India in England Jun-Sept 2014

[aditya123]

A small consolation for India with Ballance's wicket, to end a nightmare of a first day. England still have a lot of batting and are capable of posting 350-400 on this pitch. Aaron with his two wickets should hopefully earn enough bowling for tomorrow. Pankaj Singh to me looks another one of those "domestic bullies, international pussycat" type. Bhuvi and Aaron have to slog it out between themselves mostly for the wickets.

Pankaj Singh has been unlucky not to get any wickets so far. However, he seems to lose a lot of steam too quickly. For someone of his build, he should be at the batsmen all the time. Sadly, I don`t see him being an international bowler of any pedigree. Yadav has to come into the fray instead of Pankaj and then we may well have a decent pool of bowlers. Shami might not have been good in this series but if he can get back to rhythm as well, our pace stocks don`t seem too bad. We can only afford one bowler in the low 130s bracket and that too if he is a highly skilful one.

Yadav, Aaron, Ishant, Shami and Bhuvi should be our core that we should rotate with. Ashwin has looked okay so far. I hope Dhoni and Co. have`nt gone in thinking its all lost already. A good first session tomorrow may well get us back in the fray. Aaron and Bhuvi would be my strike bowlers while I would bowl Jadeja early on against Jordan as well. I sense India will stay in the game with an interesting first session tomorrow. England to be bowled out for 240-odd.

 

[richowebbo]

I reckon that England gaining a lead of anything in the range of 100-120 would be the best case scenario that India would be hoping for. If that happens, I see something of a fighting chance for India. A lead over 150 will mean only 1 result possible.[DOUBLEPOST=1407435687][/DOUBLEPOST]
You might have not visited this thread during those times (1st and 2nd test). There was a lot of criticism going on even after the Lord's win, by Indian fans themselves.

I did visit, and there was a lot of gloating during the match. Maybe after both tests not so much. Just so you know, I wasn't having a go, just thought I'd get a conversation going! If your team is wining, gloat away!

 

[aditya123]

Still here ... since u r missing the gloating Indian spirit so much ... lets get it going again ... The test team don't seem to be giving us any, but since its good performances in Cricket we are looking to gloat about ... How many World Cups have England won?

To be fair to this current side, a majority of whom are on their first tour to England, we are still 1-1 a day into the first test. I might be harsh on them and critical of some of our selections but if we can manage to not lose 3-1, we might come out with our heads held high. Most sides take multiple attempts to win their first test series in India for example. This side would go into the Oval test with a chance to level the series. For most test sides playing overseas, especially for the first time that would be a decent effort.

 

[richowebbo]

Still here ... since u r missing the gloating Indian spirit so much ... lets get it going again ... The test team don't seem to be giving us any, but since its good performances in Cricket we are looking to gloat about ... How many World Cups have England won?

Yeah, I don't have much of an argument there fella! However, this is a test series!

I still think Inidia are in with a shout here. We are great at collapses and batting fourth on this wicket is going to be tough, especially as you've finally picked Ashwin!

 

[PokerAce]

Yeah, I don't have much of an argument there fella! However, this is a test series!

I still think India are in with a shout here. We are great at collapses and batting fourth on this wicket is going to be tough, especially as you've finally picked Ashwin!

Doesn't matter, the pinnacle of all cricketing achievement, as in any other sport is the World Cup. To be fair England can be very proud of the performances since Lord's. They have won 15 straight sessions in tests, rarely if ever happens. And while all kinds of possibilities are always around, England are firmly in control here.

Having said this, since you missed the gloating so much, I just thought I will slip that little question in

 

[PokerAce]

To be fair to this current side, a majority of whom are on their first tour to England, we are still 1-1 a day into the first test. I might be harsh on them and critical of some of our selections but if we can manage to not lose 3-1, we might come out with our heads held high. Most sides take multiple attempts to win their first test series in India for example. This side would go into the Oval test with a chance to level the series. For most test sides playing overseas, especially for the first time that would be a decent effort.

Look that is not a right attitude. There is not point in saying 2-1 is better than 3-1. Its not. Some case could be made for a drawn series being better than a lost series, that is fair enough, but to say lets lose 2-1 instead of 3-1 is going nowhere.

The reason why I am pissed with the first innings is it effectively rules out the possibility of an Indian win, unless England have a monumental collapse, unlikely. India aren't so poor that they need to start finding consolation in the margin of defeat.

 

[aditya123]

Yeah, I don't have much of an argument there fella! However, this is a test series!

I still think Inidia are in with a shout here. We are great at collapses and batting fourth on this wicket is going to be tough, especially as you've finally picked Ashwin!

I agree. However, to put all the optimism from Indian fans in perspective, we have the tendency to allow huge partnerships develop ever so often. We are one big partnership away from being shut out of this game. To be in with any chance, we have to bowl England out for close to 250.[DOUBLEPOST=1407438425][/DOUBLEPOST]

The reason why I am pissed with the first innings is it effectively rules out the possibility of an Indian win, unless England have a monumental collapse, unlikely. India aren't so poor that they need to start finding consolation in the margin of defeat.

