Cricket: India hush-up series with innings triumph

Pragyan Ojha dismiss Darren Bravo after lunch to activate a West Indies fall down as India claim an innings and 15-run victory in the second test today to take a important 2-0 lead in the three game series.

India dismisses the West Indies for 463 in its second innings eight minutes before tea on the fourth day after the visitors resume the day at 195-3.

India, which had a huge 478-run first innings lead, faced stiff struggle from Bravo (136) and Marlon Samuels (84), before spinners Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin took two vital wickets each to regain control.

It was then left to pace bowler Umesh Yadav to help remove the tail and finish with figures of 4-80.

The West Indies batting lineup showed a new power in its second innings as its free caress play changed the tempo of the game even although it was always destined to lose after being dismiss for only 153 in the first innings.

The West Indies was cruise at 401-4 at one stage before Ojha, Ashwin and Yadav claim a pair of wickets each to choose up the last six for just 62 runs.

"It was a extended fielding session after we got them out happily in the first innings," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. "We saw that the track was getting compliment and there was not anything in it for the bowlers.

"I think the first innings was ideal. After that it was a tolerance game. I thought Bravo batted very well."

Bravo was the pick of the batsman and his violence seem to rub on to others. After making 195 against Bangladesh at Mirpur last month, Bravo brings up his second test century in 12 matches.

The 22-year-old left-hander conquered the bowling and reached his century with a four, celebrating by taking off his helmet, pumping his fist in the air and waves his bat on the way to the dressing room.

Bravo earlier survive a chance on 54 when Gautam Gambhir's throw from mid-off went wide of wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni with the batsman approximately at the other end.

Then on 119, he was given not out when replays show a clear bat-pad catch taken by Gambhir at short-leg off left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.

His fifth-wicket partnership with Samuels made the Indian bowling look walker as they plunder 132 runs off 158 deliveries before Bravo was out caught to a low catch by Rahul Dravid at slip off left-arm spinner Ojha.

Dravid also took a fine one-handed catch to his right off Ojha to release Carlton Baugh for 3, before offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin attentive Samuels’s lbw in the next over to end West Indies' hopes of prolong actions.

Captain Darren Sammy made a stylish 32 off 37 balls with one four and three sixes, but the end was always predictable.

"I'd like to praise the guys at the way they batted in the second innings," Sammy said. "If we put two innings jointly we can pose a challenge to other teams. India showed us how to bat on this track, it called for request. Bravo batted superbly."

Earlier, Chanderpaul, seen as the visiting side's best hope of putting up a resistance, was dismissed when he seemed to be settled in for another big innings.

Chanderpaul hit six fours off 94 balls before he was dismissed by Yadav with the second new ball. Chanderpaul, resume on 21, played-on a release around the off stump much to the joy of the few thousand audience at the stadium.

The final test will be held in Mumbai from Tuesday.

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni go past Kirmani's record

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday done another milestone as he piped Syed Kirmani to become the Indian wicketkeeper with the highest number of dismissal in his kitty.

Dhoni confused Kraigg Brathwaite off Pragyan Ojha's bowling to bag his 199th victim in his 62nd Test match - one more than Kirmani who represent India in 88 Tests. Among Dhoni's 199 victims, 173 are wedged behind and 26 are stampings.

Apart from Dhoni and Kirmani, only Kiran More and Nayan Mongia are the other two wicketkeepers who have record more than 100 dismissals. More had 130 dismissals from 49 Tests while Mongia had 107 wounded from 44 Tests.

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Moving Mahendra Sing Dhoni lead India to forceful win

India 300 for 7 (Dhoni 87*, Raina 61) strike England 174 (Cook 60, Jadeja 3-34) by 126 runs



Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni remains inflexible that revenge is not on India's mind, in spite of their great start to the ODI series against England on Friday.

Dhoni was the star for India on a exciting night of act in Hyderabad, making 87 not out from only 70 balls as India, who won the toss, register 300 for seven before bowling England out for 174 in 36.1 overs.

The 126-run win will go some way towards restore Indian pride after their miserable tour of England, where they unsuccessful to gain a single international victory.
However, Dhoni has insist that retribution is absolutely not on his or anyone else's mind.

"I believe vengeance is a very strong word," Dhoni affirmed after the game. "This is a series where the idea is to clean the youngsters. Also, this win comes after a long time and it was a main win. You can't enjoy playing the game if you lose too many matches.

"If you look at the England series particularly the second half, we did play well. We scored runs but unluckily there were rain interruption and the ball used to become heavier and tougher for our bowlers to grip."

Dhoni also describe his knock as being one of his more "precious innings", adding that he had decided from an early stage that he would throw a little of caution to the wind.

