The world champions were beaten comprehensively in the historical test @ Lords. All credit to English team who out played the Indians in every department.

It was a power packed performance by Kevin Pietersen who scored a double ton to see his side post a winning total on board followed by bowlers  Jimmy Anderson, Chris Tremlett , Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann making sure they take 20 wickets to seal the victory for their side.

For the Indians “The Great Indian Wall” Rahul Dravid stood tall in 1^st inning and scored a ton where he made his debut 15 years ago. The only setback for the team was injures both in the strike batting and bowling department.

Sehwag’s absence was clearly felt and Zaheer got injured while bowling in the first innings. According to sources, he is doubtful to play in second test but will surely return some time in the series.

Bowlers have a tough task ahead with Ishant and Praveen required to shoulder extra burden in Zaheer’s absence. The other two options Sreesanth and Munaf look out of touch.

Spin department looks sluggish where Harbhajan is getting help from wickets but unable to take wickets. Second choice Amit Mishra should be given a chance, but with 0-1 down in the series, management would not like to take risk by dropping Harbhajan.

The plus point for the Indians is that they have always bounced back in second test playing overseas.

We are all geared up for second test starting tomorrow (29^th July) at Trent Bridge Nottingham.

The Indians would surely come back with vengeance and will give it back like a wounded tiger. The English team on other hand won’t take anything lightly and will continue their good form at home.

In the end we would like to share a very interesting Quote by one of our FB Fan

“1st Person: Sachin is god!

2^nd Person: If Sachin is god, then Saurav is god on the off side.

3^rd Person:  Laxman is the god of 4th Innings.

Then who is Dravid?

4^th Person: When the doors of temple are closed, even the gods are behind the Wall!”

All thanks to Manjot Bawa for the wonderful piece of quote.

Shamsnwags

What better place to watch the 2000^th test match than in Lords. Lords also known as Mecca of Cricket has witnessed ample number of historical moment and we will surely see more when India will face England in 1^st test of the series at this ground. It’s the 125th year of Test Cricket. The first ever test match started in year 1877 which was played between England and Australia on 15^th March 1877 at MCG. Australia won the first test by 45 runs. Interestingly the 100^th test match was played between the same countries and again Australia was the winner with same margin 45 runs.

It’s going to be a Test match full of milestones as it will be 100^th test match between the two countries. Out of these India has won 19, while England won 34.This is possibly the last time that the little master himself is going to play at Lords and will be looking to score his maiden century at Lords. Scoring a century at this venue is what every player dreams for. Unfortunately, Sachin has never scored a century at Lords and ironically his Mumbai team mate Ajit Agarkar has achieved this feat.

The war of words has already stared between the players of England and India. Zak (Zaheer Khan) feels that “The fact that Andrew Strauss is here playing in this practice game says it all. There is definitely that element of doubt in his mind and he has given me that edge now going into the series”.  Former captain of England feels that present English pacers Chris Tremlett and James Anderson will pose the perfect nemeses to Sachin Tendulkar owing to the bounce and swing respectively.  England’s bowling spear head James Anderson feels sledging never really distracts Sachin Tendulkar but what might have a ‘detrimental’ effect.

We are eagerly waiting for the series to kick start and promise to bring our readers with all updates and interesting stuff

As promised, here is the list of the players who have represented cricket for same nation. If we have missed out on any one, do let us know.

Australia:
Brett Lee, Shane Lee
Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh
Ian Chappell, Greg Chappell, Trevor Chappell
Shaun Marsh, Mitchelle Marsh
Richie Benaud, John Benaud
Mike Hussey, David Hussey

Bangldesh:
Nafeez Iqbal, Tamim Iqbal

England:
Ian Greig, Tony Greig
Ben Hollioake, Adam Hollioake

India:
Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan
Mohinder Amarnath, Surinder Amarnath
Subhash Gupte, Babloo Gupte
Madhav Apte, Arvind Apte

New Zealand:
Jeff Crowe, Martin Crowe
Hamish Marshal, James Marshall
Brendon Mccullum, Nathan Mccullum

Pakistan:
Hanif Mohammed, Sadiq Mohammed, Wazir Mohammed
Kamran Akmal, Umar

Dear Readers,

In the history of cricket, there are many countries for which brothers have represented the same nation.  If you recollect some names kindly share the same with us. Let us see how many of such name we can recall.

In our next post, we will share the names of brothers who have represented same country.

ShamsnWags.

The roar went up highest of decibels at the Wankhede Stadium as Dhoni struck a huge Sixer over long on to Nuwan Kulasekara.  33000 fans went berserk chanting “India India” The crowd was terrific and the atmosphere was electrifying. It was a dream comes true for all the Indian Players and Indian fans. The 28 long year wait is over and it’s for the second time we have won the World Cup. The Indian team has been on high since 2 years and they proved at the right time that they are the champions. All the players are happy and entire country is happy that we won the world cup especially the last world cup for the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. This win was dedicated to Sachin by most of the players.

