Bravo spoils an Indian party
Entertaining cricket at Lord's, but it's from the other team
Chirag Makwana
14-Jun-2009
Dwayne Bravo: out of the park • Associated Press
Why I picked this match
I have supported India since I started watching cricket in 1995. I have always remained a passionate fan. Even after the defeat today, I have faith in the team to shine and go further into the tournament. Let's hope we beat England.
I have supported India since I started watching cricket in 1995. I have always remained a passionate fan. Even after the defeat today, I have faith in the team to shine and go further into the tournament. Let's hope we beat England.
Key performer
No doubt Dwayne Bravo was the star of the day, taking four wickets and scoring a classy Caribbean-style half-century. He batted with no fear and put the Indian bowlers to the sword. Sending him in at No. 4 turned out to be an excellent move. Yuvraj Singh also played a great knock under pressure.
No doubt Dwayne Bravo was the star of the day, taking four wickets and scoring a classy Caribbean-style half-century. He batted with no fear and put the Indian bowlers to the sword. Sending him in at No. 4 turned out to be an excellent move. Yuvraj Singh also played a great knock under pressure.
One thing I'd have changed about the match
India won the toss and decided to bat first. I thought chasing might have been a better option. MS Dhoni should have taken a more positive approach when he was batting. Also, sending Suresh Raina in at No. 3 against a fiery Fidel Edwards may not have been the best idea considering his flaws against quick short bowling.
India won the toss and decided to bat first. I thought chasing might have been a better option. MS Dhoni should have taken a more positive approach when he was batting. Also, sending Suresh Raina in at No. 3 against a fiery Fidel Edwards may not have been the best idea considering his flaws against quick short bowling.
Face-off I relished
Harbhajan Singh v Chris Gayle. A quality bowler against a dominant batsman. Everyone expected Gayle to fire, but Harbhajan's maiden over in the Powerplay overs to Gayle made the Indian crowd go wild.
Harbhajan Singh v Chris Gayle. A quality bowler against a dominant batsman. Everyone expected Gayle to fire, but Harbhajan's maiden over in the Powerplay overs to Gayle made the Indian crowd go wild.
Celebrity spotting
Sachin Tendulkar and Dilip Vengsarkar were outside the ground, surrounded by fans. Also spotted were Alec Stewart, Neil Burns and Farookh Engineer.
Sachin Tendulkar and Dilip Vengsarkar were outside the ground, surrounded by fans. Also spotted were Alec Stewart, Neil Burns and Farookh Engineer.
Wow moment
At the fall of Lendl Simmons' wicket, Bravo came on strike and the very next ball he was down the track to Pragyan Ojha and deposited him for six over long-on. To have that confidence must be amazing.
At the fall of Lendl Simmons' wicket, Bravo came on strike and the very next ball he was down the track to Pragyan Ojha and deposited him for six over long-on. To have that confidence must be amazing.
Crowd meter
The crowd was great. Even though on the day there were four teams playing, 60% of the crowd was following India. The was good banter and great cheering. There were many attempts to get a Mexican wave going but it wouldn't. It's a shame India couldn't pull off a victory give the number of fans who had turned up to see them.
The crowd was great. Even though on the day there were four teams playing, 60% of the crowd was following India. The was good banter and great cheering. There were many attempts to get a Mexican wave going but it wouldn't. It's a shame India couldn't pull off a victory give the number of fans who had turned up to see them.
Entertainment
All the entertainment of the day came from the ground; we got to see some excellent cricket throughout the day. The cheerleaders were not as good as those we had in the IPL. Considering the crowd was mainly male, it doesn't make sense to have two male cheerleaders and one female cheerleader.
All the entertainment of the day came from the ground; we got to see some excellent cricket throughout the day. The cheerleaders were not as good as those we had in the IPL. Considering the crowd was mainly male, it doesn't make sense to have two male cheerleaders and one female cheerleader.
Overall
It was a good day out, people were out in excellent numbers, the weather was brilliant and the cricket was top notch.
It was a good day out, people were out in excellent numbers, the weather was brilliant and the cricket was top notch.
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