India tour of South Africa

[SaiSrini]

From what I've seen so far (I am watching it live), these two are batting far far better than what they've done so far in this series. They might still get out here the moment I say this, but they've batted pretty well so far considering the condition and the way the pitch is still behaving.

Just goes on to show what better preparation could've done if the team had reached South Africa a few weeks earlier and took on a few practice games as part of their extensive preparation. This is just the first of our overseas challenges that we will be facing this year. If we take this experience into account and properly prepare for our tours to England and Australia, there is still a good chance we can compete hard and maybe even win a series overseas this year.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

From what I've seen so far (I am watching it live), these two are batting far far better than what they've done so far in this series. They might still get out here the moment I say this, but they've batted pretty well so far considering the condition and the way the pitch is still behaving.

Just goes on to show what better preparation could've done if the team had reached South Africa a few weeks earlier and took on a few practice games as part of their extensive preparation. This is just the first of our overseas challenges that we will be facing this year. If we take this experience into account and properly prepare for our tours to England and Australia, there is still a good chance we can compete hard and maybe even win a series overseas this year.

I think our challenge in Australia will be bowling related. I do think our batsmen will make runs there. The batting will come under the scanner in England.

 

[SaiSrini]

I would dare to say India have their noses ahead here. The decision of having Parthiv open and have him play a quick cameo seems to have definitely helped. It has given Rahul/Vijay some confidence and also has protected us so far against the customary collapse at the very beginning of the innings.

And also keeping SA's lead to just 7 runs has effectively made this a second innings shootout. Since SA has to bat last on this pitch, definitely India are ahead at this moment of the test match.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

The pitch should really be looked into. Nagpur was the worst pitch in terms of spin and this seems a bit over do too.

 

[Yash.]

The pitch should really be looked into. Nagpur was the worst pitch in terms of spin and this seems a bit over do too.

No it won't be rated poor. Cause it shows excessive seam movement and not spin and also, it is not in the subcontinent.

 

[Velocity]

Good bowling from Bumrah has kept India in the game. The bowling was really just excellent since the first test, now is the time that the batsmen show what they are made of and set SA a good target. With that start, India is just ahead. I'd rather take 2-1 than 3-0 any day. Will be interesting to see how the pitch will play tomorrow as well as Rahane.[DOUBLEPOST=1516901008][/DOUBLEPOST]

No it won't be rated poor. Cause it shows excessive seam movement and not spin and also, it is not in the subcontinent.

Excessive seam movement can't be rated poor?

I think this one should perhaps be let go. We haven't seen a spicy pitch that helps seam bowlers in quite a while.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Bumrah will now be made to look like some superstar. A W of a full toss, leg side nick, one in the outfield and a straight ball which de Kock missed for some reason. FAF was a good delivery.

The real star has been Bhuvi.

That is really harsh on Bumrah. I know people are not happy with him being picked for this test series due to lack of experience, but credit where its due. Sure, the Amla wicket was a gift, but nothing wrong with the other 4. The ones to Faf, De Qok and Phehlukwayo were very good deliveries. The one to Phehlukwayo was a yorker gone too far, but the ball was still moving thereby making him miss the flick. And the one to Ngidi although too far down the leg was good enough for a tailender - beaten by pace. Plus he might have leaked runs but he also had plenty of close shaves too. Like one of the commentators said in the beginning (Ian Bishop I think), I would rather have my bowler end with figures of 5/50 in 10 overs than 1/50 in 25 overs.

The real star was Bhuvi, I agree. But Bumrah worked well and deserved

 

[zwarrior]

I think this is the last of PP in international level. Really felt bad when he got out today. Could see the disappointment in his face after the edge was carried.

 

[SaiSrini]

I think this is the last of PP in international level. Really felt bad when he got out today. Could see the disappointment in his face after the edge was carried.

