Kiwis will pose a tough challenge to Team India

Looking at the ICC ratings for the test and ODI formats and you'll be forgiven to think that India are one of the top teams in the world. Results have certainly been convincing with series win over England and Sri-Lanka (twice) in the ODI format but in the test format it can still improve.

India emerged with a lot of credit despite losing the test series against Australia down under. Then came a very lucky draw against the South Africans at home before a Mendis-Murali combination put paid to Indian hopes of a win in Sri-Lanka. Beating Australia and England helped, although these were results at home and you can't say that was Australia's best team. As for England, that they played was a miracle in itself given what had happened few weeks before that, away from the game.

So now, team India will go to New Zealand to win only their second series (I think) for around 41 years. It really is a staggering statistic. If we are to serious lay a marker to being the first team in the test format, this statistic must be changed so that we can say we have won another series there. There is something about this Kiwi team, everytime I think they are going to the dogs just like Zimbabwe, Kenya etc they manage to surprise you. On paper, team India with their heavy batting experience in Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman and Sehwag look impressive along with the best fast bowling duo at the moment in Zaheer and Ishant according to Srinath and the bowler now a referee knew a thing about taking wickets. But team India is such that the moment we think they should kick there comes a setback or two. Even in the home series win against Australia and England, they struggled to create a momentum and needed time to impose themselves against their opponents. The ODI series should be edging more towards India although the Kiwis known for their liveliness in the field will certainly put more pressure.

I am looking forward to seeing Gambir in particular impress in conditions different to that found on the sub-continent. Sehwag will be his usual (if he hits it off, he will be the difference between a win and a draw or even the difference between a win and a loss). Much will be expected of Tendulkar and Dravid who will most likely play here for the last time given how much contempt is shown towards the Kiwis when it comes to arranging tours but all I expect from them is resillence and support towards the lesser known players. It is time for Gambir and Yuvraj to step up. In the bowling I don't expect the spinner to play a big role so Bhajji will strictly work as somebody to contain rather than attack.

It certainly be exciting!

IPL auction- An assessment

It certainly didn't generate the buzz as it did last year, but the second IPL auction took place in Goa couple of days ago. Interest generally revolved around Peitersen (isn't it always) and Flintoff: who would go that extra mile to pay for their name on their team sheet.

In the end, Flintoff went to the Chennai Superstars and will certainly provide a boost to them even though he is there only for 3 weeks. The England player is in my opinion one of the finest bowlers in international cricket. He can get you a wicket when called upon and/or bowl with an accuracy that most batsmen struggle to disrupt. Add his ability to thump more than a few runs, his safe catching in the slips and you have an all rounder who is a team player.

The same cannot be said about Peitersen, I'm afraid who was snapped by the Bangalore team owned by Mallya. It seemed quite obvious that Mallya wanted the man to spark a team that was desperately short of players that fitted the format of the game. Going purely on heuristical thinking, I can't seem to think of many games where Peitersen has been a key in 20-20 games and his batting although statistics indicate is consistent, can certainly be questioned. Cast your mind back to the game at Cuttack against India in 2008, he raced to 16 off 8 balls yet ended the game with an unbeaten century that failed to push England towards a match winning score. Even today, many England fans would blame Bell's dismassal in the second innings for their humiliating defeat but me personally thinks that the blame should go purely to Peitersen's shoulders for the manner he got out in the first innings. Of course there is the Peitersen who led many counter-attack operations but it will certainly be interesting to see how he copes in working in a team that is more tuned to working hard as opposed to just showing flamboyance in every ball they try to place.

I was suprised Sakib-al-Hasan wasn't snapped up, especially since Bopara who I would say has done less in recent times got picked by the Punjab team. The non-selection of Stuart Clark, a McGrath-esque accuracy was also a shock but it has to be said that he has had limited success in this format. Duminy's current form certainly raised his profile and his signing should add more youth to a Mumbai team. While the bidding was more competitive for Mortaza I still think he should do well, however it must be said that his signing was more to boost fan base for the Kolkata team. Ashraful failed to get a higher price however at $50,000 he is a steal for the Mumbai Indians and I think this format will give him a freedom to play his natural attacking fame. Don't be surprised if he does exceedingly well especially at the price he was signed.

A final word and that goes on the non-availability of the Pakistani players. It is a shame. It really is. Especially when you consider that the winners of the first IPL, Rajasthan Royals depended a lot on Tanvir, it is sad that politics should interfere in sports to this extent.