India in the West Indies

[jdbais]

Do you really think the Indian batsman will be troubled by Samuels and Gayle?

 

[aditya123]

I don`t think Lara will even think of declaring before a 400 lead.
He might have declared on a lower score had he got the likes of Walsh and Ambrose to turn on to.
This game is heading on to a draw , whether it is a dull draw or an exciting one like th last 2 tests remainst to be seen.
India`s chances in these big run chases start and end with Sehwag as we have mentioned a few times in the past few months.

And, good to se VVS back to some form and a timely hundred for the side.
.We`d have been in a big hole had he failed this time
He is India`s crisis man and we need him firing to win test matches.

 

[sohum]

Lara won't declare at a time when both teams have a chance of victory, if his batting yesterday was anything to go by. At the end of Day 3, he talked to Dean Jones and said, "We wanted to get into a position where only one team could win it." I happen to agree with Ian Chappell when he said, "That is a rubbish way to play test cricket." It would have been understandable had their been no rain delays, as a team is always trying to bat once in a test match, but it was and is up to the two teams out their to make a game out of it.

 

[cricket_lover]

Do you really think the Indian batsman will be troubled by Samuels and Gayle?

How many overs will they bowl? all 24? What will Taylor, Collymore and Bravo do? graze animals?

They can share a 15 over load, and the rest, the spinners can bowl.

Like i said, Lara's decision is not bad at all. Its very much valid.

 

[sohum]

Lara has no desire to make this a sporting game. He'd much rather have a dull draw than make the game exciting and likely to go either way. Oh well.

 

[jdbais]

WI have declared. Lead is 391 and there are 89 overs left to play. I don't think India will go for it but you never know with Sehwag.

 

[SaiSrini]

There's not much that anyone else would have done in Lara's situation. He just did not have the Bowling Ammunition to enforce the follow-on.

In my opinion both teams just don't have the bowling attack to get 20 wickets on a Normal Wicket.

Only way Windies can get 20 Wickets would be on a Flying Seamer of a Wicket, and Indian Bowlers would need a Seaming Wicket or a Chutney Pitch.

you got to be optimistic and look for victories. if you're afraid abt the reaction if your decision backfires, you are not fit to lead the side...

anyways, sense prevails and lara declares at a lead of 391. it will be 4.6 runs per over for india to win this. everything rests with sehwag... ideally, i would like to see india promote dhoni up the order and have guys like dravid and kaif coming lower than normal to show the west indies that they are here to battle and they are here to be positive! want to see a positive approach from india even if it comes at the cost of a loss or a draw!

Do you really think the Indian batsman will be troubled by Samuels and Gayle?

Not possible! In the ODI's, these two can be effective with their tight bowling,. But in the test matches, the batsmen would be more patient because they have the option of playing out for a draw!

Lara won't declare at a time when both teams have a chance of victory, if his batting yesterday was anything to go by. At the end of Day 3, he talked to Dean Jones and said, "We wanted to get into a position where only one team could win it." I happen to agree with Ian Chappell when he said, "That is a rubbish way to play test cricket." It would have been understandable had their been no rain delays, as a team is always trying to bat once in a test match, but it was and is up to the two teams out their to make a game out of it.

I agree with Chappell. If its heading for a no result, a good captain would be one who tries to be positive and looks to get a victory for his side even if it comes at the cost of the other side winning. The last thing on my list, would be to shut the other team out of the game!

WI have declared. Lead is 391 and there are 89 overs left to play. I don't think India will go for it but you never know with Sehwag.

And may be Dhoni (if he is sent up).....

The openers need to have a good time in the middle for india to think of a win. jaffer is not of the akash chopra type. he can play his shots and can move the scoreboard at a more than decent pace. sehwag - we all know what type of a batter he is.. he seems to be in good form too with the bat.

The way Sehwag is batting now, seems like India will be inspired to go for the victory! Sehwag is not out on 60 off 70 balls! India 100/0 with a run rate of 4.02 per over. And the overall run rate at the start of the innings was 4.55

If Sehwag goes on like this, India can win this test! But Sehwag needs to badly stay on almost till the very end. I feel this match is ON now!

 

[sohum]

Let's not jump the gun. India need to pace their innings correctly. Jaffer for me holds the key because if he can lock one side up in terms of staying in and score runs, he will allow the batsmen at the other end to play positive, attack cricket. May sound funny, but a set batsman is priceless on this pitch, one feels, and can go a long way in securing a draw if India hit a bit of trouble.

 

[SaiSrini]

Oh my goodness! Sehwag OUT first ball after lunch!

Disastrous stuff for india! I predict now they will shut out the options of a victory! But thats not what I would want them to do! They still have Dhoni. They need to send their attacking players up and create the chance of a win here! Who knows what holds for them at Jamaica? what if they lose at Jamaica and lose the series?

They didnt finish off things in the previous two tests. Now here, they need to grab this challenging opportunity and go for it! if they lose in the process, never mind. They will be hailed for trying!!! As sohum said, Jaffer should close one end up and let the attackers do their work in the other end!

 

[sohum]

That's what happens when one gets thinking too far ahead.

 

[aussie1st]

Still possible for India to win. 250 off 50 overs is more than gettable. If these two keep the run rate good then Dhoni comes in and who knows.

 

[sohum]

These two will first have to look after a hostile spell from Jerome Taylor. If they can get runs regularly there, they may be in a position at Tea to attack. India's first goal now should be to make sure they don't become too aggressive going after the total.

Jerome Taylor, according to the commentators, "is troubling Dravid". Funnily enough, Dravid is hitting every ball in the middle of the bat. No doubt he is bowling well, but just another example in the long line of West Indies being the best team in the world according to the commentators.

 

[SaiSrini]

That's what happens when one gets thinking too far ahead.

Oh come on! How many of us havent done that before? Its optmism. When you want your team to succeed, you do that!

I feel now India have spoiled their chances! They need 192 off 33 overs which is just under 6 runs an over in the last session. If they had sent up Dhoni or Yuvraj, we would have at least known what could have happened. I dont expect India to go for the win in the last session. They will wait till the last moment and check out if they can make a dash. I have never liked this approach and will continue to not like it in future.

Sehwag and Jaffer gave us a great start! We ought to have capitalised on it by sending attackers up! Dravid coming up is STUPID!

 

[BigCrickNan]

Laxman goneski but Dhoni wants to win this... first ball 6.

 

[hondeyho]

Well it could go either way, but if India's intention is to slog it then they may not stay in.