Australia tour of India (Feb '17/Mar '17)

[zwarrior]

Have a feeling that the drop off Saha could be the game changing moment. Games like this are made of fine margins and the momentum could well be with India right now. If they get a lead of around 30-50 runs, they've the game more or less sealed.

No way we can get lead of 50. Cummins and Haze will clean up within first 30 minutes. And even if we manage to get 50 runs lead, it won't be enough. Batting last, one would require 100 runs to negotiate. Smith will probably ton up again. We have lost this one. Rahane should have played till the end.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

No way we can get lead of 50. Cummins and Haze will clean up within first 30 minutes. And even if we manage to get 50 runs lead, it won't be enough. Batting last, one would require 100 runs to negotiate. Smith will probably ton up again. We have lost this one. Rahane should have played till the end.

I've said this a lot of times and I'll say it again- Sure, if you block and prod around, you can save the odd test but not win cricket matches. Don't get me wrong, I think KL Rahul is being a bit reckless with his game currently but the batters can take a leaf out of Ashwin's book. I think he batted superbly and simply got out to a good delivery. At least he tried to wrestle the initiative for India. I'm not trying to say Pujara is a bad player or doesn't deserve his spot BUT guys like Rahane and Vijay don't suddenly need to start batting like him. Rahane was all over the shop today. His head is clearly not in the right space. The short ball has him hopping and he frankly doesn't know what he's doing! I've never understood the big deal about Bangar, but people say he's good. I think Kumble needs to take Jinx aside and remind him of the world class player he is.

 

[zwarrior]

I've said this a lot of times and I'll say it again- Sure, if you block and prod around, you can save the odd test but not win cricket matches. Don't get me wrong, I think KL Rahul is being a bit reckless with his game currently but the batters can take a leaf out of Ashwin's book. I think he batted superbly and simply got out to a good delivery. At least he tried to wrestle the initiative for India. I'm not trying to say Pujara is a bad player or doesn't deserve his spot BUT guys like Rahane and Vijay don't suddenly need to start batting like him. Rahane was all over the shop today. His head is clearly not in the right space. The short ball has him hopping and he frankly doesn't know what he's doing! I've never understood the big deal about Bangar, but people say he's good. I think Kumble needs to take Jinx aside and remind him of the world class player he is.

When did I say Rahane has to bat like Pujara ? I said he should have made a big one today and stayed on the other end.

 

[Bigby Wolf]

I've said this a lot of times and I'll say it again- Sure, if you block and prod around, you can save the odd test but not win cricket matches. Don't get me wrong, I think KL Rahul is being a bit reckless with his game currently but the batters can take a leaf out of Ashwin's book. I think he batted superbly and simply got out to a good delivery. At least he tried to wrestle the initiative for India. I'm not trying to say Pujara is a bad player or doesn't deserve his spot BUT guys like Rahane and Vijay don't suddenly need to start batting like him. Rahane was all over the shop today. His head is clearly not in the right space. The short ball has him hopping and he frankly doesn't know what he's doing! I've never understood the big deal about Bangar, but people say he's good. I think Kumble needs to take Jinx aside and remind him of the world class player he is.

Rahane ever since the 188 against NZ hasn't looked good got out playing bizzarely against England in the 3 test matches he played in that series before getting injured. Though he played well in the 2nd innings at Banglore.

 

[SaiSrini]

Good day for Australia, but India are still very slightly in it. Considering how the first session is helpful for the seamers, Jadeja needs to bat very very carefully tomorrow morning (I am more confident in Saha because of his batting style which tells me he will do his best to stay in there) if we need to grab a lead here. And as someone said here, a lead of 30-50 might not be enough on this pitch. Something close to 100 is what is required for India to be really in front. Anything less and I would say it's even stevens.

Excellent test pitch so far. Something in it for everyone. Dharmashala has produced a ripper!!

I know I am going to get a lot of stick for this but overall this series, I haven't been much impressed with Rahul. Yes he has scored runs but he gives plenty of chances to the fielders/bowlers. He doesn't quite carry the aura that say, Pujara does. Australia haven't capitalised on the chances that they've been given. I feel one series or the other, he will run out of this luck and look bad. There's a difference between being aggressive and being reckless and imo, Rahul falls in the latter category. India can do better than him.

Rahul used to be known in domestic cricket for being a marathon player who has a penchant for playing really huge innings (just like Pujara). Somewhere he has done a U-turn on his batting style (probably for IPL, I don't know) and because of that, you see this streak of carelessness often seeping through. I believe with some experience and luck, hopefully maturity will set in for him and he can be a force for India in test matches. Right now, I do see Rahul going the long run for India in test cricket.

 

[Saroj padhy]

Brad Hodge doubts IPL's role in Kohli's Dharamsala Test absence | Cricbuzz.com

Money > Country

 

[Aalay]

Good day of cricket but we lost 2 wickets too many at the end. I will start with Rahul who has looked the best out of all the Indian batsmen in this series but his inability to convert 50's into a big score is hurting India. I think this was his 5th half century of the series and he again thjrew it away. Good inning by Pujara too but we needed him to stay a little longer. I thought Rahane will be the most comfortable batsman out of all Indian batsmen on this wicket just because he loves playing on the pitch with pace and bounce on it. But again, he hasn't been in a good form. Now Jadeja and Saha needs to bat very well tomorrow to help us get ahead in this game. I feel we need a lead of 60+ on this pitch.

