Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s On-field Mentorship Yields A Successful Day For Slow-Bowlers in Chennai
MS Dhoni is a master of reading the game. His accuracy in predicting the actual mindset of the opposition is tremendous and has been one of his most revered character traits. The experience gained over the years has made this highly unique skills stronger regarding effectiveness.
The most recent example of Mahi’s game reading skills was witnessed during the 1st ODI in Chennai where guided the young spinning duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav about suitable line and lengths needed to be bowled to the Aussies.
“Woh… marne wala dalo, andar ya bahar aaye (Deliver the one that he would hit at, the ball coming in or going away would Set the trap),” Dhoni was picked by stump mic.
“Woh ghoomanai walaa daalo (bowl the one which will turn),” Dhoni went on to suggest his slow bowlers.
Aakash Chopra Terms Hardik Pandya’s Power Hitting ‘Special’
Former Indian batsman, Aakash Chopra has termed Hardik Pandya’s batting abilities as special in his recent write-up which analysed the 1st ODI between India and Australia in Chennai. Pandya was in full flow in the first game of the five-match One-day International series at M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
“There was nothing wrong with what Adam Zampa. [He] bowled flatter and fuller in the hope of making it difficult for Pandya to get under the ball and get requisite elevation,” Chopra wrote.
Alex Hales Looking Forward To Cementing Place In The Ashes Squad
Former English cricketer and expert Rob Keys has backed Alex Hales to perform better in the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. He feels that a super show in the 50 overs format can help him impress the selectors which could, in turn, help him gains a place I the Ashes side which is set to tour Australia later this year.
“You have a bit more time to bed into ODIs – and that could help Hales’ hopes of an Ashes spot. More of his technique, more of his temperament will be on display in these games and if he fires, he might well be on the plane to Australia.”
IND vs. AUS 2017: Felt Lucky to Play Such Innings With MS Dhoni – Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya added more substance to his growing reputation as the next match finisher for India with a combative knock against Australia in the opening ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Batting along with MS Dhoni, the right-hander added 118 runs for the 6th wicket to help Indian post a challenging total in front of the Australians.
The 23-year-old acknowledged the fact while speaking in the post-match presser and credited MS Dhoni for backing his instincts.
“It’s an amazing feeling, to be honest. Australians were on top, and it was pressure situation for us. We had lost wickets early on. So, during such situation, it was important for me to stay with MSD and forge a stand. I meant to say that I have learned a lost from MS and will continue to pick his brain.”
Yuzvendra Chahal Hit Back At Steve Smith Over His ‘Two New Balls’ Remark
Australian skipper Steve Smith had pointed out at a strange fact after losing the series-opener in Chennai on Sunday by a 21-run loss. Smith felt that two new balls made a difference in chasing a revised total of 164 off 21 overs.
However, India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who picked 3 for 30, hit back at Smith, saying that the tourists have said two new balls was a plus-point had they managed to chase down the total.
“The 21-over game was a plus-point for Australia because the rules were not according to T20. The extra fielder was always inside the circle. If they had won the game, they would have said it (two new balls) was a plus-point for them. Because in T20s, if there is a new ball from both ends, then it is good for the batsmen. There was something in the wicket, so we too had an advantage,” he added.
Wayne Parnell Unsure About His Future as an International Cricketer
South African pacer Wayne Parnell is unsure of his future as an international cricketer. The seam bowling all-rounder, who last played against Sri Lanka, is skeptical if he fits in the team plans of not.
“Coming into this series against Bangladesh, I am not sure where I fit into that. Not sure of what’s going to happen there. Why I was left out of the England squad, I also don’t know there is a new coach now also, so we need to see how it unfolds,” Parnell said.
A Heart Warming Gesture Made by Ravichandran Ashwin to His Fan
Ravichandran Ashwin, in a heart touching gesture, ensured that one of his biggest fans P Venkatesh was able to watch the opening ODI between India and Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Despite not being part of the squad for the ongoing series, Ashwin made sure that his ailing fan got the opportunity to witness the match live from the hospitality box at the Chepauk. His fan is suffering from a kidney ailment.
“I have only viewed from the galleries. Thanks to the efforts taken by Ashwin’s management team, I am watching the game from the hospitality box. For someone like me it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. I will never ever forget the courtesy extended by Ashwin,” the 42-year-old Venkatesh was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
India Wants 12-Day Preparation Window Between Arrival and Opening Test in South Africa
India is scheduled to tour South Africa later in the year but the fixtures for a visit hasn’t been announced yet, and it has a lot to do with the preparation of India for the Test series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it pretty clear that the Indian players are not willing to play the first Test in a rush and wants a 12-day window between their arrival and the opening Test. But Cricket South Africa pressed for time to squeeze the full tour in a 50-day window and is not willing to give India too much time for practice games.
“India finish their series with Sri Lanka on December 24 and can reach SA only by December 27. They are not ready to play the first Test before Jan 10,” a closed source of the BCCI was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Josh Hazlewood Casts Doubt Over the Idea of ‘Big Four’ Pace Quartet Playing Together in the Ashes
The upcoming Ashes 2017 may become a dream come true moment for many fast bowling fans, as Australia promises to put together four of their best pacemen – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson – together in the starting XI when they take on England later this year.
While the prospect of the fast bowling unit playing together looks mouth-watering, the Australian setup is currently left to deal with a couple of tough decisions to make. The first being fitness and the other is the presence of in-form off-spinner Nathan Lyon. These two factors make the chances of the “Big four” thing happening very weak.
Australia head coach Darren Lehmann had already confirmed that Lyon would play in the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba on November 23 following the offie’s 22 wickets series performance in the two-Test tour of Bangladesh earlier this month.
The Ashes to be Played on PlayStation and Xbox
As England and Australia are gearing up for the all-important Ashes showdown in the Australian summer later this year, the video game manufacturers Big Ant Studios have also made sure to make the fans feel more involved with the upcoming series, as it has decided to launch a fully-licensed game before the series.
The upcoming game will feature both the men’s and women’s teams from Australia and England ahead of the all-important Ashes. The game called the Ashes Cricket is the first cricket game from Big Ant Studios and is fully licensed.