I doubt it. It was quite a gutsy innings that he played today. He is not that bad. Due to his flexibility in coming out in the top order to bat and the pace he can provide, he will always be available to be selected until we find the next Dhoni (i.e. a wicketkeeper batsman who becomes a permanent fixture in the test side).

 

[Satan666]

Now that is

I would dare to say India have their noses ahead here. The decision of having Parthiv open and have him play a quick cameo seems to have definitely helped. It has given Rahul/Vijay some confidence and also has protected us so far against the customary collapse at the very beginning of the innings.

And also keeping SA's lead to just 7 runs has effectively made this a second innings shootout. Since SA has to bat last on this pitch, definitely India are ahead at this moment of the test match.

I posted to have Patel high up in the order and was ridiculed by @Yash. !

So India seemingly gonna win this test. Anything over a 100 runs batting 4th is impossible!

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I doubt it. It was quite a gutsy innings that he played today. He is not that bad. Due to his flexibility in coming out in the top order to bat and the pace he can provide, he will always be available to be selected until we find the next Dhoni (i.e. a wicketkeeper batsman who becomes a permanent fixture in the test side).

We might find a WK batsman permanently like you said, but not India, nor any other country will ever find a Dhoni ever again. I say this with immense pride and inhibited arrogance as well. I know you also are a fan and don't/won't disagree but I have not seen a more selfless, giving and amazing sportsman and human being as him. Perhaps, I don't even need to make this post and specially quote you but I can't help myself.

Just to elaborate- I know people will ask how do you know he's a good human being? So, I was on the Taj lobby during an India-England bilateral and went specifically just to catch a glimpse of him. among a sea of people were some kids right in front of me and right there 10 feet from me and these kids just in front of me was the great man. A few bouncers just shoved some kids to make sure they don't pounce on him and the great man simply told the bouncer in a not so calm way 'bachho ko haat mat laga.' He didn't insult the bouncer yet in his own way made his point and trust me, it was well received.

 

[SaiSrini]

We might find a WK batsman permanently like you said, but not India, nor any other country will ever find a Dhoni ever again. I say this with immense pride and inhibited arrogance as well. I know you also are a fan and don't/won't disagree but I have not seen a more selfless, giving and amazing sportsman and human being as him. Perhaps, I don't even need to make this post and specially quote you but I can't help myself.

Just to elaborate- I know people will ask how do you know he's a good human being? So, I was on the Taj lobby during an India-England bilateral and went specifically just to catch a glimpse of him. among a sea of people were some kids right in front of me and right there 10 feet from me and these kids just in front of me was the great man. A few bouncers just shoved some kids to make sure they don't pounce on him and the great man simply told the bouncer in a not so calm way 'bachho ko haat mat laga.' He didn't insult the bouncer yet in his own way made his point and trust me, it was well received.

Nice post! Obviously I didn't mean we will find another player like Dhoni. Dhoni is Dhoni, just like Sachin is Sachin and legends are legends. That's why I posted in brackets "a permanent wicketkeeper batsman".

The story you mentioned is a very good one. India has been really lucky in the past few decades to unearth some tremendous cricketers who have handled themselves on and off the field in exemplary fashion and have served as role models. Starting from the likes of Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar, down to Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly (his aggression was extremely well placed unlike.....), VVS Laxman and then down to MS Dhoni. These players are the main reason why India is such a popular team in world cricket and get lots of eyeballs whenever they play and massive amounts of money that they generate.

 

[Yash.]

Excessive seam movement can't be rated poor

<Sarcasm>

 

[Satan666]

It would mean so much for India to break, this test win though will make them hold their heads high. I really hope and prayer that India are defeated, a 3-0 loss will break a billion plus.

Gonna start meditating for 3 hrs. An Indian loss please!

 

[Bigby Wolf]

It would mean so much for India to break, this test win though will make them hold their heads high. I really hope and prayer that India are defeated, a 3-0 loss will break a billion plus.

Gonna start meditating for 3 hrs. An Indian loss please!

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