India's tour of Australia - December/January 2015

[StinkyBoHoon]

Sorry I just don't agree personally. I think when you've got a system there that can benefit decisions in such a way with a huge minority of incorrect readings it should be used to the largest extent possible. That's my thoughts though.

To be fair on the bounce one he was pretty far down the track and having seen the side on view I thought it would be quite high on the stumps (on the bails) although that far over does seem a little surprising.

I'm sympathetic to india's suspicion of DRS, for one they don't really seem to benefit from opposing it, they get as many stinkers as anyone. also I think, given that one of the problems of DRS is at heart it depends on how good your players are at knowing when to challenge and if india don't think their players are very good at knowing how to use it why not oppose it? we have umpires because they do a seperate job in a cricket match, predicting the bounce of an LBW is not really what cricketers should need to do.

where I think their stance against it is a problem is that with widespread use of it by every other nation it becomes an issue of them refusing to submit to a clear democratic mandate and I think people can legitimately ask whether sri lanka or the west indies or new zealand would get away with being the only test nation that refuses to adopt it and what that says about the way India use their power in the game.

 

[namin96]

Did anyone notice anything different about Kohli's technique in the two innings he played against Australia in the 1st test? I am asking because I know he worked on it after the England tour along with Sachin and the coaches. I didn't see anything majorly different so that's why I'm asking. I did see he was batting outside his crease in both innings which is understandable to counter the swing and spin. Also regarding DRS, I'm with the BCCI on that, as it is not 100% accurate therefore there is no reason why it should be used. We have seen it go terribly wrong like the Ashes about 2 years ago in England where Australia were given terrible DRS decisions. It still has a lot of flaws and needs to be worked on before it is accepted by the BCCI.

Michael Clarke has got it damn right in this article - Virat Kohli reminds me of Sachin Tendulkar: Michael Clarke

 

[abhi_jacko]

Congrats to Smith on getting such a privileged honor of leading his national team in tests. His rise has been phenomenal. From a lower order batsmen who could bowl spin, to Australia's no. 5 (soon to be no.4). And now the captain.

Just curious ? Why not Warner ? The dude is in killer form too off late and has matured quite a bit compared to his bratty nature some time back. Plus he has 3 years on Smith, age wise = more maturity (maybe not)

 

[abhi_jacko]

Michael Clarke has got it damn right in this article - Virat Kohli reminds me of Sachin Tendulkar: Michael Clarke

Kohli reminds me of Sachin as well. Not because of his batting style, which is fairly different. But just the way he approaches his innings. The way he came in and attacked Lyon and Co. was very reminiscent of Sachin in his prime, who could turn the game on its head with his attacking flair. Plus he was constantly innovating as the bowlers changed their tactics - stepping outside off stump against Lyon to negate leg before chances. Wonderful player to watch. May his run scoring continue *knock on wood*

 

[Yuvi.]

 

[SaiSrini]

Did anyone notice anything different about Kohli's technique in the two innings he played against Australia in the 1st test? I am asking because I know he worked on it after the England tour along with Sachin and the coaches. I didn't see anything majorly different so that's why I'm asking. I did see he was batting outside his crease in both innings which is understandable to counter the swing and spin. Also regarding DRS, I'm with the BCCI on that, as it is not 100% accurate therefore there is no reason why it should be used. We have seen it go terribly wrong like the Ashes about 2 years ago in England where Australia were given terrible DRS decisions. It still has a lot of flaws and needs to be worked on before it is accepted by the BCCI.

Michael Clarke has got it damn right in this article - Virat Kohli reminds me of Sachin Tendulkar: Michael Clarke

It would not be an easy task to analyze if Kohli had a change in technique compared to his batting in that horror England tour. For one, Australian conditions were always expected to be in Kohli's zone (not too much lateral movement). Also he was batting at Adelaide which is a batting beauty. Yes it was an exceptional innings in the 2nd innings, but Kohli never has had problems with the turning ball as much as his problems against the moving ball.

We need to see his batting in more challenging conditions and also preferably at a place where there is enough movement on the ball.

 

[PokerAce]

I'm sympathetic to india's suspicion of DRS, for one they don't really seem to benefit from opposing it, they get as many stinkers as anyone. also I think, given that one of the problems of DRS is at heart it depends on how good your players are at knowing when to challenge and if india don't think their players are very good at knowing how to use it why not oppose it? we have umpires because they do a seperate job in a cricket match, predicting the bounce of an LBW is not really what cricketers should need to do.

where I think their stance against it is a problem is that with widespread use of it by every other nation it becomes an issue of them refusing to submit to a clear democratic mandate and I think people can legitimately ask whether sri lanka or the west indies or new zealand would get away with being the only test nation that refuses to adopt it and what that says about the way India use their power in the game.

