*Official* India in Sri Lanka 2010 - Tests

[Spudsy2061]

Ohja's almost up to a 4 Economy. Talk about taking some stick.

can anyone confirm this?

Yes they will. Ten Sports stated it at the start of the match yesterday.

 

[Jono]

Kumar and Mahela are going to put on 500 together. This is going to be ugly.

They're well on their way.

 

[Prince EWS]

They're well on their way.

And when one of them gets out, Samaraweera will hit a ton too, because he's just awesome like that.

 

[Jono]

I don't mean to rub it in, but I got absolutely hammered from every direction 7-8 months ago for suggesting India wouldn't remain no.1 for long due to their bowling being remarkably weak bowling attack & considering they're struggling as much as they are, even in sub-continent conditions confirms this belief. Presumably they'll lose their no.1 slot if they lose this series, can anyone confirm this?

Probably best to wait till India:
a) lose this match/series
b) lose the number one ranking

before rubbing it in.

All the other contenders for number 1 ranking haven't exactly been on fire lately.

 

[Spudsy2061]

South Africa look like a contender but they've played more tests than anyone to get there and they won't play again until November, and that's against Pakistan, so don't count on them to move much soon.

 

[Zinzan]

All the other contenders for number 1 ranking haven't exactly been on fire lately.

This is true, but India's problem is their batting is so much stronger than their bowling, it's ridiculous. People may argue that they got the no.1 spot with that make-up, but it was never going to last very long for mine.

Personally expect England, Australia & SA to be ahead of them in 12 mths as they are all much more balanced sides, time will tell

 

[Himannv]

So... declaration before tea anyone reckon?

Surely not. Maybe with 10 - 15 overs in the day they will put India in.

 

[Athlai]

Yeah wear them down in the field and try put on enough runs so you don't need to bat twice.

 

[Spudsy2061]

You know what? England's got some great up and coming talent. I reckon they'll be a finalist for the World Cup, and could win it if they stay clear of the South Africans. Having said that, they look very strong, particularly with their seam bowling and their bat. Of course, Swann helps as well.

 

[Cevno]

This is true, but India's problem is their batting is so much stronger than their bowling, it's ridiculous. People may argue that they got the no.1 spot with that make-up, but it was never going to last very long for mine.

Personally expect England, Australia & SA to be ahead of them in 12 mths as they are all much more balanced sides, time will tell

India will get back to the top after the series against newzealand and Australia if they lose the no.1 ranking here.

India needs helpful tracks either for it's fast bowlers or it's spinners to win at the moment and they will probably get it at home.

 

[Spudsy2061]

I think you may be right under the condition that the Australia series is played on the sub-continent. Let me go check to see if that is the case.

EDIT: It is the case, but afterwards they have to face South Africa for 3 tests in South Africa. A very daunting tast for them to retain the no. 1 there if they keep it or re-gain it by then.

 

[Zinzan]

India will get back to the top after the series against newzealand and Australia if they lose the no.1 ranking here.

That's possible, but will only happen as a function of South Africa not playing anyone in that time-frame, I'll need to check this

India needs helpful tracks either for it's fast bowlers or it's spinners to win at the moment and they will probably get it at home.

Well they certainly won't want helpful wickets for fast bowlers against Aust or they'll get absolutely slaughtered as Australia's bowling attack is superior to India's by more of a distant than India's batting is superior to Australia's batting

 

[Cevno]

I think you may be right under the condition that the Australia series is played on the sub-continent. Let me go check to see if that is the case.

EDIT: It is the case, but afterwards they have to face South Africa for 3 tests in South Africa. A very daunting tast for them to retain the no. 1 there if they keep it or re-gain it by then.

The south africa series will be interesting ,but it is far off yet.

And though South Africa like usual are likely to prepare low scoring green tops against India,the series will be closer than many think specially if Zaheer and Sreesanth can stay fit.
Last time India managed to win a test there with a probably worse bowling attack and with a worse off batting side too(openers).
In those conditions the Indian bowlers become way more effective,specially with the bowl swinging as Sreesanth showed last time. I also think that Irfan Pathan and Amit Mishra could be way more effective there,but i doubt Indian selectors will follow Horses for courses policy.

 

[honestbharani]

I don't mean to rub it in, but I got absolutely hammered from every direction 7-8 months ago for suggesting India wouldn't remain no.1 for long due to their bowling being remarkably weak bowling attack & considering they're struggling as much as they are, even in sub-continent conditions confirms this belief. Presumably they'll lose their no.1 slot if they lose this series, can anyone confirm this?

Incidentally, still seems strange to me that Murali pulled out after the 1st test of the series, surely this would be tailor-made for him if SL do rack up 600+ first innings

lol.. more like we were disagreeing with you for suggesting India did not deserve to be clear #1 or whatever...

