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[chetan]

http://in.rediff.com/cricket/2006/jul/31wright.htm

A high voltage behind-the-scenes drama was sparked off in the Indian dressing room by Rahul Dravid's abrupt declaration in the Multan Test, which left Sachin Tendulkar stranded only six runs short of a double century, the then coach, John Wright, has revealed.

Tendulkar, batting on 194 in the first Test against archrivals Pakistan, left no one in doubt that "he felt let down", Wright says in his just-published book Indian Summers, disclosing for the first time the tense moments the Indian camp went through although publicly every effort had been made at that time to play down the controversy.

Acknowledging that the team management had a "hot potato on our hands", the former New Zealand captain says he spent a sleepless night whereas captain Sourav Ganguly, who missed the Test because of an injury, was worried that the issue would snowball and end up dividing the team.

Wright says no one could be blamed in particular for the situation, which could have been avoided had he himself been able to convince Dravid to declare earlier.

"Midway through the final session, Dravid declared, as you do when you're 675 for 5. What Indian captains don't tend to do, however, is declare when Sachin Tendulkar is on 194 not

out," Wright writes in the book.

"The matter became a full-fledged sensation when Tendulkar told a press conference he was disappointed not to get his double century."

Wright says had he been the captain, he would have declared a lot earlier, allowing Pakistan to face about 25 overs and with Tendulkar on about 170.

But the former New Zealand captain also points out that Tendulkar needed to "move on" after tea when things got slow.

"Dravid wanted less time in the field, but got caught a bit betwixt and between. At tea he told the batsmen he wanted 15 or 16 overs at the Pakistanis, and after tea a couple of messages went out. As I sat there watching the innings grind on, it crossed my mind that Tendulkar needed to get a move on," Wright says.

"A final message went out saying they had one more over. Then Yuvraj got run out going for a quick single and Dravid called them in."

The New Zealander says, "There was fault all round.

"I should have convinced Dravid to declare earlier and he should have grasped that it's one thing to declare when a batsman's 170 or 180, quite another when he's 194. And Tendulkar should have pushed to get there quicker."

Once Tendulkar publicly expressed his disappointment, Wright knew they had a "hot potato on our hands".

"I talked to Dravid, who agreed that he had to have a chat with Tendulkar before things got out of hand. That combination of steeliness and serenity, so evident in Dravid's batting, is the mark of the man: nothing fazes him. He's a mature and intelligent individual; all the hype and fuss goes over his head because he can stand back and put the issue in perspective."

As for Tendulkar, Wright says, "He felt let down.

"He'd been playing for India since he was 16; he'd stood up for his country in bad times and tough conditions, and often been the only man to do so. Having given so much for the team, over such a long period, he probably thought this was one time the team could give something back to him.

"Even the greatest have their goals and dreams and milestones, and a double century against Pakistan in Pakistan would have been a memory to treasure."

[achutank]

the publisher obviuosly del the part where jw reveals how srt gave rd a quick kick in the rear.

[ramshorns]

I remember that innings very well.  Sachin played very slowly when the need was for quick runs.  I think in the end he got what he deserved.  After the run-out of Yuvraj, Dravid had no choice, as the need was to put Pak. under pressure.  On the surface of it the declaration looks very untimely given Sachin's closeness to 200, but nevertheless it was the right decision.

[flute202020]

I remember that innings very well.  Sachin played very slowly when the need was for quick runs.  I think in the end he got what he deserved.  After the run-out of Yuvraj, Dravid had no choice, as the need was to put Pak. under pressure.  On the surface of it the declaration looks very untimely given Sachin's closeness to 200, but nevertheless it was the right decision.

rams, completely agree with you. I too remember that innings. In the end, I felt that SRT came across as cry baby and selfish, something rare for Sachin. This was one of the incidents that put SRT in poor light.

[Cover Point]

I remember that innings very well.  Sachin played very slowly when the need was for quick runs.  I think in the end he got what he deserved.  After the run-out of Yuvraj, Dravid had no choice, as the need was to put Pak. under pressure.  On the surface of it the declaration looks very untimely given Sachin's closeness to 200, but nevertheless it was the right decision.

rams, completely agree with you. I too remember that innings. In the end, I felt that SRT came across as cry baby and selfish, something rare for Sachin. This was one of the incidents that put SRT in poor light.

For be it for me to critize the God of Indian cricket but I dont believe that this is rare for Sachin. He loves to play for personal landmarks. Its funny how many times he (and other INDIAN batsmen) race to a 50 in the ODI's and slow down to get to their 100. At critical stages he would always slow down for his 100 ....

He is a great great player but unselfish... nah....

[Aloo Kashmiri Ul Haq]

I remember that innings very well.  Sachin played very slowly when the need was for quick runs.  I think in the end he got what he deserved.  After the run-out of Yuvraj, Dravid had no choice, as the need was to put Pak. under pressure.  On the surface of it the declaration looks very untimely given Sachin's closeness to 200, but nevertheless it was the right decision.

rams, completely agree with you. I too remember that innings. In the end, I felt that SRT came across as cry baby and selfish, something rare for Sachin. This was one of the incidents that put SRT in poor light.

