*Official* India in South Africa

[Zinzan]

@ 52/1 four overs from lunch, surely the draw would be the favourite option now?

 

[Jono]

If Smith gets a wicket I'll cry

 

[Daemon]

Should play someone who is at least willing to work hard and correct mistakes(unlike Sharma who has problems with no balls and his action, which can be corrected with time away from tests and experts' coaching). Someone like Mithun. He isn't going to be a world beater but even a bowler who consistently averages 30-35 will be of great help for Zaheer instead of the ones who are going for 40-45 per wicket at the moment.

Yeah. No idea why he was dropped immediately after the Sri Lanka series. I guess the only reason Ishant is playing is because we're playing on tracks that suit his type of bowling. If we were in India Ojha/Mishra would be in no doubt.

 

[Jono]

@ 52/1 four overs from lunch, surely the draw would be the favourite option now?

Odds:

SA $8
Draw $1.15
Ind $95

 

[M0rphin3]

@ 52/1 four overs from lunch, surely the draw would be the favourite option now?

Would fancy India going after the lunch break/tea tbh. Draw is a certainity now as the pitch has nothing in it now for Steyn/Morkel.

 

[Teja.]

Of course he isn't the most valuable or rather the most difficult batsman to get out. The thing is, if he gets going, forget a draw, India might even win. Chances of that happening are pretty low obviously, we all understand that.

If Sachin, Dravid or Laxman bats throughout the day, do you think we'll win? If Sehwag bats the day however, there is no doubt we'll at least get close. Once again, not saying this makes Sehwag a better player than the aforementioned in any way. Just explaining why people feel Sehwag can make the difference between a win and a draw (or loss).

From a South African perspective though, I'd worry more about getting the big 3 out rather than Sehwag.

The problem is he won't bat through the day. To use an oversimplification, Harbhajan batting through the day will be more beneficial to India than Tendulkar batting through the day due to the former's pace of scoring. However, Tendulkar's chances of surviving through the day are much much higher than Harby's. The same is true to a lesser extent of Tendulkar and Sehwag.

 

[Zinzan]

Best part-time bowler, Smith or Pietersen ?

 

[Shri]

Yes of course, please. I wanted to know whether there is sweet merit in Smith's apparent fear of him which delayed the declaration till all out.

I don't believe Sehwag influenced the declaration much. Did the same against Pakistan in Dubai. Just the way Smith works out declaration decisions every time I guess.

 

[Jono]

Yes, Smith is a *****, but that Dubai wicket was an absolute road.

Here there was a definite chance of taking 10 wickets for less than 310. But he was scared of a Sehwag Chennai 08 knock.

 

[Jono]

Far from safe, but good session. Keep going you tough nuts.

 

[Shri]

Dravid has faced about 10 overs here. Exceeding expectations.

 

[Teja.]

Gambhir averaging 70 in the series so far despite being written of by everyone is so awesome.

 

[Daemon]

The problem is he won't bat through the day. To use an oversimplification, Harbhajan batting through the day will be more beneficial to India than Tendulkar batting through the day due to the former's pace of scoring. However, Tendulkar's chances of surviving through the day are much much higher than Harby's. The same is true to a lesser extent of Tendulkar and Sehwag.

Lets look at it this way.

If India wants a win, Sehwag is the key. If India wants a draw, he isn't.

 

[Burgey]

Odds:

SA $8
Draw $1.15
Ind $95

Substituting Australia for SA, those were the odds just before lunch on day five in Sydney, January 2008, weren't they?

 

[Daemon]

Yes, Smith is a *****, but that Dubai wicket was an absolute road.

Here there was a definite chance of taking 10 wickets for less than 310. But he was scared of a Sehwag Chennai 08 knock.

It would take some serious balls to declare on 310 though

 

[TumTum]

Reckon it will be an exciting last session with many wickets falling.

 

[miscer]

Was reallly hoping for the series win here, esp when we had them at 60something-5 but gj kallis and this is probably gonna be a draw so im going to sleep. good night.

 

[Shri]

Gambhir averaging 70 in the series so far despite being written of by everyone is so awesome.

Yeah, success story like Cook in the ashes after being written off though the numbers aren't as awesome as his.

 

[Jono]

It would take some serious balls to declare on 310 though

But it isn't the score that is relevant, but rather the time.

Once Steyn and Kallis had gotten SA to a score of 290-300, Morkel should have thrown the bat every ball. Not blocking deliveries. That mindset has to have been said from coach/captain, not Morkel himself. I very much doubt he cared about his average.

Kallis was badly injured, so it would have been hard for him to throw the bat. But SA left the launch pretty late.

They may still win, but if they do, it'll be despite Smith's captaincy, not because of it.

 

[NasserFan207]

Yes, Smith is a *****, but that Dubai wicket was an absolute road.

Here there was a definite chance of taking 10 wickets for less than 310. But he was scared of a Sehwag Chennai 08 knock.

I disagree so strongly. This is the series decider. Why would you allow India even a sniff of victory? A day is plenty of time to bowl people out. Easily worth batting them out of the game.