We are not that bad but we have managed available resources horribly badly.

 

[grkrama]

I did visit, and there was a lot of gloating during the match. Maybe after both tests not so much. Just so you know, I wasn't having a go, just thought I'd get a conversation going! If your team is wining, gloat away!

nah just that when england bat and india bowl its drab multiplied exponentially, so it may be a bit quiet around. though may watch once butler comes in.

seriously indian fans are the best critics of the team none can beat us there, a lot of us did cherish that victory i think there is a difference between gloating and enjoying a victory,what most here did was enjoyment.

Gloating would be calling england are very bad, they suck etc like some are throwing around across now at india, that eng has got the upper hand. Saying ishy mishy performed well its just enjoying the moment.

 

[richowebbo]

nah just that when england bat and india bowl its drab multiplied exponentially, so it may be a bit quiet around. though may watch once butler comes in.

seriously indian fans are the best critics of the team none can beat us there, a lot of us did cherish that victory i think there is a difference between gloating and enjoying a victory,what most here did was enjoyment.

Gloating would be calling england are very bad, they suck etc like some are throwing around across now at india, that eng has got the upper hand. Saying ishy mishy performed well its just enjoying the moment.

To be fair England did suck in the first 2 matches!

What is the general thinking between India fans of what to do with Kohli? Surely he's making himself unselectable?

 

[richowebbo]

I agree. However, to put all the optimism from Indian fans in perspective, we have the tendency to allow huge partnerships develop ever so often. We are one big partnership away from being shut out of this game. To be in with any chance, we have to bowl England out for close to 250.[DOUBLEPOST=1407438425][/DOUBLEPOST]

We are not that bad but we have managed available resources horribly badly.

I've been utterly shocked at India's non-selection of Ashwin. Last time I saw him play in a test he was immense.

I'm not convinced we'll reach 300. All depends on what Ali does. If he can stick around with Bell, get to 250, let Butler come in smash it about, that would put you out of the game. But Butler is still young in terms of test cricket and is due a poor score! I thought Dohni played very well for you guys today.[DOUBLEPOST=1407442874][/DOUBLEPOST]

Doesn't matter, the pinnacle of all cricketing achievement, as in any other sport is the World Cup. To be fair England can be very proud of the performances since Lord's. They have won 15 straight sessions in tests, rarely if ever happens. And while all kinds of possibilities are always around, England are firmly in control here.

Having said this, since you missed the gloating so much, I just thought I will slip that little question in

I would argue that the pinnacle for Cricket in England is the Ashes, not the World Cup. I actually think that 50 over cricket is dead.

I think the win at Southampton was huge for the new guys' confidence. They hadn't won a test yet, remember. I still think its going to the wire, this one.

 

[grkrama]

What is the general thinking between India fans of what to do with Kohli? Surely he's making himself unselectable?

Nobody better than boycs to put it clearly
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VD: The second question comes from the UK under the name CZ. The question is: Geoffrey, I know you have been a big fan of Virat Kohli. He has failed by his own standards and potential so far in the series and hasn't lived up to his name. What do you think is the error here and how does he rectify it?

GB: Personally I don't think he has any errors. I think he's still a superb young batsman and getting out is just part of cricket. For all those who like his batting, like me, you just have faith in him and have patience. His outstanding ability has not disappeared because he's got out. He's got out five times now, he's had a 30-odd, a 20 and he's failed. But that is cricket. His dismissals - if he got out with really poor shots all the time then I'd be worried about him. But they've not really been that poor shots. I mean you can say every time you got out as a batsman, "Look, I could've done that a bit better, I could've moved my feet there, I could've played a bit closer to my body." But there's nothing particularly wrong with his batting. You just have to accept sometimes that bowlers bowl good balls and bowlers have good days.

I think he's having a little trot of form where he's not the best player in the side or is not scoring the most runs in the side. But it happens in cricket. He's had success - he got a hundred against South Africa, a hundred in Australia, he's done well in the IPL and he's had a lot of good things said about his batting. Now he's just going to have to experience the other side of cricket which will be a test of his mental strength and character as he has a few failures. And I know he's desperate to get a hundred in England. The great players all liked to get hundreds everywhere so they can say in their CV, "Listen, I've done well in Australia, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka. I'm not just a player who gets runs at home." Yes, he's desperate for it but he'll just have to suffer a little bit like all of them have to. We've all had moments where we can't make runs but, trust me, he's still a top player. Just not making runs at the minute.

VD: Recently he's been seen getting out mostly outside the off stump. He left a ball in the Lord's Test that went on to hit his off stump. So do you think something is wrong with his judgement outside the off stump or it seems fine right now?