For be it for me to critize the God of Indian cricket but I dont believe that this is rare for Sachin. He loves to play for personal landmarks. Its funny how many times he (and other INDIAN batsmen) race to a 50 in the ODI's and slow down to get to their 100. At critical stages he would always slow down for his 100 ....

He is a great great player but unselfish... nah....

i wanted to start a thread on how tendulkar is worshipped by cricket fans worldwide but a dravid really isn't nor was ganguly during his prime.

[suraj]

I remember that innings very well.  Sachin played very slowly when the need was for quick runs.  I think in the end he got what he deserved.  After the run-out of Yuvraj, Dravid had no choice, as the need was to put Pak. under pressure.  On the surface of it the declaration looks very untimely given Sachin's closeness to 200, but nevertheless it was the right decision.

I remember it very well to and SRT was painfully slow specially in light of the situation and VS' explosiveness in the match. In fact i spent most of the time defending my GOD form attacks by other friends watching but was actually relieved when RD declared.

[dhruvdeepak]

wow - that whole article to say "in the book there is a chapter that says: there could have been problems in the dressing room but there werent as the indian players were mature enough"
im kinda sick of JW's publisher now.

[Libran]

Would it not be a good idea to discuss if SRT was right in speaking to the press ??

If some people in this DG have ripped SG apart for the faux pas on ESPN starsports, why the immunity for SRT

[suraj]

SRT was definitely wrong and he himself realized it pretty soon to come back with some lame backtracking comments like " good for the team" stuff.

The situation did not explode as much though and that was a good thing

[ruchir]

Would it not be a good idea to discuss if SRT was right in speaking to the press ??

If some people in this DG have ripped SG apart for the faux pas on ESPN starsports, why the immunity for SRT

I think it is so because this issue has never really been discussed thread-bare. If it is, then I'm sure most people will find SRT at fault, in one way or the other, myself included.

[JJ]

Yeah, I think SRT got the first reaction as disappointment (understandable) and then calmed down and saw
the "team" interests ... non-issue now really ... all the involved parties seemed to have kissed and made up.

[dhruvdeepak]

bull* propa*a for a bull* book. my impression is that the declaration was discussed after the day's play and was well managed. SRT was asked a direct question: "how do you feel on missing out on a double century?"
answer:
On missing out on a double-century
Obviously, I'm a little disappointed, having got so close. I was aware that the declaration was just around the corner, but when it came, I was taken by surprise. The plan was to put them in for an hour or so. We were playing very positively at the time ... a run-rate of four-an-over is very good in Test cricket. But when Yuvraj got out, I saw Rahul [Dravid] calling us in.
---
big deal. he said what he felt. all the nonsense that followed in the media was precisely that: nonsense. fissures in the team. SRT not taking the field in protest. all that f***ing rubbish.

he's not allowed to feel disappointed at missing 200? wow. indeed. what a selfish bas***d.

[kban1]

Many have suggested here that SRT was to blame for being selfish about the possible double hundred. That the decision to declare was a great decision, commendable singularly for the guts that it displayed.

I may be in the minority, but I beg to differ.

First the castigation of SRT as selfish.

Below is a chart of India RR progression in the first innings.

Event      Runs      Overs*              RR
             50      17.83                 2.80
            100      28.00                 3.57
            150      35.50                 4.23
            200      48.17                 4.15
            250      60.33                 4.14
            300      76.17                 3.94
            350      86.83                 4.03
            400      102.50               3.90
            450      112.33               4.01
VS out   509      126.17               4.03
            500      123.33               4.05
            550      139.33               3.95
Tea       588      148.33               3.96
            600      149.50               4.01
            650      157.50               4.13
EOI       675      161.83               4.17
*Overs expressed as decimals

2 points to note
1) India scored overall at 4.17 an over. Given the match condition and the fact that we were batting first, there was plenty of time to afford another over to SRT to get to his landmark.

2) Barring the 150 mark, at no point did India score above the rate at which the final declaration came.

Now to SRT specifically. It is the biggest myth that SRT played selfishly and slowly –both JW and RD are guilty of surmising he played slowly, swayed perhaps by the fact that YS played a tad faster than SRT, but then again YS also hogged the lions share of the strike (see table below).

SRT    
Event         Runs   Balls   SR     Inc Runs   Inc Balls   Inc SR
                 150   295  50.85%         
Tea            165   312  52.88%         15       17            88.24%
Declared     194   348  55.75%         29       36            80.56%

YS    
Event         Runs   Balls   SR     Inc Runs   Inc Balls   Inc SR   
Tea            11   19  57.89%        
Declared      59   66  89.39%         48       47            102.13%

*Inc above referes to Incremental

As the incremental scoring rates show, SRT scored at a strike rate of 80+ after tea, and 83+ overall (not shown) since he crossed 150. This is a test match –if a 80+ SR is not enough for a batsman, then we have our collective blinders on here.

Its just that post tea YS scored at a higher rate -- which is understandable given what YS's diktat possibly was under the circumstances

So much for SRT’s selfish innings.


Now the declaration

I have this match on tape and I have watched the post tea session till declaration at least 3 times. My observation was that there was utter confusion in the dressing room –every time the camera panned in, RD  or SG or JW were holding court, sometimes all 3 together, and towards the end of the innings only JW and RD.

