India tour of Australia Nov'20-Jan'21

[SaiSrini]

Phew, what a day! Rahane doesn’t need ratings on his captaincy, but since we are used to Kohli, it was a very refreshing and happy change to see Rahane lead this well today. Early days, and as others said, need a few big knocks from Rahane to put that pressure on Kohli captaincy.

We did well not to give many runs to the tail. The team looked relaxed and also safer on the field. Wonder if Kohli the batsman would also feel calmer and bat even better than he already is (no offense to him and respect his decision to go home - starting to really feel sorry for the chap for copping increased hate in the last week).

Hope India shut mouths in this test. I hope they can go on to bat Australia out of the game. Hope they can show the world that “Kohli the batsman is missed, but he is NOT the be-all for India”

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Phew, what a day! Rahane doesn’t need ratings on his captaincy, but since we are used to Kohli, it was a very refreshing and happy change to see Rahane lead this well today. Early days, and as others said, need a few big knocks from Rahane to put that pressure on Kohli captaincy.

We did well not to give many runs to the tail. The team looked relaxed and also safer on the field. Wonder if Kohli the batsman would also feel calmer and bat even better than he already is (no offense to him and respect his decision to go home - starting to really feel sorry for the chap for copping increased hate in the last week).

Hope India shut mouths in this test. I hope they can go on to bat Australia out of the game. Hope they can show the world that “Kohli the batsman is missed, but he is NOT the be-all for India”

There is a simple reason for that. Rahane didn't have umbrella fields at any time of the day and this criticism can be attributed to Dhoni and Kohli and not just the latter. Test cricket almost demands now that you opt for attacking fields with defensive bowling. It's a strategy that was the norm of the Aussie side in the 00's. I did see a bit of a change in tactics from the bowling side once the tail was in but the field was on the money. He almost ensured that if the tail made an error, they suffered. I thought to myself that Rahane would open the field up once Lyon got hooking but he stuck to his guns.

The most impressive thing from my point of view is how he used the spinners. He used them to attack Australia and I can put my life on the line and say that it wouldn't have been the case with VK. I doubt we would have hardly seen any spin until between lunch and tea. Moisture = Turn. Rahane saw this and went for the kill and our back up spinner did the job and was well supported by his back up spinner.

All in all, a fantastic day and one that belonged to Ashwin and Rahane with a fine support act from Bumrah and the others. The most important thing will be to make 400 plus and put the Aussies under the pump. Unless we win, the same old crap will continue in Indian cricket. It still might even if we win, but at least for us supporters there's some reward for all these years of pain.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

It still might even if we win, but at least for us supporters there's some reward for all these years of pain.

True that. The other thing I noticed in this series is the increased experience of the bowlers is doing world of good to Indian Cricket. They bowled with plans in Adelaide and they bowled with plans in this match as well. More so we cleaned up the tail so easily today which is another positive to take forward. I just hope one thing, even if Rahane isn't the Captain after this series I just hope Kohli starts following the strategies which Rahane used today.

I was extremely delighted to see the way Shubman Gill was playing today. He is a different class this young lad.

In all this I should not forget about Siraj. He was so good with his line and length. Also the catches he took were so good. Another really good future prospect for India.

Last but not the least Mitchell Starc really kept me on the edge of the seat with his bowling spell today. Hope he doesn't run through our batting order tomorrow.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

True that. The other thing I noticed in this series is the increased experience of the bowlers is doing world of good to Indian Cricket. They bowled with plans in Adelaide and they bowled with plans in this match as well. More so we cleaned up the tail so easily today which is another positive to take forward. I just hope one thing, even if Rahane isn't the Captain after this series I just hope Kohli starts following the strategies which Rahane used today.

I was extremely delighted to see the way Shubman Gill was playing today. He is a different class this young lad.

In all this I should not forget about Siraj. He was so good with his line and length. Also the catches he took were so good. Another really good future prospect for India.

