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[poondu]

Gautam Gambhir unavailable for third Test

Cricinfo staff

November 27, 2009

India will be without the services of opening batsman Gautam Gambhir, who will be attending his sister's wedding, for the third Test against Sri Lanka in Mumbai. Gambhir has been in prime form in this series with centuries in each of the two Tests.

Gambhir's spot is likely to be taken by M Vijay, the Tamil Nadu opener. Vijay made his debut against Australia in Nagpur last year, when Gambhir was banned for a Test for an altercation with Shane Watson. The rest of the squad, which was initially picked for the first two Tests, has been retained with no additional replacements. The final Test of the series begins at the Brabourne Stadium on December 2.

India squad for third Test: MS Dhoni (capt), Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan Singh, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Pragyan Ojha, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, Virender Sehwag, Amit Mishra, Yuvraj Singh, Ishant Sharma, M Vijay, S Badrinath.

http://www.cricinfo.com/indvsl2009/content/current/story/436827.html

[Blwe_torch]

India needs a draw here to stay no.1.
The CCI pitch is rather unknown and dicey.

[flute]

are we number one in ICC test rankings now?

[flute]

do you guys remember another instance of a cricketer missing a TEST for sibling's wedding? ....I think it happens only in India.

[keep-it-cool]

We are joint No1 with SA but need to win in Mumbai to go on top. A draw won't do.

[keep-it-cool]

Nothing wrong with GG taking time off. It is his sister's wedding, after all. Happens only once ... Hopefully!

Even I took leave for my brother's wedding.

[ramshorns]

I agree people have priorities and need to honor them.

I have seen people take off in all kinds of professional leagues like the NBA or NFL for a child's birth or death in a famliy or be with an ailing family member or a kids graduation whatever the case may be,

Each person knows what is important to them and they should be the best judges and should be left it up to them.

To that end I am really proud of GG for identifying what is important to him and take the time off to attend this one off event that could be so important to him and his family and perhaps means a world to his sister.   Good for him.

Work can wait at certain points in life.

[gouravk]

wow .. one spell by sreesanth and suddenly everyone is interested in test cricket again .. havent seen so many replies to any test thread this early before a test in recent times !!!!!!!!!!


 

[gouravk]

emphasizes my point ... i like my cricket with bowlers on top

[12th_Man]

emphasizes my point ... i like my cricket with bowlers on top

Hopefully the batsman are turned over, Else only 69 would work.
I think you made a good point in the oher thread when you said test cricket was followed even in non TV days. At least i remember to be eared to radio following the game. Or may be just relying on news papers. somehow is not the same these days.

[dextrous]

Nothing wrong with GG taking time off. It is his sister's wedding, after all. Happens only once ... Hopefully!

Even I took leave for my brother's wedding.

and what, she didn't see the indian cricket calander

[dextrous]

I agree people have priorities and need to honor them.

I have seen people take off in all kinds of professional leagues like the NBA or NFL for a child's birth or death in a famliy or be with an ailing family member or a kids graduation whatever the case may be,

Each person knows what is important to them and they should be the best judges and should be left it up to them.

To that end I am really proud of GG for identifying what is important to him and take the time off to attend this one off event that could be so important to him and his family and perhaps means a world to his sister.   Good for him.

Work can wait at certain points in life.

that's the difference between sachin and gambhir

[Cernunnos]

It's a tough call. Say India lose the test and Murali Vijay flops, will GG feel good about himself? That said, if GG's mind is at his sister's wedding, he is doing everyone a favour.

[dextrous]

It's a tough call. Say India lose the test and Murali Vijay flops, will GG feel good about himself? That said, if GG's mind is at his sister's wedding, he is doing everyone a favour.

marriage can surely be planned around india's 1 of 3 tests for the year!!!!!!!!!!

[Cernunnos]

It's a tough call. Say India lose the test and Murali Vijay flops, will GG feel good about himself? That said, if GG's mind is at his sister's wedding, he is doing everyone a favour.

marriage can surely be planned around india's 1 of 3 tests for the year!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe it's a calendar thing. Or maybe GG's brother-in-law is a very desperate man.

