Watson wants to open in Test team

 newUpdated: Wednesday, January 16, 2013,     

    

 0

Tags: Shane Watson, Australia, Test Team, Opening Batsman, Ed Cowan, Cowan,Watson

Sydney: Australia vice-captain Shane Watson’s preference to retain his opening spot in the Test team has put pressure on incumbent opener Ed Cowan, whose form will come under more scrutiny.

Watson made it known in an interview on Monday that his first choice was to return from injury as an opening batsman, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.


The all rounder’s decision to give his body a break from bowling is a huge risk because he must validate his position as a specialist batsman, and he knows that his best chance is against the new ball, where he has had the most success in Tests, the paper said.

Watson had said in the interview that he would love to open for Australia in Test cricket and all forms of game. Watson said he has been comfortable batting down the order in Test, but added that his preference would always be to open the batting and face the new ball.

Watson`s promotion of himself as an opener has raised eyebrows because it increases the scrutiny of Cowan who began the summer with a century against South Africa and is valued within the team, however, two half-centuries in his following nine innings did not cement his spot, the paper reported.


But Watson needs to show his fitness and his century-making ability in two Sheffield Shield games for NSW to break back into the team for India. Watson averages 44 as an opener but his past two years at Test level have been much less prolific.

ANI 

First Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 

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I am fit for selection, says Manoj Tiwary

new Updated: Wednesday, January 16, 2013,        Tags: Manoj Tiwary, Indian cricket news, Manoj Tiwary recovers

New Delhi: India batsman Manoj Tiwary says he is fully fit for selection after recovering from the side strain that ruled him out for a month. "I am feeling fit for selection and have successfully completed my rehabilitation," Tiwary said. A prolific scorer for Bengal in domestic cricket, Tiwary said the trainers were satisfied with progress he has made so far. "The physio and the trainer were very satisfied with my recovery and I was progressing better than expected in fact. I was able to train with very little pain. "They should have sent the fitness report to the selectors yesterday. I am now back home in Kolkata, looking to play a few club games," he said. The national selectors are expected to meet later this week to pick the squad for the final two ODIs against England and Tiwary is hopeful of making the cut. His fitness report is expected to reach the selectors before the meeting. Tiwary had been sidelined for at least six weeks after suffering the injury while batting during a Ranji Trophy game for Bengal against Saurashtra in Rajkot last December. He had been initially named in the Twenty20 squad for the two matches against England before Christmas, but the injury meant that he had to miss that series and the limited-overs series against Pakistan as well. PTI First Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013,

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Lee rues Tendulkar will not be seen in ODIs

new Updated: Wednesday, January 16, 2013,     

   

New Delhi: Admiring Sachin Tendulkar for his "clockwork-like" mannerisms on the field, retired Australian pacer Brett Lee rued that the veteran Indian batsman will not been seen in the one-day arena.

"Obviously, all good things at some stage must come to an end. Sachin is an absolute legend. He`s been around for so long now and unfortunately we won`t see Sachin playing One-Day cricket anymore," Lee said in a statement.

"He (Tendulkar) had an aura about him as well and you could tell he was a great player. Every time Sachin went out to bat he looked the part. He`s always well dressed and prepared. He has his mannerisms at the crease, things every player does to get in a mindset and it`s like clockwork," said Lee who has had some absorbing duels with Tendulkar in his playing days.

"He loves taking the ball on. He takes it personal, he wants to be the person who will go out there and do the job for his team, whether it is to set up or seal a win."

Lee said that in his international career Brian Lara was the only player, other than Tendulkar, who had pushed him hard to get the wicket.

"He (Tendulkar) is just so naturally gifted at what he can do. It`s a nice stat to know that I`ve got him out nine times in ODIs. I think that when I played against Tendulkar I always gave a little bit extra if that was possible. I always find myself the best when I`m playing against the best. I think that brings out the best in me.

"Playing against him was a good test of your skills. Brian Lara is probably the only other guy in world cricket that pushed me like Tendulkar."

