India tour of South Africa

[CerealKiller]

We will need a 6th batsman on these conditions. You should be pleased if the lower order could contribute 40 runs in these conditions

I think they're gonna bring Rahane in for Ashwin

 

[ParkedTheBus]

Unbelievable scenes. India's shot-selection has been bad this innings too. Kohli had the right mindset before being let down by a lack of concentration. Others could've done far more, they've blown this.

 

[aditya123]

Its games like this which proves why guys like Dravid, Tendulkar and VVS were really all-round test cricketers. I don`t think this pitch is any more difficult than the ones at Jo`burg (2006), Durban (2010), Headingley (2002), Nottingham (2007), Jamaica (2006) or for that matter Lords (2014). The reason we won back then was because the Fab Four out-batted the home side in seam-friendly conditions. I`m afraid guys like Kohli and Sharma might have the billing and even better records than those guys to show for but hardly the same level of skill. This is for all those who blindly compare batsmen on the basis of stats. I'd be surprised if Kohli is his usual prolific self even in ODIs in SA.

 

[namin96]

Its games like this which proves why guys like Dravid, Tendulkar and VVS were really all-round test cricketers. I don`t think this pitch is any more difficult than the ones at Jo`burg (2006), Durban (2010), Headingley (2002), Nottingham (2007), Jamaica (2006) or for that matter Lords (2014). The reason we won back then was because the Fab Four out-batted the home side in seam-friendly conditions. I`m afraid guys like Kohli and Sharma might have the billing and even better records than those guys to show for but hardly the same level of skill. This is for all those who blindly compare batsmen on the basis of stats. I'd be surprised if Kohli is his usual prolific self even in ODIs in SA.

The pitch in Cape Town when we last played (2011) in SA and Tendulkar got 146 was much tougher than this pitch, it had more movement. You could argue that SA had 4 fast bowlers this time but only 3 in the second innings with Steyn injured, but the Steyn and Morkel that Tendulkar got his 146 against were really good and in their prime I'd say. Guys like Kohli and Sharma don't really have patience. If we had those three today, we would have won. This performance is really shameful to Indian cricket. I only see a 3-0 series whitewash from here.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Bhuvi and Ashwin look better equipped to bat in these conditions than Shitman!

 

[Gaurav_7]

Thank goodness people are at last appreciating the fab four! The current gen players all have over the roof figures and we very easily cheapen whatever fab four did for Indian cricket in tests. No matter how many records Kohlis and Sharmas break in ODIs or even tests playing on easier tracks, the fab four were indeed fabulous. As someone already said, it is the patience which this crop players lack. We can't always expect only Vijay and Pujara to show it, there have to be 2 more batters like them at least. Rahane is someone who always comes to the mind!

 

[LiveLoveABD]

We can still win this. I think Ashwin is a good test bat and Bhuvi has shown he can support and contribute in the past.

 

[SaiSrini]

We can still win this. I think Ashwin is a good test bat and Bhuvi has shown he can support and contribute in the past.

Hope you are not reverse jinxing Ashwin. (j/k)

On a serious note, as I have always said, Ashwin has the batting pluck to succeed in overseas conditions. And in this test, he only bowled all of 8 overs (he was not needed as much). It would be stupid to drop Ashwin even if Jadeja is fit for the next test.

 

[aditya123]

We can still win this. I think Ashwin is a good test bat and Bhuvi has shown he can support and contribute in the past.

Our problem in helpful conditions more than technique is the ability to absorb a good spell of bowling for the opposition. Once you have a flurry of wickets or if the bowling is on a roll you need someone to withstand a spell even if you do not score runs. This lineup does not have the temparement to do so. Pujara has the temperament but skillwise he is no Dravid or VVS. The reason the older lot could score on helpful tracks is precisely the will to ride the high tide. Guys like Sharma and Dhawan neither have skill notlr the temperament. The test batting has to quickly revolve around and back guys like Rahul and Rahane who have the ability to counterattack with genuine backfoot strokes and not aerial slogs.