"I normally don't consider in rating my presentation but yes this innings is a precious innings for me.

"Over the years, I have played some good knock and this one is also a precious one. Once I started batting at No 6, I had remodeled my game. This innings of mine was a very well calculated one."

"I tried a lot of mid-air shots which I normally don't play these days. I was practicing a lot of hitting over the cover area. I felt this was the right match to try out and it work well," he added.

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Forceful India aim to make return

India will aim for rescue when they take on England in the first of what is being tout as a vengeance five-match ODI series, starting Friday.

It's pay-back time for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men as they will be eager to settle scores, having unsuccessful to protected a single victory in international matches in England. They lost four Tests, three ODIs and one Twenty20 International during the recent tour.

His opposite number, Alastair Cook, will certainly hope that his side can carry on from where they left in the last series, even though they would be missing the services of the alarming new-ball duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

This will be the first series where the new ICC rule of using divide new balls from both ends will be implementing, along with changed Powerplay rules.

On paper and base on current form, England is certainly favourites but in home conditions, Indians have always been frightening opponents.

The series also gives Dhoni as well as the national selectors a possibility to have a clear idea about the edging players as they get an perfect opportunity to test the bench power in the absence of senior players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan, to name a few.

While Mumbai young person Ajinkya Rahane - the lone brilliant spot during India's devastating ODI campaign - can consolidate his position in the team, rookie leggie Rahul Sharma, Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary and Karnataka seamer Sreenath Aravind will be hopeful to get a chance at some point in the series to show their mettle.

The series will also be an acid test for skipper Dhoni, who would be beneath huge force to do well. It double up when one looks at the bowling line-up which is severely short on experience, with Praveen Kumar the most knowledgeable - having played the most 56 ODIs.

If one goes by the presentation of the players during new matches and also net sessions, Karnataka seamer Sreenath Aravind and Jharkhand speedster Varun Aaron don't look like making the cut.

For the time being, Aaron looks like having been piped by Vidarbha pacer Umesh Yadav who bowled with a group of control and at a fast pace during the recent Irani Trophy.

On the other hand, Sreenath Aravind was constantly hammered by all and sundry during the recent Nokia Champions League Twenty20 and can establish to be easy meat for top English players similar to Kevin Pietersen and skipper Cook.

While Praveen, Umesh and Ashwin look to have booked the three bowling slots, it will be a struggle between R Vinay Kumar and Rahul Sharma for the fourth bowler's period in the playing XI.

While Vinay, with his variations, can show to be an ideal bowler at the death, Rahul can establish to be a preventive option during middle overs.

The Rajiv Gandhi stadium narrow piece promises to be a good one for the batsmen. In fact, during the last ODI which India lost by only three runs chase a target of 351, saw Tendulkar hit a magnificent 175.

India's top six is more or less established with Gautam Gambhir back at the top and is probable to be joined by Parthiv Patel. Ajinkya Rahane, who now bats at number three for Mumbai, may get a chance to bat at his favored slot while Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and skipper himself complete the top-six.

Ravindra Jadeja, after his inspiring show in England, will be the bowling all-rounder at No 7.

The England side is also a batting heavy-unit with the likes of Cook, Craig Kieswetter, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell able of playing big innings, not to forget the overwhelming result that Pietersen can have on bowlers.

Ravi Bopara and young Jonathan Bairstow are also in good nick which give the batting unit a frightening look.

The bowling, however, will be largely dependent on pacers Tim Bresnan, Steven Finn and off-spinner Graeme Swann.

It will be attractive to see whether Andy Flower and Cook make a decision to let loose the new tear away quick bowler, Stuart Meaker. In all, there is ingredient for a good competition all through the series.

Teams (from):

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Gautam Gambhir, Parthiv Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav, Vinay Kumar, S Aravind, Rahul Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Praveen Kumar.

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Craig Kieswetter, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Bopara, Jonathan Bairstow, Graeme Swann, Samit Patel, Tim Bresnan, Steven Finn, Stuart Meaker, Chris Woakes, Scott Borthwick, Jose Buttler, Alex Hales.

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Dhoni cheerful after CSK victory

MS Dhoni was all praise for his bowlers after CSK's three-pronged pace attack controlled Cape Cobras to a modest score of 145 on Wednesday.

"Had we lost, it would have become very hard. The score of 145 was a very good effort by our bowlers, who capitalized really well when they lost a couple of wickets at the wrong time. Our bowlers did a good job," said Dhoni after his team's exciting four-wicket victory over the Cobras.

"It was a big game for us and (Dwayne) Bravo played a special innings in the end. My heart was pounding. We are look forward to the next game," the skipper added.

