India

Michael Vaughan: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"I reckon you might [have had to] bat No.8 in this Indian team."

Michael Vaughan is convinced that Phil Tufnell could bat as high as No.8 in the current Indian Test team. Tufnell has a Test average of 5.10 and a highest score of 22.

What he really meant:

“It doesn’t matter what order the Indian tailenders turn up in, the end result would be the same.It might be a better idea to reverse the batting line-up. The bottom five might just last 20 overs with the new ball.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I wonder why Dhoni doesn’t do a Bedi and declare after the fall of the sixth wicket.”

MS Dhoni wins hearts: Team India fail second Test

Of the two sides fighting for the No.1 Test spot, only one stepped up to the plate; that side was not India.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni won hearts with his sporting act on the third day of the second nPower Test series.

His team’s performance, however, raised a lot more questions.

Johnny Lever is Vaselined all over

Fanning the Spirit of Cricket: Mahi lights the way

If the Spirit of Cricket were a kite, then we all know who should be holding the strings, sending it soaring into the stratosphere.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni made Indians (and connoisseurs of the game) proud with his decision to rescind the contentious appeal made against Ian Bell at the break of tea on the third day of the third Test at Trent Bridge on Sunday, the 31st of July, 2011.

The contrast between the two sides was not more readily apparent than last evening.

One side has gone to town with allegations about ‘bat-fixing’ with Vaseline to fox ‘Hot-Spot’, the other exhibited that the spirit of the game was more important than winning at all costs.

Spirit of Dhoni transforms jeers into cheers

Rahul Dravid: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“In days of my backyard cricket, I was either a Gavaskar or a Vishwanath.”

Rahul Dravid is justifiably proud of equalling Sunny Gavaskar’s record of 34 Test centuries in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

What he really meant:

“Those were my childhood heroes. Neither kept wickets though. (Or did they?)”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’m unsure what to do next: Commentate or select (the Indian squad).”

Shammi Kapoor and Tim Bresnan: Doppelgangers

Sreesanth: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Silence is the speech of the spiritual seeker. I am spiritual now.”

Shantakumara Sreesanth attributes his serene behaviour in the second Test at Trent Bridge to his newly discovered spirituality.

What he really meant:

“Sreesanth, the Peaceable, trumped Sreesanth, the Terrible.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’m the new Dalai Lama.”

Ronnie Irani: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Go and play like Pietersen plays.”

Ronnie Irani is convinced that the Indians were not quite aware of their No.1 status and were overawed by the occasion in the first Test at Lords. They were way too defensive and much too passive. The former English cricketer exhorts them to take the bull by the horns and “play like KP does.” He adds: “They are the No 1 cricketing nation and if they don’t attack, England will tear apart their mental state.”

What he really meant:

“For the No.1 side, the Indians were not quite fearless enough.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Flex your six-pack (if you have one) every chance you get.”

“Naive” Monty Panesar takes flak from Andy Flower