Messages sent out to SRT and YS were confusing –the messenger even after stepping into the ground was looking back at the captain for further instructions and SRT and YS had a bemused look on their face when messengers were communicating with them on the ground –they repeatedly looked back at the dressing room for conformation.

Anyone who has this match on tape –feel free to check it out in case my memory is failing me.

Against this backdrop, I tend to believe SRT’s version that a clear message about the declaration score was never communicated to them, neither was he given intimation that he had only so many balls to get to his double hundred.

Considering all this and the fact that he got a reduced portion of the strike (38% of the strike) since tea, and the fact that he was scoring at 80+ SR, I fully support SRT in his contention.

To quote JW:
"He felt let down.

"He'd been playing for India since he was 16; he'd stood up for his country in bad times and tough conditions, and often been the only man to do so. Having given so much for the team, over such a long period, he probably thought this was one time the team could give something back to him."

"Even the greatest have their goals and dreams and milestones, and a double century against Pakistan in Pakistan would have been a memory to treasure."

Whats not added in the article (available in the print version of the Telegraph) is also JW’s quote that SRT said that he felt the team owed him that.

So if you are going to assign blame here, then some of the blame goes to JW for not being able to convince RD to declare earlier and quite a bit to RD who pulled the trigger in his eagerness perhaps to stamp his authority on the match or perhaps his anxiety (unfounded) that there would not be enough time to bowl Pakistan twice.

This is quite apparent again by JW's own admission:

"I should have convinced Dravid to declare earlier and he should have grasped that it's one thing to declare when a batsman's 170 or 180, quite another when he's 194."

PS: Yuvraj was dismissed C&B, not run out as Wright recalls.

[achutank]

IMO

Dravid made a blatant pitch for captaincy with this decision. he obviously needed something to make an entry to the court with, and with this declaration he found a vehicle. next we know the mob calls him courageous and what not. but the guy made a stake at the cost of another player. and nobody seems to mention the great strike rate when dravid was batting through out the pakistan tour.

i have great love for dravid as player and team member and as an indian. but certainly not as captain. he is not in the same league as SG or even SMG.

[Libran]

kban....Excellent work on the statistics...

So.... another myth expoldes in the face ....how much more soot can one keep wiping off after each explosion , needs to be seen

[dhruvdeepak]

yikes. kban. there are no words to express how decidedly you have ended this. you have put the efforts of those preceding you to shame.
i remember even ganguly expressed that the declaration was a mistake.

http://www.hindu.com/2004/04/30/stories/2004043000932100.htm

 Multan declaration was a mistake: Ganguly

NEW DELHI, APRIL 29. Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has conceded that the declaration in the Multan Test against Pakistan with Sachin Tendulkar on 194 was a ``mistake''.

``We made a mistake in this matter but we need to look ahead now. Indian cricket is moving forward and let us stay focussed in that direction than looking back and creating needless problems,'' Ganguly said in an interview to The Sportstar. Ganguly doing a More?

The Indian captain, who did not play in the Multan Test because of an injury, also made it clear that the declaration issue was a closed chapter and said as far as he was concerned it was a ``non-issue''.

``Much has been said and written on this subject and not all of it was accurate or in good taste. The media and some people need an issue to talk but as far as I am concerned it was a non-issue.

``In the Sydney Test we declared with Rahul (Dravid) in the 90's. As far as I am concerned this incident of Multan is a chapter closed. We are all mature people and know that sometimes we all make mistakes.''

---
this was my opinion too. it was not a big deal. SRT felt disappointed, matter was sorted out, and done. that's how professionals do it. i will not even bother to  venture into the "SRT is selfish and plays for landmarks" debate. I remember once Hayden made some sort of a comment about Indians slowing down before their 100s, and Cricinfo had published a comprehensive statistical analysis showing that Indians actually pushed on and improved strike rate, while the Aussies stayed at the same SR.
Hayden's statement: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/23/1093246443480.html
Cricinfo's study: http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/135441.html

anyway this is exactly the example i was looking at in talking about JW's book, or the snippets released to the media. reopening 'debates', if they can be called that, that were settled ages ago. i find such practices appalling. if the man respected India and its players so much, this is not a way to show it.

[achutank]

anyway this is exactly the example i was looking at in talking about JW's book, or the snippets released to the media. reopening 'debates', if they can be called that, that were settled ages ago. i find such practices appalling. if the man respected India and its players so much, this is not a way to show it.

see dd the point is this is an autobiography. if we apply your logic then the JW book should consist of 450 empty pages because he is not allowed to revist the past. suggest you take this course

IMTP001.

[LosingNow]

Post - tea session commentary below from CI..