The pace trio of Albie Morkel (2 for 26), Doug Bollinger (2 for 25) and Dwayne Bravo (2 for 23) shackle the Cobras' batting line-up and prohibited their order consisting of Herschelle Gibbs, J P Duminy and Owais Shah from changing the gears up.

Dhoni also approved that while batting, Chennai abandoned the importance of singles at the start.

The Chennai Super Kings, with this win, have two points, the same as the Cape Cobras and New South Wales while Mumbai Indians head the table with four points from two victories.

Cape Cobras' captain Justin Kemp said that Chennai pacers bowled fine with the old ball.

"We would have liked to score more at the back end, but I consider the Chennai boys bowled well with the old ball. They were excellent in the end over’s," said Kemp.

Kemp selected all-rounder Bravo's timely cameo for special praise and said, "It took something special from Bravo. We bowled well, but it was always going to come down to the last couple of over’s, and they have a big batting line-up. Bravo played some outstanding shots and took the game away from us."

"Overall it was a good game. We were right up there until the 18th over. A couple of mistake here and there," he added.

Man-of-the-match Dwayne Bravo, whose sparkler (46 not out off 25 balls) took the Chennai Super Kings past the target of 145 with just two balls to spare, said, "Today was a great day for us. I was just backing my ability. I am enjoying my cricket now. Hope this continues later in the event."

"Dale Steyn bowled just one bad ball and I got on top of it."

Asked about his bowling, he said, "I have work hard on my bowling in the nets and distorted my action a bit. I am happy now."

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Dhoni: I won't plagiarize about the result

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni took the result of the fourth one-dayer next to England in his stride. The match broken in a tie.

Rain required the match between the two sides to end in a staged tie under the Duckworth-Lewis method, allow the hosts to clinch the five-match ODI series by taking an incontrovertible 2-0 lead, but Dhoni did not seem too upset.

"I will not crib about the tie. When the ball got wet, we had enough capital. We know Suresh Raina has fair amount of firepower and if he gets going, can obliterate any attack in the world. We have not won anything. It has been a long tour, we have one more game and we will give it our best," Dhoni said after the match.

As for Ravindra Jadeja, Dhoni said, "Jadeja is doing his job brightly. In conditions like these, it is hard for the part-timers."

Jadeja approved 60 runs for a wicket from nine overs and also made a wild overthrow in the 40th over of the innings, which helped England in scoring 15 runs.

Raina, who struck a glowing 84 off 75 balls, said, the plan was to hit the balls in his zone.

"I was batting well but not getting big scores. My game plan is simple - when I get the ball in my areas, I play my game. Unsatisfactory for Ravi to not have got the 100," Raina said.

England captain Alastair Cook, though, consideration the tie was a "fair" result.

"It was touch and go towards the end, we ended up batting for D/L, being more defensive, knocking off the singles, not sure when the rain was coming. Tie was a fair result. Great to see (Ravi) Bopara deliver on the big stage to get us a tie," Cook said.

Bopara scored 96 to bring England within touching coldness of a victory, and Cook was, understandably, grateful of his batsman's effort.

"We tried everything earlier, but that partnership (between Dhoni and Raina) was fantastic. If we had kept them to 250, we could have got there contentedly. Possibly, we missed Dernbach. We will know on (Stuart) Broad in 48 hours," Cook said.

More than lost out on a well-deserved century, Bopara was dissatisfied with the way his side had to clinch the series.

"Not an ideal way to clinch the series, with the rain around. We did not know when to go faster. Should I knock it for ones and twos, or go for the big shots, it was rough to judge. Once (Graeme) Swann got out, I thought we should really go for it towards the close. The last couple of games have been nice for me, but still a long way to go ahead," Bopara said.

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Dhoni: Players banal, need rest

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday passed that the players were banal as he called for a rotation policy to give them rest.

India lost six normal players Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan due to injury in the four-match Test series which India lost 0-4 and Dhoni hinted that the hectic list had tired the players.

"We will have to rotate. It's significant that players get rest. Raina has been participating in all formats. It's more to do with the mental rather than the physical aspect. Good rest helps you keep the injury away," Dhoni said in front of the Twenty20 international against England on Wednesday.

Dhoni himself has been on the road for a long time and his fingers are battered, causing a fall in his usually high standards of wicket keeping, as was sharp out by former Leicestershire keeper Paul Nixon recently.

"If majority of your 10 fingers are overworked then it becomes difficult (to keep) in these conditions. But I have more problems with Ishant than with Sreesanth or Praveen Kumar. May be it's the shake in these conditions which make it difficult," said the Indian captain.

Dhoni revealed that Rahul Dravid would be making his first appearance in Twenty20 internationals on Wednesday but Sachin Tendulkar is not playing. It means young Ajinkya Rahane would get his first game in India cap on Wednesday.