GB: No, I don't. Look, I'm always telling you that if bowlers bowl at a fair pace around off stump, three or four inches outside on a fairly fullish length, it will cause problems to every batsman in the world. It's caused problems in the past to every batsman, it will cause problems in the future to every batsman because we have no second line of defense, we can't get our pads in the way. It's difficult and especially when you first come in, that's where you should bowl at all batsmen. We're all vulnerable around off stump, fullish length, three or four inches outside in that little corridor, [it's] very difficult and he's just like everybody else. He's not doing anything wrong. People are bowling good balls and he's getting out to them. Another time you'll find he'll get runs and he'll get a lot of runs. It's not disappeared, it's just part of cricket. Trust me, there's nothing wrong with his batting.

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He was due a bad run, that's all. he will be back among runs soon.

 

[richowebbo]

Nobody better than boycs to put it clearly
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VD: The second question comes from the UK under the name CZ. The question is: Geoffrey, I know you have been a big fan of Virat Kohli. He has failed by his own standards and potential so far in the series and hasn't lived up to his name. What do you think is the error here and how does he rectify it?

GB: Personally I don't think he has any errors. I think he's still a superb young batsman and getting out is just part of cricket. For all those who like his batting, like me, you just have faith in him and have patience. His outstanding ability has not disappeared because he's got out. He's got out five times now, he's had a 30-odd, a 20 and he's failed. But that is cricket. His dismissals - if he got out with really poor shots all the time then I'd be worried about him. But they've not really been that poor shots. I mean you can say every time you got out as a batsman, "Look, I could've done that a bit better, I could've moved my feet there, I could've played a bit closer to my body." But there's nothing particularly wrong with his batting. You just have to accept sometimes that bowlers bowl good balls and bowlers have good days.

I think he's having a little trot of form where he's not the best player in the side or is not scoring the most runs in the side. But it happens in cricket. He's had success - he got a hundred against South Africa, a hundred in Australia, he's done well in the IPL and he's had a lot of good things said about his batting. Now he's just going to have to experience the other side of cricket which will be a test of his mental strength and character as he has a few failures. And I know he's desperate to get a hundred in England. The great players all liked to get hundreds everywhere so they can say in their CV, "Listen, I've done well in Australia, South Africa, England, Sri Lanka. I'm not just a player who gets runs at home." Yes, he's desperate for it but he'll just have to suffer a little bit like all of them have to. We've all had moments where we can't make runs but, trust me, he's still a top player. Just not making runs at the minute.

VD: Recently he's been seen getting out mostly outside the off stump. He left a ball in the Lord's Test that went on to hit his off stump. So do you think something is wrong with his judgement outside the off stump or it seems fine right now?

GB: No, I don't. Look, I'm always telling you that if bowlers bowl at a fair pace around off stump, three or four inches outside on a fairly fullish length, it will cause problems to every batsman in the world. It's caused problems in the past to every batsman, it will cause problems in the future to every batsman because we have no second line of defense, we can't get our pads in the way. It's difficult and especially when you first come in, that's where you should bowl at all batsmen. We're all vulnerable around off stump, fullish length, three or four inches outside in that little corridor, [it's] very difficult and he's just like everybody else. He's not doing anything wrong. People are bowling good balls and he's getting out to them. Another time you'll find he'll get runs and he'll get a lot of runs. It's not disappeared, it's just part of cricket. Trust me, there's nothing wrong with his batting.

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He was due a bad run, that's all. he will be back among runs soon.

I hope so. I just hope it comes after the England series!

I remember watching him play when you were here last and he looked frightening for such a young player. I have also watched him in T20's and he looks fab.

Nasser Hussain did a good bit on the Devils channel, about how square on to the ball he is getting. Looked like he was doing it to try and judge the swing from Jimmy Anderson, but its just not working for him.

Regardless of what happens in this series, I still think you have some excellent young players and they will be extremely hard to beat in India. Rahane looks like a superb player.

 

[grkrama]

he just needs to leave more like he used to dont know why he is trying to block balls on 5 th stump, more of a temperamental thing than technical i guess, once he gets that sorted he should be back on runs, . Its a given indian players will perform at home, but overseas we are going to have to rely on vijay, pujara,kohli and rahane to fire, which apart from rahanae and vijay has nt happened this series.Lets see how it goes.

 

[barmyarmy]

Most the Indian posts I've read have been from members convinced they were going to lose 5-0. I thought we could beat them in pessimism but after the last 6 days of cricket not so sure.

 

[Satan666]

Doesn't matter, the pinnacle of all cricketing achievement, as in any other sport is the World Cup. To be fair England can be very proud of the performances since Lord's. They have won 15 straight sessions in tests, rarely if ever happens. And while all kinds of possibilities are always around, England are firmly in control here.

Having said this, since you missed the gloating so much, I just thought I will slip that little question in

The T20 world cup or ODI world cup? Cricket differs from the recently concluded world football cup since there are three different formats of cricket played!

Since following cricket I have noticed that many commentators, writers, coaches, managers and players themselves saying that test cricket is the pinnacle of cricket in general.