South Africa's tour of India - October/December 2015

[stefan]

The problem with 1st day bowling friendly pitches is that it invaribly favors the team batting in the 2nd innings. If 1st is helpful to the bowlers, and the 2nd and 3rd day good for batting, then invaribly the 2nd innings batting is likely to bat on the 2nd and most of 3rd day, and the other team is going to be out of the game. When the other team get back in on day 4 is favoring bowlers again. the side batting first is mostly never going to bat in good conditions against a quality attack.

I am not saying this wicket is great, but I think its help for bowlers has been greatly overstated. India didn't get out because of the pitch but greatly due to inept shot selection. I think the same can be said for SA wickets to fall. Missing the line completely and leaving deliveries, crashing into the pads and the stumps.

Its still a good wicket to bat, if someone applies themselves.

Only if its helpfull for all day long on the first day. Wickets which are helpfull in the first session and a half doesn't favor the side batting second. If the side batting first is up to toughing it out then it works well.

I am not saying this wicket is terrible its the same like a green pitch, not good either way imho. I prefer wickets that has something for everyone and were the best side wins.

Back to the match at hand, very tightly poised. AB has been very very lucky. Thought amla looked good but was a bit unlucky. The less said about elgar and villas shots the better. Bring QDK back asap....

 

[PokerAce]

Elgar would be disappointed. He had done the hardwork, and Amla and Elgar had gotten on top of the bowling, and looked comfortable. To then play that shot would have disappointed him a great deal.

 

[stefan]

Think jadeja is a bit lucky there, could very easily have been another wicket of a no ball. Really don't get bowlers who get that close to the line, its just silly risking wickets.

 

[aditya123]

If AB stays for another hour, we are looking at a 100 run lead here for SA. Our seamers have been disciplined so far. It would`nt be a bad idea to rotate Yadav/Aaron from one end to seek some reverse.

 

[PokerAce]

Okay that was not the most clever innings Steyn has ever played, especially with ABD still there.

 

[PokerAce]

Whoa Mishra wht a delivery. Now just finish off the last wicket quickly. 20 runs could yet be an invaluable lead here.

 

[stefan]

Advantage India. Not a good batting display.

 

[PokerAce]

So its basically a one inning test now. However with SA to bat last, and 17 runs in arrears, I would say India ahead now.

 

[PokerAce]

Have to be disappointed with Dhawan. That is not a pitch where one should be edging seamers to slips to get out.

 

[Epic]

Thoughts on Dhawan vs Rahul?

 

[PokerAce]

I would say Dhawan right now. Rahul has been very hot or cold so far. Same as Dhawan. Plus Dhawan's test form recently has been okay. However I think Dhawan is definitely in the last chance saloon now.

 

[PokerAce]

On a similar note Ishant is available again, and they guy really raised his game in SL. So I think he gets into the side for the second test, that means only one of Varun or Umesh play? So who would you think it is?

I do tihnk Varun has impressed in this test so far, so right now I would say Varun. However no doubt the second innings bowling will have a lot of influence on that decision. I think a more ideal headache for India would be for Umesh and Varun both pick up lots of wickets, and then India can't decide who between Ishant, Umesh and Varun to play.

 

[zwarrior]

I would say Rahul as Dhawan is riding low on confidence. Also, Rahul scored a 73 and 43* for Indian Board President's X1 with the same South African bowling attack. Even though it was in different ground, he seems to have played quite a comfortable knock. So, I would pick Rahul.

 

[Epic]

On a similar note Ishant is available again, and they guy really raised his game in SL. So I think he gets into the side for the second test, that means only one of Varun or Umesh play? So who would you think it is?

I do tihnk Varun has impressed in this test so far, so right now I would say Varun. However no doubt the second innings bowling will have a lot of influence on that decision. I think a more ideal headache for India would be for Umesh and Varun both pick up lots of wickets, and then India can't decide who between Ishant, Umesh and Varun to play.

Yeah, this is 1 time I'd be more than happy for our once infamous "spearhead of the attack" to come into the side, and as you say between Aaron and Yadav, whoever bowls best in this Test should pick themselves.

I would say Rahul as Dhawan is riding low on confidence. Also, Rahul scored a 73 and 43* for Indian Board President's X1 with the same South African bowling attack. Even though it was in different ground, he seems to have played quite a comfortable knock. So, I would pick Rahul.

Good shout, Dhawan's form in general taking the limited overs formats into account has been quite poor, and Rahul too scored a century vs Sri Lanka.

 

[RUDI]

It will most definitely be an interesting match! RSA Vs India has and always will be one of the most anticipated Test series. Most South Africans see it as a sort of Ashes series when this two countries meet. And as a South African, we are always vary off the spinners in the India team... because as we all know.... South Africa is not genuinely good at playing spin .

Yip, I so hoped my statement earlier was wrong Well bowled Aswin & Jadeja!