Gautam Gambhir is certainly out of Wednesday's match but Dhoni did not sound too confident that left-hander would be obtainable at all in the forthcoming ODI series.

"It's a big loss. He has done really well not only as an opener but also when he batted at number three when Sehwag and Tendulkar were opening the innings. He also plays spin very well," said Dhoni.

Gambhir, who is suffering from a indistinct vision, an injury he chosen up after falling on his head in the Oval Test on August 19, is likely to miss the entire ODI series, starting in Chester-le-Street on Saturday.

The World Cup winning Indian captain was intrigued by England's policy of having separate captains for all three formats of the game.

"It's interesting how it shapes out. It's significant that the captain is a regular in all three formats of the game. One thing sure though is it affords rest," Dhoni said.

Dhoni, a keen footballer himself and a Manchester United fan, took time off in Leicester to watch his favorite team thrash Arsenal 8-2 last Sunday.

"Being a Manchester United fan, it was fantastic to see them win so big. Since I started as a footballer, it was attractive (to watch the match). As for inspiration, we don't need it from outside. There is sufficient motivation within the dressing room. We don't need to look outside," insisted Dhoni.

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India can be able to number two in ODIs

Going by the present form, it looks highly improbable but if India strike England by a 4-1 margin or better in the upcoming one-day series, they can scale to second spot from third in the ICC ranking chart.

World champions India (117) are placed third behind Sri Lanka (119) in the list, head by Australia (130)

Australia's 3-2 series win has limited Sri Lanka to earn only one rating point which, in turn, has given India a chance to get back the second position.

To get the number-two positions, India will have to beat England by a 4-1 scoreline, or whitewash the hosts in the five-match series, initial at Chester-le-Street on September three.

Meanwhile, in the rankings for ODI batsmen, Virat Kohli has enter into the top-five with a gain of one position and sachin Tendulkar re-entered into the top-10 with a similar gain.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost a place to find himself at number nine. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is the only Indian bowler in the top-10 as he missing one position to be at 10.

Australia's fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson, who the length of with Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga was the most important wicket-taker in the recent series with 11, has jump four places to maintain third position while Malinga, who recorded the third hat-trick of his career in Monday's ODI, has jump 19 places to claim 11th position.

Dough Bollinger's nine wickets in the series has help him return to the top-10 in seventh place after vault 15 places while Brett Lee has been satisfied with a jump of four places after his eight wickets in four matches which has put him just at the back Malinga in 14th position.

Graeme Swann of England is on top of the bowling table but leads New Zealand's Daniel Vettori by just six points.

In the list of batsmen, former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena has return to the top-20 in 17th position after increasing five places following his series contribution of 180 runs which made him the fourth most winning batsman in the series behind Michael Clarke (242), Ricky Ponting (196) and Shane Watson (185).

While Watson and Ponting have retained their third and 15th positions, correspondingly, Clarke has moved up two places to seventh place.

The batting table is head by South Africa's Hashim Amla while his captain, AB de Villiers, is in second position.

There is no modify in the top three of the rankings for all-rounders which are still led by Watson.

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Akram: Nothing cool concerning Dhoni

Former Pakistan skipper establish the Indian captain distant and his batting form a big fret against England. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s demean was hardly exciting during the Test series against England.

The four-nil defeat next to England has done no good to Dhoni’s standing as a captain and former Pakistan skipper Akram is just not pleased at the way Dhoni handled belongings during the Test series that completed at The Oval on Monday.

In a limited chat with Mobile ESPN from London on Monday night, Akram, like other cricket pundit, was sorrowful with the way Dhoni unsuccessful to lead India by example. Captain Cool has unexpectedly lost a few admirers and Akram is positively one of them.

At The Oval on Monday, India lost seven wickets for 21 runs after Sachin Tendulkar (a lucky 91) and Amit Mishra (a defiant 84) held the Indian fort with a 144-run partnership. One of the culprits in this recurrent middle-order capitulation has been the skipper himself. Dhoni was out for three; Stuart Broad once again revealing the captain’s batting restriction next to a moving ball.

“His batting form is of great anxiety. In this series Dhoni frequently got out in the slips region. He may have got a couple of 70-plus scores in the third Test at Edgbaston, but what good are these runs when your adversary has collective a 700-plus score?” asked Akram.

Akram feels a dressing room can never be a happy one waiting and if not a captain and coach communicate with the team and lift their confidence. Dhoni’s body language was absolutely not motivating sufficient, felt Akram.

“I feel Dhoni needs to be even more concerned in the game. New coach Duncan Fletcher is not a performer and will take time to settle down,” Akram said.