Lee said that it would be a sad day for the game when Tendulkar decides to end his international career by quitting Test cricket.

"I`m not sure when the actual day will come but he?s obviously moved away from one day cricket now. Hopefully he enjoys the time off with his family and I guess when the time does come for him to move on from Test Cricket, it`ll be a sad day for cricket."

PTI 

First Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 

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Dhoni must quit T20 captaincy: Ramiz

newUpdated: Wednesday, January 16, 2013,        Tags: MS Dhoni, Ramiz Raja, India cricket news, Ishant Sharma, Wasim Akram, S Sreesanth

Kochi: Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja feels that time has come for Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to quit T20 captaincy after his side`s string of losses so that some young player learns the ropes of leadership. "I expect him to possibly exit T20 arena gracefully. Let other develop the team. Let other young captains come through," Ramiz said. "Indian subcontinent is stats-based cricket economy where fans look at the records. They do not look at how many matches India and Pakistan have won," he told a television channel. "I feel to arrest the slide, all good administrators and all good captains take tough decisions." Another former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said Dhoni should continue to bat at number six and should not come up the batting order at number four. Asked if Dhoni should come up the batting order, Akram said, "I don`t think so. I feel, he is good at number six. If he come out at number four, he may not get runs. "Remember, he keeps (wicket). Keeping is most difficult in cricket. He has to sit and stand for every delivery for 300 balls and expecting him to come to bat at number four is not humanly possible," he said. On Ishant Sharma, Akram said he was not impressed with the pacer`s performance in the last two years. "I think his pace has come down a bit. In the last match, he gave away 86 runs in 10 overs. He has to learn quickly," said Akram. Akram also said that maverick paceman S Sreesanth can return to the Indian team but will have to play first class cricket. "Sreesanth can swing the ball and with the pace he has, he can be in any format of the game as long as he is physically fit." PTI First Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013,

COMMENTS Sankar - Bangalore Hi Man keep your opinin as to what dhoni has to do with Indian ors.Now you quit India and go back to Pak It will be safe for you .Take Wsim akram also along with you  Reply  vicky - Bangalore Let us leave it to Dhoni. He has the winning spirit  Reply  Pages: 1      POST YOUR COMMENTS Name Place : Email : Comments :

Sehwag can make comeback in ODIs: Ganguly

new Updated: Wednesday, January 16, 2013,        Tags: Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Indian ODI squad,

Kochi: Former captain Sourav Ganguly refused to think that Virender Sehwag`s ODI career was over after he was dropped from Indian squad for the first three matches of the ongoing series against England and said that the opener has still a lot of cricket left in him. Asked if Sehwag`s one-day career was over after he was dropped from the Indian squad, Ganguly said, "You can`t say such things. I feel he has lot of ability. Forget about Sehwag who has done so well in ODI. You cannot say such things about anyone. We will just have to wait and see." On whether Mahendra Singh Dhoni should be retained as Test captain, Ganguly said it was for the selectors to decide. "Let the selectors decide that," he told a news channel. Asked if India`s current crop of young fast bowlers will become mature and competitive by 2015, he said, "It is a young team, it is very difficult to give a time frame. We will have to wait and see how long they take." PTI First Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013,

COMMENTS ajay kumar - hyderabad yes really sehwag will come back soon and creates well records  Reply  Nageshwar Dubey - surat well said Dada, he will be back soon and show some good cricket  Reply  Pages: 1      POST YOUR COMMENTS Name Place : Email : Comments :

I read the track wrong: Dhoni

new Updated: Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 23:24       Tags: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India vs England, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Alastair Cook,

