India in South Africa

[SaiSrini]

I think India will persist with Sachin. We have more faith in Sachin than anyone else. Same with me too. I still feel he can come up with a grt innings anytime.

Anyways,

http://cricket.indiatimes.com/indiainsaarticleshow/748264.cms

Looks like one innings of Ganguly has changed things quite some much between him and Chappell.. Never seen Chappell praise Ganguly so much. A big day for Ganguly's fans to see Ganguly's nemesis praise him like this.

I think Zaheer is definite. Same wit Pathan too. I think it will be Munaf if he is fit or Sreesanth who will fight for the third bowler's slot. Kumble is sure for the tests. I hope this duck is just an aberration for Saurav and a wake up call (just after one innings!lolz).

Its just a question of our top order. If they start firing, India can do well in the tests. The bowling is good, the lower order is good, things are pretty ok for us, except the top order. I know we can suddenly mess it all up but I am optimistic. I think we might put up a much better show in the tests than the ODI's this time. I wish Dravid is fit so we go in with a full strength side! Want to see us fight all the way even if we lose 3-0

And hey, I heard that Pollock and Ntini dont quite like bowling to the left handers and that Ganguly might be at an advantage. if thats the case, India should bring in Gambhir in place of Jaffer. We will have two left handers then, to exploit that slight weakness (if it exists).

 

[surendar]

And hey, I heard that Pollock and Ntini dont quite like bowling to the left handers and that Ganguly might be at an advantage. if thats the case, India should bring in Gambhir in place of Jaffer. We will have two left handers then, to exploit that slight weakness (if it exists).

The problem is both Pollock and Ntini are good in bowling bouncers which is the first weak point of Sourav!

If the openers by some means can take the shine off from the new ball, definetely our remainig batsmen wud be able to play the old ball well... Tendulkar definitely struggles a lot with the new red ball.... But once he settles and go past 30 then the sign of a ton is surely possible

Same way, if Sourav and Laxman settles down, they can play the whole day also especially Laxman!

 

[sohum]

As I said in the previous page, we should go in with the classical line-up. I would even go in with Pathan as the seventh batsmen and part-time bowler because it is quite clear that we will be going into these tests trying to draw them.

 

[surendar]

it is quite clear that we will be going into these tests trying to draw them.

shdnt we try to win them India's test performance is not that bad as ODIs! Oh...I think i am over optimistic on this!

The thing is, We have to try our level best and wait for the results rather than just giving up!

 

[Shevchenko]

India are a team with great potential but for me their structures are completely wrong, it's still a wonder that England still completes well in internationals, the reason why I am saying this is that India have too many sides playing in their domestic season, just like England. If you look at Australia, they have only got six sides compared to what 30 the Indians have in their domestic league, South Africa had 14 sides in their domestic league but they brought it down also to six sides, making it strength versus strength...the sooner India can do that, the better it will be for cricket. People are blaming the players, but it's not the players for me, it's the structure, and if this is the best side India has to offer, then I don't want to see the worst they have to offer

 

[Cricket_god]

India are a team with great potential but for me their structures are completely wrong, it's still a wonder that England still completes well in internationals, the reason why I am saying this is that India have too many sides playing in their domestic season, just like England. If you look at Australia, they have only got six sides compared to what 30 the Indians have in their domestic league, South Africa had 14 sides in their domestic league but they brought it down also to six sides, making it strength versus strength...the sooner India can do that, the better it will be for cricket. People are blaming the players, but it's not the players for me, it's the structure, and if this is the best side India has to offer, then I don't want to see the worst they have to offer

I Think this can be the strength of the indians in future.I do not agree with most experts who blame the no of teams our main concern is sub stanadard pitches and fans who only watch cricket for their idols they do not follow domestic cricket and the board is also not promoting domestic cricket.We have a duleep trophy between 4 teams .We just use the excuse that our system is wrong but the real problem is we have to except is lack of talent
and over hype .I think as south africa will struggle in india india will struggle in south africa .I think this team is a lot better than you think what for the test series i think they will put up a fight after that you can give your judgement

 

[Cricketman]

Okay, i do not understand why people are now starting to hamper tendulkar.
He is the only batsman who saved us some utter utter utter embarressment. Instead we got utter utter but still it's better :P
Good innings by Irfan. Specialist batter pl0x?!

