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

[SaiSrini]

After the first hour, I switched off and went to bed thinking SA would take the game by the scruff of its neck. But was pleasantly surprised to see the end of the day scorecard. Ashwin has just proved that he is the rockstar of the team on subcontinent pitches. Arguably after Sachin Tendulkar, we have never depended on one single person this much to carry us forward. Ravindra Jadeja also has had a charming test so far. 38 valuable runs in a total of 201 and 3 wickets. Together, Ashwin and Jaddu seem to have the chemistry to be India's spin spearhead on turning wickets.

Again, very good innings from Vijay and Pujara. Hope Puj goes on to make a hundred. If he does that, he can get closer to nailing his spot and keep Rohit Sharma away from competing against him (Rohit then will have to hope he can replace an opener or force Kohli to go with 4 bowlers). Kohli is also due a good one. I wouldn't be happy with anything less than a lead of 300. The pitch might be getting better to bat and India really need to set as big a total as they can (minimum of 300).

 

[SaiSrini]

Blame the batting, not pitch, says Ashwin | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

Told Dean Elgar it is not Johannesburg: R Ashwin - Cricbuzz

Was surprised to see Ashwin sledge Elgar like that. Ashwin is another one of those "calm, quiet" guys who is not known to talk much on the field. Is he also getting influenced by the Kohli brand of gamesmanship? Hope not! Once you have got someone out, you have already won. You don't need to further rub it down their face. Then you are just appeasing your ego, which is not good.

 

[abhi_jacko]

A bit ridiculous blaming Kohli for Ashwin's antics LOL

Ashwin has actually always had the aggressive streak in him, almost like he suppresses it. But it has come out time and again in his press conference quips and wicket celebrations.

 

[shravi]

ashwin is just a douche haha. it's nothing to do with kohli. he's becoming more and more arrogant these days because he's actually bowling well and taking wickets. this isn't the first instance of him being full of himself. he has given numerous interviews over the past year in which he essentially talks about how good he is. i don't mind, because i'm really only concerned with the result, but he's not very likable.

 

[themusketeer]

ashwin is just a douche haha. it's nothing to do with kohli. he's becoming more and more arrogant these days because he's actually bowling well and taking wickets. this isn't the first instance of him being full of himself. he has given numerous interviews over the past year in which he essentially talks about how good he is. i don't mind, because i'm really only concerned with the result, but he's not very likable.

Lol... I won't mind his arrogance if he is getting those wickets regularly.

You really don't like him.

 

[shravi]

Lol... I won't mind his arrogance if he is getting those wickets regularly.

You really don't like him.

haha, i don't, but like i said, my only concern is India winning, and he is bowling well, and is essentially leading this team, so i'm not complaining.

 

[grkrama]

I do feel Ashwin's burst is something of a team strategy to get back to steyn's comment when we toured there, rather than his individual comments.

India can expect more aggressive bowling: Dale Steyn | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis

"In India the ball doesn't get higher than the stumps. This is not Mumbai. Here, they cannot score easily in different areas and it is going to be hard to play here. And there is more of that coming on Sunday."

Ashwin is aggressive though in general, remember the maxwell sendoff's in IPL were dhoni had to curb him.But in general he doesn't cross the line and probably still one of the calm guys around comparatively in this gen.

I dont mind the banter though. To me as long as you dont throw personal abuses on the field everything else is ok and can be fun in cricket.

 

[themusketeer]

Why David Miller is umpiring ?

 

[PokerAce]

I think the key point about the outburst (not fair, hardly an outburst, a quiet word/reminder more like), has been missed, and this is Ashwin's preparation.

"Elgar, I have seen him bat. (I) had a wonderful time watching him on Youtube last night. He has done that a lot at Johannesburg (playing against the spin). I made it a point to tell him it's not Johannesburg, unfortunately. I saw it coming. I knew he'd play that shot."

That is good preparation and learning about the batsman before you face him the next day. I think this could be the reason for Ashwin's new found success.

Anyway India to get their act together in the first session. Hardly near a safe score, need another 50/60 runs atleast.

 

[PokerAce]

India have lost 6 wickets, this morning !! Its almost advantage SA now

 

[aditya123]

Its definitely advantage SA now. They will go in with the momentum. All it takes to ruffle this Indian side is one partnership. Remember, SA have more batsmen with test match pedigree than us. This is where I feel we cannot afford Saha as our keeper. He is more a specialist keeper than a batsman. If we are to stick with the 5 bowler theory, we need a better batsman at No.6.

SA might even win this with 4 wickets or more in hand. We have lost the momentum. The sad part is while we have lost the wickets, noone has taken the game forward. Saha has just been blocking one end up. Rather try and get some runs here. Stretch the lead to 220-odd at least. At the moment, its 70-30 in SA favor. Its their to lose and they seldom choke in tests. FaF will get them through here.

 

[PokerAce]

^ I don't dispute that SA have the pedigree to chase this down, but honestly if Yesterday after SA got out we were offered around 210 to defend in the second innings, we would have taken it.

 

[Epic]

Honestly feel like South Africa will be lucky to reach 200.

 

[aditya123]

I like SA`s approach here. Philander opening may not be a bad idea. He is just the kind of cricketer who bothers us. I feel we are 50 short at least. Saha could`ve attacked a little earlier.

 

[PokerAce]

I think its fair to say that was the worst dismissal of Amla's career. Has to be. Leaving a ball crashing into middle stump.

 

[Epic]

Hate to tell you guys I told you so but... told you so.