Indian domestic season 2006-07

[Arjun]

NEO Sports has vanished from the grounds where matches are played. The tournament has vanished from the papers' "TODAY" list. The live scorecards have vanished. NEO Consiracy continues!!!

[adharcric]

A 17-year-old opening batsman scored 92 on debut for Tamil Nadu.

His name ... Napoleon Einstein.

[Arjun]

WE HAVE A COUP!!! Maharashtra have defeated Mumbai in the fourth round of the West Zone ROD series and won the Ramakant Desai Trophy, at the zonal leg of the competition. Now both Maharashtra and Mumbai go into the all-India stage. Baroda miss out as they lost to Mumbai and even if they win the next match, they won't get more points. Maharashtra were fielding a very young team, and Mumbai's fielding lapses and multiple no-balls and wides cost them the match. And of course, they opened with a wicketkeeper, and it backfired. This was a tight match, as Maharashtra won with just eleven balls to spare, by one wicket. Elsewhere, Yusuf Pathan's late return to all-round form continued as he took one wicket for 45 bowling ten overs and scored 42 rapid runs with seven hits to the fence.

Hang on... what's happening? Today, a match between Bengal and Orissa at Cuttack got wrapped up faster than a giftwrap at a shop. Supposedly a 50-50 match, the Bengal innings was over in 22 overs, with the loss of six wickets, at 175. Orissa were all out within that period for 165. Bose and Shukla took three wickets each. Look at the CricInfo match page and you'll see no mention of a reduced-overs match. There is a lot of competition in these Eastern or lesser Northern teams, but no prospects.

[Arjun]

I've been out of reporting action due to academic commitments again...now that they're off, I'll tell you what I read on the screens. The North Zone OD's have been boring, especially with Joginder Sharma missing the last two matches for Haryana. Ironically, they won those matches. VRV Singh has been taking a few wickets, but no news was there on his pace and he bowled too many no-balls and wides.

In the Central OD's, Railways have been in dreadful form, losing to Rajasthan, UP (expectedly) and MP. JP Yadav has been in the runs and wickets, Bangar has been taking more than a few wickets, but the form of all their batsmen and a few bowlers has been dreadful. It's a pity, first they were relegated to Plate, then failed to make the semis, then this, though they won last year's ROD.

Uttar Pradesh have been in great form. They scored 365 against Vidharba and crushed them by over a hundred runs. Mohammed Kaif has been averaging and striking over 90, with two centuries. Raina was also scoring more than a few at a good rate. It is shocking to find these two excluded while one Dinesh Karthik, neither scoring runs nor taking wickets (not even keeping) makes a World Cup team. Praveen Kumar smashed his way in several good starts for his team, scoring 61 in one match. He's also been taking wickets as a change bowler, without doing much wrong. Piyush Chawla, travelling with the Indian U-19 side, was missing.

[adharcric]

In other news, Piyush Chawla took 13 for 63 in three U-19 one-day matches (two against England, one against Malaysia).

[Arjun]

The Deodhar encounter between Central Zone and West Zone (featuring Irfan Pathan, JP Yadav, Mohammed Kaif, Suresh Raina, RP Singh and Praveen Kumar) will start NOW!!!

[Arjun]

Originally Posted by adharcric

In other news, Piyush Chawla took 13 for 63 in three U-19 one-day matches (two against England, one against Malaysia).

Do you expect Chawla to be a regular in the ODI side, post-World Cup? He's got a good chance, as he's a leg-spinner (opposed to offie Harbhajan), can field very well and is also a decent lower-order batsman. In short, an ideal ODI spin selection, except that he may not be an ideal spinner to have in ODI's, although that's a stereotype.

[adharcric]

Originally Posted by Arjun

Do you expect Chawla to be a regular in the ODI side, post-World Cup? He's got a good chance, as he's a leg-spinner (opposed to offie Harbhajan), can field very well and is also a decent lower-order batsman. In short, an ideal ODI spin selection, except that he may not be an ideal spinner to have in ODI's, although that's a stereotype.

First of all, I think he is well suited to both forms of the game. Powar should return to the national side after the World Cup and Chawla should be given more time to develop. He had a solid debut season but his second season was disappointing; he clearly has room for improvement before he's international-class. This is a perfect opportunity to actually groom a promising talent who can bat, bowl and field well. Besides, we have ample spin options in Harbhajan and Powar for the time being. Guys like Piyush Chawla, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma and even Suresh Raina should be given at least another year in domestic cricket before being (re)considered for national selection.

[Arjun]

Originally Posted by adharcric

First of all, I think he is well suited to both forms of the game. Powar should return to the national side after the World Cup and Chawla should be given more time to develop. He had a solid debut season but his second season was disappointing; he clearly has room for improvement before he's international-class. This is a perfect opportunity to actually groom a promising talent who can bat, bowl and field well. Besides, we have ample spin options in Harbhajan and Powar for the time being. Guys like Piyush Chawla, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma and even Suresh Raina should be given at least another year in domestic cricket before being (re)considered for national selection.

