India tour of South Africa

[SaiSrini]

Bumrah enjoys great backing from the captain-coach. Wonder why Umesh Yadav never got similar preference, despite being almost a test specialist bowler now? Ishant is way better than Bumrah and I actually don't mind Ishant playing.

Kohli-Shastri have created such a mess in their minds and strategizing. Bumrah selected because he is doing well in T20's and ODI and that too in India. Rohit picked because he has done well in Indian conditions and against weak sides like Sri Lanka (due respect, but they are). When will a team management ever pick players based on the potential to perform in tough overseas conditions? Can't be harsh on Rahane today. He is coming in after the series is gone and after raging debate has happened in the media about how he was NOT wanted in the team for the first test and how the captain has been stubbornly defending the decision of keeping him out of the team in the first two tests. Fortunately Rahane did not replace Pujara, who showed his value in the team with the knock today. Talk all you want about his strike rate and his intent, but that innings he played today could be GOLD. He literally sucked the pressure in like a sponge and probably kept Kohli flowing.

And Bhuvi showed how much he was missed in Centurion, with that knock of 30. Even in Cape Town, he scored 25 and 13* and that 25 helped Hardik Pandya stay in and achieve that knock of 93. You just don't drop these kinds of players who are so valuable when we play outside India.

India just need to go back to their rooms tonight and watch replay/highlights of that famous 2006 Wanderers test match where India shot South Africa out for 84. And in that test, India had scored 249 on Day 1. Here we have 187. And India today would take it even if they can bowl SA out for under 150 (let alone 84). And we have the bowlers to take advantage of the conditions.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Still no excuse for scoring 0 and 8 for the openers. Pujara who practically opened played 53 balls for his first runs. Thats the dedication and solidness you need and is expected in Tests.

 

[Ahmad94]

Still no excuse for scoring 0 and 8 for the openers. Pujara who practically opened played 53 balls for his first runs. Thats the dedication and solidness you need and is expected in Tests.

I both agree and disagree with you here. Although Pujara was outstanding, I strongly feel these green top pitches are similarly a ticking time bomb for the batsmen (especially when the opposition has bowlers that can utilise it) hence it's better to play your shots when the opportunities present themselves rather than going back to defend.

Kohli played beautifully but barring him (and Pujara and Bhuv) no one held their place up. Preservation will not win you games on these wickets, runs will.

 

[Rehan_24]

Its a surprize that SA has chosen to have a green top wicket despite already have the series win in their hands. I remember the last tour of Pakistan to SA under Inzy captiancy when the result was.1-1 and the last test got a total green pitch ultimately played a huge part for SA to save that series by beating Pakistan. Pakistan fell short due to batting in such a wicket. Looks like here, SA wants an easy path to go for clean sweep.

I wont agree with Ganguly here, Every host takes the home advantage and its their right.. when overseas teams come to subcontinet they get heavenly flat batting decks and go smashed all over the park.. However I do agree that ICC should play a part in preparing a fair pitch in every tour and this home.advantage regarding pitches should minimze. But it should be equal for every team. Cope with it for now.

 

[CerealKiller]

Morris is on paternity leave..

Phehlukwayo replaced Maharaj. I doubt Morris would've replaced him anyway, for reasons known to everyone.

 

[Prithvi]

Rahul has been disappointing and now I rememebr @Prithvi's discussion long back that he still has a lot to prove.

Finally someone understood why I told KL Rahul is unfit for Test matches. Give the way series rolled out, I'm sure many would have.

In home matches, even TDandH can score triple centuries. Its only in the overseas conditions, where everyone gets their balls frozen.

 

[zwarrior]

Wow. Bhuvi is such a good batsmen he should be moved up the order. His 30 odd runs are very valuable.

 

[prasoonvidhu]

Finally someone understood why I told KL Rahul is unfit for Test matches. Give the way series rolled out, I'm sure many would have.

In home matches, even TDandH can score triple centuries. Its only in the overseas conditions, where everyone gets their balls frozen.

I disagree with this. You can't decide on basis of 3 innings that he is unsuitable for tests. He has century in Sydney and Sri Lanka. He is young and this is 1st tour. Need to give him time.

 

[AliB]

I disagree with this. You can't decide on basis of 3 innings that he is unsuitable for tests. He has century in Sydney and Sri Lanka. He is young and this is 1st tour. Need to give him time.

Australia prepare flat decks these days, and SL are India-like conditions. If someone scores centuries in England and South Africa somewhat NZ too, I only know one player of current team - Rahane who has scored NZ, SA and Eng.

 

[asprin]

Reading through espncricinfo commentary, I can't help but get a feeling that 130-140 kmph deliveries are spinning either in or out. Is there that much movement on offer?

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I love how the Indian experts were heaping praise on Kohli's innings yesterday. Does it even occur to anyone that he's the only one who has the security of knowing that he will play the next test? He played two highly reckless shots in his innings yesterday, a clear sign of his ill timed 'aggression.' While this term helps Kohli the batsman it only creates an artificial personality for people like Pujara, Rahane etc. Don't get me wrong, these guys can play 'aggressive' cricket, but they won't emote that in terms of body language.

I think this tour has convinced me that the failure of Kohli the batsman in England in seaming conditions was a one off and that he's one of the best batsman in the world and the fact that ever since Greg Chappell, this is the worst leader/management we've had.

I really felt for Pujara on this tour. Those two run outs were 100% 'a need to show intent' and as a result of that he was avoiding singles that he would have taken without the intent tonic. Kohli has done a mighty fine job of racking up personal numbers as a batsman and captain in his tenure along with shattering the confidence of his peers. Perhaps, even some careers.

Just to sight out an example- From his first ball to last, Ganguly was a poor player of the short ball but he found a way to make runs everywhere around the world. He first backed a core group of players as captain and then his peers backed him when he wasn't the captain. Great teams are formed from continuity and stability, not whims of a monarch.

 

[asprin]

It's painful to watch a bowler face 80 deliveries and still be out there while our specialist batsmen not putting a price on their wicket. Begs the question whether some had no intent of staying out there and had already given up.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Wow, ABD comes out to bat with just an over to go for the lunch and our skipper throws the ball to Pandya!

 

[AliB]

Only if Rahane, Parthiv and Hardik could those 80 deliveries.

 

[Satan666]

Would be interesting how AB approaches this inns.

Whats a challenging score for 2nd inns? I reckon any run ahead of India is!