Very Very Special Laxman & Mr Cool Dhoni Nail Southafrica

What shewag and tendulkar began , laxman and dhoni finished. 4 tons in single innings made India post its highest total against south africans.

India declared at 643 for six suprassing their previous best of 627 against southafricans.Steyn,Morkel,Parnell,Harris all had to toil hard today with all four giving more than 100 runs each without much success.

The only success they had today was that of amit mishra who did take on southafrican bowling during his cameo of 28 runs. He was dropped twice but finally kallis did held a good catch to see amit mishra getting dismissed. But amit mishra had done his job.

Both laxman and dhoni had their luck in first session. They made most of it by smashing tons. This is laxman's 4 century in his favorite ground eden garden and 15th in the career. Dhoni hit his 4th test century and first against south african. Frequency of dhoni's hundred in increasing which is another good sign for India.

Dhoni and v v s laxman shared record partnership for 8th wicket surpassing previous best of ravi shashtri and kirmani (235). The duo added 259 runs in their partnership and remined unbeaten.

With two days to go , it would be survival game for southafrican with first session being crucial one. Tomorrow is day-2 and India has got good spinning duo as well as backup of shewag ,if needed.

India having lost first test match have to win this to maintain their No-1 spot. While southafricans need just draw to become recapture their crown.

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Positives of First Test V/s Bangladesh For India

No dhoni , no harbhajan and easy opposition. This was at beginning of first test match against bangladesh. Shewag roared partly with bat but more with mouth. Bangladesh did create panic in Indian ranks on day ,1. It needed master to play like only he can to see India scores aleast above 200!!!!!!!!!!!!!

India won the match and following are positives which India can take from the match :

1) Gautam Gambhir :

If dravid is wall , gambhir is Mr consistent. He has made 9 centuries overall and 5 centuries in last 5 matches. The biggest plus of his consistent form is that 4 centuries out of those 5 has been made in second innings.

2) V.V.S Laxman :

He is saviour of India since many years especially in second innings. He has made more fifities in second innings than first innings and he showed his class is still intact.

3) Ishant Sharma :

Bowler who was considered sensation soon lost his touch and was shown doors in one day. Made comeback in test and having taken 5 wickets in match , he is again in form. The spell in morning of final day was exceptional one.

4) Amit Mishra :

With harbhajan out , mishra was obvious choice. He didnt let down his captain and took 7 wickets in match. His bowl turned and flight given showed his confidence. With ojha and mishra , harbhajan does have to pull his shocks.

5) Sachin Tendulkar :

It neede master to deliver when all failed. Sachin ramesh tendulakar hit another ton and made sure that India had decent first innings score.

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Naseeruddin Of Indian Cricket - V V S Laxman

He is not sachin tendulkar , the demi god of Indian cricket. He is not dashing m s dhoni who can fire big sixes at will. He is not virender shewag who creates doubts among bowler about their skill. He is not wall like dravid , neither he is aggressive ganguly who made mother of all come back. He is elegant and very very special laxman.

The man who changed Indian Cricket Forever. His one inning induced self belief in Indian cricket (as ganguly and others believe) and started journey of becoming No 1 in test arena.

Saluting this media shy , back operator and person with 2nd highest test average in last five years (highest being gautam gambhir).

He is naseeruddin shah of Indian cricket . Like naseer he is critically aclaimed by all criketing greats of the world but at times he doesnot enjoy mass following like that of dhoni and yuvraj.

Test Centuries

1. 167 v Australia Sydney 2 January 2000
2. 281 v Australia Kolkata 11 March 2001
3. 130 v West Indies St John's 10 May 2002
4. 154* v West Indies Kolkata 30 October 2002
5. 104* v New Zealand Mohali 16 October 2003
6. 148 v Australia Adelaide 12 December 2003
7. 178 v Australia Sydney 2–3 January 2004
8. 140 v Zimbabwe Bulawayo 13 September 2005
9. 104 v Sri Lanka Ahmedabad 18 December 2005
10. 100 v West Indies Basseterre 22 June 2006
11. 112* v Pakistan Kolkata 30 November 2007
12. 109 v Australia Sydney 2 January 2008
13. 200* v Australia Delhi 29–30 October 2008
14. 124* v New Zealand Napier 30 March 2009

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