Powar may only have four more years as an off-spinner, and if Harbhajan still stays in the side as a frontline spinner, he may struggle to make the XI. Then again, that's a stereotype. But honestly, almost half of the current ODI side is well past it, or isn't yet ready. Moreover, just Harbhajan and Powar won't be enough, and a reserve spinner is needed. That's why some of Chawla, Rohit Sharma, Raina and especially Ishant Sharma and Uthappa should make the XI after the World Cup.

[Arjun]

In the ongoing match, both teams have picked six bowling options. Irfan had another bad start, with five overs going for 30 runs. The Indian ODI team will be in trouble. Luckily, West have not one, but two more bowling options, as change seamer Abhishek Nayar (coming in third-change) picked up a late wicket. Irfan is not the only one leaking runs; even opening partner Rakesh Patel and veteran leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule were smashed around by Praveen Kumar, whose opening 50 pushed West severely on the back foot. Then came Ramesh Powar. The Central batsmen had little to respond to some tight, yet aggressive bowling by the World Cup reject, who finished with four wickets for 25 in ten overs. One more mistake by the Chairman of Selectors, taking the team back by more than a few years.

NEO Sports is gone, once again. Worse, it's a Sunday, and nobody's in office at the cable operator's!

[Arjun]

Cricinfo Blooper

End of over 34 (1 run) - Central Zone 153/6 

S Abbas Ali    17* (38b 2x4)      SV Bahutule    5-0-25-1 
M Kartik    1* (3b)       
 
A successful over from Bahutule comes to an end. Change of shoes for Abbas Ali
A successful over from Bahutule comes to an end. Change of shoes for Abbas Ali
A successful over from Bahutule comes to an end. Change of shoes for Abbas Ali
A successful over from Bahutule comes to an end. Change of shoes for Abbas Ali
A successful over from Bahutule comes to an end. Change of shoes for Abbas Ali 

33.6 Bahutule to Abbas Ali, no run, tossed up outside the off stump, comes forward and pads it away to the on side

Then again, they fixed that. Just once now.

[Arjun]

Here's a highlights collection from commentary.

0.1 IK Pathan to Kumar, 2 runs, lofts the first ball high in the air to wide long off  
0.5 IK Pathan to Fazal, no run, good swing from Pathan, beats the bat outside the off stump  
0.6 IK Pathan to Fazal, no run, another wonderful delivery outside the off stump, swinging away, left alone  
1.2 RB Patel to Kumar, FOUR, on the pads, flicks it off his legs to deep backward square leg fence, easily picked up
1.5 RB Patel to Kumar, SIX, goes the maximum, it was short and wide outside the off stump, upper cuts in the air over the backward-point fence, good strike that
2.4 IK Pathan to Fazal, 1 run, driven well to wide mid on, Powar does well to dive and make wonderful save.  
2.5 IK Pathan to Kumar, FOUR, overpitched delivery outside the off stump, no fielder moves, picks the gap between extra-cover and mid off, the ball races along the turf to extra-cover fence  
4.1 IK Pathan to Kumar, no run, lucky to get away with a bad delivery from Pathan, it was full and on the legs, Praveen Kumar fails to get the bat to it. 
4.3 IK Pathan to Fazal, no run, good length delivery outside the off stump, good away swing, left alone  
5.5 RB Patel to Kumar, FOUR, goes after a fuller delivery, looks to drive down the ground, gets a thickish edge and goes to midwicket fence to pick up a boundary  
6.2 IK Pathan to Fazal, FOUR, nice shot from Fazal, sweetly hit, it was in the slot outside the off stump, driven nicely in the gap through between short cover and the cover fielder to the fence  
6.5 IK Pathan to Fazal, FOUR, pitched up who makes no mistake, puts it away in style through midwicket, the ball races to the fence.  

Pathan's fastest ball today has been 124.3 km/h
7.2 Bahutule to Kumar, no run, a long hop, not put away, it was hit hard straight to the extra-cover fielder  
7.4 Bahutule to Kumar, FOUR, fraction short and well put away, moves back and cuts it hard to point boundary  
8.4 IK Pathan to Kumar, no run, good ball from Pathan, swinging into Praveen Kumar, comes slightly forward and defends to cover  
8.5 IK Pathan to Kumar, FOUR, short ball, Praveen walks into the shot and slaps it over mid off, one two bounce into the fence  
 
long off in place for Praveen Kumar 
9.4 Bahutule to Kumar, SIX, connects it well for maximum, it was nicely tossed upto the bat, lofts it well over the long on fence  

