RAIN GOD HELPS INDIA - 1st TEST - LORDS
England started off very well, helped to some extent by an indiscplined bowling from Zaheer, Sreesanth & RP Singh. Infact Indian were lucky when part time bowler Sourav Ganguly picked the first wicket. Andrew Strauss played well for his 96, helped by composed innings from Vaughan. At one point of time 400 was a cake walk for England but Indian bowlers Sreesanth, Zaheer & RP Singh did very well to restrict Engand to 298 (Ist Innings).
Indian innings faced major setback when Dinesh Kartik and Rahul Dravid fell early for 5 & 2. Tendukar started off very well but fell to a normal ball from Anderson. Weakness in the Indian middle order was once again exposed by rookies of England. James Anderson & Sidebottom established that they are ready for the bigger league claiming 5 & 4 wickets respectively. Sachin, Rahul, Ganguly & Laxman failed to prove that experience matters. Once again Indian batting was powerful only on paper. India need to think about inducing some fresh & young players in a phased manner. Sachin, Rahul and Sourav are in the last lap of their international career and it would be in their interest to plan their retirement. Indications of the trio's era nearing its end is very visible.
England were in a very dominant position with the first innings lead of 97 runs. Kevin Pieterson was too good for the Indian Bowlers. He played a aggressive knock of 134 helped by quick knock of 42 runs from Matt Prior. England made 282 in their second innings setting a target of 380. KP gave England a healthy advantage - only three times has more than 380 been chased down in a Test. Indian made a shaky start, Wasim Jaffer was removed by Anderson for 8. Karthik looked very determined not to give it away. Dravid was unlucky for having been adjudged leg before when he was struck outside the line of off stump. Tendulkar failed to read the straighter 
one from Monty Panesar and was out for 16. Tendulkars joins the mortals list. Kartik & Ganguly kept the spirits alive by holding the wickets at the close of fourth day. England removed Kartik & Ganguly pair early on the first session of fifth day. Laxman & Dhoni carried on wih decent partnership when Laxman was bowled by Tremlett for 39. A sensibe knock from Dhoni helped India reach till tea but wickets were tumbling on the other end. Five minutes before tea Mahendra Singh Dhoni, with a valiant 76 to his name, and Sreesanth were offered the light after surviving five overs against Monty Panesar and Michael Vaughan. Dhoni & Sreesanth who gleefully accepted.
one from Monty Panesar and was out for 16. Tendulkars joins the mortals list. Kartik & Ganguly kept the spirits alive by holding the wickets at the close of fourth day. England removed Kartik & Ganguly pair early on the first session of fifth day. Laxman & Dhoni carried on wih decent partnership when Laxman was bowled by Tremlett for 39. A sensibe knock from Dhoni helped India reach till tea but wickets were tumbling on the other end. Five minutes before tea Mahendra Singh Dhoni, with a valiant 76 to his name, and Sreesanth were offered the light after surviving five overs against Monty Panesar and Michael Vaughan. Dhoni & Sreesanth who gleefully accepted. Rain god helped India as play could not resume after tea and the match was abandoned. India escaped with close shave. India will have to bring in youngster as the truth is evident that Sachin, Rahul, Sourav, Laxman & Kumble are to old for the game.
EXPERIENCE CANNOT WIN MATCHES, ONLY PERFORMANCE CAN.