Brad Hodge doubts IPL's role in Kohli's Dharamsala Test absence | Cricbuzz.com

Money > Country

What a load of rubbish. Kohli is one of the most passionate guy I have seen playing for India and it comes as absolute no suprise that this comment came from an Aussie and is posted by you who thinks everyone else apart from Gambhir is evil in India.

 

[CerealKiller]

What a load of rubbish. Kohli is one of the most passionate guy I have seen playing for India and it comes as absolute no suprise that this comment came from an Aussie and is posted by you who thinks everyone else apart from Gambhir is evil in India.

I can't see another reason to why he didn't take a risk to win the series, apart from not wanting to miss IPL

 

[Satan666]

Brad Hodge doubts IPL's role in Kohli's Dharamsala Test absence | Cricbuzz.com

Money > Country

Wow this explains alot. I was perplexed as to why Kohli declined to play the test, very unbecoming of a chracter like him. Guess just like most players today chose T20 over test crciket. Also the Indian administration and fans place T20 on a higher pedestal than Tests so all the stakeholders in Indian cricket encourage this.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

When did I say Rahane has to bat like Pujara ? I said he should have made a big one today and stayed on the other end.

No, No mate I'm not contradicting you. I'm just saying he was a walking wicket today, Jinx. Has been for a while. Just utterly confused.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I can't see another reason to why he didn't take a risk to win the series, apart from not wanting to miss IPL

I can understand it. It's hard to gauge on the outside but it's pretty clear that the team management has some protocols under Kohli and Kumble. That's why no Shami, that's why no Kohli. They're not looking at an isolated test, they're trying to establish a long term policy. If you notice, unlike MSD, Kohli has brick by brick managed to create a pool of test cricketers now. MSD was a bit more Aussie in his approach where he was set in his ways of a designated XI in his head and only replacements would come in if there was a forced hand. Under Kohli it's more horses for courses.

Like I said, Kohli is looking to establish some protocols and looking to leave behind a very very solid foundation and legacy to build on where team comes above any individual or milestone. He wants everyone to know that even he is not indispensable. This has nothing to do with the IPL, please. Kohli makes 25 crores from the IPL and that's peanuts for him at the moment. Also, franchises are very liberal with payment to marquee players. Even if they miss an entire season because of injury, they get their pay. So this has nothing to do with IPL.

 

[CerealKiller]

I can understand it. It's hard to gauge on the outside but it's pretty clear that the team management has some protocols under Kohli and Kumble. That's why no Shami, that's why no Kohli. They're not looking at an isolated test, they're trying to establish a long term policy. If you notice, unlike MSD, Kohli has brick by brick managed to create a pool of test cricketers now. MSD was a bit more Aussie in his approach where he was set in his ways of a designated XI in his head and only replacements would come in if there was a forced hand. Under Kohli it's more horses for courses.

Like I said, Kohli is looking to establish some protocols and looking to leave behind a very very solid foundation and legacy to build on where team comes above any individual or milestone. He wants everyone to know that even he is not indispensable. This has nothing to do with the IPL, please. Kohli makes 25 crores from the IPL and that's peanuts for him at the moment. Also, franchises are very liberal with payment to marquee players. Even if they miss an entire season because of injury, they get their pay. So this has nothing to do with IPL.

Do you think they'd risk losing the series just because of this supposed policy?

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Do you think they'd risk losing the series just because of this supposed policy?

Yes. Like I said, they want to leave a 7-10 year legacy. Create a work ethic. Also, Kohli's confidence is such that in his head India have already won the series.

 

[Aalay]

I can't see another reason to why he didn't take a risk to win the series, apart from not wanting to miss IPL

His father died when he was 18 years old and still went on to play a match saving inning for Delhi the very next day and saved his side from losing and you are telling me he is not passionate enough to play for his country? Give me a break!

The only reason of him not playing this match would be he is not confident that he will last 5 days and if he breaks down in the middle of the match, India would be clearly at a disadvantage playing with only 10 players.

 

[zwarrior]

Brad Hodge doubts IPL's role in Kohli's Dharamsala Test absence | Cricbuzz.com

Money > Country

Lol. As expected from you.

Anyone who understands Kohli should know that his passion is representing India in cricket. Just Google the amount of money he gets. What he will be getting from IPL is tiny for him.

He and jumbo believe in setting up some rules. If you are not fully fit, you are not playing. That's why even shami isn't playing. Doesn't matter if you are a star bowler or captain. Rules are rules and everyone should follow that.

This is just another reason for haters to get on top of it. Lol. I feel so pity for you guys who is waiting for chance to bash him. Like some crazy obsession.[DOUBLEPOST=1490586172][/DOUBLEPOST]

No, No mate I'm not contradicting you. I'm just saying he was a walking wicket today, Jinx. Has been for a while. Just utterly confused.

Rahane hasn't been the same ever since his injury.