Kochi: Crediting his bowlers for the thumping 127-run win over England in the second ODI, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said he read the Kochi track wrong as he initially thought it would become good for batting in second half and the visitors would benefit from that. "It seemed like a wicket that may flatten, we thought it will dry up and spinners may not get much turn. Good that I was wrong and our spinners got turn," he said after the match. Dhoni said the pitch assisted the fast bowlers when India began batting and commended Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh for their 53-run third-wicket partnership which he felt had helped the home side pass through that tough phase. "Initially when there was something for the fast bowlers, it is important to see that phase off. We didn`t get a good start, openers were finding it difficult, Yuvraj and Kohli gave us the platform," the Indian captain said. Terming the Kochi strip as a `perfect` wicket, Dhoni said it had all the ingredients of a great wicket for Test cricket. "I think the wicket was a perfect Test wicket, something for the fast bowlers and plenty of turn for the spinners, which is what we are looking for," he said. Meanwhile, England captain Alastair Cook attributed his team`s loss to the poor bowling performance at the death overs which saw England giving away 108 runs in the last 10 overs. "Last 10 overs, we gave over 100 runs. They cost us the game. I think 240-250 on this wicket was a gettable score," he said. Cook conceded that England were outplayed by the Indians on the field and lamented over not capitalising the good start given by his bowlers. "It spun a little more in the second innings, but you cannot use that as an excuse. We were out skilled and outplayed today. Those first 10 overs we had a chance to get three four wickets, we did no quite do that. (Steven) Finn bowled well. Credit to India they put us under pressure," he said. Man-of-the-Match Ravindra Jadeja said his IPL experience for the now scrapped Kochi team helped him today. "I enjoyed my batting. The wicket was good and the ball was coming on. I knew the wicket. It was going to be was bit slow, but once you get in, you can score runs. Also, Mahi bhai was telling me, don`t throw away your wicket," he said. Jadeja struck a 37-ball 61 with the bat and returned with a miserly 2 for 12 in seven overs while bowling. PTI First Published: Tuesday, January 15, 2013,

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India vs England 2013: Kochi ODI - As it happened...