 

[honestbharani]

That's possible, but will only happen as a function of South Africa not playing anyone in that time-frame, I'll need to check this



Well they certainly won't want helpful wickets for fast bowlers against Aust or they'll get absolutely slaughtered as Australia's bowling attack is superior to India's by more of a distant than India's batting is superior to Australia's batting

u mean the way they slaughtered Pakistan in helpful tracks just now?

 

[Prince EWS]

That's possible, but will only happen as a function of South Africa not playing anyone in that time-frame, I'll need to check this



Well they certainly won't want helpful wickets for fast bowlers against Aust or they'll get absolutely slaughtered as Australia's bowling attack is superior to India's by more of a distant than India's batting is superior to Australia's batting

Helpful fast bowling conditions will only narrow the gap though, because Australia's fast bowlers can't exploit them properly. They are very good on flat wickets but they don't know how to really take advantage when it's moving around. Zaheer and Sreesanth on the other hand are entirely different bowlers when they have some assistance so if they're fit I actually think fast bowling helpful conditions would help India a lot overall.. not that we're likely to see them regardless.

 

[Cevno]

Well they certainly won't want helpful wickets for fast bowlers against Aust or they'll get absolutely slaughtered as Australia's bowling attack is superior to India's by more of a distant than India's batting is superior to Australia's batting

It doesn't really work that way.
On Helpful tracks India's fast bowling catches up to others more than you think,because they don't need to do anything extraordinary to get wickets and be too patient . Also the they are better at bowling with the SG ball than with the other kind of balls.
I think this showed when India toured Australia and also when Australia toured the last time here.

In India you get swing at start at the innings and then have to rely on reverse and variation most of the time.Don't see any of the Australian bowlers except Dougie and perhaps Hilfenhaus at the start of the innings troubling India with any of that.

Besides ,in the first test at Mohali we are likely to see some bounce in the track which both teams prefer ,but once the second innings starts the spinners will come to the fore and India have a clear advantage in that regard on bouncy spinning conditions on everyone in the world with their spinners being used to it and their batsmen playing spin better in those conditions.

As for the second test,at Bangalore if we get a low slow batting track India will struggle with their bowling ,but if we get a track with some swing and inconsistent bounce i expect India to take advantage.

 

[Zinzan]

Helpful fast bowling conditions will only narrow the gap though, because Australia's fast bowlers can't exploit them properly. They are very good on flat wickets but they don't know how to really take advantage when it's moving around. Zaheer and Sreesanth on the other hand are entirely different bowlers when they have some assistance so if they're fit I actually think fast bowling helpful conditions would help India a lot overall.. not that we're likely to see them regardless.

Correct, but what you've described wouldn't be a 'fast-bowlers type' wicket, that was my only point. They'll obviously be looking to employ typical Indian tracks that will be primarily be slow & low & conducive to spin, not fast-bowling type tracks.

For the record, I'm fully expecting India to beat Australia in India, you've no argument on that

 

[Cevno]

Mohali is as Helpful as it gets for the fast bowlers In India with the bounce and Carry and i Expect Ishant to do well there like the last time.
Harbhajan also enjoys bowling there as it offers turn and bounce. And he Enjoys that not slow turn with low bounce.


As for Bangalore if it is a slow low track i see India struggling, if it holds together like in the first test match against South africa recently i see India struggling versus the second test match played on a wicket with more carry and bounce where India and Harbhajan both did well.

 

[Zinzan]

It doesn't really work that way.
On Helpful tracks India's fast bowling catches up to others more than you think,because they don't need to do anything extraordinary to get wickets and be too patient . Also the they are better at bowling with the SG ball than with the other kind of balls.
I think this showed when India toured Australia and also when Australia toured the last time here.

In India you get swing at start at the innings and then have to rely on reverse and variation most of the time.Don't see any of the Australian bowlers except Dougie and perhaps Hilfenhaus at the start of the innings troubling India with any of that.

Besides ,in the first test at Mohali we are likely to see some bounce in the track which both teams prefer ,but once the second innings starts the spinners will come to the fore and India have a clear advantage in that regard on bouncy spinning conditions on everyone in the world with their spinners being used to it and their batsmen playing spin better in those conditions.

As for the second test,at Bangalore if we get a low slow batting track India will struggle with their bowling ,but if we get a track with some swing and inconsistent bounce i expect India to take advantage.

Again, ultimately the difference between the two sides in Indian conditions is Australia's inability to play spin well on those wickets which is the same as it's always been, hence why I said they certainly wouldn't want to go out of their way to prepare wicket primarily favouring fast bowlers, I think you may have misunderstood my point.