India’s problem with back 5

As Jason Gillespie proved so competently, Indian bowlers lack the finishing touch when it comes to dismissing tailenders. Gillespie’s i...

As Jason Gillespie proved so competently, Indian bowlers lack the finishing touch when it comes to dismissing tailenders. Gillespie’s innings of 26 from 165 balls at Chennai was the longest stay at the crease by an Aussie batsman through the entire series in terms of balls faced. The four Tests saw Gillespie face 362 balls, which was more than 100 to that of VVS Laxman’s tally.

Before the South African series starts, here’s a brief history of India’s tailend problem…

Dion Nash
Wellington, 1998-99
89 not out off 230 balls in 298 minutes
137-run partnership with Daniel Vettori (57) for the eighth wicket Hamilton, 1998-99
63 off 114 balls in 169 minutes
147-run partnership with Chris Cairns (126) for the seventh wicket
Kanpur, 1999-2000
41 off 100 balls in 136 minutes
83-run partnership with Chris Cairns (53) for the eighth wicket

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Shoaib Akhtar
Rawalpindi, 2004
28 off 14 balls in 20 minutes
Added 42 runs with Fazl-e-Akbar (12) for the eighth wicket
Lahore, 2004
19 off 75 balls in 89 minutes
Added 48 runs with Umar Gul (14) for the eighth wicket

Tony Mann
Playing his first series, the leggie troubled the Indians during the 1977-78 series in Australia. In the first Test he had scores of 19 and 29 batting at No.7, but he is most remembered for his knock in the second Test. Sent in as nightwatchman at No.3, Mann scored 105 to help Australia win the Test and the series.

Wasim Bari
No one doubted Bari’s skills behind the wickets but with a career average of 15 his ability with the bat was always suspect. But against India during the 1978-79 series he scored his highest Test score of 85.

Uttarakhand rain: 12 in Chamoli go missing as buildings collapse, rescue ops underway

India59 min ago

At least 12 people have gone missing in Uttarakhand after a rainfall-triggered debris slide hit Nandnagar of Chamoli district early on Thursday, bringing down several buildings. The administration and rescue teams have reached the spot to search for the missing individuals.

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