Australia's Tour Of India - 2008

[tassietiger]

I can actually find slow cricket interesting. When Australia were really struggling with the bat earlier on in the series and having to bat slowly, those innings were captivating to watch, just hoping that someone could pull through and bat well. But when you are actually certain one team is not in it to win, and just wants a draw, it's actually impossible to find it interesting. It had a bit of success in Haddin falling asleep while batting being the way he got out.

 

[manee]

I can actually find slow cricket interesting. When Australia were really struggling with the bat earlier on in the series and having to bat slowly, those innings were captivating to watch, just hoping that someone could pull through and bat well. But when you are actually certain one team is not in it to win, and just wants a draw, it's actually impossible to find it interesting. It had a bit of success in Haddin falling asleep while batting being the way he got out.

I think India are in it to win definately. It is hardly criminal to eliminate the opposition from the contest in a series deciding match, is it?

 

[Leggie]

As much as today was a match deciding day, I think tomorrow is more of amore deciding day Simpy because it all depends on how the Indians approach this innings, If we get off to flyer (My view of a flyer right now is Sehwag and Murali getting off to a blazing start, and if one of them get out then Dravid would have to get out straight away to retain the momentum via Sachin - Bit harsh but oh well). If we lose a couple of quick wickets then we will probably be forced to go ont he defensive...And that would probably make us bat into day 5 - If we survive that long. Australia will probably be looking to bowl India out for about200-250 as anymore than that is asking for a tall run rate, and that won't be easy on the last day to Bhajji and Co.

 

[tassietiger]

I think India are in it to win definately. It is hardly criminal to eliminate the opposition from the contest in a series deciding match, is it?

India reduced their chances of winning today, just for the sake of avoiding the loss. It's not criminal at all, England were notorious for it. I just think with the bowling attack India have, they should be attempting to rip through our lineup and seal a much more convincing series win - it's not like Australia have really been impressive enough in the previous three tests to suggest we could win here.

 

[karnog]

I think if anyone is under more pressure to perform its Rahul Dravid. I heard Mark Waugh say it might be his last innings and i have to agree. Do you want an old guy hopelessly out of form (and for a long time) or you want a talented yet unproven wannabe in the team (who is young)? Sink or swim for the visitors and Dravid.

EDIT: I'm torn with India's strategy. It was both defensive and aggressive. Defensive in its essense but considering the situation where Australia would need to take their chances they would take the punt to go across their stumps just to score any runs. By doing that they would have a better chance of taking wickets if Australia took the initiative. They didn't so Dhoni had to change tactics. If it were the second innings and Australia needed a whirlwind of runs i'd consider it.

 

[Adarsh]

The tactics worked. End of. 8 Aussie wickets in a day for not many runs...India were in real danger of giving away a lead, but to bowl em out for 300 odd after they were 190/2 is brilliant. India look like the side more likely to win from this stage. That's what you're aim is in a cricket match, to put your side in a better position to win than the opposition and you do what you've got to do. Some days, some pitches, this works, and today it did.

I hear some of you Aussies going "if Aus were in this situation they wouldn't have done this " etc...well, how does that matter. India are out to play their style not copy Australia. This might win them a series against a side that has won 9 series on a trot (tho they aren't what they used to be admittedly).

 

[angryangy]

I think India are in it to win definately. It is hardly criminal to eliminate the opposition from the contest in a series deciding match, is it?

Who was it who recently said India need to demonstrate more responsibility? It's like that great phrase Stan Lee attached to Spiderman; with great power comes great responsibility. If India seek to be the dominant power in Test cricket, they will be its executors if this is how they play when their nuts are on the line.

Actually, I could probably let it go to some extent, except that you can pull news articles from the last 12 months where India have criticised Australia for tactics that are substantially less defensive. We've had so much banter focussing on the character of players, arrogance and the spirit of cricket in this time and now we know what that means. Nothing.

