***Official*** India in Australia

[Ikki]

mmm, that's interesting. Didn't see a lot of that going on after the second test. But of course, I'm sorry. Australia were a bunch of cheats back then and it was all the umpires fault.

I must say, I'm glad this tour wasn't canceled.

 

[jeevan]

Even though I'm still bitter about Sydney, mostly the getting Bucknor'ed aspect of it (and verry glad for that gent to be absent in Perth), can see the qualitatively different reaction to the Perth test from the Australians than the Indian reaction at Sydney.

Still very much on the rabid Indian side of things on Sydney (umpiring, Ponting's contradiction between championing trust-the-fielder and dodgy appeals - cant have both IMHO, and the racism allegation) but I think Indians overlooked the fine performances in the Australian second innings (which took away the test as much as Symonds' many granted lives in the first) and the remarkable over from Michael Clarke (even if he is pondscum with blond hair*, it was still a very unusual cricketing performance that can and did turn matches).

The Indians overlooked those things and their own faults in a way that the Australians have not overlooked at Perth. I think this too is something to learn from.

ps dont think Clarke is pondscum, just to be clear.

 

[adharcric]

100 runs to win - my prediction of a one wicket win for Australiaa to come true.

Can you please tie yourself up in the corner of the living room for the Adelaide Test? Seriously, it's annoying having to tolerate you throughout five days of exciting cricket.

 

[Davey]

LoL @ the media making absolutely no mention of what happened in the test


Like when we won the second test it was like Breaking News... didnt even get a mention this time, they are just focusing on the tennis

anyway its nicely set up for Adelaide now

 

[adharcric]

i think on australian soil warne would of done well, how many tests did warne play against india in australia ? i think he played 1 early in his career which was way before his prime plus 1 other

Of course, Indian tracks are a graveyard for spinners.

 

[adharcric]

So? This series is still alive as well in the fact that India can very much draw it, as a I said before, something that would be a brilliant feat.

And a series is very important, but so is a Test match on its own. Just because you can't win the series doesn't mean the match doesn't hold a heap of value by itself. In this case we see the value of:

a) As said ten times on the last page, India ending the streak, the first side to beat Australia and beat Australia at home for ages
b) They did after being written off and starting heavy underdogs
c) They did it without their best fast bowler
d) They did it after one of the biggest controversies ever seen in cricket in recent times, included in that poor umpiring in the previous Test that would have put the nail in the coffin for most other visitors

The fact that they overcame all that and won yet you still criticise them for celebrating shows you're just looking for a reason to condemn when there's nothing there, obviously because of sour grapes and all.

Look, you've made some fabulous posts but I'm afraid you're wasting you're energy. You have the power, use it IMO. You know what I'm referring to.

 

[Debris]

LoL @ the media making absolutely no mention of what happened in the test


Like when we won the second test it was like Breaking News... didnt even get a mention this time, they are just focusing on the tennis

anyway its nicely set up for Adelaide now

To be fair to the media, there have been some incredible matches at the tennis overnight. Can't get much better matches than Hewitt-Baghdatis and Federer-Tipsevic.

P.S. Apologies if I misspelt the names. Too lazy to look up correct spelling.

 

[adharcric]

For Adelaide, Pathan must play and Dravid should not open. Dravid is clearly not comfortable opening and ensuring that he is confident is the first step to giving ourselves a chance to continue to challenge the best team in the world. You have two options:

Sehwag, Karthik, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, RPS, Ishant

Sehwag, Pathan, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman, Dhoni, Kumble, Bhajji, RPS, Ishant

The first option is clearly superior to me for the following reasons:

1. Karthik is coming off a fine knock in Canberra and will add some fire to the fielding unit.
2. In case the Adelaide track offers turn, Sehwag can exploit it well. Honestly, Bhajji is not far superior to Sehwag these days. You've got Sachin as well.
3. Pathan can probably handle so much responsibility, but it still poses a risk that the management may be reluctant to take.
4. The Indian batsmen seem to do better when they know there is depth in the batting lineup. That's something I noticed back in the Chappell days. That said, this may not be such an issue if they don't have to shift up (as in these options).

As long as Dravid doesn't open, I'll be happy.

 

[silentstriker]

Can you please tie yourself up in the corner of the living room for the Adelaide Test?

No.

 

[silentstriker]

For Adelaide, Pathan must play and Dravid should not open. Dravid is clearly not comfortable opening and ensuring that he is confident is the first step to giving ourselves a chance to continue to challenge the best team in the world. You have two options:

Sehwag, Karthik, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, RPS, Ishant

Sehwag, Pathan, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman, Dhoni, Kumble, Bhajji, RPS, Ishant

The first option is clearly superior to me for the following reasons:

1. Karthik is coming off a fine knock in Canberra and will add some fire to the fielding unit.
2. In case the Adelaide track offers turn, Sehwag can exploit it well. Honestly, Bhajji is not far superior to Sehwag these days. You've got Sachin as well.
3. Pathan can probably handle so much responsibility, but it still poses a risk that the management may be reluctant to take.
4. The Indian batsmen seem to do better when they know there is depth in the batting lineup. That's something I noticed back in the Chappell days. That said, this may not be such an issue if they don't have to shift up (as in these options).

