When Ian Chappel wrote the “Mirror Mirror” article , it was true that Sachin was failing at that time , also it is true he bounced back.

When Shoaib Akhtar told that Sachin was scared to face him once , he might well be right.
I dont think there was ever a batsman who wasnt scared at some point of their career , BUT WE , WILL NOT BELIEVE THAT OUR GOD CAN BE SCARED TOO!!! good going Deepan , join me in selfish and blind hero worship !!!

I accidentally discovered your writings on Tendulkar and was fascinated by your comparison of the Master with his peers. You calling him the Batting Buddha just stands out.

To me, he is a remarkable human being first, in how soaked up the adulation of a nation full of cricket lovers and yet carried on like Atlas shouldering the weight of the world.

Read your comments on Australian Open. Li Na’s achievement is her work ethic that has seen her improve her game to a phenomenal level to make Clijsters feel like there is no way to get past this woman. She represents the face of a fighter.

I accidentally discovered your writings on Tendulkar and was fascinated by your comparison of the Master with his peers. You calling him the Batting Buddha just stands out.

To me, he is a remarkable human being first, in how soaked up the adulation of a nation full of cricket lovers and yet carried on like Atlas shouldering the weight of the world.

Read your comments on Australian Open. Li Na’s achievement is her work ethic that has seen her improve her game to a phenomenal level to make Clijsters feel like there is no way to get past this woman. She represents the face of a fighter.

Yeah they played Harris poorly that day and then later fell to him. I am sure they’ll try to play differently and Gary brings a lot of local knowledge. Many players going in advance was wonderful as without a tour game India would have struggled to acclimitise. My only worry is that the cream of our batting line-up is in the twilight of their careers and they may not be so light on their feet, which is important to quickly get in position on fast wickets. The positive is that they are very experienced and would be fully aware and working on how to counterbalance it.

Our bowling will be on full steam only if we have a first choice attack; Zaheer’s the key and Ishant must find rhythm. Sree was a trifle unlucky against the Kiwis as he bowled much better than his figures.

Harbhajan might have had a few off days but I think he’s a great bowler and a man for the big moment. Don’t forget he has done a lot to ensure that we’ve been undefeated at home in two seasons; he was the one who along with Zaheer turned the Kolkata Test against South Africa on its head. I wouldn’t judge him when he’s bowled on the first two days of a typical subcontinent wicket. He’s also saved games with the bat and that’s a bonus. Also he’s like a livewire in the team, a genuine character, and you need those sorts of guys on tough overseas tours.
Cheers
Deepan

1.On UDRS India’s stubborn approach shocks me. The chief culprits here are Dhoni, Tendulkar, and a BCCI that dare snot question them. Sachin in spite of all his great qualities on and off the pitch, can be absolutely stubborn some times, and has been opposing UDRS purely based on a shocking series in Sri Lanka. Rahul and Sehwag have batted for the UDRS, and judging by its success in other series, it is about time India complied. I have a bad feeling that a series marred by poor umpiring would one day open the eyes of the guys who run our cricket.

2.Lessons from past series: Bat positively and creatively in the face of the choking line and length that S.A bowl. I recollect watching Rahul and Sachin crawl in that match in Cape Town, and they weren’t facing Donald or Pollock. They failed to take the initiative against Paul Harris and Kallis of all bowlers, and the negative attitude cost us that series. Of course it would help now that Sehwag is back at the top and in infinitely better form and mental shape as compared to that last series. Sehwag, as always is the key, but the rest of the batsmen have to ensure that on a day Sehwag makes a rapid 80 odd, they don’t crawl at 2 runs per over after that.

3. Pujara Vs. Raina is a good debate, and frankly I do not have a conclusive answer yet. I have a hunch it is a decent gamble to play Raina, purely because he is attacking, he is left handed, and he plays spin well. So yes he would struggle against Morkel and Steyn, but if he survives that and is batting 20 odd, he would also charge out to Paul Harris. I would suggest horses for courses for now, and to play Raina in this series.

4. Finally one point you have not deliberated in detail on: India’s bowling. I have always maintained that any time we play Zaheer, Sreesanth, and Ishant abraod when they are fully fit, that is a deadly attack. The key weakness being if and when one of them breaks down (Unadkat is a ridiculous selection, Umesh Yadav is decent, but raw), and the form of Harbhajan. Harbhajan as a bowler is a sick joke now, and on present form even Paul Harris or Sehwag are better than Bhajji.

Either which way the result goes, I am sure it would be a cracking contest!

Cheers!
Vasu