***Official*** India in England 2014

[Jono]

Good test cricket.

 

[91Jmay]

Even day I would say, although I'd rather be in India's shoes just about. Another 100 runs should not be a big ask and would put them in a strong position. England haven't bowled badly and have been unlucky to not have nipped Dhoni out.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Another good days play. India probably slight favourites as they only need a decent session to be on top whereas England need a good/very good one. New ball could decide the match.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Its just stupid commentary. Happy for them to say he's gotten India out of trouble in tests before, beause he has (albeit in the subcontinent). But never from fighting knocks.

Lord's 2007? Literally the only one I can think of, though.

 

[Cruxdude]

Very good batting by Vijay! Didn't throw it away despite the runs not coming. Been a revelation this series. Also what a good test match this has been. Pretty much even at the end of every single day. Need more of this grit tomorrow or they could end up chasing around 180.

 

[Cruxdude]

Also unless Binny plays a real gem I think he should be replaced by Rohit for the next test. The lower middle order has no meat in it right now.

 

[Dissector]

If we factor in the likely 100 free runs from Ishant and Binny India is really 45/4.

 

[Cevno]

Also unless Binny plays a real gem I think he should be replaced by Rohit for the next test. The lower middle order has no meat in it right now.

Rohit or Gambhir ? Or maybe even if Ashwin if they wanna keep this combo going depending on track.

 

[Cruxdude]

Rohit or Gambhir ? Or maybe even if Ashwin if they wanna keep this combo going depending on track.

Gambhir instead of Dhawan?

 

[91Jmay]

Gambhir instead of Dhawan?

What! He got a century three test matches ago!

 

[Arjun]

Gambhir instead of Dhawan?

Rohit or Gambhir ? Or maybe even if Ashwin if they wanna keep this combo going depending on track.

Also unless Binny plays a real gem I think he should be replaced by Rohit for the next test. The lower middle order has no meat in it right now.

Lower order has plenty of meat. It's the bowling lineup that's running thin. Jadeja as a specialist bowler is really stretching it- either you play your best spinner or play Jadeja as high up the order as possible. Will Rohit help reduce the load on each seamer to 15-17 overs an innings? By rolling down 25-30 overs an innings? Not sure if it will work out, especially when he too is not in good touch outside India. Maybe this issue pops up because of Jadeja's poor batting over his career so far.

Vijay and Dhawan are their best opening combination, and need an extended run. They've played very little as a pair, and need that support. You can't build a strong opening combination by keeping the revolving door turning. Real worry for India is the non-performing seam trio plus one. Neither Ishant nor Binny fit in- while Binny's new and needs a little run (which should be over, since Bhuvneshwar is doing far more in that role), I don't know what excuse they have for Ishant to stay in the side.

 

[wpdavid]

Another good days play. India probably slight favourites as they only need a decent session to be on top whereas England need a good/very good one. New ball could decide the match.

Yes. You feel that England need to dismiss India before lunch to stay in the hunt. Or at least to give themselves a decent chance of winning. But if India set 300+, then they have to be huge favourites.

 

[GIMH]

England will win by about 12 or 13 wickets IMO

 

[ankitj]

Also unless Binny plays a real gem I think he should be replaced by Rohit for the next test. The lower middle order has no meat in it right now.

Rohit or Gambhir ? Or maybe even if Ashwin if they wanna keep this combo going depending on track.

Dhawan, Binny, Jadeja and Ishant all can be replaced. Gambhir, Rohit, Ashwin and one of the reserve pacers should be given a chance.

 

[Jono]

Literally nab a wicket early and the game just completely flips tomorrow. So so evenly poised. Agree I'd rather be in India's position but only just.

 

[91Jmay]

Dhawan, Binny, Jadeja and Ishant all can be replaced. Gambhir, Rohit, Ashwin and one of the reserve pacers should be given a chance.

I'm baffled by some of these posts. Game mid way done, India have a great chance and people want 4 players yanked?

 

[Jono]

I get what you're saying but India are in this position because of only a few of its players who have performed out of their skins (Bhuv, Vijay, Rahane), and some English ****tiness. Dhawan shouldn't be dropped but you could easily argue the other 3 should go.

 

[grecian]

I get what you're saying but India are in this position because of only a few of its players who have performed out of their skins (Bhuv, Vijay, Rahane), and some English ****tiness. Dhawan shouldn't be dropped but you could easily argue the other 3 should go.

Yes, but if you win one presumes some of them will perform, so the talk does seem premature.

 

[91Jmay]

So what's the difference with England ****tiness and Indian players not performing?

Sounds like two words for the same thing tbh.

 

[Prince EWS]

Indian fan Vijay haters need to post and make a mea culpa. All the Vijay backers have come out and demanded they admit they were wrong but they haven't revealed themelves.

Before this series I was still in Dan's camp of insisting he was crap regardless of his mini purple patch but yeah, I think it's time for me to let that go. I still can't shake the feeling that a disastrous rut is just around the corner and might never do so but credit where it's due, he's been legitimately good since his recall in some tough situations.