India managed to pull off a sensational victory in the Chandigarh ODI!.What a response by the team ,when they had their backs to the wall. I mentioned in my last blog about the Tendulkar and Ganguly factor .Well,it is corroborated yet again .
The openers laid a solid foundation for the middle order to capitalize.Tendulkar , I think really brought all his experience into play ,and played a sheet anchor role ,after having the rub of the green on his side . He still has a lot to offer to Indian cricket . Ganguly , looked relatively better and played some gorgeous shots . Its been an incredible nine months for Ganguly ,since his comeback against South Africa. Both stalwarts have one thousand runs in the calender year in 25 and 26 games respectively.Dhoni made some really good moves in this game .Promoting Yuvraj and himself higher up the order was a tactical , that paid off in the end . The last over bowled by Bracken was quite critical to the outcome of the match ,where he was clobbered for 20 .

The wickets of Symonds and Hayden were the turning points . Full credit to the men in blue , for they kept their nerves even when everything looked over for them .Moreover, the 48th over by Kartik ensured , the Aussies have an impossible 17 runs to get , from tail enders. From the Aussie's point of view , they should be dejected to lose the game from a position of strength ,25 were needed off 19 ,with a set Symonds at the crease. The Aussie game plan is very much revolving around pyrotechnics of Symonds and controlled aggression from Hayden .Gilchrist has not quite fired at the top and has thrown ,when he looked set for a big one .Aussies were hurt with the sundries conceded, they would have this at the back of the mind the next game .

In addition to this ,Brad Hodge should make way for the inform Haddins . Hodge is clearly struggling

The IPCL ground in Vadodara is a typical high scoring venue .The last time India played here ,the little champion got an unbeaten 100, and India scoring 340 , So,the Mumbai maestro has fond memories of this ground.Interestingly, the team batting second has won four times out of seven.

India should again believe in batting first,which has won them numerous matches ,if they win the toss.


A run feast awaits though!