Player Ratings: India
Tuesday, December 9 2003
First Test, the GABBA, Brisbane.
Akash Chopra - Finally, have India found a rock at the top of the order? Made only 36, but the key was the length of his innings, allowing for Ganguly and Laxman to penetrate the attack. Disappointing in the second innings.
Cricket Web Player Rating: 7.5/10
Virender Sehwag - After a life early in the first innings, he made a stylish and quick fire 45 before falling victim to his bunny Bracken. Bowled well in his short, troubling both Waugh and Martyn. Poor second innings with a soft dismissal.
Player Rating: 7.5/10
Rahul Dravid - Struggled badly on the Australia wickets before his token innings at the end of Day 5. Will go in to the Adelaide Test with far more confidence. A better player than his 1 suggests.
Player Rating: 5.5/10
Sachin Tendulkar - Difficult to gauge his match, after being dismissed LBW for a duck. Bowled a few overs without threatening the batsmen, and fell ill on the final day.
Player Rating: 4/10
Sourav Ganguly - Played the innings of his career on Day 4 to ensure his side would come away with a level series after one match, making 144. His play against pace bowling has improved dramatically. Would have been given a 9.5 had his field settings not been poor on Day 1.
Player Rating: 9/10
VVS Laxman - A Very, Very Special display from a Very, Very Special cricketer. Despite questions being raised over his ability to handle Australia pitches, he punished the bowlers in both innings. Was safe in the field.
Player Rating: 8.5/10
Parthiv Patel - A missed stumping off Harbhajan blemished an otherwise strong game from the talented keeper. Was tidy behind the stumps and impressive with the bat.
Player Rating: 8/10
Ajit Agarkar - Strong return to Test cricket. Bowled with fire, skill and determination. Troubled all the batsmen at one time or another. Played easily his best innings on Australian soil with the bat.
Player Rating: 8/10
Harbhajan Singh - For all his talent, failed to deliver a killer blow at any stage. Bowled better in the second innings once he dismissed Hayden, but was generally far too straight. Should enjoy Adelaide far more.
Player Rating: 6.5/10
Zaheer Khan - Arguably India's most precious commodity away from home. Was the pick of the bowlers in the match, with good pace, bounce and movement as well as some handy runs. No need to risk his hamstring and ankle on Day 5.
Player Rating: 8.5/10
Ashish Nehra - A display which can only be described as sloppy at best. Bowled the occasional unplayable delivery, but generally lacked accuracy and patience. Body language suggested he felt uneasy with the situation.
Player Rating: 4.5/10.
Posted by Andre
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