Sydney ODI - My thoughts

It doesn't matter if India loses the next two games. It doesn't matter if we are beaten black and blue. A mostly young Indian team ridiculed by many for a lack of experience proved that they could beat a formidable Australia...in Australia.

Today, every other magazine and website has praised Sachin. Hats off to him. Despite his age he was able to tackle the Aussie bowling on a mostly flat track. Great knock indeed.

I am not a great fan of Sachin - but I admired something yesterday. Even as he reached his hundred he was quite active. He wasn't showing signs of any distress physically. This is something I haven't seen with the younger players these days. They usually call for a bye-runner and cramp and show signs of physical weakness as they go further.

To my surprise Sachin batted the 45+ overs and he was OK in the end. Hats off Sachin. You have to bat well the next game or two to prove your critics like me wrong !

I didn't read anything written about a 19 year old Piyush Chawla. Those who saw him bowl yesterday would have admired his Leggies, Topspinners and Googlies and his amazing accuracy. 10-0-33-0 is an amazing analysis !

The catch he took was a turning point in the game. I bet Munaf would have stood there watching...if he was in the team !

I am glad the Indian Team Management finally decided to give Piyush a go. And what a move it was !

Well..Well...as we go to GABBA on tuesday Sachin and Co. beware. If my instincts are right it will be a fast track. Though we have Ishant....I doubt if a fast track will suit Sachin and Co. Only time will tell. Let's see.

And like someone in the crowd said yesterday:

' Yuvi - Stop Dating - Start Batting '

Piyush Chawla - Need of the hour

Another loss yesterday to Australia. I thought we gave the game off with some reckless batting. Aussies enjoyed the gift, despite their pathetic batting performance.

Gavaskar is really upset about Munaf. I agree with Sunil 100%, Munaf performed like he was playing a local game in Gujarat!

I am upset about the Team management's choice to ask Pathan come at No.3. I am upset that we don't play a Leggie.

I would like to see Piyush Chawla play tomorrow. He needs to be groomed. Having played cricket during my younger days I can tell you that a good leg spinner (especially a wrist spinner ) is hard to play.

I am not sure if you saw the Benson and Hedges Cup Final in 1985. I was lucky to watch it. Check out how L.Sivaramakrishnan a leg spinner ( Wrist ) rocked the Pakistanis out! Not many people expected it and Siva's performance throughout that series was superb and we won the cup !

I hope the selectors will drop Uthappa and Munaf and play Tiwary and Piyush against the Lankans tomorrow.