*Official* India in South Africa

[Uppercut]

Thinking about it, I know India have done well to win two games this series, but if I were Indian I'd be seriously worried about the batting. They've collapsed horribly in all five games, and the only two performing batsmen have only just come into the side.

That's to be expected in South Africa though.

 

[Jono]

Thinking about it, I know India have done well to win two games this series, but if I were Indian I'd be seriously worried about the batting. They've collapsed horribly in all five games, and the only two performing batsmen have only just come into the side.

Why?

Vijay, Rohit, Patel etc. won't be there come WC time.

There's no guarantee one of Yuvraj or Raina will be too.

 

[Contra]

I don't look too much into all this "finalizing players for the WC" thing but this series (for India at least) has been exactly that. Both Pathan and Kohli have sealed there spots for the WC now. Of only Yuvi can get back into form and MSD can become his dependable self again.

 

[0RI0N]

Proteas doin' work
3 - 2 SA.
M0M Amla and YP
M0S Lopsy
Yusuf Pashtun take a lap of honor sir.

 

[Turbinator]

Thinking about it, I know India have done well to win two games this series, but if I were Indian I'd be seriously worried about the batting. They've collapsed horribly in all five games, and the only two performing batsmen have only just come into the side.

Nah, these guys play like lions once they're in their own backyard. Plus with Gambhir, Sehwag, and Tendulkar coming in, we'll be fine for the WC.

 

[Howe_zat]

That's to be expected in South Africa though.

To be expected once or twice, yes, but every match?

 

[vcs]

Thinking about it, I know India have done well to win two games this series, but if I were Indian I'd be seriously worried about the batting. They've collapsed horribly in all five games, and the only two performing batsmen have only just come into the side.

Yes, it is indeed disappointing. People like Vijay and Sharma tossing away decent opportunities to make a name for themselves so wantonly is frustrating.

 

[ankitj]

Really disappointed with Dhoni's form as well. Hope he turns it around in the world cup where conditions will be more batsmen friendly.

 

[Contra]

To be expected once or twice, yes, but every match?

Your acting like SA have't collapsed at all. For some reason Ind-SA series are always low scoring ones (the one in feb last year aside). I don't know what it is but the conditions are always a little extra tough when it comes to these 2 teams. Or maybe the fact that these teams are so dead even that we always get close matches. Even this series was a low scoring one

Results | India in South Africa | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Turbinator]

Really disappointed with Dhoni's form as well. Hope he turns it around in the world cup where conditions will be more batsmen friendly.

Yeah, I still remember the days when Yuvraj and Dhoni used to finish ODI matches with such ease in India. Anyone remember that? They used to score a half-century each, and just close the game, seal the chase. It became such a common sight for Indian fans. Just hope they get back into that form for the WC.

 

[Jono]

Honestly, I will take losing this match and Yusuf playing that innings and securing his spot ahead of this match being washed out and India drawing the series.

A win would have been nice. Our tactics and shot selection not being dumber than dog **** would have been nice too.

But the positive that comes out of this match is huge.

 

[popepouri]

So ****ing happy right now. Digging deep from 2-1 down. Excellent.

 

[Jono]

Yeah, I still remember the days when Yuvraj and Dhoni used to finish ODI matches with such ease in India. Anyone remember that? They used to score a half-century each, and just close the game, seal the chase. It became such a common sight for Indian fans. Just hope they get back into that form for the WC.

Yeah that happened late 2006 heading into the World Cup.

But they ****ed off come World Cup time.

 

[chicane]

Drat, Yusuf almost choked them. What a crazy knock!

Well done SA! Played better and won. But I'm really backing India for the World Cup now!

 

[Blaze 18]

Thinking about it, I know India have done well to win two games this series, but if I were Indian I'd be seriously worried about the batting. They've collapsed horribly in all five games, and the only two performing batsmen have only just come into the side.

Nah, not really. Gambhir, Sehwag, Tendulkar are miles better than Patel, Vijay and Sharma. The conditions will also be very different.

 

[vcs]

Your acting like SA have't collapsed at all. For some reason Ind-SA series are always low scoring ones (the one in feb last year aside). I don't know what it is but the conditions are always a little extra tough when it comes to these 2 teams. Or maybe the fact that these teams are so dead even that we always get close matches. Even this series was a low scoring one

Results | India in South Africa | ESPN Cricinfo

This is atleast a big improvement from the hammering we took here four years ago.

 

[0RI0N]

Amla M0M
M0rkel M0S

 

[Turbinator]

Well technically it is 3-3. We did win the T20.

 

[Dissector]

A lineup of
Sachin
Sehwag
Gambhir
Kohli
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Pathan
Harbhajan
Zaheer
Praveen
Munaf

looks pretty good right now. Of course we have to hope that everyone is fit and as mentioned the batting of Yuvraj and Dhoni is a worry. Still overall I am pretty happy with this team and it's now a matter of performing in the big games during the WC.

 

[chicane]

well technically it is 3-3. We did win the t20.