India's tour of Australia - December/January 2015

[PokerAce]

Just when one thought nothing was going for India ... Clarke goes off. He may return later of course but the key point is a new batsman is in, and India need to take the opportunity.

 

[aditya123]

We`ve gone so far behind in the test just on day one that its hard to imagine anything positive emerging for us in this game from here on. Hope we bat well enough to not embarrass ourselves. This wicket is an absolute road though.

 

[lion100lion]

 

[PokerAce]

I have to say India will feel 'satisfied' with the way the day finished. After the mauling they got in the first two sessions, to have the opposition 6 down on a road of a wicket is not the worst result. Day 2 and 3 will be when the pitch will be best for batting, and India will look to then cash in.

Also with Clarke injured, they could be 7 down effectively. In the larger context it may yet well be a good day when we look back on day 5.

Those three wickets with the second new ball are vital.

 

[aditya123]

I have to say India will feel 'satisfied' with the way the day finished. After the mauling they got in the first two sessions, to have the opposition 6 down on a road of a wicket is not the worst result. Day 2 and 3 will be when the pitch will be best for batting, and India will look to then cash in.

Also with Clarke injured, they could be 7 down effectively. In the larger context it may yet well be a good day when we look back on day 5.

Those three wickets with the second new ball are vital.

Agree. The par score on day one at Adelaide is generally very high and you could have days like these when someone like Warner or Sehwag get going. Its been a pretty decent day otherwise. This Aussie batting will be tested in this series and we will have situations when they might be 100/5 in better bowling conditions but how well we do would depend on whether we can cash in from those situations. The bowlers could be forgiven today for losing the plot against Warner and it was commendable that we still looked for wickets at the fag end of the day. Unfortunately for India, the real challenge begins now. We have let the tail wag way too often and with Siddle, Johnson and Harris all being competent batsmen, its going to be tough to get them out below 500. It would need an inspired spell in the first hour to blow them away.

Anything below 425, I would take that as an Indian fan on this track. It could be an interesting test match yet.

 

[PokerAce]

Agree. The par score on day one at Adelaide is generally very high and you could have days like these when someone like Warner or Sehwag get going. Its been a pretty decent day otherwise. This Aussie batting will be tested in this series and we will have situations when they might be 100/5 in better bowling conditions but how well we do would depend on whether we can cash in from those situations. The bowlers could be forgiven today for losing the plot against Warner and it was commendable that we still looked for wickets at the fag end of the day. Unfortunately for India, the real challenge begins now. We have let the tail wag way too often and with Siddle, Johnson and Harris all being competent batsmen, its going to be tough to get them out below 500. It would need an inspired spell in the first hour to blow them away.

Anything below 425, I would take that as an Indian fan on this track. It could be an interesting test match yet.

Remember it wasn't the bowling that lost us the series in Eng, it was the batting that just didn't turn up in the final three games. Batting first 5 down in one session, cannot be repeated. Having said that, there is no reason to be so pessimistic. A fresh series, on the back of some emphatic wins, albeit in ODIs, and a great wicket to bat on.

The three wickets that fell in final session today were pivotal. The three to go tomorrow (if Clarke doesn't bat) will be even more vital. The ball is still new, they have to use it well.

 

[aditya123]

Remember it wasn't the bowling that lost us the series in Eng, it was the batting that just didn't turn up in the final three games. Batting first 5 down in one session, cannot be repeated. Having said that, there is no reason to be so pessimistic. A fresh series, on the back of some emphatic wins, albeit in ODIs, and a great wicket to bat on.

The three wickets that fell in final session today were pivotal. The three to go tomorrow (if Clarke doesn't bat) will be even more vital. The ball is still new, they have to use it well.

We have to hope that the tail does not wag here. This first day has ensured that this test won`t be a dull draw. India would do well to continue playing aggressively in this test match. Dhawan has to do a Warner here to set this test up.

 

[PokerAce]

Reading some reports that Clarke could bat tomorrow.

 

[aditya123]

Reading some reports that Clarke could bat tomorrow.

A 150 stand between Smith and Clarke then in the offing.

 

[Aalay]

We wasted the first new ball but can't afford to do the same with the second new ball. Bowlers did pull it back at the end of day 1 but we still need to bowl well in the first hour today and try to wrap up the tail quickly. It has always been a problem for us, giving easy runs to tailenders. If Clarke does come out to bat then they will reach 500 but if he doesn't then we have a chance. I saw Varun struggling with his hamstring, I hoe it's not too serious.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Ishant was easily the pick of the bowlers. Surprisingly the lengths bowled were not bad at all, which is what we usually err in on foreign tours. But Aaron bowled too wide letting off any pressure that could have been possibly built.

 

[SaiSrini]

This "Philip Hughes" drama is getting seriously overboard. Applause at a bouncer, celebrating at 63 not out, etc is just so overboard. Don't convert him into another Princess Diana, seriously? Let's get on with life, shall we? A lot of people die everyday.

Back to cricket - what could have been a truly disastrous day got salvaged for us due to those late strikes. Still think Australia are truly set to make 400+ which should be more than enough for us. Johnson and company would be waiting eagerly to take a bite at us soon. We don't yet have a Dravid who can score 233 and 72 odd runs and win this test match for us (like how he did in 2003 at this very same ground).

 

[lion100lion]

This "Philip Hughes" drama is getting seriously overboard. Applause at a bouncer, celebrating at 63 not out, etc is just so overboard. Don't convert him into another Princess Diana, seriously? Let's get on with life, shall we? A lot of people die everyday.

Yeah... That's true.

 

[lion100lion]

 

[Greninja]

Well good come back by the bowlers in the last overs specially Shami and Aaron