[Blwe_torch]

If pace bowlers do well, Test cricket can be interesting......not the usual spinners' stuff. That is quite boring anyway.

[flute]

It's a tough call. Say India lose the test and Murali Vijay flops, will GG feel good about himself? That said, if GG's mind is at his sister's wedding, he is doing everyone a favour.

marriage can surely be planned around india's 1 of 3 tests for the year!!!!!!!!!!

thats whyI said probably happens only in India..because in India, you don't schedule your wedding, priest decides it for you according to his sbusiness chedule 

I understand missing a test for family illness etc., but missing a test for sister's wedding probably happens only in India..of course it is GG's call , but I think a SRT may not have took the same call

[ramshorns]

It's a tough call. Say India lose the test and Murali Vijay flops, will GG feel good about himself? That said, if GG's mind is at his sister's wedding, he is doing everyone a favour.

marriage can surely be planned around india's 1 of 3 tests for the year!!!!!!!!!!

thats whyI said probably happens only in India..because in India, you don't schedule your wedding, priest decides it for you according to his sbusiness chedule 

I understand missing a test for family illness etc., but missing a test for sister's wedding probably happens only in India..of course it is GG's call , but I think a SRT may not have took the same call

Actually Sachin did make a call to not appear in the first 3 or 4 One day Internationals against England last year when he would have been selected citing wanting a rest.  Weather one wants to rest or skip a game owing to other personal reasons as GG is doing here the effect is the same.  Not appearing for games when they were expected to be there.  So Sachin is not a perfect example to that either.

[keep-it-cool]

Wedding dates, especially in north india, are not scheduled to work around other things ...they are decided on the basis of stars and what not. If someone believes in that practice and wants to follow it, so be it. Look these guys are professionals and professionals take leave for personal reasons. No need to put them on a higher pedastal or hold them to higher standards than what you and I are.

Btw micheal clarke missed one or two tests for his gf's dad's birthday or illness or something. So it is not as if it happens only in india.

[dhruvdeepak]

im booking a flight to bombay now!

[broadbat]

What! Even though India's best batsman is not on display?

[dhruvdeepak]

can one of you mumbaikars tell me a good hotel to stay near church gate?

[poondu]

Gambhir best Indian batsman now

Right from the toss things went right for India in Kanpur leaving Sri Lanka with plenty of thinking to do, especially on the bowling front

Sourav Ganguly

November 28, 2009

   Gautam Gambhir hits down the ground, India v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Kanpur, 1st day, November 24, 2009
Gautam Gambhir is in the form of his life and just doesn't look like getting out © AFP
Related Links
Players/Officials: Gautam Gambhir | Ajantha Mendis | Muttiah Muralitharan | Virender Sehwag | Sreesanth
Matches: India v Sri Lanka at Kanpur
Series/Tournaments: Sri Lanka tour of India

India won the second Test convincingly in Kanpur. MS Dhoni and the boys will be surprised with the ease with which they won this Test specially after the resistance Sri Lanka put up in Ahmedabad. They dominated the Test there but it was an absolute no-show here. It was a soft performance from them and I'm sure Kumar Sangakkara will be disappointed with that.

Winning the toss will always be an advantage in India and Dhoni has done that job well in the two Test matches. The Indians once again batted brilliantly which is so important on the first day of the Test as it just sets up the game for the team. Virender Sehwag must be a satisfied man after the hundred as his last Test hundred was nearly 15 months ago and this is something you don't associate with him in the Tests. His success-rate is superb and it amazes me why he doesn't replicate that in the one-dayers. Every time he bats he scores at such a pace that it puts the team in a winning position and that's the reason India got to 400 on day one in Kanpur. He played some breathtaking shots to the spinners and that's where he is so good. He has to learn to do that in one-day cricket as he has not performed to his potential in that format.

