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***Official*** India in South Africa

Jono

Virat Kohli (c)
Ntini gone, and I reckon I would have given that one.

Anyway they've called stumps, perfect timing for India. No tricky overs to face late in the day. Good stuff.
 

silentstriker

The Wheel is Forever
Yep, to be perfectly honest, this test match should have been dead and buried. It should already be certain to be a boring draw, but both teams have batted so crap at times that its still alive. Can still go either way, even though draw is still likely.

Btw, anyone genuinely laugh their ass off when Robin Jackman suggest around 90mins ago that SA would be better off giving away a lead of 100 then drawing level, as it'd give them more chance of winning the game?
Robin Jackman is an idiot.
 

Turbinator

Cricketer Of The Year
We're a pretty decent test side with relying on natural talent alone, imagine we excelled in the little things like fitness, fielding, and mental aspect too.
 

adharcric

International Coach
400 runs in a day on this wicket? Huge ask.
That can happen if we have wickets in hand. Our middle-order can score quickly on a turning track if wickets don't fall. We'll even be in with a chance if we bat 20 overs on the fifth day. If SA are going to get bowled out in a day, they'll do it in dramatic fashion on a fifth-day turning track against the Indian spinners; that's possible in 70 overs IMO. Anyways, that's all hypothetical and bull**** talk right now. We need to bat out the day. Jaffer and Karthik to open since things worked out perfectly and Karthik gets the night to rest up.
 

silentstriker

The Wheel is Forever
400 runs in a day on this wicket? Huge ask.
Exactly. About 360 since we have a 41 lead, but that still comes out to 4 runs an over, something which will be very hard. Thats why I don't see us declaring until lunch on day five...if we can bat that long.

Their focus should just be to play naturally and not force the run rate. And then re-evaluate at lunch and again at tea tomorrow.

My answer was to the question of 'How much is enough to declare tomorrow?' I certainly don't think we'll get 400 by tomorrow night. Anything less than 330 run lead total would make me uncomfortable against a lineup that bats deep and has some stroke players, fifth day pitch or not.
 

Jono

Virat Kohli (c)
Yeah true but don't forget the 40+ run lead, I reckon 300-320 runs will be enough on the day. That's a total of around 360.

Don't forget that if SA in the 4th innings look like they could get close to the target by scoring quickly, Kumble can always bowl a negative leg side line in the rough, same with Sachin too.

Obviously India first have to not collapse, but all I'll say is this is the 2nd test out of 3 that India have taken a 1st innings lead. Did not seem possible at all before the test series started.
 

adharcric

International Coach
Let's hope for the best. The top order should try to bat the way they did on Day 1 - nothing crazy and just try to see off the new ball and consolidate. Later guys.
 

silentstriker

The Wheel is Forever
Yeah true but don't forget the 40+ run lead, I reckon 300-320 runs will be enough on the day. That's a total of around 360.

Don't forget that if SA in the 4th innings look like they could get close to the target by scoring quickly, Kumble can always bowl a negative leg side line in the rough, same with Sachin too.

Obviously India first have to not collapse, but all I'll say is this is the 2nd test out of 3 that India have taken a 1st innings lead. Did not seem possible at all before the test series started.
350-360 would be on the edge of my comfort level. I wouldn't be worried, but I wouldn't be doubt-free either.

In either case, aim to bat out the day tomorrow, regardless of runs scored.
 

Anil

Hall of Fame Member
a lead of 41...the tricky thing with small leads is that they lose most of their significance unless you augment them well in the 2nd innings....on the other hand, it is still a small but distinct advantage to india and we should ideally be able to build on it....
 

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