India tour of South Africa - 2013/14

[Aravind.]

Wait, wait, wait. Did Ishant Sharma really bowl 3 balls at the stumps?

He got 3 important wickets

 

[scratch978]

As fab four have gone India batsmen need to fit the big shoes-True.
But there is another thing India needs to get after fab-4 is their slip fielders. Dravid and VVS were outstanding at slips, we must look after that department now.

I agree with Sai, Ashwin was pretty disappointing in the way he allowed easy runs. It wasn't that he was bowling the kind of rubbish that Tahir bowled, but Philander and Faf were able to get three or four singles an over without any risk at all, which has to be the worst possible result for a Test spinner

It's easy to say that playing Ashwin was a bad move, but i find nothing wrong in playing him. You do need a spinner playing a Test match no matter wherever you play and especially if its your strength! Just wait for the 4th innings .

_________________________

Yesterday in the commentary box, when SA lost 5 wickets, some one commented that India also lost five wickets but for lesser runs. Rahul Dravid then comes and comments 'India also lost 5 wickets, yes but those were the bottom 5 wickets, South Africa lost their top 5 quality wickets' !!! Trademark reply!!!

 

[ferg512]

Full credit to India so far they have been really good this test. I know its obvious but their 2nd innings is crucial, Steyn will definitely be fired up. Haven't seen any of the match so far but is the pitch offering quite a lot for the seamers??

 

[Meet]

Earlier I thought, it was a poor effort by Indian batsmen to not score a total of 300+, which looked very likely. I thought even if they managed to get there, it won't be enough but still would be comparative.
But Indian has completely blown away my min. Never expected them to perform so well!! Ishant looked in good touch and good to see Zak back in action. Even though the lead is not that big but this innings and the nominal lead would surely be a confidence booster for the team, esp. this being their first major test in overseas after the retirement of Fab 4.
This innings will be crucial for India, and I hope they score 300+ this time. Pretty much impressed by the team, overall.

 

[scratch978]

What a comeback from Indian Speedsters. Both Ishant and Zaheer have been fantastic. Lets not forget Shami for his accurate bowling. But credit must go to Indian Selectors for reposing faith in Zaheer and bringing him back for this crucial tour. It has already started paying rich dividends.

India have a lead of 36 which could be a significant one, only if India bat well and post a total that can give their bowlers some chance in the 4th innings. The South African bowlers will come out with all guns blazing and test the Indian batsmen no end - who should be wary of a collapse, which can very well happen, considering the potency of the hosts' attack.

 

[Aalay]

Earlier I thought, it was a poor effort by Indian batsmen to not score a total of 300+, which looked very likely. I thought even if they managed to get there, it won't be enough but still would be comparative.
But Indian has completely blown away my min. Never expected them to perform so well!! Ishant looked in good touch and good to see Zak back in action. Even though the lead is not that big but this innings and the nominal lead would surely be a confidence booster for the team, esp. this being their first major test in overseas after the retirement of Fab 4.
This innings will be crucial for India, and I hope they score 300+ this time. Pretty much impressed by the team, overall.

I still think we could have made 300+ in the first inning if we didn't throw couple of wickets like we did. Pujara runout and Kohli wicket at the end of the first day hurt us. It will be a huge challange to score 300+ this time because conditions will be even tougher and Phillander is bowling at much better length than what he did in the first inning.

 

[Aalay]

That Dhawan wicket put India on the back foot but if Morkel's injury is serious than it balances out the match again. Decent session for India.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

the pace they're going at isn't a problem, in fact, given the cracks I've seen on the pitch, taking an age to make a decent score of 250 might even be a benefit as this isn't going to be an easy pitch to chase 300 on the final day.

 

[Aalay]

The only time I like the improvement I see in Murli Vijay, he throws his wicket away. What a waste of wicket that was after all the hard work he did.

 

[Aalay]

This could have been excellent session if we didn't lose Murli Vijay but still a good session. Need to score 200 more for victory.

 

[aditya123]

I'm really impressed with the grit shown by our side so far. I think it goes to show how crucial match practice in alien conditions can be. Had this been a full tour, it would really have been interesting to see these lads progress. Regardless of what happens from now on, these guys should gain a lot of confidence from the way they have competed. If they go on to win, nothing like it but regardless of it this side has a lot of promise.

I would go on record to say that come June 2014, England are going to face a real challenge facing this side at home if our bowling attack manages to stay the way it is. Remember, for the first time in a few years our backup pacemen are of international quality as well. Yadav and Bhuvaneswar Kumar also hold a lot of potential. Zaheer getting fit is a major gain for India, an unexpected one at that.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

this is seriously slipping away from south africa, I'd fancy them to chase 250ish despite it seeming to be about par for the match, but they'd have to bundle india out mighty quick to get that.

they'll be feeling morkels absence now, the balls soft too, india should be targetting 140-0 this session which would effectively end the match. it's up to Steyn to step up and make something happen.

 

[aditya123]

this is seriously slipping away from south africa, I'd fancy them to chase 250ish despite it seeming to be about par for the match, but they'd have to bundle india out mighty quick to get that.

they'll be feeling morkels absence now, the balls soft too, india should be targetting 140-0 this session which would effectively end the match. it's up to Steyn to step up and make something happen.

Stinky, you seem to be the only neutral following this game. Wonder where the other fans of test cricket are, especially when we have such a good match on our hands.

 

[Aalay]

Stinky, you seem to be the only neutral following this game. Wonder where the other fans of test cricket are, especially when we have such a good match on our hands.

Don't worry, you will have War coming at the end of the test match and saying India does not "deserve" 5 match test series against England.

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

I'm not really neutral, I'm pretty interested in this indian side so I want them to do well. Also been fairly vocal about my opinion that Kohli is one of the best batsmen I have ever seen so watching him begin his stint as a proper no.4 was a must.

also, I am looking forward to slagging off War if india win.