As long as Dravid doesn't open, I'll be happy.

I don't like either of those options, to be honest. Karthik is not good enough to be a opener, especially not in a country like Australia. Jaffer, I agree, is useless here, so I would drop him, but I'd go ahead and promote Tendulkar to open, not Dravid. Tendulkar can attack more than Dravid, and has a better overall technique as well. I think Laxman is the ideal #3 as well.

Sehwag, Tendulkar, Laxman, Dravid, Ganguly, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, Harbhajan, RP, Ishant.

Or you can open with Dravid too. My problem with playing Karthik or Jaffer is that do we honestly think they are going to score more than 50 runs in the Test (both innings)? I don't think they will - not with Lee being in such fine form opening the innings. So we might as well get Harbhajan who may get 20-30 in the match, and also bowl well.

 

[adharcric]

I don't like either of those options, to be honest. Karthik is not good enough to be a opener, especially not in a country like Australia. Jaffer, I agree, is useless here, so I would drop him, but I'd go ahead and promote Tendulkar to open, not Dravid. Tendulkar can attack more than Dravid, and has a better overall technique as well. I think Laxman is the ideal #3 as well.

Sehwag, Tendulkar, Laxman, Dravid, Ganguly, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, Harbhajan, RP, Ishant.

Or you can open with Dravid too. My problem with playing Karthik or Jaffer is that do we honestly think they are going to score more than 50 runs in the Test (both innings)? I don't think they will - not with Lee being in such fine form opening the innings. So we might as well get Harbhajan who may get 20-30 in the match, and also bowl well.

Tendulkar to open? No way in hell, mainly because he would never agree or be comfortable in the role.

Yes, I honestly think Karthik can score more than 50 runs in the test. He batted very well on sporting pitches in South Africa and England against strong and decent bowling attacks, respectively. Yes, he failed in Pakistan but that shouldn't mean it's over for him. I'd back Karthik to score some runs. Otherwise, Pathan can open and we can be content with 20-30 from him. Dravid and Tendulkar opening are very unrealistic at this point - it's not about them being good enough, it's about them being comfortable. That's crucial.

 

[irfan]

I don't like either of those options, to be honest. Karthik is not good enough to be a opener, especially not in a country like Australia. Jaffer, I agree, is useless here, so I would drop him, but I'd go ahead and promote Tendulkar to open, not Dravid. Tendulkar can attack more than Dravid, and has a better overall technique as well. I think Laxman is the ideal #3 as well.

Sehwag, Tendulkar, Laxman, Dravid, Ganguly, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, Harbhajan, RP, Ishant.

Or you can open with Dravid too. My problem with playing Karthik or Jaffer is that do we honestly think they are going to score more than 50 runs in the Test (both innings)? I don't think they will - not with Lee being in such fine form opening the innings. So we might as well get Harbhajan who may get 20-30 in the match, and also bowl well.

Interesting lineup you got there. Tendulkar opening is something I've certainly not given any thought too but on the face of it, it looks pretty solid with both Laxman and Dravid being reluctant to open and Ganguly a bit dicey with the new ball.

Tendulkar is a fantastic team player and if the Indian management decide that he should open than he would. The question is would he relish and thrive on the challenges posed by Lee, Clark and co. Will the team management have the balls to move him from his coveted No. 4 tho ?

If so, then I think it's a top move since Jaffer has been in Lee's top pocket all series.

 

[silentstriker]

Tendulkar to open? No way in hell, mainly because he would never agree or be comfortable in the role.

He shouldn't have a choice. He may or may not be comfortable, but it might be in the best interest of the team. He already opens in ODIs, and unlike Ganguly, he can actually handle quality fast bowling with a bunch of slips behind him. He is the one that I have faith in the most to negotiate hostile fast bowling first up. Plus, he is a good runner between the wickets and can rotate the strike to Sehwag better than Dravid can.

Yes, I honestly think Karthik can score more than 50 runs in the test. He batted very well on sporting pitches in South Africa and England against strong and decent bowling attacks, respectively. Yes, he failed in Pakistan but that shouldn't mean it's over for him. I'd back Karthik to score some runs.

No, I don't think its over - but this attack would be the best he has faced, and though he has a lot of heart, it doesn't mean you'll play a 155kph yorker from Lee. I can't see him succeeding - but if you think he can score more than 50, than fair enough I suppose. I would still back the five bowler method to do better in the last Test.

