***Official*** India in South Africa

[Pratters]

Something I was thinking about - should Sehwag open in the 2nd innings?

Yeah definitely.

 

[Jono]

I wouldn't open Viru. Back Karthik, he did the team thing, but show him you're confident enough in him to do it again.

If Jaffer and Karthik get a partnership going however, say 70-0 or whatever, I'd seriously consider sending in Viru at 3.

 

[Pratters]

This is why I've been vouching for Gambhir and Yuvraj. People underrate the importance of top-class fielders in tests until they see the guys who play for us. Now, Sehwag is actually a good fielder so he's not an issue. Jaffer and Ganguly are mediocre but it's hard to drop them if they score runs. Munaf is dreadful and really needs work but he's one of our top options with the ball at the moment. Who do you drop?

Despite the poor fielding, India are in a good position in the match, are they not? You have to select the better player in his specialist area (ie batting or fielding) always for me.

 

[Jono]

Despite the poor fielding, India are in a good position in the match, are they not? You have to select the better player in his specialist area (ie batting or fielding) always for me.

Definitely. Plus its not as if VVS (he doesn't do much wrong, fields in slips anyway and is a very good slipper), Ganguly and Kumble will be around for that many more years. Let them play if they make the best XI on their primary skill (and ATM they all do) and then ensure that up-coming players such as your guns at domestic level are good fielders.

 

[Pratters]

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.

I would be comfortable if India gave South Africa any thing 350 plus in the second innings to chase. If you look at the stats, not many teams have managed 350 plus in the 4th innings. Plus, this pitch is deteriorating fast. Such a total also gives RSA impetus to chase the runs (which is far better from the Indian point as when they chase, there is a chance of playing a rash shot rather than when the batsmen go into a shell for a draw).

South Africa wouldn't want to draw the series either considering it is on their home soil. All in all, if we give them 350 to chase declaring 10 overs before the end of play tomorrow, it would be ideal for me.

 

[Jono]

Exactly, give SA the slightest sniff, and 350 is a total that does that.

As I said, if SA somehow manage to dominate and score quickly, bowl outside leg into the footmarks, and pack the legside field.

 

[Dravid]

Looking at the pitch today, I wish Bhaji was playing.

 

[TT Boy]

Disappointing day for South Africa if only because the majority of wickets which fell were gifted to the Indians at precisely all the wrong moments. Smith was set and was playing Kumble as easy as you like, Amla looked fine until that rather ridiculous shot whilst Kallis was the best out of the three and looked a million dollars against the spinners. Considering the starts they had they will know that they should be at least ahead of play by the now with the lower middle order pressing home the advantage tomorrow. However, as it stands India have a lead and a pretty decent one at that. And I really can not see India falling to pieces on this sort of wicket regardless of their batting line up. South Africa on the other hand, definitely, they did it today why not Saturday?

 

[Pratters]

I wouldn't open Viru. Back Karthik, he did the team thing, but show him you're confident enough in him to do it again.

If Jaffer and Karthik get a partnership going however, say 70-0 or whatever, I'd seriously consider sending in Viru at 3.

The reason I would have Sehwag opening - he is experienced at it, India has a lead and if he hangs around for some time, it can mean lots of runs for India.

Even ifhe gets out fast, India has a cushion of 40 runs and so it doesn't mean we are in a panic situation given the people coming in after wards - Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly and Karthik.

A good point for putting Karthik first up would be play defensively earlier and accelerate later with the likes of Sehwag (Dhoni isn't there in the team).

I would go with Sehwag opening but I can see some one going for the other option as well. I wouldn't venture out experiment with any one else - Dravid, Laxman etc like some people have suggested as this is not the stage to do it.

 

[silentstriker]

The reason I would have Sehwag opening - he is experienced at it, India has a lead and if he hangs around for some time, it can mean lots of runs for India..

But how often has he done well in the second innings? Its almost gifting the wicket away IMO.

 

[Jono]

Jaffer
Karhik
Sehwag (providing a start)
Dravid
Tendulkar
Ganguly
Laxman

That's how I'd put the batting order. The reason I have VVS so low is because he's not the stroke maker he once was, and I reckon Ganguly has the ability to score runs quicker. This is obviously a "if all goes well" order.