The crowd outside the stadium started partying on the roads as soon as the match got over. Fans flocked in huge numbers celebrating Indian Victory.  It was a treat to watch the crowd dancing at the Marine Drive and waving the Indian Flag in their cars and bikes.
In crowd Insights:
Slogans: ‘Gali Gali Mai Nara Hai, Yeh World Cup Humara Hai’

Chamara Silva was standing at the boundary. Here’s what the crowd had to say: Chamara- Yeh World Cup Hai Humara’

I am really feeling proud and lucky to witness the Indian Victory at the Wankhede. I had lost my senses and started screaming for long time as India registered victory. I could not stop my emotions and climbed the fence, slept over the beautiful carpet like ground, ran over the pitch and also reached on the podium where the World cup was handed over to the World Champions.

Witnessing the champions lifting the cup in the Pavilion gallery was a once in a life time opportunity that god had provided me.

Maa Tujhe Saalam and Chakde India were the songs that were played through out the match.The victory lap of the Indian team with Sachin on the shoulders of Pathan, Raina and Virat was a treat to watch.

The Indians are champions and played like true champions and colored India Blue!

The mother of all battle is here. The heat is on and so is the intensity. Entire nation is waiting for the big match that’s going to be played in Prince’s palace where the in-form Indians will take on Pakistan. Afridi has already started making statements that his team will not allow the Men in Blue to go all the way to Mumbai.
The Pathan has come to the party and is playing like a true leader, but he should be well rooted on the ground. Is he forgetting the fact that he is going to play against the men in blue who are equally well equipped as they are? Going by the records, India has never lost to Pakistan in the world cup encounters and Indian’s will definitely see to it that they maintain the record.
Yuvi is playing innings of his life and even the Master blaster is on the roll. The difference will be the bowling. If India bowls to its potentials, which they surely will, there’s no stopping for them to go ahead at Wankhede for the finals.
The Indians are likely to play the same XI who won us the match against the Aussies. On the other hand, Pakistan will be tempted to play Shoaib Akthar to add to the pace.
Can the Men in Blue gift the World Cup to the batting maestro is the phenomenon to be seen and worth to wait for. Till then let’s enjoy the rest of the matches and chant India India!

Virender  Sehwag started the World Cup 2011 with a bang and saying that it was revenge time for India. The Indians started the new campaign of 2011 with a huge victory. In came the slaughtering pair in form of Sachin and Sehwag. The Bangladesh bowling opening pair sprayed it all over the park resulting to a flying start for the Indians. Sachin looked in a good touch stroking the ball nicely. Gambhir was as solid as ever, playing his part with Sehwag. India made a blitzkrieg 369 in the allotted over’s. India won by 87 run.
The flavor of the day besides Sehwag was yet another Delhiete Virat Kohli.  Like his name, he played a solid innings. He and Sehwag added 203 runs amongst themselves. While Sehwag was at his slaughtering best, Kohli took his time to settle down to play a magnificent innings. Once he was set, he started playing his shorts. Kohli in his Debut World Cup match went on to make an unbeaten century. And as Dada Sourav Gangully would say-“ A century is a century, be it against any nation”. Virat Kohli is the batsman to be watched out. He is a superb asset to the team and he is a good fielder as well.
Bangladesh gave a good fight back making 285. Openers Tamim Iqbal andImrul Kyes played some magnificent shots. Tamim Iqbal was again a thorn in the arms of the Indians. Sreesanth could not justify his place in spite of getting a chance to play. He didn’t have control over line and length resulting a big dent on his economy rate.Skipper Shakib Al Hassan made a fire fighting half century.  Zak bowled tight spell. It was Munaf who broke the back of Bangladesh team by taking 4 wickets.
It’s good to start the competition with a bang. India has a great chance to win this World Cup. Batting is the great strength. Fielding is a huge cause of concern yet. Hope it gets tightened and we see India winning the competition.

Getting the non striker run out and then making a century is quiet an imposssible task. Sachin Tendulkar was playing beautifully till the 10th over untill he got run out. Confusion between Sachin and Sehwag costed wicket of Sachin. It becomes very demotaviting running the non striker out. Taking on from there and scoring a century is really a commendable task.Virender Sehwag became te first person to score Century in the World Cup 2011 match and that too on the opening day itself. He played his natural innings.
No one can stop Sehwag once he gets going. His 94 ball century has already set things right for India forthe opening match.

Stay tuned for more..

The action has already begun with India taking on the Bangladesh in the first match. Captain Dhoni lost the toss Bangladesh caption has elected to field first.

India has got  off to a flier.So far India has scored 60 runs with out any loss of wicket  in 10 overs
Team Composition is as follows:
India:
Sachin Tendulkar,Virender Sehwag,Gautam Gambhir,Virat Kohli, YuvrajSingh,MS Dhoni†*, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan,Munaf Patel,Sreesanth

Bangladesh:

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Shakib Al Hasan*, Raqibul Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain.

The excitement has just begun… Keep reading more.