 

[manee]

India reduced their chances of winning today, just for the sake of avoiding the loss. It's not criminal at all, England were notorious for it. I just think with the bowling attack India have, they should be attempting to rip through our lineup and seal a much more convincing series win - it's not like Australia have really been impressive enough in the previous three tests to suggest we could win here.

Not sure I am totally getting you. India picked up eight wickets in a day and attained a first innings lead of 86; that is a positive result out of the day. The defensive tactics have not harmed India's prospects of winning, imo, as they have merely strangled Australia from playing their natural game which is to score freely at about 3.5 runs an over rather than hampered a possible Indian win. This is a flat pitch and it is a top effort to get eight wickets in a Day.

India should not be attempting to gain a 2-0 if it opens up completely the possibility of 1-1 - a series win here is more crucial than this single game. After the embarassment against South Africa in India, India need to retain the position of India being an impenetratable fort and a series win, will do that, even if it is 1-0.

 

[nikhil_99]

India would like to declare when they will have around 350 lead,and if they get it around tea,they might declare then,lets see,because the pitch is turning and will help spinners.

 

[Adarsh]

India reduced their chances of winning today, just for the sake of avoiding the loss. It's not criminal at all, England were notorious for it. I just think with the bowling attack India have, they should be attempting to rip through our lineup and seal a much more convincing series win - it's not like Australia have really been impressive enough in the previous three tests to suggest we could win here.

What?! Picking up 8 wickets for 160 odd and they've reduced their chances of winning ?! No way. At the end of the days play yesterday if you told any team in that position that they'd take 8 wickets , wrap up the innings and come out with a handsome lead....they'd be delighted.

The end justifies the means.

Adarsh added 2 Minutes and 2 Seconds later...

India would like to declare when they will have around 350 lead,and if they get it around tea,they might declare then,lets see,because the pitch is turning and will help spinners.

I don't think so. India will try and get a lead of 400 and give the Aussies a day to get it...Australia will have no option but to go for it if they're to win.

 

[SciD]

Finally India gives Aussies their medicine. Boring bowling and not leting batsman score runs.:happy

 

[Chetan0304]

One thing i know is whatever India give up Aussies to chase the Australians are going to come up with Do or Die Situation they must have a thinking that anyhow we have lost the series why not give a effort and play lie T20 Man this is what i want to see the last day !!!

 

[Adarsh]

The bottom line, however, is that the end justified India's means.

The guys at Cricinfo have resorted to stealing my lines now...

 

[jkartik]

such defensive play is also one of the reasons why the people dont turn up
in the stands. its better to sit in your air conditioned room on your comfy couch
than struggling in the heat with no proper food, sitting and drinking arrangements and watching batsmen shoulder arms all day !!!

 

[tassietiger]

Not sure I am totally getting you. India picked up eight wickets in a day and attained a first innings lead of 86; that is a positive result out of the day. The defensive tactics have not harmed India's prospects of winning, imo, as they have merely strangled Australia from playing their natural game which is to score freely at about 3.5 runs an over rather than hampered a possible Indian win. This is a flat pitch and it is a top effort to get eight wickets in a Day.

India should not be attempting to gain a 2-0 if it opens up completely the possibility of 1-1 - a series win here is more crucial than this single game. After the embarassment against South Africa in India, India need to retain the position of India being an impenetratable fort and a series win, will do that, even if it is 1-0.

All of the pitches looked flat when India batted on them. Australia's bowling attack is an oxymoron in itself. In the other tests, India bowled superbly to Australia, taking wickets and restricting the run rate by doing so. It was a fine display and it would make sense not to change that winning formula. But Dhoni did. With the finish line in sight, and an easy way to avoid pitting his team's already-displayed skills against an underperforming Australian batting lineup, he got his bowlers not to attack the stumps.

I see what you are saying, it worked in the sense that it got 8 wickets in a day. But this was because Australia were forced into attacking. Why couldn't India have gone the tried method of bowling Australia out, and piling runs on top of their innings lead, giving themselves four sessions to bowl out Australia, who are chasing a ridiculous target? There was a win for the taking, and Dhoni chose to protect the series lead. Australia wouldn't have done it.