 

[Debris]

For Adelaide, Pathan must play and Dravid should not open. Dravid is clearly not comfortable opening and ensuring that he is confident is the first step to giving ourselves a chance to continue to challenge the best team in the world. You have two options:

Sehwag, Karthik, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, RPS, Ishant

Sehwag, Pathan, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman, Dhoni, Kumble, Bhajji, RPS, Ishant

The first option is clearly superior to me for the following reasons:

1. Karthik is coming off a fine knock in Canberra and will add some fire to the fielding unit.
2. In case the Adelaide track offers turn, Sehwag can exploit it well. Honestly, Bhajji is not far superior to Sehwag these days. You've got Sachin as well.
3. Pathan can probably handle so much responsibility, but it still poses a risk that the management may be reluctant to take.
4. The Indian batsmen seem to do better when they know there is depth in the batting lineup. That's something I noticed back in the Chappell days. That said, this may not be such an issue if they don't have to shift up (as in these options).

As long as Dravid doesn't open, I'll be happy.

One thing we can say for sure, India have some tough times coming up at the selection table. It will be something of a compromise whichever way they go.

Australian selectors meeting will last all of two minutes. Hogg for Tait and Hayden for Rogers. Done.

 

[adharcric]

Interesting lineup you got there. Tendulkar opening is something I've certainly not given any thought too but on the face of it, it looks pretty solid with both Laxman and Dravid being reluctant to open and Ganguly a bit dicey with the new ball.

Tendulkar is a fantastic team player and if the Indian management decide that he should open than he would. The question is would he relish and thrive on the challenges posed by Lee, Clark and co. Will the team management have the balls to move him from his coveted No. 4 tho ?

If so, then I think it's a top move since Jaffer has been in Lee's top pocket all series.

Interesting that you call Tendulkar a fantastic team player and yet refer to his "coveted" No. 4 position. He is certainly a team player but I'm sure there's a reason Tendulkar hasn't been tried (or even mentioned) as an option at the top of the order in the recent past. India needed someone to volunteer up there quite badly, if Tendulkar was willing I'm sure he'd be there, because Dravid certainly took the job reluctantly.

 

[Jamee999]

so you saying that india can beat australia at there best ?

No, I said that India's winning wasn't because of Australia being poor, India's winning was because they bowled very well.

 

[silentstriker]

Interesting that you call Tendulkar a fantastic team player and yet refer to his "coveted" No. 4 position. He is certainly a team player but I'm sure there's a reason Tendulkar hasn't been tried (or even mentioned) as an option at the top of the order in the recent past. India needed someone to volunteer up there quite badly, if Tendulkar was willing I'm sure he'd be there, because Dravid certainly took the job reluctantly.

OK, so let's say we don't want to open with Tendulkar. Then open with Pathan. I don't think he is much worse than Karthik. The five bowlers is still the right way to go IMO.

 

[adharcric]

He shouldn't have a choice. He may or may not be comfortable, but it might be in the best interest of the team. He already opens in ODIs, and unlike Ganguly, he can actually handle quality fast bowling with a bunch of slips behind him. He is the one that I have faith in the most to negotiate hostile fast bowling first up. Plus, he is a good runner between the wickets and can rotate the strike to Sehwag better than Dravid can.

It's not as simple as him being good enough to open (I'm sure we both agree that he is). He won't be at his best if he isn't comfortable and we need the best from one of our premier, in-form batsmen. Basically, that means it's not in the best interest of the team in practice, even though it may appear so in theory.

No, I don't think its over - but this attack would be the best he has faced, and though he has a lot of heart, it doesn't mean you'll play a 155kph yorker from Lee. I can't see him succeeding - but if you think he can score more than 50, than fair enough I suppose. I would still back the five bowler method to do better in the last Test.

You can't conclude that he won't be able to face up to the quality attack either. In fact, considering he did better than anyone else against the last two quality attacks we faced in remotely bowler-friendly conditions, how can you not back him at all to score some runs against an attack that is one notch higher? Give him a chance.

Regarding five bowlers, what about Ganguly, Sehwag and Tendulkar. If it seams, Ganguly's a handful; if it spins, the latter two are; if it's flat, then fair enough, you may need five. Even then, why not open with Pathan, who looks good enough to score some runs at the top as well. He's done fairly well against the Australian pace attack (even against the new ball, IIRC) over the past few days, after all.

 

[adharcric]

OK, so let's say we don't want to open with Tendulkar. Then open with Pathan. I don't think he is much worse than Karthik. The five bowlers is still the right way to go IMO.

Fair enough. Let's see how the pitch turns out.

 

[silentstriker]

Even then, why not open with Pathan, who looks good enough to score some runs at the top as well. He's done fairly well against the Australian pace attack (even against the new ball, IIRC) over the past few days, after all.

Check post above you .