***Official*** Australia in India 2017

[Energetic]

India were probably overconfident. Australia played very well, and clearly deserved the win, but really, all their batsman bar Steve Smith struggled. I know Starc did okay with the bat, but he's not really a proper batsman like the others that have failed. The 2nd test is the most important test of the series for both sides. Don't forget, England drew the 1st test, and everyone praised them, but since that test, they badly lose the rest of the matches. If Australia can win or draw the 2nd test then it shows something serious. I'm actually not that surprised they won that 1st test because I remember that tour they had to Sri Lanka last year, and though they lost the test series 3-0, they actually performed really well in all those games, and could've quite easily won that series 3-0 themselves. We all remember how competitive that series actually was. Herath was the difference between the 2 sides in the end, and you could say he's the better spinner over Ashwin in tests. The Indian batsman were probably too casual against their spinners because its so hard to score of Starc and Hazlewood. But India need to perform a lot-lot better but you can't really blame them because they have been playing so much test Cricket lately. Probably fatigued show. It's important some of the reserves of the Indian squad get a game. India are also making the mistake of not including a leg spinner in their XI. The are one of the few nations they have a cluster of quality leg spinners.

 

[viriya]

Did fatty give O'Keefe some 1 on 1 training? If not, imagine if he did.

 

[honestbharani]

Jaddu was indeed the better of the three spinners for India in this test by a small margin (its a different thing that he could've been more smart). The least we can expect from our leading spinner is to maintain a constant line and length which Ashwin failed to.

You are talking as if he attempted to be steady and failed. He didn't. He was just trying too hard to run through the Aussie batting as basically that was our only chance to get back in the game by then.

See, we just have to agree to disagree. I think the bowler who looked most likely to pick wickets was the better spinner.. Ash was the best easily among our spinners in the first inning and to me, he was the best in the second too.. His trying too hard to pick up a bunch of wickets quickly as that was really the only way we could get back into the game is not something I am willing to hold against him when the batsmen and fielders let the side and him down this bad...

 

[honestbharani]

Damn, it was a pretty good match for fans of spin bowling but I would have given them a normal pitch that turns on day 3 or 4. We could have got some confidence before unleashing a turner on a nervous side in a later game. Though, I think Starc and Haze would have given us a fight either way.

Looking forward to the next game so much though. Been a long time since we had to fight for our wins early in home test series to stay alive. Its a new feeling.

Nah.. I think in strategic terms, it was the right move to hit them with a turner early in the series, just too bad it seems no one in the Indian side had actually prepared for one and let alone decided to bat and field like amateurs.

Did fatty give O'Keefe some 1 on 1 training? If not, imagine if he did.

They got the next best thing..

 

[Compton]

India were probably overconfident. Australia played very well, and clearly deserved the win, but really, all their batsman bar Steve Smith struggled. I know Starc did okay with the bat, but he's not really a proper batsman like the others that have failed. The 2nd test is the most important test of the series for both sides. Don't forget, England drew the 1st test, and everyone praised them, but since that test, they badly lose the rest of the matches. If Australia can win or draw the 2nd test then it shows something serious. I'm actually not that surprised they won that 1st test because I remember that tour they had to Sri Lanka last year, and though they lost the test series 3-0, they actually performed really well in all those games, and could've quite easily won that series 3-0 themselves. We all remember how competitive that series actually was. Herath was the difference between the 2 sides in the end, and you could say he's the better spinner over Ashwin in tests. The Indian batsman were probably too casual against their spinners because its so hard to score of Starc and Hazlewood. But India need to perform a lot-lot better but you can't really blame them because they have been playing so much test Cricket lately. Probably fatigued show. It's important some of the reserves of the Indian squad get a game. India are also making the mistake of not including a leg spinner in their XI. The are one of the few nations they have a cluster of quality leg spinners.

Renshaw looked pretty good for a guy trying not to **** his pants.

 

[Shri]

Would like Ash to take some time off after this series to recover. The IPL is coming up and I hope he doesn't worsen his injury and miss the champions trophy and other games after that.

 

[Burgey]

As you say, India were expected to win every test so 3-1 to India is the expected result from here. I will say that 3-1 as a comprehensive defeat sounds way better than a 4-0 thrashing. Who knows? Australia only have to get crazy lucky in one test in the next 3 to get a drawn series so there is some small hope.

