The Dance

Did you see those Zim kids’ dance? They kept patting their hearts, that was the groove. Then there was another kid who patted his shoulder. If Zimbabweans can dance like that, their batsmen gotta use their feet more often, just like they did today.

India’s openers were stuck within the crease lines, like it was some Laxman rekha drawn by MSD (which they could only leave once he returned). Vijay left the lines, naturally he got run-out.

And did you see the kids’ dance? The little black kid with the big eyes in the oversized pullover – there is something to Zim cricket when they win, their people get happy like they wanna embrace what happy is. It’s beautiful, really is.

On Bored: Amit Mishra fast catching up with Bhajji

For Murali Vijay.

This will be the first test that Murali Vijay will play with Gautam Gambhir. The two tests before this, Vijay played thanks to Gambhir’s elbow and sister. Also, those two tests Vijay opened the batting with Sehwag. This time, Vijay will bat in the middle order, unless of course Gambhir does him another favour.

Usually there’s this slotting of players – opener will only open, and if a middle order slot is vacant (as with VVS’ finger going AWOL) then a middle order player takes over – here it could’ve meant either Rohit Sharma or Dinesh Karthik being given a shot. Thankfully not so.

Vijay, now here’s what you do: If you make it to 87, as you did last month in Mumbai, try not to play across, go straight for that 100.


On Bored: Look (M Vijay again)