Runs scored - 97 of 84 balls, YS - 48 of 47 balls, SRT - 29 of 36 balls (innings SR till Tea 53%, post-tea 80%)

1. Did SRT slowdown for his 200 ..absolutely NOT (his SR was higher post-tea session vs his entire inning)
2. Could SRT have scored faster given the STAGE OF THE GAME ( SR when you are at 588/4 has to be higher)...MAYBE (YS scored at > 100%, right). Look at the bolded commentary below for details...I think there is MAYBE a case here that he could have played the Imran Farhat (and maybe the Akhtar) overs a bit more positively. It is not a sure shot case .. he appears to have faced a lot of negative bowling. I'll have to see it on tape again to confirm this.
3. Was RD's decision courageous - YES (because you are looking for team's interests and an icon is getting to a landmark).
4. Was RD's courageous decision absolutely needed - Perhaps NO (he could have given SRT a couple of overs when RP went in with the message)..but there is an element of hindsight = 20/20 here.
Bottomline : SRT could maybe have scored faster given the STAGE of the game..but when he didnt, RD could have given him a couple of more overs (with an ultimatum, if necessary). As with many mishaps, I doubt wrong intentions were at play here..more like mis-communication and a slight bit of insensitivity (some would call it misplaced bravado) on RD's part.
 
--
End of over 148 (1 run) India 588/4
Saqlain Mushtaq 39-4-173-1 (5nb) - North Pavilion End
Yuvraj Singh 11* (19b 1x4) SR Tendulkar 165* (312b 19x4)

Match State: Tea - Day 2

       Welcome back for the live coverage of the final session of the day
       umpires coming out now
       followed by the Pakistani players
       enter stage Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar
       Sami to bowl from the pavilion end
 148.1 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, no run, good length delivery outside
        the off stump, defended watchfully
 148.2 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, drifting down the leg side,
        Yuvraj moves across a bit, gets well inside the line and plays it
        down to the fine leg fence, comfortably beats the fielder
 148.3 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, no run, pitched up outside he offs
        tump, driven straight to the short cover fielder
 148.4 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, edged and wide! outside the
        off stump, Yuvraj pushes at it and gets a thick edge, ball stayed
        very low and goes past Moin, nearly carried
 148.5 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 148.6 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, no run

End of over 149 (8 runs) India 596/4
Mohammad Sami 31-3-100-2 (1nb) - Main Pavilion End
SR Tendulkar 165* (312b 19x4) Yuvraj Singh 19* (25b 3x4)

 149.1 Saqlain Mushtaq to Tendulkar, one run, short delivery on the middle
        and leg, played away to the deep mid wicket region
 149.2 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, no run, goes back and defends with
        a straight bat
 149.3 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, one run, turned away to the deep
        mid wicket region, easy single
 149.4 Saqlain Mushtaq to Tendulkar, one run, moves forward and flicks it
        away to the deep mid wicket region, straight to the fielder
       coming round the wicket to the left hander
 149.5 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, one run
 149.6 Saqlain Mushtaq to Tendulkar, one run, played down to long on, yet
        another easy single

End of over 150 (5 runs) India 601/4
Saqlain Mushtaq 40-4-178-1 (5nb) - North Pavilion End
SR Tendulkar 168* (315b 19x4) Yuvraj Singh 21* (28b 3x4)

 150.1 Mohammad Sami to Tendulkar, legbye: two runs, drifting down the leg
        side, ball flicks the pad and runs down fine
 150.2 Mohammad Sami to Tendulkar, FOUR, brilliant shot! short delivery
        outside the off stump, Tendulkar moves across and taps it wide of
        the keeper, nice little touch shot and the ball races away to the
        third man boundary
 150.3 Mohammad Sami to Tendulkar, no run
 150.4 Mohammad Sami to Tendulkar, one run, short of a good length
        delivery wide outside the off stump, Tendulkar moves across and
        plays it down to the third man area, easy single
 150.5 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 150.6 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, one run, good length delivery
        angling across the left hander, pushed down the track and gets it
        wide of the mid off fielder

End of over 151 (8 runs) India 609/4
Mohammad Sami 32-3-106-2 (1nb) - Main Pavilion End
Yuvraj Singh 22* (30b 3x4) SR Tendulkar 173* (319b 20x4)

 151.1 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, fetch it! fraction short,
        rocks back and lofts it away to the mid wicket fence, made it look
        simple
 151.2 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, no run, defended watchfully
 151.3 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, four more! tossed up outside
        the off stump, gets down one one knee and smashes it to the
        backward of square leg boundary, well timed and well placed
 151.4 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, no run, pitched wide outside the
        leg stump and turning in, hits the pad in line but can't give
        these out! appeal turned down
 151.5 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, no run, defended to the off side
 151.6 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, one run

End of over 152 (9 runs) India 618/4
Saqlain Mushtaq 41-4-187-1 (5nb) - North Pavilion End
Yuvraj Singh 31* (36b 5x4) SR Tendulkar 173* (319b 20x4)

 152.1 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 152.2 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 152.3 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 152.4 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 152.5 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, one run, on the middle and off,
        played away to the vacant mid wicket region, easy single
 152.6 Mohammad Sami to Tendulkar, no run, pitched up outside the off
        stump, driven straight to the cover fielder

End of over 153 (1 run) India 619/4
Mohammad Sami 33-3-107-2 (1nb) - Main Pavilion End
Yuvraj Singh 32* (40b 5x4) SR Tendulkar 173* (321b 20x4)

       Saqlain Mushtaq to continue
 153.1 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, fraction short, Yuvraj rocks
        back and pulls it away to the mid wicket fence, tremendous shot
 153.2 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, no run, tossed up outside the off
        stump, defended well
 153.3 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, pitched outside the leg
        stump and turning right across the left hander, Yuvraj defends and
        gets a thick edge down to the vacant third man region
 153.4 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, one run, turned away to the square
        leg region, yet another easy single
 153.5 Saqlain Mushtaq to Tendulkar, one run, on the middle and leg, goes
        right back and turns it wide of the short fine leg fielder
 153.6 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, one run