Well to be fair I think India are excellent at using the DRS. Lethal infact. In the two tournaments that I have seen India play with mandatory DRS, where they didn't have the option to refuse it, i.e., the WC '11 and CT '13, I don't remember India getting a review wrong. Except Sehwag twice in the WC where he instintively would challenge when given out plumb LBW, much to everyone's annoyance. However apart from that I think India have barely wasted reviews in those two tournaments, expect perhaps one of those Umpire Calls types.

I do agree that BCCI being the sole opposer to DRS is where it gets most of the stick. No one even bothers to take a look at the issues, but merely because its the BCCI, everyone is like fk the BCCI, and its suddenly becomes a war with no middles and two total extremes. Its either DRS is the greatest thing invented since sliced bread, or DRS is the worst.

I have over the time that I have spent here, in many posts listed the middle grounds to fix DRS, and make it fool proof that will be acceptable to all parties.

While I do agree that SL and NZ or WI would not have been realistically able to oppose DRS like the way BCCI has been able to, but oddly enough, had it been SL or WI or frankly anyone apart from BCCI opposing it, then ppl would have been more open to listening to the reasons why they are opposing it.

 

[abhi_jacko]

I like this schedule so much better Just another day until the second Test at the Gabba - difficulty level up from Pro to Veteran for the Indian team. Curious about the team. With MSD returning (right?) I wouldn't be surprised to see Jadeja/Ashwin coming back into the ranks. And rightly so. Would also love to see Raina in place of Rohit if we are going with just 4 bowlers again

 

[PokerAce]

I like this schedule so much better Just another day until the second Test at the Gabba - difficulty level up from Pro to Veteran for the Indian team. Curious about the team. With MSD returning (right?) I wouldn't be surprised to see Jadeja/Ashwin coming back into the ranks. And rightly so. Would also love to see Raina in place of Rohit if we are going with just 4 bowlers again

If there is any turn Raina is quite a handy bowler.

 

[SaiSrini]

If there is any turn Raina is quite a handy bowler.

Turn or no turn, I would pick Raina over Rohit right now. Both have high chances of failing with the bat, but atleast with Raina, you have a handy slip fielder (and/or overall fielder) and a better spinner who Dhoni can think of using for longer than how much he would use Rohit.

Jadeja should not be anywhere near the XI. It would be Ashwin who should replace Karn (if it happens). I hope that's the case.

 

[Umair7]

Except Sehwag twice in the WC where he instintively would challenge when given out plumb LBW, much to everyone's annoyance.

Like Watson

 

[PokerAce]

Anyone watching the MP vs UP Ranji match. I just tuned in, its day 3 and that pitch is greener than anything I even saw in England on Day 1 !!

Is this a one off or have Ranji Pitches been getting greener.

 

[PokerAce]

Right guys which of the two line ups would you agree with this line up for tonight's test -

1 -Dhawan, Vijay, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane, Raina, MSD, Ashwin, Yadav, Aaron, Ishant.


2 - Vijay, Rahane, Pujara, Kohli, Raina, MSD, [Binny/Jadeja/Shami] (depending on pitch), Ashwin, Yadav, Aaron, Ishant

 

[aditya123]

Right guys which of the two line ups would you agree with this line up for tonight's test -

1 -Dhawan, Vijay, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane, Raina, MSD, Ashwin, Yadav, Aaron, Ishant.


2 - Vijay, Rahane, Pujara, Kohli, Raina, MSD, [Binny/Jadeja/Shami] (depending on pitch), Ashwin, Yadav, Aaron, Ishant

I would stick to the first one as we might well get away with a 4 man attack on a greener Gabba wicket and would need an extra batsman on that. I would`ve been tempted to go in with Raina but might just stick with Rohit for this test as the Gabba is one venue where Raina may not fare well. I would go with Yadav ahead of Shami as well.

 

[PokerAce]

I would stick to the first one as we might well get away with a 4 man attack on a greener Gabba wicket and would need an extra batsman on that. I would`ve been tempted to go in with Raina but might just stick with Rohit for this test as the Gabba is one venue where Raina may not fare well. I would go with Yadav ahead of Shami as well.

Honestly I think Rohit is done, and we are all done with him. I think that Rohit along side Kambli will go down as the two biggest colossal wastes of talent India ever produced. If Raina struggles then so be it, it will only stand him in better stead going forward.