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                      Lord of Lord’s ‘ The Colonel' Dilip Vengsarkar ’   The Anderson-Tendulkar Test series is aptly placed before the big game at the home of Cricket- Lords, London. It is a dream for every Cricket lover to play at Lords so is for the Cricket lovers and enthusiast to visit / be witness to one of the games. Recently I had the privilege of visiting Lords and while having a tour was thrilled and excited to see big portrait of two of our greatest players displayed in the long room, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar.                                 Dilip Vengsarkar with his rare distinction to score three centuries at Lords has earned the title of Lord of Lords which since June, 1986 still stands in his name. Such is the power of Indian Cricket, which again is being demonstrated led by Shubman Gill who s breaking all records with h...

               India vs England : 2nd  Test Match at Edgbaston Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Day five :           'Akash lit up the gloomy skies' with Shubman' The 2nd test ended with a massive and extraordinary win for India; first ever in Edgbaston. The winning margin of 336 runs speaks of itself the control India had over their opponents from Day One. The tale of two tests has shown the Cricketing World the dominance of Indian Cricket Team for nine days out of ten days in both the games. The last day of 1st test was scripted differently and the last day of 2nd test has given the answer of ruling this format of the game by the new look team without Rohit and Virat. Individual brilliance and binding the team as a unit, Shubman has shown his Leadership instinct and not to be deterred by the big responsibility. In fact he has shaped himself in a much calm and composed manner, totally grounded and also listening t...

India vs England : 2nd  Test Match at Edgbaston Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Day four : " The run machine " Well said Virat; who has always praised Shubman and played the role of his mentor, now comes up with such heart touching good wishes. Gill completes 430 runs in a single test match. Highest by an Indian and second highest ever after Graham Gooch. It has been a fabulous day of test cricket  with both teams trying to make use of the day. India cruised to a winning total but there was no declaration at sight. The debate and discussions continued what should be the score or the time for declaration.  The factors which might be weighing in the mind of Captain and Coach was the England batters capable of higher scoring rate with Bazz ball strategy. If that was the case then why slow down after Pant was dismissed. It was quite an unnatural the way Jadeja started his day. Even Gill who was middling the ball so well and had important partnerships with Rahul and later with ...

  India vs England : 2nd  Test Match at Edgbaston Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy     Day Three : “The Moving Day” It is well said that the 3 rd day of a test match provides the momentum in the game to switch gears and pushing the match forward…….for this test match it has really pushed open the match at a rapid pace, with India in the driver’s seat. It was a roller coaster ride for England losing two quick wickets in the morning session with Siraj providing the most vita breakthrough of World test number One Root and the Captain Stokes in consecutive deliveries at the score of 84 runs and Smith arriving to defend the hat trick ball. Once the morning advantage had gone and the Sun doing its part to make the pitch tighter with ball also losing its shine, Brook and Smith started with fresh guard and made their intentions clear. It was Smith who opened up and played some extra ordinary shots all around the wicket and produced some entertainment for the h...

  India vs England : 2nd  Test Match at Edgbaston Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy          "The Aura of an emerging Star". Gill magic the power of  Shubman Gill was on display at Edgbaston till he was out missing the triple century.  He was at his best, concentrating on each delivery, showed his skills either by moving away from the leg stump and hitting a four off Carse or even guiding the ball at the last moment through the slip cordon deceiving the wicket keeper for 4 and reaching his 250....whatever set and done 269 runs did helped the team to reach 587 for India. Gill came to bat at 95 for 2 and departed at 574 runs speaks the Captain's day continued even on the 2nd day. Jadeja was playing superbly from the first ball today and together with Gill provided a big platform for the bowlers to perform. A solid partnership of 203 runs between the two and Jadeja leaving with his score a well made 89 runs, reflecting his composure and experience...

   India vs England : 2nd  Test Match at Edgbaston Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Day One :  In one sentence the first day can be titled as "The Captain's Day Out".  The toss is always rated as a governing factor in Test Match more particularly when there is some advantage to the bowlers on the first day of the game. With prediction of cloudy sky and rainfall before the start of the game Stokes called the coin rightly and opted to bowl first. Gill also shared his thoughts on the toss with the same viewpoint. However, with the day progressed the chances of rains diminished, and it was a clear sky. Stokes out of his 12 home Test Matches had called the coin correctly 10 times and had always opted to bowl first, courageous act indeed. The openers had a point to prove under the circumstances same as the new ball bowlers beginning with Woakes and Carse. Yashasvi and Rahul started watchfully but a beautiful incoming delivery from Woakes made the trick and Rahul was bow...