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Friday, October 10, 2008

Punter answers the call...

A look back at Day 1, First Test, India vs Australia


Huss reamins on 46 looking all set for another big one...

Except for the first and the last over of the day, it was pretty much Aussies all throughout the day. Much hyped preperations of Haydos went all for nothing as he only managed a three ball duck, but that was what the Indians would get for a long time.

Punter and Katich batted sensibly and later Mr.Cricket joined the party.

In the last over of the day Zaheer managed to get Michael Clarke plumb in front, thus avoiding him repeating his heroics four years ago at the very same venue.

And on India's part, Bajjis bowled well but with very little help from the pitch it was to no avail. Kumble looked out of sorts though. Seems it's time for him...


Out of sorts...

By the end of the day Aussies remained at a very credible 254/4 with Hussey looking good at 46 unbeaten. As far as they don't decide to really fuck up the things, like the Kiwis managed yesterday, it looks like Aussies are hard to be beaten from here on in. They are well set for a total of over 400.

But then again, you never know...


Punter, man of the moment.


Wild celebrations after his first ton in India...

It would be an understatement to say that he's been under pressure leading to this series. He was under extreme pressure. His record in India was next to nothing. 172 runs at 12.28 in 14 innings. Shit in every sense.

And many people had their doubts, including me, if he'd sort out his problems or not. Before the series, Punter himself accepted that he need to do better and that it was up to him to set the things right.

And he did. Just that.

It may not have been the most elegant or fluent innings of him. Rather, it was an innings of pure determination and concentration. He knew he had a problem with spinners, and Bajji in particular. He has dismissed Ponting no less than 8 times in Tests before. Fair enough to be called his bunny.

But Punter started rather cautiously, avoiding good deliveries and only picking the right ones to hit. And slowly built the innings showing why he is the best batsman in the world today. Yes he had his fair share of luck, but then again that's cricket. He got to his half century in majestic fashion with a classic drive off Zaheer Khan. And never looked back since then.

It was a great centrury made under extreme pressure by a brilliant batsman of our era, showing what he's made of.

Hats off to you Punter.

Because, he's a man that walks the talk...

2 comments:

  1. there r ppl u dont piss off before a big test series, one of them is punter. sehwag was a on meth when he did what he did. punter made them pay.

    games in the balance imo. 2 wickets in the first hour and india on top!

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  2. Yeah, Sehwag lost a lot of respect I had for him.

    I mean, come on man, get over it!!!

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