The serious lack of preparation by the BCCI (for example, RP Singh arriving late for the third Test) and the announcement gap between the team organization and the Board bigwigs was expressively clear. Akram agrees too.

“According to me, it seems that no one had any idea in the Indian camp about what was going on. Dhoni did not look too concerned with on-field events. I know this has been his style, but when your team is getting thrash, ‘Captain Cool’ can’t pay for to freeze! At times, you have to change your style to get the best out of your players. This result should be eye-opener for Dhoni,” said Akram.

In spite of the censure, Akram back Dhoni as Indian skipper. Removing him is not a quick-fix explanation, he felt.

“Our cricketing civilization in the sub-continent doesn’t hold up a losing captain, but here is where we need to back Dhoni. He can certainly show the critic wrong in the ODI series. While that will work to India’s benefit, Dhoni can pick up his piece as well,” said Akram.

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Dhoni: Batsmen in charge for disaster

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday responsible his batsmen for the embarrassing whitewash at the hands of a stimulated England team.

"We never put par score on the board. Runs are significant to put pressure on the other side. Our batting should have perform better," stated the Indian captain, looking and sounding as calm as ever.

Dhoni's anger was necessary after they lost their final seven wickets for 21 runs, as well as the skipper, who seem to be getting out in the same manner time and again.

"The fall down wasn't good. We consideration there was a situation when we should be able to protect this game and play for a draw. We were not able to build partnerships and that was the reason."

Injury played a huge part in India's presentation and from Zaheer to Sehwag to Gambhir to Harbhajan, everyone kept pulling out of the team at main junctures.

There was also the question if players had hurried back without being fully fit as the doubt is on the issue of Zaheer and Sehwag.

"Zaheer's was a dissimilar injury. It wasn't shoulder or ankle but a constrain injury which anxious him. It's a difficult one for me to answer. Once you give a strength report, it's different. Now whether it's given or not is one more different issue. When it concerns people like Zaheer and Sehwag, you wait for them so they are existing for selection for you know what difference they can make," He said.

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England chip left after Dravid's epic

India 300 (Dravid 146*, Bresnan 3-54) and 129 for 3 (Tendulkar 35*, Mishra 8*) trail England 591 for 6 dec by 162 runs

England moved nearer to a 4-0 series whitewash next to India in spite of encounter some brave confrontation from Rahul Dravid on day four at The Oval. Dravid's winning 146 accounted for almost half of his side's first-innings total as the tourists were bowled out for 300 during the afternoon session.

It was the first time they had reached that mark in the whole series, but the total was still not sufficient to avoid the follow-on as England made their opponents bat all through the whole day.

India avoid another top-order collapse and ended the day 162 runs behind on 129-3, but they still face an uphill task on the final day if they are to avoid beat in the fourth and final Test.

India had resume the day on 103-5 and during the night partnership of Dravid and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (17) survived for 12 overs awaiting the latter edge at the back off the bowling of James Anderson.

Dravid continued undeterred and bring up his century, from 168 balls, with a dab to third man for two off Tim Bresnan.

The 38-year-old is fourth on the all-time list of Test centurions with 35 and becomes only the third India player to carry his bat in a Test innings.

Amit Mishra, who shattered the last ball before lunch for a six over long-on, made a breezy, defiant 43 in a seventh-wicket stand of 87 before he was dismiss by a superb one-handed Ian Bell catch as he attempt to pull a Bresnan delivery.

Usual opener Gautam Gambhir, not second-hand at the top of the innings due to a concussion, then made a n almost strokeless 10 before looping an easy catch to Kevin Pietersen at gully off Stuart Broad.

RP Singh hit five boundaries in a rapid 25 to help take the tourist to the 300 mark for the first time in the series, but they would go no further.

Bresnan (3-54) had Singh wedged at third slip and last man Sreesanth drove the same bowler directly to Eoin Morgan at cover two balls later.

Dravid was trapped four runs short of 150 and minutes later was back out in the middle again, retain opening duty as England, with a first-innings lead of 291, compulsory the follow-on.

His continuous spell at the crease looked to have come to an end when he was given out trapped by short-leg Alastair Cook off Swann, but a review showed the ball had clearly miss his bat.

But his valiant confrontation finally ended when he was once again snared bat-pad by Cook off the same bowler, with the review this time going next to him despite no evidence of any edge. With no conclusive proof suggesting Dravid had actually nicked the ball, it was strange how third umpiring Steve Davis determined to claim superiority the on-field umpire.

The Hot-Spot and snick meter clearly failed to spot any contact between the bat and ball but Dravid walked off the field in a cordial manner, very typical of him.

The wicket can be crucial in the background of the game, felt Sunil Gavaskar in the commentary box.
Virender Sehwag made a patchy 33 before departure as he was beaten by the spin of Swann and bowled throughout the gate attempt an ambitious drive against the turn.

