Abinhav Mukund – 5: Looked a decent prospect in compiling 49 in the 1st innings even if he was visibly uncomfortable against Tremlett’s extra bounce. Castled twice by Broad off inside edges.
Gautum Gambhir – 4: His recent struggles at Test level continued – he has now gone 20 innings without recording a hundred. Another of India’s walking wounded.
Rahul Dravid – 9: Immaculate exhibition of technical excellence to hold India’s 1st innings together, record his 33rd Test hundred and go past Ponting to become the second highest run scorer in Tests. Looked as good, if not better, than his skipper behind the stumps.
Sachin Tendulkar – 5: Failed in his final attempt to get on the Lord’s honours board thanks to some excellent England bowling that first becalmed him in each innings and then stole his wicket.
VVS Laxman – 5: Gifted his wicket in the 1st innings and then struck an attractive fifty on the final day before again giving it away with a lazy pull.
Suresh Raina – 6: Bounced back well from a 1st innings duck to compile a brave 78 second time around to justify his inclusion ahead of Yuvraj.
MS Dhoni – 4: Fell both times to Tremlett with the second new ball – the first dismissal was tentative and the second was shocking given his side were fighting to save the game. Not at his best behind the stumps and even gave himself 10 overs with the ball. Rumours that he also makes the tea in the dressing room are so far unfounded.
Harbhajan Singh – 3: A game to forget for Bhaji. Went at more than four runs an over in the 1st innings, only took one wicket in the match and scored 0 and 12.
Praveen Kumar – 8: He may not be the quickest, but Kumar showed his mastery of swing with a five wicket haul in the 1st innings. His performance was all the more impressive given Zaheer’s injury. He may find conditions at Trent Bridge to his liking.
Zaheer Khan – 5: Won his first duel with the England openers and had both Trott and KP in real trouble before departing with a hamstring injury. India’s chances of fighting back in the series probably depend on the timing of his return.
Ishant Sharma – 6: Innocuous in the 1st innings, but absolutely brilliant in his pre-lunch spell on Sunday when he brought India roaring back into the game.
Where next?
1st Test: Lord's - England marks out of 10
The rehabilitation of Stuart Broad
Kevin Pietersen, Wally Hammond, Len Hutton and Test double hundreds
Zaheer Khan: He came, he saw, he conquered....he got injured
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Seems you have ruled out Sachin from playing in the 2014 tour. That was very bold. :P
Overall, with Zaheer injured and Harbhajan proving ineffective India were always in trouble.
Posted by: Sid | Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 06:26
I personally feel that Tendulkar will give his last hurrah at the 2013 test championships and I would be shocked if it isn't at Lords (wherever that's the final or the whole thing). So I reckon he could have one more crack at it.
Posted by: Joe | Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 10:04
Harbhajan given at least 3 too many.
Posted by: Howe_zat | Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 21:01