Haha was going to comment on this post but didn't particularly feel like starting a race war today tbhCheers colony of our Empire.
It became increasingly more difficult.It deteriorated visibly today imo. But by then the game was already gone. Are you seriously saying the pitch became unplayable early on day 2? These are the same excuses SA threw after they lost here. There was nothing unplayable in the first innings at all.
Yes, this is one of India's top 5 problems atm.And Ashwin's batting is a concern too. Jaddu showed in one of the games against England that he can do a better job than him if given the chance. Jaddu batting ahead of Ashwin would be nice to see and would be awesome if it comes off.
See? Now I'm officially the Nostradumus of CW.Why do I have this feeling that Australia may surprise us?
This is what Smith did so well, played the line of the ball. Vijay played for turn, and was beaten on the inside edge
Kohli has left a straight one. Was saying it all along that Kohli was playing for turn, but the danger was the one that doesn't turn. Yes, it pitched outside off. And yes, there has been plenty of turn. But so many of O'Keefe's deliveries have not turned. This one too.
Another slider from O'Keefe, scurries on and hits Saha in front of leg.
Sounds like a bit of a pattern..Another delivery that skids on with the arm and an Indian batsman plays for turn. O'Keefe has double sixes now.
The problem is that India have been playing on batting friendly pitches outbatting the opponents all season. This has to change. I'm glad that India lost because that will give them a reason to think whether or not they are doing okay. Yes, there are winning matches but are they playing quality cricket or getting any challenge from the opponents that helps them get better as players? The answer is no. I also think the fact, that none of Indian batsmen bowl a bit also is the reason why Virat goes for five bowlers. May be if Vijay and Nair get their part time bowling up a bit like Sehwag, we can have a good set of XI. No Rohit Sharma please. He's had his chances. I've also lost of Jadeja using his head and working on becoming a proper allrounder who can bat at #6 or #7 and may be this guy is perhaps not good to be selected which is why we have Jayant Yadav playing.If they are going to stick with the 5 batsmen shtick, then I wouldn't mind Nair in for Rahane either.
Smith's dropped chances, Lbws, countless play & misses -Disagree emphatically.Steve Smith disagrees
No, Ashwin says he can bat at no.3 for India if he wanted. I don't think batting 6 is taxing his brain. I think his brain was fried by how **** his fellow batsmen were and seeing Kohli fail every review. This match for India was literally anti-intellectualism and I think they have put Ashwin's brain at great risk after such a showing.Maybe the additional responsibility of batting 6, plus being the leader of the attack is too much for Ashwin. Hope it doesn't mess with his bowling.
Do our batsmen play spin early? Do they rely on intuition rather than playing them at merit?Sounds like a bit of a pattern..
Shame how SA had it's chance and ****ed it up, eh?Good to see India's pitch doctoring tactics backfire after they lost the toss for once and had to bowl first. Pity that the Australians were the beneficiaries, but it does show artificially inflated Inida's recent home run has been. After all, losing to Australia at home in the subcontinent is test status revocation territory. This wouldn't have happened to Sri Lanka or Bangladesh.