Gautam Gambhir once again batted beautifully, he is in the form of his life and just doesn't look like getting out. His admission that the reason he is playing well is because he feels secure in the team is so true and this should be applied to every player who is playing as the captain's faith is so important in a player's career and Dhoni has given him that. He just gets better and better everyday and is the best Indian batsman at the moment.

I also quietly admire his mental state as he decided to take the final Test off for his sister's marriage. A lot of people will jump off their seats on hearing that but I think he has done the right thing. Family is always first and sisters' marriages are always special to brothers and this is why Gambhir is regarded as a special human being by all in the cricket circle.

Sri Lanka will have a lot to worry before they go to Mumbai. They will have to rethink their combination as playing three spinners is a luxury against India. They must remember if two can't deliver the third one won't and the extra spinner will always be underbowled. So the best combination for Sri Lanka on Indian soil is two spinners and two fast bowlers.

But Sri Lanka need to rethink their fast bowling attack. Winning a Test in India with Angelo Mathews with the new ball is absolutely impossible. Sri Lanka may think of Dilhara Fernando in place of Mathews in their third Test side. The track at the Cricket Club of India would be helpful for fast bowlers and Dilhara would be the better option with his extra pace and bounce.

I am also eagerly waiting to watch Muttiah Muralitharan at his best in Mumbai because I have heard from different sources that Murali is playing his last series in India. This would be some extra motivation for him to mark the Test with an extraordinary performance. To do that he needs proper bowling support from the other end. Here Ajantha Mendis comes into the picture. I strongly believe that he is a class bowler and class is always permanent.

           
 
Sri Lanka need to rethink their fast bowling attack. Winning a Test in India with Angelo Mathews with the new ball is absolutely impossible
 
      

I feel he is lacking confidence and can come out any day with his excellent bouquet of variations. The reason for Mendis' success has been his accuracy and of late he has lost that. He needs to spend some time in the nets and this will come back soon. He must also remember that with the start he has had in his career he will go through this phase and he needs to hold his head high.

Players around the world will work him out and he needs to get it right so that he becomes the threat he used to be. His and Murali's performance will be key in the final Test where there will be assistance for them on the CCI pitch.

Coming to the Indian context, I am very happy with Sreesanth's performances. I always have huge faith in his talent. He is one of the rare fast bowlers who can use the seam properly both ways. Hope Sree will not look back from here and justify his talent properly. He can do everything for the rest of his life but cannot get back this golden time of his cricketing career.

I strongly feel that Indian fast bowling attack with Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma could do well both home and abroad. Now it's Sree's turn to take this opportunity and become a permanent member of the team.

It will be a good Test in Mumbai as the pitch will provide a fair contest between the bat and ball. The Sri Lankans will have to improve their performance or it will be an uphill task right till the end of the one-day series.


http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/437237.html

[dextrous]

I think Ganguly may have started writing his own articles

[Cover Point]

can one of you mumbaikars tell me a good hotel to stay near church gate?

The Taj or the Oberoi

[keep-it-cool]

I think SG always wrote his own articles. Generally they are boring. This time it is better than his average.

[Blwe_torch]

I still don't think, SG is writing all these articles. Writing is not his strong point......unlike GC ( of underhand emails fame).
And, he doesn't have any time for this.

[dextrous]

I think SG always wrote his own articles. Generally they are boring. This time it is better than his average.

no, he doesn't. they usually say nothing about anything--the hallmark of a ghost writer. this time, the language isn't as smooth but it says something

[keep-it-cool]

I still don't see why it couldn't be SG. His articles did make strong claims in the past as well, castigating dhoni for putting the aussies in and he had good words for mendis in his earlier articles as well. It is not too different from his commentary - he is just feeling his way at this point - and the output is rather erratic.