If we can learn from the mistakes, this defeat may not be bad afterall. Despite horrific team selection, we've run SA close. This shows that we have the resources to do well in this overseas leg if we are logical with our choices and don't go for clique selections. I'm quite surprised we have had this close a test despite the side we chose. It might sound cocky but SA haven't faced the best Indian side possible. Temperament-wise, guys like Bhuvi and Ashwin have shown the way here.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Hope you are not reverse jinxing Ashwin. (j/k)

On a serious note, as I have always said, Ashwin has the batting pluck to succeed in overseas conditions. And in this test, he only bowled all of 8 overs (he was not needed as much). It would be stupid to drop Ashwin even if Jadeja is fit for the next test.

I have never questioned his batting. I think he's a better bat than Rohit in tests. And it's a fair assessment that he hasn't been given enough opportunity with the ball and therefore should play the second test.

But, under this management, who should play and who shouldn't doesn't really matter. They all wake up and go by Kohli's mood.

 

[Satan666]

Woooooooooo!


Three more wickets to defeat India!

Hey certain I read somewhere Pujara stating they can score over 300 in the 2nd inns! What an idiot!

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Our problem in helpful conditions more than technique is the ability to absorb a good spell of bowling for the opposition. Once you have a flurry of wickets or if the bowling is on a roll you need someone to withstand a spell even if you do not score runs. This lineup does not have the temparement to do so. Pujara has the temperament but skillwise he is no Dravid or VVS. The reason the older lot could score on helpful tracks is precisely the will to ride the high tide. Guys like Sharma and Dhawan neither have skill notlr the temperament. The test batting has to quickly revolve around and back guys like Rahul and Rahane who have the ability to counterattack with genuine backfoot strokes and not aerial slogs.

If we can learn from the mistakes, this defeat may not be bad afterall. Despite horrific team selection, we've run SA close. This shows that we have the resources to do well in this overseas leg if we are logical with our choices and don't go for clique selections.

I don't disagree but the previous generation can't be a burden on the current lot. I personally think Vijay, Pujara, Kohli and Rahane have done very well overseas as a batting unit. The problem is that the leadership and management now smokes weed during and before test matches. Dhawan and Rohit shouldn't even be in the squad let alone the XI. We kept picking Ishant Sharma when he was crap and the moment he became an experienced lethal bowler, we drop him.

The enormity of the failure of the top order is abysmal. You know you need to grind it out for 35 overs to get the bowlers tired and then pick off the spinner. But, these guys can't even do that. Not for a lack of skill in my opinion, but temperament.

 

[aditya123]

I don't disagree but the previous generation can't be a burden on the current lot. I personally think Vijay, Pujara, Kohli and Rahane have done very well overseas as a batting unit. The problem is that the leadership and management now smokes weed during and before test matches. Dhawan and Rohit shouldn't even be in the squad let alone the XI. We kept picking Ishant Sharma when he was crap and the moment he became an experienced lethal bowler, we drop him.

The enormity of the failure of the top order is abysmal. You know you need to grind it out for 35 overs to get the bowlers tired and then pick off the spinner. But, these guys can't even do that. Not for a lack of skill in my opinion, but temperament.

I agree but Dhawan and Sharma don't have the skill either. Another left-field move I would try is have someone like Rahane or even Kohli bat at No.3. Pujara has the will to bat long but I doubt skill-wise he is Dravid like which means that the game doesn't move too much while he is at the crease leaving us prone to a collapse. A more free flowing No.3 would've made sense today with a decent start that we had got. I remember Dada doing this in Australia during that successful 2003 tour.

To do well overseas you need intent without being too brash. No matter how we go from here, Ashwin and Bhuvi have held a mirror to the top order. This is'nt an unplayable track not is it impossible to score runs against this attack if you apply yourself. I'm looking forward to see how we learn from this.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Ashwin picking the line of the ball and the second line with sheer class and ease. His approach also shows how intelligent he is. Not going in a shell but not being reckless.

 

[SaiSrini]

The way Ashwin handled that incoming ball from Philander was sheer class!! Hope I didn't jinx him, but he is batting beautifully.