Ind-Aus Cricket series 1st test - 2008/09

The first topic I'd like to discuss is cricket. There's nothing more exciting than an Ind-Aus cricket series! I don't believe the Indo-Pak series is as exciting as the Border Gavaskar trophy anymore. Ever since the dramatic turnaround happened at Kolkata in 2001, Indian cricket has come a long way. Though you would obviously expect me to say a big thanks to Laxman, it is indeed Saurav Ganguly to whom I would attribute this phenomenal reform. He re-inforced certain vital traits in the Indian cricketeres, that are mandatory for any successful sportsman, namely, self-belief and a never-say-die-attitude, which our guys found wanting for a long long time!
I would attribute today's phenomenal half-century from Bhajji and a gritty innings from Zaheer in the first test at Bangalore, to this great process that was initiated by Saurav. Of course it's another thing altogether if you ask me, 'Why can't India show the same spirit (absolutely undiluted!) against any other cricket team?? Maybe it's because the Aussies are known for rubbing it in, all the time, particularly Ricky! This seems to have a strong provocative effect on the Indians who put up exceptional performances invariably every time they play the Aussies!

Well, in the 1st test at Bangalore, at the end of the 3rd day, the game appears very interesting! If Kumble and Zaheer can put up about 60 runs tommorow (seems like an exaggeration!), India should stand a good chance because Anil and Bhajji should surely be more effective in harnessing the conditions on a 4th/5th day pitch. Well' let's hope for the best!