Sachin Tendulkar (35 not out) and VVS Laxman almost made it to the come to an end but the latter fell for 24 late in the day after a beauty from Anderson sent his off stump flying out of the ground.

And Tendulkar was given a life when slow-motion replay suggested he was confused by Prior in the closing stages of the day but no England player appeal after the bails were removed with the batsman's back foot appear to be in the air at the crucial moment.

But with no appeal, Tendulkar survives and will have a chance to make that indefinable hundredth international hundred on the final day of the series.

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Dhoni : Batsmen want to come good performance

"We've faced many good sides like South Africa and Australia. So I would keep my judgement (if this is the best side). But England are a very good side, they have four bowlers who are really good and very settled. They also bat deep," Dhoni said.

Dhoni said it was important that his team kept its perspective and looked at the future rather than press on the panic button.

"A few things in cricket are beyond control. We made the most of whatever resources we had. It's important to look at the future, not to panic. We've been outplayed, whatever the reasons might be, but we need to look into the bright future we have," he said.

He would not commit if pacer Praveen Kumar has recovered from the right thumb injury he suffered during the Edgbaston Test.

Praveen, meanwhile, turned up at the nets and bowled alongside Ishant Sharma on Wednesday; raising hopes of the Indian team that he may be available for the final test.

R P Singh and Munaf Patel came on to bowl late and did not go flat out. Significantly, Sreesanth wasn't seen or bowled at the nets. But as usual, there was no word from the team management.

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Dhoni, Sachin did not encourage youngsters: Kapil

Former captain Kapil Dev on Tuesday lashed out at the Indian players for missing team spirit in the ongoing Test series next to England and also criticized senior cricketers, including Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, for not inspiring the youngsters in the team.

The former all-rounder, who led India to its maiden World Cup title in 1983, slam Dhoni's men for "going throughout the motions" during the ongoing four-match series which England have already pocketed 3-0.

"Indian players did not play as a team. I am not annoying to responsibility anybody but I think they played too much cricket. Within four days of charming the World Cup you play IPL. They then travel to West Indies for a tour and then from there to England. I think our players were going throughout the motions", Kapil told PTI in an interview.

Asked whether there was any other reason for the embarrassing defeat against England which has dislodge India from the number one position, Kapil said the seniors have not played a role in guiding the youngsters during the tour.

"No cricketer walked up to the young bowlers to advise them on what line to bowl. Dhoni could go up to Ishant and tell this. Media term him as 'Captain Cool'. He says everybody should know their job.

"In Indian sports, we have not reached that level where all the players know what they should do. We still look up to the captain and senior players. We need somebody with violence.

All the senior players have become so senior that they do not want to be violent", he said.

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India's batting sadness continue in 3rd Test

England 84 for 0 (Strauss 52*, Cook 27*) trail India 224 (Dhoni 77, Broad 4-53, Bresnan 4-62) by 140 runs

India arrived in England this summer as the world's top-ranked Test side and with high hope for their much-vaunted batting order but none has clicked so far.

Hampered by injury to Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, although, they have together failed to deliver, failing to even reach 300 or bat out 100 overs in any of their first five innings. Here, Press involvement Sport's Tom White looks at the travails of the frequently stellar line-up.

Team totals
The first two Tests both saw touring captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni win the toss and invite England to bat first, and India were left to respond to a strong England total of 474 for eight declared at Lord's but a mere 221 at Trent Bridge. It made little difference to their approach, though, as they were bowled out for 286 in 95.5 overs in the first Test and 288 in 91.1 at Nottingham. Second-innings totals of 261 and 158 left them 2-0 down and the pattern continued today as they were dismissed for 224 at Edgbaston despite Dhoni's counter-attack.

Averages
The traditional mark of 40 as a target average for a top Test player has long been seen as outdated - yet Rahul Dravid aside, the Indians have failed to even muster that mark. Dravid has made the only two Indian centuries of the series en route to an average of 71 from his five innings, with Yuvraj Singh's 35 the next best.
VVS Laxman has impressed in flashes and averages almost 31 and Gambhir, hampered in the second innings at Lord's by an elbow injury which then ruled him out of the second Test, has three times failed to build on starts and averages 25.
Only Tim Bresnan's drop saved Abhinav Mukund from being dismissed by the first ball of each innings in Nottingham and he averages 16, while Sehwag's return in his place today also brought a golden duck.

Tendulkar (23.80) is still waiting for his landmark innings after scores of 34, 12, 16, 56 and one, while Suresh Raina's 78 in the second innings at Lord's could only lift his average to 19 and Dhoni, similarly, is down at 25.20 even after today's 77.

