Vishal's Blog

    By the time of your reading this one, Australia has won the first test match by 8 wickets. In my mind’s eye, I could see Virat Kohli packing his bags, preparing to leave for India for the birth of his first child.   I still believe the Indian captain is the only one capable in the current lot to take the team forward after a performance which was lacking in intent but sadly, he will not take any further part in the series leaving severe headaches for Rahane & company to deal with. The Indian team was all out for a paltry 36 and the way they surrendered was unprecedented .   One of the reasons why India lost was of course the start provided by the openers wasn’t good as it should have been… specially Prithvi Shaw the under-19 sensation.   We have seen Rahul Dravid on many occasions and in Adelaide as well when in 2003 he singlehandedly won us a test match. Whenever Dravid played it appeared he treated every delivery with utmost respect be it his fir...

What’s my take on the Concussion Substitution controversy? England Vs Australia – Second test at Lords - 2019 In the first innings, Steve Smith was batting on 80 and was well placed for a longer one. One of Jofra Archer’s deliveries bowled at 148 kph rose menacingly to hit the batsman on the neck. A dazed Smith languidly walked off with uncertainty looming over his further participation in the match. He later returned to add 12 more runs to his tally before he was trapped leg before on 92. Cricket Australia announced that Smith will not able to participate in the match any further. The Australians took advantage of the new rule of ‘Concussion Substitution’ allowing them to make a like-for-like replacement of the injured player. Steve Smith was thus replaced by another batsman Marnus Labuschagne. In the second innings, needing 264 to win, the Australians were in a precarious position when Labuschagne walked in the middle. He scored a patient 59 to help his team draw the match....