[keep-it-cool]

can one of you mumbaikars tell me a good hotel to stay near church gate?

wish i could join yaar ..but travelling - i may be able to make it on the weekend ..send me a pm with your contact details ..i'll call you if i can

if you are not as rich as cp, you can try the hotel marine plaza or ambassador as well

[dhruvdeepak]

can one of you mumbaikars tell me a good hotel to stay near church gate?

wish i could join yaar ..but travelling - i may be able to make it on the weekend ..send me a pm with your contact details ..i'll call you if i can

if you are not as rich as cp, you can try the hotel marine plaza or ambassador as well

fkn bombay....no rooms available ANYWHERE near churchgate. i spent hours and hours today searching.
i hv booked a room in bandra, will have to manage the distance

i called up cci, they said there should be no problem getting match tickets.

ill send you a pm with contact details.

[Cover Point]

can one of you mumbaikars tell me a good hotel to stay near church gate?

wish i could join yaar ..but travelling - i may be able to make it on the weekend ..send me a pm with your contact details ..i'll call you if i can

if you are not as rich as cp, you can try the hotel marine plaza or ambassador as well

CP mooched beer off of you and Achu .... kahan ka rich?

[dhruvdeepak]

anyone else in mumbai?

[ramshorns]

Sachin Tendulkar swoops in to tackle Rahul Dravid, Mumbai, November 30, 2009

[ramshorns]

Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid concentrate hard during batting practice, Mumbai, November 30, 2009

[Blwe_torch]

Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid concentrate hard during batting practice, Mumbai, November 30, 2009

Great photo!

[12th_Man]

It's a tough call. Say India lose the test and Murali Vijay flops, will GG feel good about himself? That said, if GG's mind is at his sister's wedding, he is doing everyone a favour.

marriage can surely be planned around india's 1 of 3 tests for the year!!!!!!!!!!

Even the Indian military has concessions for sister's marriage from forward locations, One of the very rare concessions. Cricket is just a game. I would be in GG side side here not being aware of all parts of story. With this much cricket around in a season, A player should be allowed to attend important/emergency events. Isn't this why we build the bench strength for ?

[flute]

It's a tough call. Say India lose the test and Murali Vijay flops, will GG feel good about himself? That said, if GG's mind is at his sister's wedding, he is doing everyone a favour.

marriage can surely be planned around india's 1 of 3 tests for the year!!!!!!!!!!

Even the Indian military has concessions for sister's marriage from forward locations, One of the very rare concessions. Cricket is just a game. I would be in GG side side here not being aware of all parts of story. With this much cricket around in a season, A player should be allowed to attend important/emergency events. Isn't this why we build the bench strength for ?

indian military has no concession to make( even for your own marriage) during times of hostilities..

[Cover Point]

It's a tough call. Say India lose the test and Murali Vijay flops, will GG feel good about himself? That said, if GG's mind is at his sister's wedding, he is doing everyone a favour.

marriage can surely be planned around india's 1 of 3 tests for the year!!!!!!!!!!

Even the Indian military has concessions for sister's marriage from forward locations, One of the very rare concessions. Cricket is just a game. I would be in GG side side here not being aware of all parts of story. With this much cricket around in a season, A player should be allowed to attend important/emergency events. Isn't this why we build the bench strength for ?

indian military has no concession to make( even for your own marriage) during times of hostilities..

is a cricket game like war? Should it be treated as such? Should professionals not be allowed to take time off for work for weddings and such?

[dextrous]

It's a tough call. Say India lose the test and Murali Vijay flops, will GG feel good about himself? That said, if GG's mind is at his sister's wedding, he is doing everyone a favour.

marriage can surely be planned around india's 1 of 3 tests for the year!!!!!!!!!!

Even the Indian military has concessions for sister's marriage from forward locations, One of the very rare concessions. Cricket is just a game. I would be in GG side side here not being aware of all parts of story. With this much cricket around in a season, A player should be allowed to attend important/emergency events. Isn't this why we build the bench strength for ?

I'm not talking about whether he should be allowed or not--of course he can go as he needs. BUT I don't consider this an emergencey and something that could have been planned better considering how few tests India plays. I simply don't think Sachin and co. would have done this.