Innings
Dravid's 117 at Trent Bridge and 103 not out at Lord's stand in isolation among a slew of mediocre scores by India batsmen, with only six other half-centuries.
Mukund made 49 in the first innings at Lord's before Laxman (56) and Raina, with that 78, emerged with some credit from the second.

Dravid could look to Laxman (54) and Yuvraj (62) for much-needed support during his Trent Bridge marathon and Tendulkar battled to 56 in the second innings, which also saw spinner Harbhajan Singh blast a defiant 46 from 44 balls. Dhoni played a lone hand today.

England can boast Kevin Pietersen's 202 at Lord's, further hundreds for Ian Bell (159) and Matt Prior (103no) and eight half-centuries shared among six players, including bowlers Bresnan and Stuart Broad.

Partnerships
Six times in two Tests England's batsmen have produced century partnerships. India's only such effort was Dravid and Yuvraj's 128 in the first innings at Trent Bridge, which came on the back of 93 between Dravid and Laxman. Their highest partnership outside of that series-high innings of 288 is today's 84 between Dhoni and tail-ender Praveen Kumar.

Lower-order runs
England's last four batsmen were rarely needed at Lord's, seeing the hosts from 390 for six to 474 for eight declared in their only outing, but added 133 of a first-innings total of 221 at Trent Bridge and another 205 in a huge second innings.

That gives England 422 runs for 10 "lower-order" wickets, or an average of 42.20. India's equivalent is 324 runs for 20 wickets - 46 and 36 at Lord's, a paltry 15 and a Harbhajan-boosted 103 at Trent Bridge and 124 around Dhoni today - giving an average of 16.20.

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'England tour hardest of my career'

Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday accepted that the current England Test series is one of the hardest tours of his career.

"If you consider injuries, fitness, form, everything, there are quite a few things to worry about. It's hard to recall (any other) but it's among the most difficult tour I've been concerned in," he told a press discussion ahead of the third Test starting on Wednesday.

The tour has placed strange demands on the mental faculties of Indian cricketers, more so on Dhoni who has been on the road for almost a year and who has the added liability of keeping and leading the side.

"More than that, it's the physical aspect. However, more and more you play, the more experienced you get to train your mind to get out of it; the measures what needs to be taken.

"Of course, it's not easy; there are different ways for different individuals. Some prefer to have additional nets while others prefer to take their mind off cricket. It's what suits an entity," he said.

He did not out rightly decline the idea of fielding four medium pacers on a green track at Edgbaston in the third test.

"The wickets so far haven't assist spinners. It pushes us to think if we can play four fast bowlers, the slow over-rate doesn't bother us, what's significant we select the eleven suited to the track," said the Indian captain.

India presently has four fit medium-pacers in S Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel. RP Singh, the substitute for Zaheer Khan, is yet to join the squad which in fact restricts the options for the tourists.

The other option of course would be to have either leg-spinner Amit Mishra or left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha make the playing eleven.

Despite opener Virender Sehwag's failure next to Northamptonshire in the warm-up match, Dhoni underlined the value the Delhi dasher brings to the side.

"There is no good reason why he shouldn't be playing. He is a dynamic player; he backs his instinct to play shots, irrespective of the bowler he is facing. He looks at the ball and gives it the action it deserves.

"He is a violent opener who has a big impact on opposition bowlers. He is a very good batsman to have in the side," he said.

Dhoni uttered anxiety on how his side failed to capitalise on the good positions between the 45th and 80th over during England's batting.

"We were in a position to control both games.

If we get into a similar situation, it's important we go in front and put further force on their batting which is quite deep.

It's significant how we bowl with the ball between 45-80 overs," he said.

Reacting to the riots in London and nearby areas, including Birmingham, Dhoni exposed he was shopping with a few other team-mates at the city centre before they returned and were then planning to leave for dinner when the violence broke out.

"Our security manager, Zaks told us it was better off if we stayed in hotel. It's sad (the riots), but there is not much we can do as persons or cricketers.

"There are worried authorities, as cricketers we even don't need to have a look at it. We should do what's in our control and that's preparing for the game. We are avoid things we can avoid," he said.

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RP Singh: I won't let down selectors

Left-arm pacer Rudra Pratap Singh, who has replaced Zaheer Khan for the rest of the England tour, believes he will justify selectors' faith.

"Ever since Zaheer bhai walked out of the Lord's Test holding his hamstring, I was hopeful about my probability of making it to the Indian team.

"I know I have been away from international cricket for some time now, but I have been maintaining my fitness and bowling a lot in the nets. I can vouch, I am match fit and will not disappoint the selectors," RP said from Delhi, where he is making preparations to fly off to England.

