The last round of warm-up matches before the real action begins… my thoughts as I follow the match… updated as events unfold… Live Blogging!
The pitch is definitely a bowler’s pitch but the West Indians did not help themselves either. There a few potential scenarios after this match (which at the moment one has to assume India will win):
- West Indies is devastated and goes into hiding!
- West Indies comes out stronger
- India goes off on a great winning spree (my favourite scenario!)
- India gets overconfident and buries themselves in the main tournament!
INDIA BATTING
Over 19: India has “creamed” the West Indies. A resounding 9-wicket win. If only Sehwag had been more prudent, it could have been a 10-wicket win. Oh well!
Over 14: India is comfortably placed at 62/1 as the players go for lunch. Uthappa has been most impressive as has Karthick. Both solid and the run rate is still not too bad!
Over 9: India is 35/1 and looking solid. By far the most boring of the last round of warm-up matches, but the Indian team and supporters would be very happy.
Over 2: I hope Virender Sehwag uses a bat. I hope I can get in touch with someone around him right now. I hope they also want to hit him on the head with that heavy bat just as hard as I do. Idiot! Just for that shot, I hope he doesn’t get picked in the final XI. Robin Uthappa is good enough. I do hope for a lot, I know!
WEST INDIES BATTING
Over 27: West Indies bundled out for 85. Munaf Patel picked up 4/nothing! How he must wish this counted as an official match!
Over 19: This is most unexpected. India has picked up 5/30-odd in just about 9 overs. I am still shocked. Maybe this means nothing, maybe a lot. What say?
Over 10: WI 34/2. Not bad, but India looking solid. Lara looking ominous!
Over 7: Aamir Sohail is talking! This could be fun! Anyway, WI 23/2 after 7. Agarkar is really looking good.
Over 6: Zaheer is taking a bit of a beating… the pitch is good for bowlers if they want to put in the effort but the two balls that Lara creamed for four were hardly well thought. Unlike when Zaheer got Chanderpaul. He just needs to settle down quick!
Over 5: Agarkar looking good. Now that was a close shout against Sarwan but maybe just going over the top. But Agarkar is looking very impressive.
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