Last but not the least Mitchell Starc really kept me on the edge of the seat with his bowling spell today. Hope he doesn't run through our batting order tomorrow.

Siraj will be all about handling. He should be not discarded from white ball cricket as I feel no one should be type cast but he needs to be told that he will be compensated in case he doesn't play white ball cricket. As I had said before the first test, he can bowl really long spells and when I saw him bowl in Ranji trophy his biggest asset is that he can seam and swing it both ways. I think he actually knows what he's doing when he's reversing it but I don't think even he knows what way he's moving it with the new ball. It's a bit like Jadeja and the natural variation.

Proper red ball bowler who can bowl for very long hours and should have played the pink ball test with eyes shut. If we go to Brisbane for example, he will be a handful and I would really like to see Saini bowl there as well.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

How many of you heard Pant tell Ashwin to keep it within the stumps to Wade? This is where perception of a player comes in. Had MS imparted the info the wicket would have been attributed to him.

 

[SaiSrini]

Going to be a crucial test match for Rishabh Pant. He has the opportunity to almost end Saha's international career. Pant wasn't that bad behind the stumps today (as we know, the reduced demand on keeping in SENA conditions) and if he clicks with the bat, the management will make him permanent in tests.

This is going to be one battle worth watching. For the sake of India in this series, I hope Pant succeeds. Wish Saha had taken his opportunity in Adelaide, but well....

How many of you heard Pant tell Ashwin to keep it within the stumps to Wade? This is where perception of a player comes in. Had MS imparted the info the wicket would have been attributed to him.

Pant is getting plaudits for this in social media. Its all about which side of the internet you're reading.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Going to be a crucial test match for Rishabh Pant. He has the opportunity to almost end Saha's international career. Pant wasn't that bad behind the stumps today (as we know, the reduced demand on keeping in SENA conditions) and if he clicks with the bat, the management will make him permanent in tests.

This is going to be one battle worth watching. For the sake of India in this series, I hope Pant succeeds. Wish Saha had taken his opportunity in Adelaide, but well....



Pant is getting plaudits for this in social media. Its all about which side of the internet you're reading.

I don't think Saha is done mate. I think he has something to offer in home test matches and I see no problem in playing Pant as a pure batsman in India if need be. Saha is the best keeper to have as back up in my opinion.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Its just the second day in this test match but its such a crucial day. If Gill and Pujara can survive the first hour, I feel the batting will get easy. We have to get 300-350 at minimum. I am sure Pant will come good. He has that aura around him that makes me feel comfortable. Yuvraj was the last player I felt that aura around.

Also, Pant has to play between Rahane and Vihari. We cannot have Rahane Vihari and Pujara play back to back.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Beginners luck definitely favoring Gill. 2 dropped catches and some wonderful shots post that. As long as he can keep his head calm, learn from the Pujara and each delivery that he faces, he would be doing a great favor to India.

Also on a side note post Sehwag Gambhir and Dhawan Vijay, we havent had opening pairs that have opened consistently for India. In the last 5 years we have had Abhinav Mukund, Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw and now Shubman Gill open for India.

 

[blockerdave]

I like the look of Gill but he’s gonna have to look at his shot selection to open long term

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Well, what a moment in the game. Its going to be a long day now and getting close to the Australian total looks a big thing now.[DOUBLEPOST=1609029232][/DOUBLEPOST]This spell from Cummins has been so good. Top class stuff. We still havent faced a delivery from Starc. Time for Rahane to step up.

 

[Bigby Wolf]

Is this MCG or Chepauk?

The wicket is turning square.

 

[Bigby Wolf]

Its Advantage Australia now!

I don't see us getting a lead or even if we get it will be a slender one & batting 4th on this track will be a tough challenge as well.

So most likely 2-0 coming up.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Poor shot from Vihari! It was unnecessary and should have continued protecting his wicket.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

This is exactly what India was missing. Someone changing the flow of the game. Australia kept bowling tight overs after overs. What Pant has done is made sure Australia changes its tactics a bit.