12.1 Powar to Fazal, no run, beautifully bowled, nicely tossed up on the off stump, spins away, Fazal looks to drive through the off side, beats the outside edge, drags his feet out of the crease, referred to the third umpire to give the decision. He looks to have got his feet back  
12.5 Powar to Kumar, no run, nice drift from Powar, a flat delivery and bit quicker, it was also bit wide, lunges forward and gets beaten, appeal for a caught behind turned down.  
13.6 Bahutule to Kumar, 1 run, Praveen Kumar gets his 50 in quick time of 40 balls, tossed up on the leg stump, driven back past the bowler to mid on to pick up a single  
14.5 Powar to Kumar, OUT, another arm ball wide outside the off stump,lunges forward and gets beaten, in the process drags his feet out of the crease, Parthiv Patel does a great job, collects the ball and whips off the bails, referred to the third umpire. The red light flashes.  

 P Kumar st PA Patel b Powar 51 (42b 5x4 3x6) SR: 121.42  

Beautifully bowled and well done by Parthiv to get the required breakthrough.
Match State: Drinks
Kaif is the new batsman 

 Filtered commentary - Central Zone innings 
 
THE INNINGS TURNS 
14.1 Powar to Kumar, 1 run, arm ball wide outside the off stump, cuts to the sweeper cover to pick up a single  
14.2 Powar to Fazal, no run, comes forward and defends to the off side  
14.3 Powar to Fazal, no run, good ball from Powar bowling a tight line, pushes to cover  
14.4 Powar to Fazal, 1 run, this time a flighted delivery on the middle and leg, sweep to deep square leg  
14.5 Powar to Kumar, OUT, another arm ball wide outside the off stump,lunges forward and gets beaten, in the process drags his feet out of the crease, Parthiv Patel does a great job, collects the ball and whips off the bails, referred to the third umpire. The red light flashes.  
 P Kumar st PA Patel b Powar 51 (42b 5x4 3x6) SR: 121.42  
Beautifully bowled and well done by Parthiv to get the required breakthrough.
Match State: Drinks
Kaif is the new batsman 
14.6 Powar to Kaif, no run, pushes to the on side  
The second powerplay taken by Muzumdar, it will be Rakesh Patel to bowl 
End of over 15 (2 runs) - Central Zone 85/1 

M Kaif    0* (1b)      RR Powar    3-1-5-1 
FY Fazal    28* (47b 2x4)       
 
15.1 RB Patel to Fazal, FOUR, good shot driven well straight down the track past the bowler to long on fence, it was in the slot and well put away.  
15.2 RB Patel to Fazal, no run, moves forward in line with the delivery and defends to the off side  
15.3 RB Patel to Fazal, 1 run, taps it softly to short cover and quick single taken  
15.4 RB Patel to Kaif, 1 leg bye, moves across and looks to work it to the on side, off the pad to short fine leg, no appeal from the bowler and fielder.  
15.5 RB Patel to Fazal, no run, moves forward in line and opens the face off the bat and plays to backward-point  
15.6 RB Patel to Fazal, no run, a close thing for Kaif, as Fazal pushes the delivery to short cover and Kaif takes off from the non-striker's end, the fielder in quickly scores a direct hit, a desperate dive from Kaif back in the crease gets him back  
Powar has been the pick of the bowlers. A dead ball signalled as he was about to deliver, the ball slipped out of his hands and goes to mid off 
End of over 16 (6 runs) - Central Zone 91/1 

FY Fazal    33* (52b 3x4)      RB Patel    4-0-30-0 
M Kaif    0* (2b)       
 
16.1 Powar to Kaif, no run, pushes it back down the track  
16.2 Powar to Kaif, 1 wide, tossed up wide outside the off stump  
16.2 Powar to Kaif, no run, uses his feet and drives to Pathan at mid on, who is quickly in to prevent the single  
16.3 Powar to Kaif, no run, looking to paddle it around, it was in the air behind square leg  
16.4 Powar to Kaif, 2 runs, this time drives the ball through the in-field to deep extra-cover  
16.5 Powar to Kaif, no run  
16.6 Powar to Kaif, no run, played back to the bowler  
End of over 17 (3 runs) - Central Zone 94/1 

M Kaif    2* (8b)      RR Powar    4-1-8-1 
FY Fazal    33* (52b 3x4)       
 
17.1 RB Patel to Fazal, no run, fantastic delivery pitches on a length and moves away, beats the outside edge  
17.2 RB Patel to Fazal, 1 run, walks into the delivery and works to midwicket to pick up a quick single  
17.3 RB Patel to Kaif, no run, good ball from Patel, short of a length delivery outside the off stump, Kaif up on his toes and defends to cover  
17.4 RB Patel to Kaif, no run, trying to improvise, works in front of square leg from outside the off stump  
17.5 RB Patel to Kaif, no run, back of a length delivery outside the off stump, defends with an open face to backward-point  
17.6 RB Patel to Kaif, no run, good over from Rakesh Patel, good length delivery outside the off stump, Kaif on the front foot defends to cover  
End of over 18 (1 run) - Central Zone 95/1 