Seeing the plight of the Indian bowling on the ongoing tour, many former English cricketers have been enquiring about the Rae-B areily Express, because when India had last visited England in 2007, Zaheer (18 wickets) and RP (12) had troubled the English batting line-up.

The duo along with Anil Kumble (14) had ensured India's 1-0 series success in the three-match series. RP's problem lies in being mentally prepared for a huge task of propping up a stressed team, particularly as he last played a Test match over three years ago.

In 2008, after failing to make a crash in Chennai and Motera against South Africa, he was dropped for the Kanpur Test and thereafter ousted from the Indian team in total, despite skipper MS Dhoni's strong plea for his inclusion.

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Back-to-back series lead to disaster

Down 2-0 in the four-Test series and their numerous Uno statuses in jeopardy, MS Dhoni admits that a overcrowded schedule and lack of rest after the West Indies series were the factors in charge for their dismal show.

He, however, hoped that with significant amount of rest before the next Test, India will be looking forward to a rotate in the remaining two matches of the series.

"Somebody said time is of spirit here. We came straight from the Caribbean and didn't have time to play more than one (practice) game. So we are playing seven and not four matches back-to-back," said Dhoni after India suffer a severe 319-run beat at the hands of England in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

"It (this series) is a continuance of the West Indies tour and we haven't really had a gap. You need to get ready differently (for England tour). In this respect the next 10 days are very important," he added.

With Virender Sehwag set to join the squad tomorrow, and Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan likely to be fit for the third Test at Edgbaston on August 10, Dhoni spoken hope of a comeback in the series.

The series so far although has been hard on India, the world's best Test side, and Dhoni admitted that his well-known batting line up needs to fire to give the visitors any hope of a turnaround.

"It's significant to score and put runs on the board. We have been slightly missing in this respect. Even in the West Indies we didn't score runs consistently. We do need development in the batting," he said.

"In all the three innings, we haven't been able to see the second new ball throughout. In circumstances such as these, it's vital. We don't want our batters from number eight onwards to be uncovered to second new ball," he said.

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Dhoni cheerful despite Zaheer loss

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has put a positive spin on Zaheer Khan's nonappearance from the second power Test against England in Nottingham.

The tourists' captain delivered corroboration at Trent Bridge on Thursday that the left-arm seamer - who recorded a match-winning nine-wicket haul on his last Test visit to this venue four years ago - has failed to recover in time from the constrain injury he suffer at Lord's last week.

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BCCI deny India skip greeting

The BCCI in a statement today denied the story of Indian team skipping a reception at the Indian High Commission for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's event as "baseless".

Reacting to the media information that the Indian cricket team skipped a reception at the Indian High Commission for presence a function organized by caption Mahendra Singh Dhoni at a central London hotel to raise money for his charity as "baseless".

"The BCCI would like to make it clear that this story is unjustified. The Indian High Commission had comprehensive an invite to the Indian team to attend a reception on 18 July 2011. However, the Indian cricket team had previously committed itself to another function on the same day, six months in advance.

"The BCCI had so communicated the same to the Indian High Commission, and optional that the reception be organised on 25 July 2011 in its place," the board seceratary and President Vote for N Srinivasan said in a statement.

"However, the Indian High Commission establishment said that there were other actions scheduled on the 25th. They also knowledgeable the BCCI that they would get in touch with the Indian Team Management after its influx in the UK, and fix up a date for the reception. The BCCI decided to this.

"Mr. Anirudh Chaudhry, the Manager of the touring side, is in touch with the Indian High Commission officials, and it is learnt that the reception may be organised in August, when the Indian team proceeds to London," the statement added.

Earlier, an Indian daily report that the Indian team and the BCCI have been report by the Indian High Commission to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) here for failing to be present at a reception on July 18, which was to be hosted by the high commissioner to the United Kingdom.

The daily further stated that the high commissioner, Nalin Surie had to cancel his planned reception, after he learnt that Dhoni had listed a function the same evening.

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Dhoni has made a ridicule of Test cricket by bowling himself: Kapil

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s choice to bowl his seam-up stuff throughout the second day came under severe disapproval from former India captain Kapil Dev, who feels that the existing skipper made a mockery of Test cricket. “Dhoni has made contempt of Test cricket by bowling (himself). This is not acceptable on the second day of a Test match, you can’t do this,” Kapil told a television channel.

Kapil was also serious of Zaheer Khan, who didn’t bowl after suffering from constrain injury. “Zaheer is himself accountable for it. He has put the team in problem. He should have known and tested his fitness levels before recurring to Test cricket,” he said. “It’s really tough to bowl 20 overs a day. He has killed the option of India winning this Test,” Kapil added.
Panesar defend net meeting with Tendulkar

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