End of over 154 (9 runs) India 628/4
Saqlain Mushtaq 42-4-196-1 (5nb) - North Pavilion End
Yuvraj Singh 40* (45b 6x4) SR Tendulkar 174* (322b 20x4)

 154.1 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, no run, good length delivery outside
        the off stump, defended down the track
 154.2 Mohammad Sami to Yuvraj Singh, one run, fraction short outside the
        off stump, Yuvraj stands tall and drives it away to the deep cover
        region, just a single
 154.3 Mohammad Sami to Tendulkar, no run, pitched up outside the off
        stump, very close to the off stump line, driven past the bowler,
        mid off moves across the fields
 154.4 Mohammad Sami to Tendulkar, two runs, short outside the off stump,
        Tendulkar gets back and across and smashes it wide of the cover
        fielder, man in the deep covers quick ground and saves the four
 154.5 Mohammad Sami to Tendulkar, no run, way down the leg side, Moin had
        to dive to his left to collect the ball
 154.6 Mohammad Sami to Tendulkar, no run, superb delivery, short of a
        good length delivery, pitched outside the off stump and angling in
        sharply, Tendulkar is late to react and the ball beats him and
        goes over the stumps

End of over 155 (3 runs) India 631/4
Mohammad Sami 34-3-110-2 (1nb) - Main Pavilion End
Yuvraj Singh 41* (47b 6x4) SR Tendulkar 176* (326b 20x4)

 155.1 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 155.2 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, flighted delivery down the
        leg side, swept away to the fine leg fence, and with that Saqlain
        has given away 200 runs!
 155.3 Saqlain Mushtaq to Yuvraj Singh, one run, swept away to deep square
        leg, easy single
 155.4 Saqlain Mushtaq to Tendulkar, no run
 155.5 Saqlain Mushtaq to Tendulkar, two runs, dropped! was a hard chance
        but..., driven straight back at the bowler
 155.6 Saqlain Mushtaq to Tendulkar, one run, tossed up outside the off
        stump, driven down to long off

End of over 156 (8 runs) India 639/4
Saqlain Mushtaq 43-4-204-1 (5nb) - North Pavilion End
SR Tendulkar 179* (329b 20x4) Yuvraj Singh 46* (50b 7x4)

       Shoaib Akhtar is back
 156.1 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, two runs, short and wide outside the
        off stump, played away to deep backward of point region, comes
        back easily for the second
 156.2 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, no run, short rising delivery on the
        off stump line, awkwardly defended
156.3 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, no run, short delivery touch outside
        the off stump, pushed straight to the point fielder 156.4 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, no run, bouncer on the middle and leg,
        ducks under it comfortably
 156.5 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, legbye: FOUR, drifting down the leg
        side, ball flicks the pad and runs down fine
 156.6 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, one run, outside the offs tump,
        defended to the short third man area, easy single and Tendulkar
        retains the strike, 18 more for 200!

End of over 157 (7 runs) India 646/4
Shoaib Akhtar 30-4-105-0 - Main Pavilion End
SR Tendulkar 182* (335b 20x4) Yuvraj Singh 46* (50b 7x4)

 157.1 Imran Farhat to Tendulkar, two runs, tossed up outside the off
        stump, makes room, gets inside the line and drives it away to the
        deep cover region, Shabbir is the fielder in the deep
 157.2 Imran Farhat to Tendulkar, no run, defended to the point region,
        Tendulkar takes off for a single and is sent back, good throw
        comes in but Tendulkar gets back in time
  157.3 Imran Farhat to Tendulkar, two runs, driven down to long off,
        played well wide of the fielder who runs across quickly and saves
        two runs, it's Shabbir again
 157.4 Imran Farhat to Tendulkar, one run, turned away to the deep square
        leg region
 157.5 Imran Farhat to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 157.6 Imran Farhat to Yuvraj Singh, one run, outside the off stump,
        driven away to deep cover, easy single

End of over 158 (6 runs) India 652/4
Imran Farhat 5-0-26-0 - North Pavilion End
Yuvraj Singh 47* (52b 7x4) SR Tendulkar 187* (339b 20x4)

 158.1 Shoaib Akhtar to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, first Test fifty! short
        delivery on the middle and leg, pulled away to the mid wicket
        fence
 158.2 Shoaib Akhtar to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, pulled away to the deep
        point region
 158.3 Shoaib Akhtar to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 158.4 Shoaib Akhtar to Yuvraj Singh, one run, pitched up on the pads,
        clipped away to the deep square leg region, straight to the
        fielder
 158.5 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, FOUR, what a shot! short of a length
        outside the off stump, moves across, gets close and plays it away
        to the third man fence, beats the fielder in the deep
 158.6 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, no run, bouncer on the off, Tendulkar
        moves away late