Or, you know, Australia might just play better than India and win the next test too. I know it sounds utterly incomprehensible but these things can and do happen.....

 

[centurymaker]

Weather forecasts have not improved..

I can recall that in 2015 despite not too much rain, we only had 1 day's play possible in Bangalore. A shower or thunderstorm would fall every now & then and screw up the outfield for long.

Probably won't be as bad this time but expect some sessions or more to be gone to rain & wet outfield. So it's possibly gonna end in a draw.

And the 3rd Test is not until the 16th of March, so far away.

 

[Burgey]

One game has made such a huge difference. You know how it is..... you hate all posters from the opposition because they are too arrogant, too smug, too big headed - they aren't, it is just you hate to have to acknowledge that you are going to get smashed and there is nothing you can do about it except watch it happen and spew. Then your team goes and wins the game like this and everything is great again. You like all Indian supporters again - they are not so bad. The world is great right now. Thanks to some throwbacks to memories of 89 I am in a very positive place right now.

Nah, seriously reckon the atmosphere in the tour thread has been great from before the first practice match. People calling it as they see it, maybe. Or agreeing but no aggro yet. It's been quality.

 

[adub]

It's easy to get carried away over one good performance,

but this feels just a little like Headingley 89.

so perceptive...

 

[centurymaker]

As you say, India were expected to win every test so 3-1 to India is the expected result from here. I will say that 3-1 as a comprehensive defeat sounds way better than a 4-0 thrashing. Who knows? Australia only have to get crazy lucky in one test in the next 3 to get a drawn series so there is some small hope.

The next test could well be a rain-affected draw, which would really help Australia's cause as India would then HAVE to win both of the last two tests! And therefore for the final two games, they may then be forced to prepare more helpful & result oriented surfaces, which could help Australia to perhaps get another win and the series! So it could be Australia's time.

But the series could go 2-1 either way. 2-2 & 3-1 are looking out of the picture now, given Bengaluru ground history, weather & drainage.

I have felt for some time that it's Kohli's time and that India at least won't "lose" the series but it may also be Smith's time too and his destiny may be stronger at this point than Kohli's so anything could come to unfold.

I have been harsh on SOK but he deserved his 12-fer for the hardwork he put in pre-series. He left bbl early solely to prepare for India series and nature rewarded him nicely.

 

[adub]

**** it. Can we just bring the next test forward a few days?

 

[Victor Ian]

Nah, seriously reckon the atmosphere in the tour thread has been great from before the first practice match. People calling it as they see it, maybe. Or agreeing but no aggro yet. It's been quality.

Atmosphere has been great - agreed. I was just joking to my own penchant to be annoyed for nothing other than someone else supporting a team who is doing better than mine. But at the moment this doesn't exist - the Indian supporters are the best. Life is bliss.

 

[Victor Ian]

I have felt for some time that it's Kohli's time and that India at least won't "lose" the series but it may also be Smith's time too and his destiny may be stronger at this point than Kohli's so anything could come to unfold.

Nice. Battle of the destinies.

 

[Daemon]

Nice. Battle of the destinies.

Haha yeah I never realised the centurymaker was actually nuts

 

[CricAddict]

The thread has gone quite philosophical now with luck and destiny. Let me give my 2 cents.

There are 2 major theories on luck in sports. First is, that sports is 50% skill and 50% luck. The second is, any amount of luck can be eliminated by better skills, more hard work and more smart work. Everything that looks like luck has an explanation. I side with the second.

 

[Victor Ian]

Here's an odd stat. I was looking to see how often Chinnaswamy is rained out in march. There's only 5 tests played there in March. And India has lost all of them. Can this really happen again?

Regarding luck, I'm a believer. Sure you can reduce bad luck, and increase good luck for the net appearance of a lucky bastard, but luck is still there and some players, seemingly ride it very well. Voges takes a bow

 

[Zinzan]

Thread hasn't been too bad thus far.

Indian's aren't throwing their toys out of the cot too much and the Aussie's aren't rubbing their faces in it overly either.

Fair play to both sides.

 

[honestbharani]

Fully expect that streak to continue.


EDIT: I meant to respond to Vic Ian's post and the streak of India losing in March at the Chinnaswamy Stadium... Not sure of this other streak Z is talking about yet..

 

[Shri]

THe drainage system has been completely changed in Bangalore. No more wet outfield I think.