Sportskeeda Awards for the 2nd Ind-Aus Test

The chief architects

Another huge overseas defeat just got inflicted on the Indian team. Time to spot the hits and misses and award them appropriately. The Sportskeeda awards for the 2nd Test at the SCG

JIT: Just in Time: A term known to engineers. That just about describes the knocks made by Gambhir and Laxman in the 2nd inning. They managed to save face and their spots for the upcoming Tests. It might not be time to call it quits exactly, for Laxman. But, still his 66 might just prolong his career by a few more Tests though there aren’t any replacements on hand. Gambhir nudged his way to 83 though it must be said, there were some attractive shots through the off side. Class is one commodity that Gambhir hasn’t been blessed with. His shots are hard on the eye and don’t exactly earn brownie points on the aesthetic scale.

Oh no not again: Sachin Tendulkar annoys as much as he enthralls. Another Test has gone by. Couple more beautiful knocks cut short cruelly by innocuous dismissals. The wait for the 100th century must be among the most distracting for the little master and the effect is rubbing off on the other lesser mortals in the team as well.

Is he a batsman who bowls part-time?: That’s the question which describes R.Ashwin’s exploits on this tour. The man has looked solid with the bat every time he has walked in. The uncanny resemblance to Laxman’s style is another highlight. The pitches have not exactly aided his bowling and the way he moves on the field is embarrassing for a 25 yr old. Yet, he has made a mark in a bizarre way. Good for the team. They crossed 400 largely thanks to this man.

Bowling machine: He runs in all day long. His style is predictable. His emotions are also predictable. Yet, he keeps getting wickets. Ben Hilfenhaus has made a solid comeback to the Test setup.

Nightmare within a dream: James Pattinson had a great 1st inning, struggled in the 2nd inning and found himself ruled out of the series, all in one Test. One helluva ride indeed.

Rising up the ranks: Peter Siddle notched up his 100th Test wicket in this Test. His other team mates have been hogging the limelight with 5-fors and big 100s. But, this man continues to be passionate and he enjoys the sniff of the battle, thoroughly.

Mr.Perfect: The way Michael Clarke went about this Test. Not a step wrong. A huge 329, brave declaration, the wicket of Sachin, all the right words in the press. Once in a lifetime Test, indeed for the Pup

Still kicking ass: Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey used the previous Test as the perfect stepping stone to greater things. I predicted centuries for them and they delivered right away. Their celebrations on reaching the landmark showed just how hungry and desperate they are to kick ass, even now.

What an easy way to grab the headlines

Long way to go:His tantrums with the middle finger and his continued failures prove that Virat Kohli just doesn’t belong to the Test level, as yet. Long way to go.

The tricks are exhausted: The X factor, the luck factor etc. etc have run out. M.S.Dhoni is encountering the cruel realities of captaincy now. Uninspiring field placements, innocuous bowling changes. A wave of negativity surrounds this man’s captaincy review nowadays.

Expiry date crossed: Brad Haddin. Numerous drops, spills, need not even mention his batting. Goodbye mate.

That wraps it up for this Test