, Pujara and Rahane must wear the test hat to establish a good score so that Pant, Ashwin and tail enders can ride on the inspiration and motivation of the top order.

In my opinion, if Team India need to improve one stat from the above then it would be "Highest runs partnership by the top order". This will decide a Draw or Win.

Finally, the King of the day two was Root. What will you do King Kohli?

Day 1 - Back to "Root" of the game

It was a great gesture by the Cricket England to Sir Tom Moore who has left behind the legacy which the generations can be proud of.

Joe Root played his hundredth match and entire world was looking forward to indulge in another fascinating test series which started in Chennai, Chepauk stadium. On Day 1, it turned out that Root used the matches against the Srilanka to get back to form and thumped another century in India. Root became the third batsman to score a century on his 100th test match after Colin Cowdrey and recently Alec Stewart in 2000.

Root's third back to back century bring back the reminisce of Mohammad Azharuddin's three in a row centuries on debut. A big shout out to "Rooooooooooooooott".

Selection of Nadeem instead of experienced Kuldeep is a very difficult puzzle to solve. Nadeem has taken four wickets in tests vs Kuldeep twenty four wickets with two five fors. Kuldeep is definitely more experienced and a good candidate considering Washingston Sundar though good with bat is also inexperienced. These kind of selections will always give a hope to the opponents especially when the pitch does not help the bowlers and batsman can easily score in mind games.