End of over 159 (11 runs) India 663/4
Shoaib Akhtar 31-4-116-0 - Main Pavilion End
Yuvraj Singh 54* (56b 8x4) SR Tendulkar 191* (341b 21x4)

       this now is India's third highest Test score
 159.1 Imran Farhat to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 159.2 Imran Farhat to Yuvraj Singh, one run, short outside the offs tump,
        cut away to deep cover
 159.3 Imran Farhat to Tendulkar, no run, tossed up on the pads, defended
        to the leg side
 159.4 Imran Farhat to Tendulkar, one run, tossed up outside the off
        stump, comes down the track and drives it down to long on
 159.5 Imran Farhat to Yuvraj Singh, one run, played down to long on,
        Tendulkar gets the strike back
 159.6 Imran Farhat to Tendulkar, no run, turned away to the on side
End of over 160 (3 runs) India 666/4
Imran Farhat 6-0-29-0 - North Pavilion End
Yuvraj Singh 56* (59b 8x4) SR Tendulkar 192* (344b 21x4)

 160.1 Shoaib Akhtar to Yuvraj Singh, bye: FOUR, short delivery down the
        leg side, ball kept very low, Yuvraj moves away, ball beats the
        keeper and runs down
 160.2 Shoaib Akhtar to Yuvraj Singh, one run, short, on the middle and
        leg, played away to the vacant square leg region
 160.3 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, no run, good length delivery outside
        the off stump
 160.4 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, no run, pitched up outside the off
        stump, moves across and drives it down to the mid on region
 160.5 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, no run, short outside the off stump,
        left alone
 160.6 Shoaib Akhtar to Tendulkar, two runs, pushed to the gully region
        with soft hands, runs hard and gets the second run, fielder was
        bit late to react
End of over 161 (7 runs) India 673/4
Shoaib Akhtar 32-4-119-0 - Main Pavilion End
Yuvraj Singh 57* (61b 8x4) SR Tendulkar 194* (348b 21x4)

       Powar comes in with drinks and message from the captain
 161.1 Imran Farhat to Yuvraj Singh, no run
 161.2 Imran Farhat to Yuvraj Singh, no run, played straight to the short
        third man fielder
 161.3 Imran Farhat to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, tossed up outside the off
        stump, Yuvraj sweeps and gets a top edge down to the deep fine leg
        region
 161.4 Imran Farhat to Yuvraj Singh, no run, driven straight to the cover
        fielder
 161.5 Imran Farhat to Yuvraj Singh, OUT: gone! tossed up outside the off
        stump, driven back to the bowler, easy catch, soft dismissal,
        Imran Farhat strikes

       India 675/5, Partnership of 110
       Yuvraj Singh  c & b Imran Farhat  59 (66b 8x4 0x6)
       SR Tendulkar 194* (348b 21x4) Imran Farhat 6.5-0-31-1

       surprise! surprise! Dravid declares the innings and the players
        walk back
       Tendulkar is stranded on 194!

[achutank]

LN by the look of it Yuvi atually contributed in srt getting stranded. is that your take? or your take is something else?

[LosingNow]

LN by the look of it Yuvi atually contributed in srt getting stranded. is that your take? or your take is something else?

In the sense, could he have "rotated the strike more". Appears like he had a high propotion of 4s and I counted approx. 20 dot balls. You can call it contributed - if the instructions were to only play 14 overs after tea..because he hogged the strike (and he was productive given his SR, primarily helped by 4s) but could have helped his side MORE - if he had taken singles and given SRT the strike ;-)

[sudzz]

LN by the look of it Yuvi atually contributed in srt getting stranded. is that your take? or your take is something else?

In the sense, could he have "rotated the strike more". Appears like he had a high propotion of 4s and I counted approx. 20 dot balls. You can call it contributed - if the instructions were to only play 14 overs after tea..because he hogged the strike (and he was productive given his SR, primarily helped by 4s) but could have helped his side MORE - if he had taken singles and given SRT the strike ;-)

LN thats a tad unfair...almost all Indians tend to score in boundaries and therefore they tend to have high SR and they dont rotate the strike as often. YS was also guilty of doing the same.

All the same he could have take more singles and tried to push his mate toward the milestone.

Finally I think if the concerned parties all arrived at a patch up and things went on smoothly subsequently I dont think it is relevant in anyother context other than that of the book and what transpired at that instance.

I feel it does not cast any aspersions on either Dravid the Captain or SG the Captain or SRT the player etc, it was a decision taken at a point in time with a cause/outcome in mind .

[LosingNow]

LN thats a tad unfair...

Of course, it is unfair... that is why I used "you can call it contributed, if ..but..",  I do not say "he contributed".
Surely, I hope you are not interpreting my post as suggesting that YS definitely contributed to SRT's getting stranded.

[sudzz]

LN thats a tad unfair...

Of course, it is unfair... that is why I used "you can call it contributed, if ..but..",  I do not say "he contributed".
Surely, I hope you are not interpreting my post as suggesting that YS definitely contributed to SRT's getting stranded.

No I understood what you meant, I just felt that it was a slightly unfair assesment did not say it was your opinion

[123of]

IMO

[ Dravid made a blatant pitch for captaincy with this decision. he obviously needed something to make an entry to the court with, and with this declaration he found a vehicle. next we know the mob calls him courageous and what not. but the guy made a stake at the cost of another player.]

You like dravid and you needed to be told by mobs that he is courageous.