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Yup. Only bowled 8 overs and scored a total off 151 runs in the game. Batter who bowls a bit, what did we say?

 

[Cricketman]

Lol, and to think he batted number 11 on his debut.

 

[cellinis]

Yeah but that's the problem, ain't it. The guy has a fantastic physique for a fast bowler. And when he started out, he was certainly a bowler with great potiential. Could swing it both ways with decent pace. Touched 140 mark now and then. And really, that's what India needed too.. a genuine quickie. Instead he now makes a 100 and bowls slower than Ganguly!

 

[cricket_lover]

It is quite difficult to see how India can win any of the tests. If the top-order performs, great! But i don't see SA giving it in easily, especially with their strong batting line-up.

India will need a collective effort from both the batsmen and bowlers. You cannot afford to rely on one/two ppl anymore. VRV, Sreesanth, Zaheer may edge-in, and Pathan might be left out. Between Kumble/Bhajji, i believe the veteran will get the nod.

 

[surendar]

It is quite difficult to see how India can win any of the tests. If the top-order performs, great! But i don't see SA giving it in easily, especially with their strong batting line-up.

India will need a collective effort from both the batsmen and bowlers. You cannot afford to rely on one/two ppl anymore. VRV, Sreesanth, Zaheer may edge-in, and Pathan might be left out. Between Kumble/Bhajji, i believe the veteran will get the nod.

I dont think Pathan will be dropped especially when we are struggling a lot in batting

It is quite difficult to see how India can win any of the tests.

If Indian players dont go with the negative thoughts definietly chances are there... I have observed in many occasions, India play with negative thoughts and get themselves in trouble!

eg : 1) Champions trophy match Vs Australia 2) Long time back, match(finals) Vs SriLanka where they were above to chase 230 only in premadasa and played with full negative thoughts that slow behaviour of pitch will ruin them and got ruined by Dilshan infact! Poor Sachin was battling alone in that match!

So mind game comes first before cricket in which we have to be confident and strong!

 

[cricket_lover]

I dont think Pathan will be dropped especially when we are struggling a lot in batting



If Indian players dont go with the negative thoughts definietly chances are there... I have observed in many occasions, India play with negative thoughts and get themselves in trouble!

eg : 1) Champions trophy match Vs Australia 2) Long time back, match(finals) Vs SriLanka where they were above to chase 230 only in premadasa and played with full negative thoughts that slow behaviour of pitch will ruin them and got ruined by Dilshan infact! Poor Sachin was battling alone in that match!

So mind game comes first before cricket in which we have to be confident and strong!

Indeed. mind games do come into play. Right now, Only Australia are capable of beating SA in SA (and they've done so).

NO matter how much we've impressed (the bowling), i don't see it a lethal combination. I hope i'm proved wrong.

 

[Cricket_god]

I dont think Pathan will be dropped especially when we are struggling a lot in batting



If Indian players dont go with the negative thoughts definietly chances are there... I have observed in many occasions, India play with negative thoughts and get themselves in trouble!

eg : 1) Champions trophy match Vs Australia 2) Long time back, match(finals) Vs SriLanka where they were above to chase 230 only in premadasa and played with full negative thoughts that slow behaviour of pitch will ruin them and got ruined by Dilshan infact! Poor Sachin was battling alone in that match!

So mind game comes first before cricket in which we have to be confident and strong!

I think India will Draw The series South Africa Is not The same force in tests as in odis because pollock is not effective in tests as much as in odis .there
batting is also struggling not every day lower order will bail you out.

 

[puddleduck]

Right now, Only Australia are capable of beating SA in SA (and they've done so).

England also beat them in South Africa the last time we were there