India in the West Indies

[SaiSrini]

Whatever it is, India have the ability to play on wickets that favor the bowlers. What better example than Headingley 2002 where Dravid and Sanjay Bangar bravely stitched up a huge partnership on a seamer's wicket. You need the patience to survive out there in tough conditions. I am sure the Indians can survive, provided they show the patience.

VVS Laxman needs to improve upon his first test batting. He plays reckless shots and gets out when well set and its going to hurt him. Dravid and Jaffer can stay in there as a wall with Sehwag giving the early impetus to the scoring. Yuvraj needs to apply himself more. Kaif can bat at this level as he has the required amount of patience.

Should be an exciting test, and hoping for a result (in favor of India)!!!

Well after the pitch they produced before where I think 3 Bangladesh batsmen scored 100s the curator obviously was under pressure to prepare a pitch that would produce a result rather than a high scoring draw.

Pathan will be perfect on this pitch especially if India can win the toss. On the flip side Bradshaw will be a handful on this wicket and Collymore if he is fit will also prove difficult.

And also, we need our captain to take the right decision after winning the toss. That is also there to think about!

in tests, i agree. Agarkar can be wayward at times, while Hoggard is quite decent. The thing with hoggard is that, once he gets hit for few boundaries, he tends to lose that line (thats common with most bowlers though).

Back to the match..

It would be better for India to go with two spinners (Bhajji and Kumble). I don't think Powar will be that effective, but he might get a chance as well. I don't think the grass will stay for that long time, but considering the over-cast conditions, Pathan will play a big role.

I read another report, that the pitch is alternating between rough patches and sprinkling of grass. Then may be an additional spinner can come into play on the final days of the test. If so, then Kaif/Yuvraj got to be dropped and Harbhajan taken in. Its a tough choice to make. Kaif batted pretty well in the previous test, while Yuvraj has cemented his spot in the test team with good performances so far.

 

[cricket_lover]

There isn't a v-bookie event for India vs WI test series result.

Yuvraj might get the nod (incase INdia go for 5 bowlers). He played really well in the Karachi test, and seems comfortable with the moving ball.

 

[sohum]

ToI reports that Harbhajan is "injured", without the quotes. I didn't read the article, though.

 

[aussie1st]

Yea that report is true, if he'll be fit to play who knows. But Powar would help out with the batting and give India another spinning option. Yuvraj has to stay as he can bowl a few extra overs and is good in the field.

 

[cricket4life]

There isn't a v-bookie event for India vs WI test series result.

Yuvraj might get the nod (incase INdia go for 5 bowlers). He played really well in the Karachi test, and seems comfortable with the moving ball.

Buddy let me tell u one thing. That Karachi inning from Yuvraj was not that special. I saw that match. He was dropped like 5 times. That time it looked like Pakistani players wanted Yuvraj to get hundred. He played well for 50 but the other 50 was not that great. He edged too many fours and simple catches were dropped.

 

[cricket_lover]

Not just that Karachi test, but also in Lahore 2004 when he scored a century. He played decently in the Mumbai test as well.
The bottom line is, he's scoring in difficult conditions and is in a very good knick in both versions of the game.

 

[blackleopard92]

yuvraj is a stroke maker, and would defn fail on any swinging ball.
He plays away from his body way too much.

One reason he is suceeding, apart from misfields, is the fact that he has recently been playing in the 'V'.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Sehwag on fire! 3 boundaries in 4 balls against Taylor! 39 now after 8 overs. The Monk doesn't seem to be in a very forgiving mood...

The Monk has brought up a rollocking 33 ball fifty with a six over long off off Bravo's bowling!
WOOO!!

Never mess with the Monk

 

[viral1991]

21 runs off Bravo's over! Sehwag has brutally murdered him, India are on a flyer!

Honestly, in the past couple of innings, his footwork has been positive, and he has been looking in good touch! I hope he makes a big 100, silencing his critics the way Tendu does, ie., with his bat!

 

[ZoraxDoom]

You gotta feel for Bravo. Off a five wicket haul and a fifty, and he gets battered for 27 runs off two overs...

 

[blackleopard92]

sehwag is like a bright flash.
Burns anything , but for a short time.

 

[Yorkshire_No1]

Can't believe the run rate. For a moment I thought it was a one day game (I was checking the score on BBC website)

 

[viral1991]

You gotta feel for Bravo. Off a five wicket haul and a fifty, and he gets battered for 27 runs off two overs...

It might also have been a plan, smashing Bravo right from the start to reduce his morale & thereby reducing his form! If he continues like this, then he might just reach 300 today!

He is on 74!

 

[James_W]

A century before Lunch?

 

[gamerkid22]

ya he is on 74 off just 46 ball