new Updated: Tuesday, January 16, 2013,        Tags: India, England, 2nd ODI, Alastair Cook, Matt Prior, Ahmedabad, Ashwin, Ojha, MS Dhoni,  ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 35.6 II Score: 158/10 (Pietersen 42*, Kumar 3/29) [INDIA: 285/6]  OUT! And that’s it. India have levelled the series with an emphatic win over England by 127 runs. The final wicket to fall was that of Dernbach. He was run out after a sharp throw from Jadeja (who else?) was picked by Dhoni and caught Derbach short of his ground. He scored 2 (6b). It was quite an eventful over from Ashwin as Samit Patel took him to cleaners. Batting powerplay was on and he exploited the advantage to the hilt. Two consecutive boundaries off the first two deliveries followed by a six and then another boundary. Ashwin looked unimpressed. However, a run out off the final delivery sealed the match in India’s favour. The next ODI is scheduled for 19th January in MS Dhoni’s hometown Ranchi. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 33.3 II Score: 135/9 (Patel 7*) [INDIA: 285/6]  OUT! Two in two for Ashwin as he has been adjudged caught behind. Ashwin is having fun and he is now on a hat-trick. In walks Jade Dernbach. A funny scene as Ashwin appeals for caught behindwhile Dhoni appeals to the square leg umpire for a stumping chance after quickly disturbing the bails. Davis kept looking at the square leg umpire and eventually gave it as caught behind. Replays suggest there wasn’t any edge. Finn goes for a duck. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 33.2 II Score: 135/8 (Patel 7*, Finn 0*) [INDIA: 285/6]  OUT! This is turning out to be a one-sided affair. India are just two wickets away from finishing the proceedings here at Kochi. R Ashwin picks up his second wicket in James Tredwell who was trapped in front of middle and leg stump. He stayed for 10 deliveries scoring just a single. In walks Steve Finn. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 30.5 II Score: 132/7 (Patel 7*, Tredwell 0*) [INDIA: 285/6]  OUT! This is proving to be a cakewalk for the Indian team. Jadeja’s excellent run continues as he picks up another wicket in Chris Woakes. A tossed up delivery and Woakes is hit on the pads right in front of the wickets. Umpire raises his finger and with it England have lost their seventh wicket. He goes out for a duck. In comes James Tredwell. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 30.2 II Score: 132/6 (Patel 7*, Woakes 0*) [INDIA: 285/6]  OUT! Another one bites the dust! Joe Root’s resistance has ended after an arm ball from Ravindra Jadeja sneaked through his defences to crash on the middle stump. He scored 36(50b, 4X3). In comes Chris Woakes. What a game is this guy having! ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 30 II Score: 132/5 (Root 36*, Patel 7*) [INDIA: 285/6]  The pressure is building as the run rate keeps on mounting with each over. England will have to bat out of their skin from here onwards if they harbour any hope of winning this match. They now need 154 runs in 120 deliveries. The required run rate is 7.70. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 25.3 II Score: 110/5 (Root 21*, Patel 0*) [INDIA: 285/6]  OUT! India have tightened their grip over the match by removing yet another English batsman. This time it is Craig Kieswetter who has to take a long walk back to the pavilion after being caught by Suresh Raina. It was going towards leg and Kieswetter chipped it straight to Suresh Raina at midwicket region. He scored 18(38b, 4X3). In walks Samit Patel. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 25 II Score: 106/4 (Root 21*, Kieswetter 14*) [INDIA: 285/6]  So halfway down the innings England looking steadily recovering from the early shocks. They still need 186 runs from 150 deliveries. At the same stage India were 114/3. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 23 II Score: 91/4 (Root 13*, Kieswetter 11*) [INDIA: 285/6]  A good over squandered! Sharma had kept the batsmen quiet off his first five deliveries but his last one was cut fiercely over point for a boundary. Ravichandran Ashwin introduced into the attack. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 20 II Score: 78/4 (Root 10*, Kieswetter 1*) [INDIA: 285/6] Yuvraj Singh introduced into the attack. He is getting some turn as well. A good start for him. His first over yields just a single. Ishant Sharma was expensive in his first spell. In two overs, he was milked for 17 runs. He comes back into the attack. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 19 II Score: 77/4 (Root 9*, Kieswetter 1*) [INDIA: 285/6] Those two wickets in quick succession have proved to be a massive setback to the English team as is clear from the pressure they look in now. The last four over since KP and EM departed have yielded just four runs! Bhuvneshwar Kumar has completed his quota of 10 overs. The figures 10-2-29-3 will make any bowler proud. