Mumbai Rains: Come September...And Monsoon Fury!

Finally…the moment September entered the Monsoon poured and poured, and the first major disruption of normal life of the season happened. Since morning today heavy rains lashed parts of Mumbai city, the central suburbs and the district of Thane. Normal activities were disrupted with slowing or stopping trains, traffic jams and water logging. But the showers brought cheers, because it rained heavily in several drought-hit areas of Maharashtra and also in catchments areas leading to overflowing lakes that supply water to the city of Mumbai. The Mumbaikarsrejoiced. The farmers rejoiced.

As Mumbaikars were relishing  the relief from possible water cuts in future and withdrawal of the present 10% cut the Monsoon shifted its sights over to the main city and the western suburbs since afternoon. Torrential and continuous heavy rains till late evening brought the city to a standstill with the homecoming commuters hopelessly stranded. Every street, road and lanes got clogged; trains almost stopped with water flowing over platforms and railway tracks; all potentially prone spots got flooded and many colonies and roads got submerged. As we said earlier maybe the suffering people still cheered the showers! 

For example I was not exactly disheartened while coming back home from a hard day’s work in office by car in early evening and getting caught in the full blast of the continuous showers. Even though it took me four hours to cover five and half kilometers. My wife too got caught in the western suburbs where she went for a job and it took five hours for her to reach home by walking through knee-deep water first and then taking a train that toddled literally through watery ways.  I was only annoyed as it delayed a few important tasks. Overall, we feel happy for the farmers and ourselves. Hail Monsoon! Now eradicate the full deficit next! 

India Vs New Zealand: 2nd Cricket Test Tantalizingly Set Up!

India would need to score maybe around 250 runs to win the second Test against New Zealand in Bangalore and seal the Test Series 2-0. New Zealand would like to add as many runs as possible for the last wicket tomorrow and hope to bowl India out to restore full honors by drawing level 1-1.  At stumps on the third day New Zealand made 232/9 in the second innings with an overall lead of 244 runs.

In a dramatic and absorbing third day’s play today 14 wickets fell and as per the standards set in this Test nearly 300 runs were scored. India could add only 52 runs more to the overnight 283 and got all out for 353 conceding a lead of 12 to the Kiwis. Even that was possible largely due to the dogged partnership of 33 runs for the last wicket with Ashwin making 32.

Faced with top class seam bowling with the new ball by the Kiwi pacers Virat Kohli and Dhoni could not last long. Kohli departed immediately after scoring his second century in ten Tests and Dhoni shortly afterwards—both falling to the unplayable Southee who took four out of the five wickets falling today registering his career best figure of 7 wickets for 64 runs.

New Zealand had a tremendous opportunity to take cue from their first innings batting performance and dominate India by setting a daunting target to chase in the fourth innings.  The Kiwis started in full flow, but then collapsed in a dramatic manner thanks largely to some uninspired and thoughtless batting display. They could not craft a long partnership and wickets fell at regular intervals. The highest partnership was of just 55 runs between Franklin and Van Wyk and when Franklin became the 7^thout at the score of 216 the end was near. There was not a single half century in the entire Kiwi innings so far and it would be an extremely tall order to expect that from the last pair standing.

The Indian spinners were supreme once again. Ravi Ashwin achieved his fifth five-or more-wicket haul in as many Tests and his third in the four innings of this two-Test series. Pragyan Ojha came in with two so far. Of the pacers Zaheer went wicket less and Umessh Yadav captured two.

The second Test in Bangalore is now tantalizingly set up with fifty-fifty chance to both teams for a win. The highest successful chase by India at this ground was 207-3 against Australia in 2010. For an Indian win Gambhir, Sehwag and Tendulkar must perform tomorrow. Kohli’s super form notwithstanding it would be exerting too much pressure on him to expect one more major innings.  Skipper Dhoni’s role in the middle part of the story is also going to be crucial. As per the scoring pattern of this Test it should be over in the fourth day itself barring rains.

Three absorbing days of cricket and a suspenseful fourth day ahead. A good sporting pitch not likely to deteriorate even on the fourth day and immensely capable of producing results. Around 300 runs being scored everyday and wickets falling too in an intense battle between the bat and the ball. This is indeed good new for Test Cricket—the truest form of the game.

For cricket lovers it’s a great Monday to look forward to. 

Test Cricket: India Vs New Zealand 2nd Test In Bangalore Evenly Poised!

Ross Taylor

India made 283 for 5 wickets at stumps on the second day the second cricket Test against the touring New Zealand in Bangalore today. India still trails by 82 runs with five wickets remaining. New Zealand scored a total of 365 runs thanks to a brilliant century by skipper Ross Taylor. The test match looks evenly poised at the moment with a lot depending on how much India add tomorrow morning.

After a humiliating defeat in the first Test New Zealand batsmen finally delivered yesterday, the first day of the second Test. On a cloudy morning as usual Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan struck early getting the prize catch of Brendon McCullum for a duck in the second over. But Guptil (53) kept on at the other end and asRoss Taylor walked in things changed for New Zealand. They managed to keep the spinners at bay thrashing them around at every opportunity. Taylor made a sizzling 113 and when he was out at 246/6 New Zealand was again in a bit of a spot. But a sound partnership between CFK van Wyk (71) and DAJ Bracewell (43) took New Zealand to a position of relative command at 328/6 at the end of play. The scoring rate of the day was also excellent. On the second morning today the Kiwis advanced the score to 345, but then lost all their four wickets for only 20 more runs more. Spinner Pragyan Ojha captured five wickets for 99, his third haul of five or more wickets. 

Dhoni and Kohli

The Kiwi fast bowler trio of Boult, Southee who replaced Martin for this Test and Bracewell utilized the heavy conditions and came seaming and swinging at the Indian batsmen. They were ably supported by sharp New Zealand fielding. Very soon India was reduced to 80 for 4 and New Zealand looked to be in full command. The opener duo of Gambhir and Sehwag failed again making it the tenth consecutive time, the former falling cheaply to Southee who removed Pujara too at the team score of 27. Bracewell removed a very defensive Sehwag (43) and Southee took his third wicket in the form of Sachin Tendulkar (17) clean bowling him through the gap between bat and pad. This was the second time in this series that Tendulkar was bowled through the gate.

In came Virat Kohli for a classic innings one more time. First he added 99 runs in a partnership with Suresh Raina (55) and then with skipper Dhoni (46 not out) added 104 runs in an unbeaten partnership. Virat Kohli was on the verge of another brilliant century making an unbeaten 93 runs at stumps.

Barring rain interruptions the second Test is set for an exciting finish. The Scorecard So Far!