Is this for real ? History @ Joburg

Can anyone who had followed the Indian team for the last several years, could have predicted a test victory in SA under 3 1/2 days against SA ? Very, very unlikely. The 3rd day started with India consolidating through VVS and a new look Zaheer. Zaheer's role in this partnership was such a key factor in the context of the whole game, since Dhoni and Kumble had fallen qucikly and a traget around 300 would not look that imposing for SA. Zaheer, who fell to an ugly stroke in the 1st, gritted his teeth and held his end and later uncorked some amazing strokes. VVS was the usual calm self and kept collecting the singles, amidst an odd 4 here and there. When both of them fell, an incident which took place (and it will be replayed 100s of times in our TV screens) enjoy this video if you had missed it http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8805298664838411956&q=sreesanth%2C+nel
Sreesanth was sledged by Nel (as usual) after he missed connecting a ball. Nel ran in and bowled the next ball and it was hoicked for a massive 6 over his head. Sreesanth ran to the other end, doing a war dance with his bat before Nel. Nel had to simply shut his mouth and move on.
Ranjan Madugalle, who wanted to take a leaf out of Chris Broad's book later fined Sree for this act but I simply do not understand, why he did not do anything - not even a warning to Nel?
The target of 400 was quite imposing, given the jittery nature of SA batting. Gibbs was out before lunch (bagging a pair) and the SA slide started right there. Zaheer plugged on one end and Sree kept continuing his good work with another 3 more wickets but it could have been easily more, but for MARK BENSON, who made sure that INDIAN CRICKET LOVERS do not forget Steve Buckenor, when he said not out for an edge which flew at a 10 deg angle from bat by Prince.
Prince and Pollack revived the SA innings but it was kind of too late and old warrior AK contrinuted a couple of key wickets. To me, the hero of 2nd innings is Zaheer. His one hand pick up and a direct hit runout of De Villiers, who is no slouch with the speed between wickets along with early wicket really made sure that there was no hope for SA.
It was a great, historical victory, given the fact that Indian test victories abroad have been far and few. Let us revel in this glory for a brief while, before the challenge revives on a hard and boucy Kingsmead at Durban for the 2nd test.

Sensational Sreesanth

Well ! South Africa must be wondering how the tide turned with the change of color of clothes. Well ! The tide turned indeed for India's good and I am happy to be wrong in my predictions.
It all started with a hasty attempt by the groundsman to repair the cracks in wanderers so that Kumble will get no benefit. Imagine the stink that would have created by Ranjan Madugalle, the match referee, if an Indian groundsman has done anything close to such a tactic. Play started off 90 minutes late and Dravid raised a few eyebrows, when he decided to bat first. Jaffer and Viru are in no form and were back in the hut for almost nothing. Then a brief partnership followed between Sachin and Dravid. Sachin exploded with some pleasing drives but after promising big things, let Indian supporters down by getting out to Kallis. The rest came and went but everyone including Dravid and VVS wasted the starts they got. Ganguly survived the pace test and uncorked a sensational pulled 6 off Ntini. But, the Indian fortunes turned when VRV Singh defied all conventional wisdom and decided to just enjoy himself. His 29 in a brief with some move off to leg wallops in a 1/2 hour stay revived the Indian spirits and the total of 249 looked okay. One other point to mention - that man Pollack - I am sure how he defied the limits of gravity and took that sensational catch to dismiss Dhoni.
Zaheer and Sreesanth began a dream spell and SA were 5/3 and they could have been 5/4, when Benson negated a certain LBW for Kallis. The rest of SA innings was a terrible let down and but for Nell, things could have been even worse. Kumble bowled only 2 overs but even in that spell, it was evident that he will be a handful in the 2nd. SA innings lasted a mere 25 overs and it was almost unbelievable.
The 2nd innings for India was one of another wasted opportunity for most of the top order but when the lead is so much, even a mere quickfire 30 or 40 is going to turn the tables. I hope that VVS will help in making the target as impossing as possible. It will be then Kumble's turn to deliver.

Demolition Derby !!

SA completed another emphatic series win, mowing down India in the last 2 ODIs. There is not much to write on the performance or the lack of it from the Indian side.
The 4th ODI saw, Gibbs salvaged some of his reputation and it was another woeful display by Indian bats. Jaffer must have realised that it is not at all easy to score against such levels of keen fast bowling. Pollack bowled the usual maniacal length (the final analysis of his spells will reveal that you can place a handkey on the short of good length spots he chooses to pitch, so regularly). The manner in which Sachin got out, edging to the keeper, once again proved that he is not only in form but for all his tall talk (of briging last world cup memories back ) is another empty promise. A score of 244 was easy to chase but as usual, Indian innings fell apart and that was that.
The 5th ODI was not much different (the brief interlude of a 20-20 consolation victory in between against some 2nd string was nothing much to crow about). Indians found some new ways to loose. A score of 200 was not going to challenge even the Kenyans and the Bangladeshis. I saw column after column, asking for VVS' inclusion and there he was- getting a golden duck - therby putting tar on everyone's face who wanted him back in the ODI side. The Indian batting was so pathetic that there was absolutely no momentum; no one to take control of the whole thing (the lofty Sachin hit a painful looking 50 but his innings lacked the bite and did not dominate anyone, other than assuaging his own ego). The bowling for once also turned pathetic and the ordeal was quickly over, when Smith found some form and De Villiers was able to make use of the opening slot and stroke his way to a nice unbeaten 90 odd. Pollack - was by a long way - the man of the series for sure. His incessive bowling, combined with the mean spells meant that India never got a start, leave alone dominate the bowling.
The test series starts today and Ganguly is back. I am not too optimistic about he doing anything special (his 80 odd against Rest of SA not withstanding). The Indian bats will be subjected to a pace battery in seaming wickets and it is fairly easy to predict another 3-0 SA win.