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 14.4 II Score: 73/4 (Root 7*, Kieswetter 0*) [INDIA: 285/6] OUT! In walks Eoin Morgan and out goes Eoin Morgan! The southpaw has been dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar by having him caught behind as he snares another English batsman! He is out for duck. It was going away from Morgan but he decided to have a go at it. A poke resulted in an outside edge and the rest was the diving effort from Dhoni behind the wickets that ended Morgan’s stay on the crease. In walks Craig Kieswetter. Kumar has pushed England on the backfoot. What an over from the youngster! His honeymoon period continues! ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 14.2 II Score: 73/3 (Root 7*) [INDIA: 285/6] OUT! AH! B. Kumar nets the big fish. He crashes one through Kevin Pietersen's defence to send him packing for dressing room! KP came across and Kumar outfoxed him by bowling an incutter that went through his gates. He scored 42 (44b, 4X7). In walks Eoin Morgan. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 12 II Score: 68/2 (Pietersen 39*, Root 5*) [INDIA: 285/6] Ishant Sharma’s over has been spoiled by KP as he scored a boundary off his final delivery over square leg region. Six runs from the over. There were reports that S. Sreesanth will not be watching the Kochi ODI. However, he has been pictured enjoying the fixture sporting a white shirt. Is that a signal to the selectors? ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 10.1 II Score: 58/2 (Pietersen 34*, Root 0*) [INDIA: 285/6] OUT! Alastair Cook has been trapped in front by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. It was a straight delivery and Cook looked to work it towards the leg side and missed it as the delivery hit him low on the front foot. Umpire had no hesitation in raising his fingers. He scored 17 (27b, 4X3). In comes Joe Root. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 9 II Score: 58/1 (Cook 17*, Pietersen 34*) [INDIA: 285/6] Right-arm medium pacer Ishant Sharma introduced into the attack. The Delhi bowler has impressed with his bowling in the recent ODI matches. However, it doesn’t concern KP as he collects two boundaries from the over. The first one was a drive through covers while the second one was a flick through midwicket region. With the end of this over, the first powerplay has ended. 11 runs came off the over. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 9 II Score: 47/1 (Cook 17*, Pietersen 24*) [INDIA: 285/6] Oh! India nearly picked their second wicket! Had Jadeja collected the ball quickly, Cook would have been on his way out. Cook was slow to respond to a call for a single by KP and the missed chance did not please Dhoni at all. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 8 II Score: 45/1 (Cook 16*, Pietersen 23*) [INDIA: 285/6] Consecutive boundaries for KP. The first one came off an edge to third man while the next one must have boosted his confidence as he moved across to send it past midwicket fence. Off the final delivery, a valiant effort in the deep by Jadeja and Rahane came for naught as KP collected another boundary. An expensive over from Shami. 15 runs came off it. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 7 II Score: 30/1 (Cook 15*, Pietersen 10*) [INDIA: 285/6] Seven runs from the over including a boundary by Kevin Pietersen to fine leg. Required run rate is 5.95 ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 6 II Score: 23/1 (Cook 15*, Pietersen 3*) [INDIA: 285/6] Amaiden over from Shami Ahmed. This is the second maiden over of the match. The first one was bowled by Steve Finn. Current run rate is 3.83. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 5 II Score: 23/1 (Cook 14*, Pietersen 3*) [INDIA: 285/6] At the same stage India were 19/2 after losing both their openers in Gambhir and Rahane. England are a wicket behind and four runs ahead. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 4 II Score: 21/1 (Cook 14*, Pietersen 2*) [INDIA: 285/6] Two boundaries in the over by Alastair Cook. The first one through covers while the next one a flick to midwicket region. With this, his score moves to 14*. Nine runs came in the over. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 1.2 II Score: 4/1 (Cook 1*, Pietersen 0*) [INDIA: 285/6] OUT! Shami draws the first blood! He has removed Ian bell who was out caught behind after chasing a wide delivery from Ahmed. He scored 1 (6b). In comes Kevin Pietersen. ==================================================================================== ENGLAND: Overs: 1 II Score: 3/0 (Cook 1*, Bell 1*) [INDIA: 285/6] So Alastair Cook and Ian bell have walked to the middle and in their mind will be chjasind down thew target and take a 2-0 lead over their hosts. Opening the proceedings for India is Bhuvneshwar Kumar and his first over produces just three runs. Joining him from the other end is Shami Ahmed. ==================================================================================== ******INDIAN INNINGS****** INDIAN INNINGS ****** INDIAN INNINGS ****** ****** INDIAN INNINGS ****** INDIAN INNINGS ****** INDIAN INNINGS ****** ****** INDIAN INNINGS ****** INDIAN INNINGS INDIAN INNINGS ****** INDIAN INNINGS ****** ****** INDIAN INNINGS ****** INDIAN INNINGS ****** INDIAN INNINGS ****** INDIA: Overs: 50 II Score: 285/6 (Jadeja 61*, Ashwin 1*)  Jadeja ends the Indian innings in style with a maximum off Dernbach. He has taken the English bowlers to cleaners! He has hit two boundaries and a six off the last three deliveries of the final over. What an entertaining knock from the southpaw! 20 runs came from this over as India end on 285/6. Jadeja has hit his sixth ODI fifty. 108 runs were scored by India in the final 10 overs! ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 49.2 II Score: 270/6 (Jadeja 47*, Ashwin 0*)  OUT! Dhoni departs after yet again guiding his team out of troubled waters. He has been caught at sweeper cover by Root off Jade Dernbach. He began the over with a boundary to midwicket region unleashing his helicopter shot yet again in this match. A brilliant knock from the Indian skipper this! He scored 72 (66b, 4X7, 6X2). In comes R Ashwin. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 49 II Score: 265/5 (Dhoni 68*, Jadeja 47*)  This partnership has suddenly reached 91 runs. Blame it on the assault that these two have launched on the English bowlers. Dhoni showing why he is considered to be one of the most dangerous ODI batsmen. This over from Finn has also provided reach dividends to the Indians. 15 runs came off it including three boundaries – 2 by Dhoni and 1 by Jadeja. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 48 II Score: 250/5 (Dhoni 57*, Jadeja 43*)  Another good over for the hosts. Jadeja picking a boundary to deep midwicket region. 10 runs came off it. 12 deliveries remaining. How many can India score off them? India have reached 250 runs. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 47 II Score: 240/5 (Dhoni 55*, Jadeja 35*)  That is it! MS Dhoni has again played the role of a saviour completing yet another ODI fifty delighting the crowd with his POWERPUFF HITTING! He reached his fifty with a boundary straight dwin the ground. He followed that with another boundary to midwicket region. 10 runs from it. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 46 II Score: 230/5 (Dhoni 46*, Jadeja 34*)  The crowd loves this! Another big over for India! Dhoni opens his arms and smashes a slower one from Dernbach over long on with brute force for a maximum! Jadeja, as he did in the previous over, ends this from Dernbach with a boundary over midwicket. The noise is deafening! ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 45 II Score: 217/5 (Dhoni 38*, Jadeja 29*)  What an over for India! Jadeja decides enough is enough and creams Woakes for 14 runs. He bengan the assault with a biggie over long on. He stayed quiet off the next and then played a full toss towards backward point region for four. He ended the over with another boundary through midwicket region. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 43 II Score: 202/5 (Dhoni 28*, Jadeja 14*)  Dhoni smashes Woakes first delivery of the over for a six over deep midwicket boundary. Jadeja takes the aerial route and lofts it over mid off region for a four. That boundary took the Indian score past 200-run mark. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 42 II Score: 190/5 (Dhoni 31*, Jadeja 9*)  MS Dhoni breaks the shackles with a boundary off James Tredwell past short fine leg. Eight runs came off it. India will need more of these if they have to post a competitive total. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 39.2 II Score: 174/5 (Dhoni 24*, Jadeja 0*)  OUT! Another Indian batsman gets out after being bowled! A slower one from Finn and Raina looks to hit it over midwicket region. It takes an inside edge and crashes on the off stump! He is livid with himself. An important breakthrough for England. He scored 55 (78b, 4x2, 6x2). In comes Ravindra Jadeja. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 39 II Score: 174/4 (Raina 55 *, Dhoni 24*)  Animated discussion/argument between Dhoni and Dernbach! Dhoni, in fact, is unhappy with Dernbach as he was standing on his way to the non-strikers’ end. Dernbach defends himself and thankfully it doesn’t blow up. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 37 II Score: 168/4 (Raina 53 *, Dhoni 20*)  Dhoni smashes a full toss straight past Dernbach for his first boundary of the innings. Five runs came off it. This current partnership is just a single away from reaching 50-run mark. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 35.2 II Score: 156/4 (Raina 50 *, Dhoni 15*)  Suresh Raina completes his fifty guiding one to third man region for a boundary. This is Raona’s 26th ODI fifty. It has come at a crucial time for India. A sensible knock so far from the southpaw. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 35 II Score: 156/4 (Raina 46 *, Dhoni 15*)  So, we move on to the final 15 overs – 90 deliveries. Can India post in excess of 280 or even cross 300? If these two manage to stay late, 300 will be a real possibility considering the reputation Raina and Dhoni have when it comes to hitting big. Meanwhile, drinks are on the field and Raina is out of the park to catch a break. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 33 II Score: 147/4 (Raina 41*, Dhoni 11*)  A quiet phase of play. India playing safe, not taking risks at the moment. What they are missing out on is in singles and doubles. The scoreboard is not ticking along at the moment. The current pait has added 28 runs to the total. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 30 II Score: 136/4 (Raina 35*, Dhoni 7*)  Raina goes big and clears his front foot to deposit Tredwell deep into the stands over deep midwicket region. Eight runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 28.5 II Score: 128/4 (Raina 28*, Dhoni 7*)  Oh! Was that an edge? Woakes and Kieswetter think so but not the umpire. Dhoni went after a length delivery from Woakes but missed it. There was a loud appeal for caught behind but to no avail. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 26.2 II Score: 119/4 (Raina 26*, Dhoni 0*)  OUT! A furious Virat Kohli is seen swinging his bat, hitting the ground with it and them his helmet after throwing away his wicket just when he looked to get back his groove! Chris Woakes comes back into the attack and immediately makes an impact. Virat Kohli shimmies down the track and lofts one from Woakes over extra cover region. Ian Bell is at sweeper cover accepts a dolly! He scored 37 (54b, 4X1, 6X1). In comes skipper MS Dhoni. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 25 II Score: 114/3 (Kohli 35*, Raina 23*)  Raina cuts Tredwell between short third man and backward point for a boundary. Seven runs came off the over (24th). Off the next over came just two runs. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 23 II Score: 105/3 (Kohli 33*, Raina 16*)  Kohli releases the tension with a biggie off Samit Patel that he plays inside out over extra cover region over the boundary ropes. He looks angry with something, probably with the umpire as he was questioning him as to why he hadn’t given the second delivery of the over a no ball since there were only three fielders inside the circle. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 20 II Score: 89/3 (Kohli 22*, Raina 12*)  Three runs each from the 19th and 20th over bowled by Patel and Tredwell resp. India need to build a partnership here. A lot of overs are ahead of them. They do have wickets in their hands. Only thing is that they need someone to saty in the middle and not give away easy wickets. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 18 II Score: 83/3 (Kohli 18*, Raina 10*)  SIX! Suresh Raina caps the over with a biggies off James Tredwell over deep midwicket boundary. That was angled in and Rain slog wept it for his and India’s first six of the match. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 15.2 II Score: 71/3 (Kohli 16*, Raina 0*)  OUT! And James Trdewell has broken the stand! Yuvraj is seen mumbling something as he leaves for the pavilion after the umpire adjudged him lbw off Tredwell. He scored 32 (37b, 4X5). An angled delivery from Tredwell and Yuvraj went for a sweep. He got some glove on it as the ball hit him on the front pad. In comes Suresh Raina. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 15 II Score: 71/2 (Kohli 16*, Yuvraj 32*)  Yuvraj has shaken off the weariness and is now playing some lovely strokes! This is a crucial partnership for India. This stand has crossed 50-run mark. Yuvraj cut Patel for a boundary through point region while off the next over from Waokes, just pushed one through mid off to add another boundary to his total. This 15th over bowled by Patel has produced seven runs including 2 wides. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 11 II Score: 48/2 (Kohli 11*, Yuvraj 16*)  The Indian batsmen are living dangerously. The good thing is that they are still batting. Samit Patel goaded Kohli to come forward for a drive. He chipped it to the right of Eoin Morgan at extra cover. Four runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 10 II Score: 44/2 (Kohli 9*, Yuvraj 14*)  Chris Woakes introduced into the attack replacing Jade Dernbach. His first is a wide but he nearly gets Virat off the next after the batsman attempts a cut that results in an inside edge. This is Woakes seventh ODI and has taken seven wickets in his previous six games. He could have been celebrating off his final delivery as Yuvraj played one nearly into the hands of Alastair Cook at short midwicket. Two runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 9 II Score: 42/2 (Kohli 8*, Yuvraj 14*)  Yuvraj exploits the big gap on his on side! A short one from Finn and he pulls it way to deep square leg region for a boundary. It didn’t came off the middle of his bat but still was hit hard enough to reach the fence. 