M Kaif    2* (12b)      RB Patel    5-0-31-0 
FY Fazal    34* (54b 3x4)       
 
18.1 Powar to Fazal, 1 run, tossed up outside the leg stump, uses his feet well and drives to mid on, who is on the edge of the circle  
18.2 Powar to Kaif, no run, moves forward and pushes to the fielder at cover  
18.3 Powar to Kaif, OUT, deceived in the flight, tossed up outside the off stump, uses his feet and mistimes the drive in the air to the left of Irfan Pathan, who moves to his left and takes a good catch  
 M Kaif c IK Pathan b Powar 2 (14b 0x4 0x6) SR: 14.28  
Powar picks up his second wicket. 
 
20.1 Powar to Fazal, no run, good ball on the stumps, defends on the track  
20.2 Powar to Fazal, OUT, another wicket for Powar, his third, nicely flighted delivery, uses his feet and gets beaten in the flight, Parthiv collects the ball and whips off the bails to send back Fazal.  
 FY Fazal st PA Patel b Powar 38 (62b 3x4 0x6) SR: 61.29  

20.5 Powar to TP Singh, 1 run, swept to short fine leg, Rohit Sharma does well to prevent more than a run  
20.6 Powar to Yadav, no run, played back to the bowler  
End of over 21 (2 runs) - Central Zone 101/3 

Jai P Yadav    1* (3b)      RR Powar    6-1-11-3 
TP Singh    1* (5b)       
 
21.1 RB Patel to TP Singh, no run, moves forward and drives through the line to mid off  
21.2 RB Patel to TP Singh, FOUR, beautifully played, bad line from the bowler, it was short and down the leg side, TP Singh just had to get a tickle and he does well  
21.3 RB Patel to TP Singh, 1 run, short of a length delivery on the middle and leg, taps it gently to short midwicket and quick single taken  
21.4 RB Patel to Yadav, no run, good length delivery outside the off stump, comes forward and defends back to the bowler  
21.5 RB Patel to Yadav, no run, full and on the legs, missed a good opportunity to put it away, off the pad to square leg  
21.6 RB Patel to Yadav, 1 run, short of a length delivery outside the off stump, opens the face off the bat and runs it down to thirdman to pick up a single  
Great spell of bowling from Powar, 11 runs in 6 overs with 3 wickets. 
End of over 22 (6 runs) - Central Zone 107/3 

Jai P Yadav    2* (6b)      RB Patel    7-0-40-0 
TP Singh    6* (8b 1x4)       
 
22.1 Powar to Yadav, no run, pushes to the on side, Powar quickly to the on side prevents any run  
22.2 Powar to Yadav, 3 runs, paddle sweeps in the air to fine leg, Yusuf Pathan chases after it, slides and saves a run.  
22.3 Powar to TP Singh, OUT, tossed up outside the leg stump, goes for the sweep and gets a top edge, straight to Rohit Sharma at short fine leg. Powar picks up his fourth wicket  
 
28.1 Powar to Piyush Chawla, SIX, goes the distance at long on for maximum, uses his feet well and lofts it high and over the fence  

AFTER POWARPLAY
29.1 Nayar to Piyush Chawla, 1 wide, down the leg side, neatly taken by Parthiv Patel  
29.1 Nayar to Piyush Chawla, 1 wide, this wide outside the off stump  
29.1 Nayar to Piyush Chawla, no run  

33.1 Bahutule to Piyush Chawla, no run, comes forward and defends to the off side  
33.2 Bahutule to Piyush Chawla, OUT, tossed up outside the off stump, uses his feet and mis-hits it high in the air to long on, Rajesh Powar the substitute takes a good catch. A bad shot from Piyush Chawla  
 Piyush Chawla c sub (RV Pawar) b Bahutule 16 (27b 0x4 1x6) SR: 59.25  

36.3 YK Pathan to Abbas Ali, 1 run  
36.4 YK Pathan to Kartik, OUT, tossed up outside the off stump, goes for the sweep, gets the top edge to Kanitkar at first slip

[Perm]

Ramesh Powar turning in a brilliant performance in this game.

[Arjun]

Originally Posted by Perm

Ramesh Powar turning in a brilliant performance in this game.

That's a good thing, and it could have come useful at the World Cup. The form of Irfan is worrying, as it shuts out one very versatile selection going into a match.

[Perm]

Originally Posted by Arjun

That's a good thing, and it could have come useful at the World Cup. The form of Irfan is worrying, as it shuts out one very versatile selection going into a match.

Indeed, with the small grounds in the WI I wouldn't like to see India playing 2 spinners but if Irfan can't find some form, then the opportunity of that happening is increased.