 [and nobody seems to mention the great strike rate when dravid was batting through out the pakistan tour.]

rd strike rate has been around even in tests and odds when ever required for the team [ very slow or slow , steady and fast as needed] I presume you love every win we had because  of his type of batting for the team or is it that you love every 100 made by other players at very entertaining sr never mind what the team needed

[i have great love for dravid as player and team member and as an indian. but certainly not as captain. he is not in the same league as SG or even SMG.]

I am happy you like dravid as player and team member and as an Indian even though you don’t understand him and take at face value that you like to see in him.

But me I respect him because I do understand the value he brings to the team and it is not, which is hyped and I like him as captain because you are right he is not in the same league as SG or even SMG.

He never will be, and what’s more Dravid whole career has shown he will follow his path and never change to gain few claps. Guys Dravid play's for long not some pretty cameos if you haven’t found that yet then well you will get more chance to not like him over the years.  I hope sg memory of captaincy will do for you.
rd had ma

3. Was RD's decision courageous - YES (because you are looking for team's interests and an icon is getting to a landmark).
4. Was RD's courageous decision absolutely needed - Perhaps NO (he could have given SRT a couple of overs when RP went in with the message)..but there is an element of hindsight = 20/20 here.
Bottomline : SRT could maybe have scored faster given the STAGE of the game..but when he didnt, RD could have given him a couple of more overs (with an ultimatum, if necessary). As with many mishaps, I doubt wrong intentions were at play here..more like mis-communication and a slight bit of insensitivity (some would call it misplaced bravado) on RD's part.

You haven’t seen rd insensitivity, in coming times we Indian fans are going to be shocked by his insensitivity toward individuals because all his care and love is going to go towards the team, and we Indians are not used to that concept at all.   

And I think many rd fans know this but i will write it,

Rd is hard, brutally practical, ruthless in his focus, emotionless towards hard work, and passionate but without hype toward his vision.

[An Indian team which works hard to become an competitive team, giving it the best chance of winning in all the series. WC bandwagon is media hype rd focus is the team in the long run, for teams are not built in one month nor for one tournament, its an ongoing process, and if the team is making positive progress it gives itself the best chance to do well in the different conditions. ]

And anyone coming in the way will not be spared.

And yes it'll be done. But what won’t be done is tall proclamation in the media and ridiculous acting on the field, for that you will have to go to your memories of one sg.

[123of]

rd had ma is mistake [no pun intended]

[3. Was RD's decision courageous - YES (because you are looking for team's interests and an icon is getting to a landmark).
4. Was RD's courageous decision absolutely needed - Perhaps NO (he could have given SRT a couple of overs when RP went in with the message)..but there is an element of hindsight = 20/20 here.
Bottomline : SRT could maybe have scored faster given the STAGE of the game..but when he didnt, RD could have given him a couple of more overs (with an ultimatum, if necessary). As with many mishaps, I doubt wrong intentions were at play here..more like mis-communication and a slight bit of insensitivity (some would call it misplaced bravado) on RD's part.]

You haven’t seen rd insensitivity, in coming times we Indian fans are going to be shocked by his insensitivity toward individuals because all his care and love is going to go towards the team, and we Indians are not used to that concept at all.   

And I think many rd fans know this but i will write it,

Rd is hard, brutally practical, ruthless in his focus, emotionless towards hard work, and passionate but without hype toward his vision.

[An Indian team which works hard to become an competitive team, giving it the best chance of winning in all the series. WC bandwagon is media hype rd focus is the team in the long run, for teams are not built in one month nor for one tournament, its an ongoing process, and if the team is making positive progress it gives itself the best chance to do well in the different conditions. ]

And anyone coming in the way will not be spared.

And yes it'll be done. But what won’t be done is tall proclamation in the media and ridiculous acting on the field, for that you will have to go to your memories of one sg.

[fineleg]

Many have suggested here that SRT was to blame for being selfish about the possible double hundred. That the decision to declare was a great decision, commendable singularly for the guts that it displayed.

Kban,
Wow! How long did it take for you to compile this thing and then type it up?

Applause - Neat.

IMO: RD made a small mistake - SRT was rightly irked. But they talked abt it, settled, over.
Let the media not keep pointing a mike to SRT during Ind-SA-SL series asking.....BTW in year XYZ, what do u think abt Multan or something? Hope media learns to move forward too.

[kban1]

DD, Ravi, FL

Thanks.

FL:

A good hour or so, lol --spend too much time on this DG. 

[fineleg]

DD, Ravi, FL

Thanks.

FL:

A good hour or so, lol --spend too much time on this DG. 

Many of us do! 

[dhruvdeepak]

thanks for your posts 123of - good to see how passionately you support RD

[123of]

thanks for your posts 123of - good to see how passionately you support RD

thanks dhruvdeepak

hope you enjoyed the comments

[rajesh]

Need to appreciate 123 for these very  true,timely and Nice few lines abt RD
[Rd is hard, brutally practical, ruthless in his focus, emotionless towards hard work, and passionate but without hype toward his vision]
Even though i disagree with RD's captaincy on certain decisions like
 1. Not Removing teh concept of anchor in ODi cricket  (KAif,Rao etc)
 2. Not aiming for results in 3rd test etc
I hope RD will one day be the best indian captain (World) ever as compared to any other cricketer, i feel he is more courageous and tactical on field .