7 runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 8 II Score: 35/2 (Kohli 6*, Yuvraj 9*)  Stand and deliver! Now that’s the Yuvraj Singh everyone likes to watch. Short and wide, the southpaw plays it through covers for his first boundary. He scores a triple off the next. 10 runs from the over. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 7 II Score: 25/2 (Kohli 4*, Yuvraj 2*)  Team India’s physio had to make a quick trip to the ground after Yuvraj was hit on his elbow in his endeavour to pull a short one from Finn! He went into his short a bit early and as a result it hit him on the elbow. He though managed to score a single off it to third man. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 6 II Score: 24/2 (Kohli 4*, Yuvraj 2*)  Oh! That was close! Virat Kohli could have been on his way out, following his teammates Gambhir and Rahane to a similar dismissal. Kohli went for a cut after Dernbach dropped one short. The ball took an inside edge and nearly crashed on the stumps! A boundary for India to fine leg as Kohli gets off the mark. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 4.3 II Score: 18/2 (Kohli 0*, Yuvraj 0*)  OUT! Rahane has been bowled! Steve Finn bowls one full and straight. Like Gambhir, Rahane stayed rooted to his position. The result was a huge gap between his bat and pads that provided a clear path for the ball to crash on the stumps. He scored 4 (14b). In comes Yuvraj Singh. Early blows for India leave them in a spot of bother as both their openers are back in the hut. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 3.6 II Score: 18/1 (Rahane 4*, Kohli 0*)  OUT! Full and straight from Derbach and it goes through his gates to crash on the stumps. He has to depart early after scoring 8 (13b, 4X1). Derbach strikes for England as India lose their first wicket in Gambhir. In comes Virat Kohli. Rahane could have been on his way out of the park had Kieswetter not dropped a thick edge off the second delivery. To the surprise of skipper Cook, umpire gave it as a wide. Meanwhile, Gambhir played one between the slips to third man region for the first boundary of the innings before being castled. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 3 II Score: 12/0 (Gambhir 4*, Rahane 2*)  Another good over from Finn! Just two runs from it. Again an appeal for lbw off the last ball. Umpire still unimpressed as Gambhir survives another close call. Replays suggest there was a thin edge. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Overs: 2 II Score: 10/0 (Gambhir 3*, Rahane 2*)  Five wides! A wayward delivery from Dernbach as it keeps on swinging towards the leg. Kieswetter put in a dive but couldn’t catch that. Eight runs from the over. An appeal for lbw off the final ball of the over but umpire isn’t impressed. Dernbach cannot believe it as Gambhir takes a single. ==================================================================================== INDIA: Over: 1 II Score: 2/0 (Gambhir 1*, Rahane 1*)  Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane are out in the middle for India while Steve Finn will begin the proceedings for England. A good start for the Poms as the first over produces just two runs. Jade Derbach will bowl the second over, WOW! You could mistake this stadium for a football ground because of the noise the capacity crowd is creating! This is going to be really tough for the umpires and players to hear faintest of nicks and calls for runs or catches! Breathtaking atmosphere! ==================================================================================== TEAM NEWS: INDIA: Shami Ahmed in for Ashoke Dinda. ENGLAND: Chris Woakes in for Tim Bresnan Toss: India have won the toss and Dhoni has elected to bat first. Build-Up: After much anticipation and build-up to the India-England ODI series, the first game turned out to be a close one and England eventually edged India by 9 runs. The game saw over 600 runs and was a pretty even contest. But with England leading the series 1-0, can India bounce back at Kochi? Stay tuned to find out… Teams: India: Gautam Gambhir, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Shami Ahmed. England: Alastair Cook(c), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Joseph Root, Eoin Morgan, Craig Kieswetter(w), Samit Patel, James Tredwell, Steven Finn, Jade Dernbach, Chris Woakes. First Published: Tuesday, January 15, 2013,  COMMENTS