India in the West Indies

[sohum]

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

Of course you do that. But it's not just optimism, it's sometimes impossible. Like that time when the Indian fans said we could chase 500 in Pakistan. Optimism? Or stupidity?

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.

I think it was a good plan, although the West Indies turned defensive in the middle session, which didn't allow India to get a few more runs in which would have made the equation more plausible. Fair enough, cause Lara didn't want to lose it. It seems to me that this was a pitch that if you get in, you score well.

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

Not at all. We would all be talking about how stupid Dravid was if West Indies picked up cheap wickets in Dhoni and Yuvraj and Jerome Taylor came back to take Dravid early. Look at the equation--it's 392 in two and a half sessions. There's a reason it's not been done before. I think India's approach was perfect, except it would have been better if Laxman had been able to hit a few more shots. You also have to take into account that Lara became exceedingly defensive when Dhoni came in, so it was hard to score runs.

Lol, so much whining.

Uninspired performance indeed, but don't know why people take it so personally. Its a darn test match, not the end of your/my life.

Back to the match,
I thought India had a chance once Dhoni came in and scored a six, but for some reason they just slowed down. Whatever the reason might be, i'm sure the critics will now pounce on Dravid.

But to be honest, neither of the two sides deserved to win. You could not see them putting everything into it.

I really admired Lara's decision, brave but good for cricket. kudos to him!

The reason they slowed down was because as soon as Dhoni hit the 6, West Indies changed into ultra defensive mode. They bowled a negative line (outside off-stump) and packed the field on either side. Even a well hit shot was cut off for just a single.

To be honest, neither teams looked like they wanted to win this game, which is despicable. India should be comfortable with the belief that they have been the only team that has looked capable of winning in this series, and Lara must be worried, because although he shows a brave face to the media, his team is down in the doldrums.

The follow on would have been Lara's best bet... but his captaincy has been less than decent in this test match. We head to Jamaica where West Indies have won 6/8 test matches. Hopefully things will change around a bit in terms of those statistics.

 

[viral1991]

Actually, 392 does seem a huge score to chase on the 5th day, but with the great start along with the innings of Dhoni & Sehwag, we really should have won! I think Dravid played really well, he could have anchored the big-hitters! Yuvraj should really have smashed them out, but maybe, Dravid must have told him to play out the draw, & if that is true, it was a really bad decision by him! Because with the wickets in hand & Harbhajan & Munaf to come, both can be handy for quick run-rate sometimes, we could have forced a result!

But this was a good match, and I think we will win in Jamaica!

 

[sohum]

Actually, 392 does seem a huge score to chase on the 5th day, but with the great start along with the innings of Dhoni & Sehwag, we really should have won! I think Dravid played really well, he could have anchored the big-hitters! Yuvraj should really have smashed them out, but maybe, Dravid must have told him to play out the draw, & if that is true, it was a really bad decision by him! Because with the wickets in hand & Harbhajan & Munaf to come, both can be handy for quick run-rate sometimes, we could have forced a result!

But this was a good match, and I think we will win in Jamaica!

I don't disagree that we should have made a better effort, but this was a pitch that you needed to get into to score big runs. That's why we saw that the Windies couldn't really get that quick runs in the second innings--a couple of cameos that went bust really quickly. It was Ganga who opened and stuck in who was comfortably getting the runs.

We should have made a stronger effort for sure, but Lara wasn't willing to attack, so going for it would inevitably have resulted in us being caught on the boundary.

 

[m_vaughan]

well, it wasn't that boring when the match was played. It was all about uncertainties. Its only after the match that we feel bored.

Its only after the match I lost faith in the phrase "Hoping for things to improve."

 

[s2sschan]

Sabina Park Pitch Report

"This pitch will be different from the ones Tests have been played on in the series so far. It would be wet and will have a lot of moisture left. The juice in the wicket would facilitate bounce. The ball will bounce and move about. It would be a typical Sabina Park wicket where the good batsman will score runs and good bowlers will take wickets." - Sabina Park GroundsMan Charlie.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/29/stories/2006062903711900.htm

Looks like it's going to be a Seaming Wicket like the one in Karachi. Hope the ball Seams for the Indian bowlers as well, unlike Karachi.

A Seaming Wicket will be a Good Test for the Indian Batsmen. They have a chance to prove they really are No. 3 in the World.

I don't know why the Windies selectors are being so indifferent to Lara's request for a Fast Bowler. Everyone knows the best chance against Indian batsmen is Pace, the faster the better.

 

[cricket_lover]

I wouldn't believe the pitch..until the game starts. I hope its a sportive wicket, it has to test our batsmen.

So far..only Dravid and Tendulkar have proved themselves on sportive wickets. Laxman has the technique but the footwork has hampered him. Same with Sehwag. Kaif should have a good chance.

 

[prarara]

This pitch will be good for the Windies IMO. It suits their style more.

 

[cricket_lover]

according to the preview, it'll be slow and turn.

 

[sohum]

Wow, so many contrasting reports! It'll porbably be flat as a pancake, then.

 

[Ritwik]

Any idea on the team composition ? I hope India move in with five bowlers, we have to try for a victory. And Pathan should be played for Christ's sake.

 

[jdbais]

The match is underway. Two quick wickets for the West Indies already. This pitch certainly has something in it for the bowlers.

 

[JamesyJames3]

Why hasn't Pathan played? Has he been injured? Good start by the Windies having India 3-2.

 

[sohum]

Pathan's been dropped as far as I can tell... due to lack of confidence and performance.

 

[SaiSrini]

I think the team is waiting for Zaheer to return. Since they do not want to bring him in the middle of the tour, they are making up with the bowlers selected for this tour like Sreesanth, Munaf. Once this tour is over, I am sure Zaheer will be back to take up the burden of India's spearhead in the wake of Pathan's dramatic loss of confidence, form.

But Pathan will return with a bang soon.. He is that type of player who when faced with a dilemma, will bounce back hungrily. but he can never be a spearhead.

Poor start by India! 2 wickets and scoring at just 2 runs per oveR??? WOW.. the wicket must have something for the bowlers surely!

 

[sohum]

72/4 -- pretty bad stat winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Our run rate after the first session was abysmal, something like 28 runs from 27 overs at one stage.