[Aloo Kashmiri Ul Haq]

Need to appreciate 123 for these very  true,timely and Nice few lines abt RD
[Rd is hard, brutally practical, ruthless in his focus, emotionless towards hard work, and passionate but without hype toward his vision]
Even though i disagree with RD's captaincy on certain decisions like
 1. Not Removing teh concept of anchor in ODi cricket  (KAif,Rao etc)
 2. Not aiming for results in 3rd test etc
I hope RD will one day be the best indian captain (World) ever as compared to any other cricketer, i feel he is more courageous and tactical on field .

so what has be done that is worthy of note with regards to courage and tactics? sorry but it would take a lot from him to emulate sg the captain. of course rd the player to me has surpassed even tendulkar but in captaincy nah

how can you be passionate without showing emotions? jhakaas endurance then i must say. in fact let me add a bit on dravid's emotions. under his rein not only has he stopped expressing himself but he has also killed other player's views

[flute202020]

Need to appreciate 123 for these very  true,timely and Nice few lines abt RD
[Rd is hard, brutally practical, ruthless in his focus, emotionless towards hard work, and passionate but without hype toward his vision]
Even though i disagree with RD's captaincy on certain decisions like
 1. Not Removing teh concept of anchor in ODi cricket  (KAif,Rao etc)
 2. Not aiming for results in 3rd test etc
I hope RD will one day be the best indian captain (World) ever as compared to any other cricketer, i feel he is more courageous and tactical on field .

so what has be done that is worthy of note with regards to courage and tactics? sorry but it would take a lot from him to emulate sg the captain. of course rd the player to me has surpassed even tendulkar but in captaincy nah

how can you be passionate without showing emotions? jhakaas endurance then i must say. in fact let me add a bit on dravid's emotions. under his rein not only has he stopped expressing himself but he has also killed other player's views

so DY, you never met anyone who is very passionate but still never overtly showed their emotions?

[jaat69]

Need to appreciate 123 for these very  true,timely and Nice few lines abt RD
[Rd is hard, brutally practical, ruthless in his focus, emotionless towards hard work, and passionate but without hype toward his vision]
Even though i disagree with RD's captaincy on certain decisions like
 1. Not Removing teh concept of anchor in ODi cricket  (KAif,Rao etc)
 2. Not aiming for results in 3rd test etc
I hope RD will one day be the best indian captain (World) ever as compared to any other cricketer, i feel he is more courageous and tactical on field .

so what has be done that is worthy of note with regards to courage and tactics? sorry but it would take a lot from him to emulate sg the captain. of course rd the player to me has surpassed even tendulkar but in captaincy nah

how can you be passionate without showing emotions? jhakaas endurance then i must say. in fact let me add a bit on dravid's emotions. under his rein not only has he stopped expressing himself but he has also killed other player's views

so DY, you never met anyone who is very passionate but still never overtly showed their emotions?

Even Ivan Lendl was very passionate abt tennis. But did he inspire the younger generation-players?...No!
John McEnroe did.

[jaat69]

Dravid fans...sorry to disappoint you guys. But at the end of the day, he will only be remembered as a good batsman.......not a great Captain!
We are yet to see anyone of the league of Pataudi and SG.
Captains need to get the team on the move. Here the job is being done by GC by proxy.

[Aloo Kashmiri Ul Haq]

Dravid fans...sorry to disappoint you guys. But at the end of the day, he will only be remembered as a good batsman.......not a great Captain!
We are yet to see anyone of the league of Pataudi and SG.
Captains need to get the team on the move. Here the job is being done by GC by proxy.

agree with u completely. it's almost like the president running india instead of the prime minister!

flute, maybe it's a personal bias but at least we indians are not good at hiding emotions and i dont think people of other races are that expressive/emotional

[flute202020]

Dravid fans...sorry to disappoint you guys. But at the end of the day, he will only be remembered as a good batsman.......not a great Captain!
We are yet to see anyone of the league of Pataudi and SG.
Captains need to get the team on the move. Here the job is being done by GC by proxy.

jaat69 , in case you think otherwise, I am not trying to make the case that RD is a great captain or that he has great potential. I am holding my opinion on this. During 2003-04, I was vehemently against making RD captain, my reasons were 2 fold

1. SG has JD's ear and hence can get the right team. RD will not have the same support and so may not be effective.
2. RD, as a person, tends to go into a shell when faced with adversity, atleast during initial period of his career.
3. One positive I thought he had was that he is very keen about his cricket and hence may be he did be good at one field placements etc. He did not cover himself in glory so far in this aspect.

IMO, jury is still out on his credentials as a captain. Lets hope he performs for India's sake.

[ramshorns]

Dravid fans...sorry to disappoint you guys. But at the end of the day, he will only be remembered as a good batsman.......not a great Captain!
We are yet to see anyone of the league of Pataudi and SG.
Captains need to get the team on the move. Here the job is being done by GC by proxy.

Would you want to comment on the 13 straight finals we lost under SG at a point in time.

[jaat69]

But the GC-RD combination may yet be the ultimate combo!
Dravid is a devoted and hard-working.........an ideal character that an Australian master may be looking for as a medium to deliver his goods.