***Official*** India in South Africa

[Nate]

If ever there was a pitch to suit India going into a final with the series 1-1, its this one. Even more so than the SCG test back in 2003/04.

So so very happy to see Patel back. They said only one change was made with Karthik in for Dhoni so I was yelling at my TV, and came here to complain, but dad said Patel's name is on the scorecard so that's awesome.

IMO the team changes are better for India, and not for SA.

1) Agreed.

2) Agreed.

3) No idea how good the SA spinner is, he could make all the difference.

 

[adharcric]

Yeah, Patel should definitely boost India's attack. Nel bowled very well in the last test, so his exclusion will hurt South Africa. Should be interesting to see how Harris fares and whether Steyn can use the new ball well this time around. Amla and Sehwag are both lucky to survive - let's see if either can take advantage of the extra chance.

 

[adharcric]

The most balanced bowling attack India has fielded in the past five years? (on form and ability)

 

[Jono]

3) No idea how good the SA spinner is, he could make all the difference.

I can't argue with that, but Steyn over Morkel means SA lose a bit with the bat, Harris over Hall means they lose a bit with the bat, and I don't think Kallis is bowling if I'm correct, so they'll miss Nel.

 

[Jono]

The most balanced bowling attack India has fielded in the past five years? (on form and ability)

Easily.

Zaheer to be the new ball specialist, Munaf to bowl line-and-length and reverse the ball, and Sreesanth to be Sreesanth and conquer the world.

Then you've got Kumble to do his thing later in the game, pitch is tailor made for him.

Let's hope they do perform, but needless to say I'm damn excited.

 

[Nate]

The most balanced bowling attack India has fielded in the past five years? (on form and ability)

I`m not a fan of the Indian team by any means, but this bowling attack has me excited to be honest. So much variety. Three main pacers, with varying speeds and movement, one of the best leg-spinners in history, some decent part-time spinners and a medium-pacer playing for his spot in the team. Gun.

 

[adharcric]

I`m not a fan of the Indian team by any means, but this bowling attack has me excited to be honest. So much variety. Three main pacers, with varying speeds and movement, one of the best leg-spinners in history, some decent part-time spinners and a medium-pacer playing for his spot in the team. Gun.

Coming from an Aussie, that means a LOT. Pretty rare for someone apart from me (and other optimistic Indian fans) to be excited about the Indian attack.

 

[pasag]

Patters gets excited easily, tbf.

 

[adharcric]

Easily.

Zaheer to be the new ball specialist, Munaf to bowl line-and-length and reverse the ball, and Sreesanth to be Sreesanth and conquer the world.

Then you've got Kumble to do his thing later in the game, pitch is tailor made for him.

Let's hope they do perform, but needless to say I'm damn excited.

Plenty of variety in there. Zaheer swings it both ways as a left-armer, while Sreesanth bowls outswing and Munaf bowls inswing and reverse with the old ball.

 

[adharcric]

Patters gets excited easily, tbf.

Unnecessary tbh.

 

[pasag]

Unnecessary tbh.

 

[Nate]

Unnecessary tbh.

Nah, he as a point.

 

[adharcric]

Nah, he as a point.

Damn.

 

[pasag]

 

[Prince EWS]

The most balanced bowling attack India has fielded in the past five years? (on form and ability)

The fact that Ganguly/Sehwag is the fifth bowler casts doubt over that, but it could still hold true as India haven't really picked a solid five-man attack for quite some time. They tried it with Pathan but he bowled pies.

 

[adharcric]

The fact that Ganguly/Sehwag is the fifth bowler casts doubt over that, but it could still hold true as India haven't really picked a solid five-man attack for quite some time. They tried it with Pathan but he bowled pies.

Exactly. India's five-man attacks have been rubbish for the most part because Pathan has been spearheading them. Whenever we've had a good attack in the last five years, it's been because of spinners and maybe one good seamer.

 

[Jono]

The fact that Ganguly/Sehwag is the fifth bowler casts doubt over that, but it could still hold true as India haven't really picked a solid five-man attack for quite some time. They tried it with Pathan but he bowled pies.

Plus that game had Chawla right? That is if you're referring to Ind vs. Eng 2006 2nd test.
I think we played 5 bowlers in the 3rd, but I can't remember who played for Chawla.

 

[adharcric]

Plus that game had Chawla right? That is if you're referring to Ind vs. Eng 2006 2nd test.
I think we played 5 bowlers in the 3rd, but I can't remember who played for Chawla.

Sreesanth played the 1st test and Patel played the 2nd test. Both played in the 3rd test alongside Pathan, Kumble and Bhajji. Chawla barely had a role to play in the 2nd test - that was such a joke.

 

[nightprowler10]

Good start for India as far as I'm concerned. Looks like the openers have been reading this thread of late, getting the older and all that.

 

[Jono]

Sreesanth played the 1st test and Patel played the 2nd test. Both played in the 3rd test alongside Pathan, Kumble and Bhajji. Chawla barely had a role to play in the 2nd test - that was such a joke.

Actually, then on paper our bowling attack for the 3rd test was the best, but Irfan was crap and Sree and Patel were only showing hints of how could they can be.

As I said, I was sold on Sreesanth with the dismissal of

IR Bell, c Dhoni b Sreesanth.

But our batsman played like crap that game, and England played really well. This is the best OVERALL team India have put out in ages I'll say, but probably not our best bowling line-up on paper.