 

[silentstriker]

Jaffer
Karhik
Sehwag (providing a start)
Dravid
Tendulkar
Ganguly
Laxman

That's how I'd put the batting order. The reason I have VVS so low is because he's not the stroke maker he once was, and I reckon Ganguly has the ability to score runs quicker. This is obviously a "if all goes well" order.

And Ganguly batting with the tail leaves much to be desired. I might actually put Tendulkar down there, as I think he'd be better with the tail. Laxman between the wickets is not very strong and batting with the tail you'll need quick singles to keep the strike.

 

[Turbinator]

Well they should get Karthik's opinion too, if he is fine with opening, then let him open. However, if he is not keen on opening, persist with Sehwag. Sehwag can provide a good solid start on this pitch, imo.

 

[Pratters]

But how often has he done well in the second innings? Its almost gifting the wicket away IMO.

Sehwag's stats are as follows:

3rd match innings 16 16 0 342 90 47 41 21.37 0 1 2
4th match innings 22 18 3 435 76* 65 58 29.00 0 3 4

Most people have comparatively poorer records in the 3rd and 4th innings. In Sehwag's case, it is more so particularly in the 3rd innings. I really wouldn't be that concerned because of this. In any case, he would have to bat some where and it is better to know earlier than latter regarding what comes out of his inning.

 

[silentstriker]

Well they should get Karthik's opinion too, if he is fine with opening, then let him open. However, if he is not keen on opening, persist with Sehwag. Sehwag can provide a good solid start on this pitch, imo.

I hate to keep harping on this, but even on flat pitches his stats suck in the second innings. The further the pitch deteriorates, the better technique you need to cope, and it really hurts him. The only way I'd open him is upon inspection tomorrow, the pitch is still in very good batting condition.

 

[Jono]

And Ganguly batting with the tail leaves much to be desired. I might actually put Tendulkar down there, as I think he'd be better with the tail. Laxman between the wickets is not very strong and batting with the tail you'll need quick singles to keep the strike.

Ideally though, that shouldn't be an issue. If Karthik and Jaffer do their job, and Sehwag and Dravid do pretty well (even if only one of them), that would leave a lead of 200. Perfect for Sachin to come in, he can play his shots. Laxman guts it out really well nowadays, but that's not a problem and you'd hope that India wouldn't need to do something such as putting Sachin at 7 simply to bat with the tail. Far too low for a man averaging 37 this series.

 

[silentstriker]

Dravid in 2nd team innings: 50.28 (57 career)
Sehwag in 2nd team innings: 25.06 (50 career)
Tendulkar in 2nd team innings: 44.27 (55 career)
Ganguly in 2nd team innings: 39.28 (40 career)
Laxman in 2nd team innings: 41.67 (44 career)

He is by far the worst of the experienced batsmen. He stinks.

 

[silentstriker]

Ideally though, that shouldn't be an issue. If Karthik and Jaffer do their job, and Sehwag and Dravid do pretty well (even if only one of them), that would leave a lead of 200. Perfect for Sachin to come in, he can play his shots. Laxman guts it out really well nowadays, but that's not a problem and you'd hope that India wouldn't need to do something such as putting Sachin at 7 simply to bat with the tail. Far too low for a man averaging 37 this series.

Ideally you wouldn't. But you might in this case, and if India loose a couple wickets early I'd rather save Tendy to bat with the tail than Ganguly. He just gives them the strike way too much.

 

[Jono]

Dravid in 2nd team innings: 50.28 (57 career)
Sehwag in 2nd team innings: 25.06 (50 career)
Tendulkar in 2nd team innings: 44.27 (55 career)
Ganguly in 2nd team innings: 39.28 (40 career)
Laxman in 2nd team innings: 41.67 (44 career)

He is by far the worst of the experienced batsmen. He stinks.

So was Steve Waugh mind you.

That being said, I get your point. I just think we may as well hide him from the new ball again, and then re-assess the whole test situation after this series. He looked dominant in the 1st innings when the ball was old, and only he was going to get himself out (and he did).

 

[Jono]

Ideally you wouldn't. But you might in this case, and if India loose a couple wickets early I'd rather save Tendy to bat with the tail than Ganguly. He just gives them the strike way too much.

If the ball is still new due to a few early wickets, I'd bag Tendulkar to see off the new ball ahead of Ganguly and Sehwag.

If India lose wickets Sehwag bats at 7 for me.