***Official*** India in South Africa 2017/18

[OverratedSanity]

No shame in getting out for a low score to this bowling line up. One of the AT greatest ever. The wi quartet didn't have a good spinner. So which attack competes the current 5 in SA? Two attacks come to my mind.
Wasim Waqar Akhtar Saqlain and Mushtaq
McGrath Gillespie Lee and Warne

The pakistani one wasn't as good as it looks on paper tbh. Waqar was a shell of his former self.

 

[GRAB]

If Kyle Abbott was available for selection it really would be a conundrum and a half; the way he bowled in Oz put him up there as a top test bowler.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Come on, is there any reasonable justification for selecting Bumrah over Yadav or Ishant? It amazes me how something like that would happen. The Rahane decision I guess I could understand but I think that is downright stupid as well.

It's absolutely crazy. I mean if they actually thought giving bumrah a test here was a good idea why not atleast give him a go at home against SL? Ishant did well there and now he's dropped for a debutant for some reason.

 

[Slifer]

No shame in getting out for a low score to this bowling line up. One of the AT greatest ever. The wi quartet didn't have a good spinner. So which attack competes the current 5 in SA? Two attacks come to my mind.
Wasim Waqar Akhtar Saqlain and Mushtaq
McGrath Gillespie Lee and Warne

Even though WI didn't have a good spinner their attack was still atg. For example in Pakistan in 1990 their attack was: MM, Bishop, Ambrose, Walsh.

 

[CricAddict]

It's absolutely crazy. I mean if they actually thought giving bumrah a test here was a good idea why not atleast give him a go at home against SL? Ishant did well there and now he's dropped for a debutant for some reason.

The selections show the over confidence of shastri and Kohli. Being the first test of a long overseas season, they should have gone in a more defensive mindset taking Rahul for Dhawan, Rahane for Ashwin/Pandya and Umesh /Ishant for Bumrah. Grave mistakes.

 

[Stefan9]

So good to see Dale back. Can't wait for tomorrow.

 

[Pratters]

Dhawan is in the team why? Throws his wicket far too often.

 

[Pratters]

Doesn't look very good for Rohit does it? He might surprise people for all we know

He would, if he could, which he can't, so he won't.

 

[Pratters]

Kohli gone too - all swing bunnies getting out...Rohit to go next...

Either pick Pujara as well or let him carry his bat - India won't be able to save follow-on...

And then don't let them follow-on...Bat for 2 days before giving them a target of 800 and winning by 700

Torture the ****ers

These arrogant pricks need a tight butt-slap - the drunkard Shastri more than Kohli

Pretty sure Kohli is the one to be blamed more since he is captain and thus slapped on the butt harder.

 

[Pratters]

Regarding Bhuvi.. strangely I was thinking about him while watching Hazelwood in the morning. Bhuvi was slow for a while, then he increased his pace and became wayward. I liked that as I said even then right on this board that this is what he needs long term as eventually he will find his line on a faster pace. The commentators said that he was bowling 5 kph faster this time compared to the last South African tour. Bhuvi is a force now. He is India's Hazelwood. He can move it a fair bit too. After all, he is meerut ki kaichi (scissors).

 

[Teja.]

Wasim Waqar Akhtar Saqlain and Mushtaq

This is complicated because Waqar was merely productive after 95, Akthar was hot garbage before 2000, Wasim wasn't great after 2000 etc.

 

[Top Cat]

Come on, is there any reasonable justification for selecting Bumrah over Yadav or Ishant? It amazes me how something like that would happen. The Rahane decision I guess I could understand but I think that is downright stupid as well.

Theoretically, Bumrah should be better at cleaning up the tail with his yorkers, bouncers and slower balls. Unfortunately didn't see him attempt a yorker or slower ball during the innings, in which case I'm not sure what he brings to the table.

 

[Pratters]

McGrath, Gillespie, Warne, fourth bowler was crazy formidable. People forget how good Gillespie was.

 

[Top Cat]

McGrath, Gillespie, Warne, fourth bowler was crazy formidable. People forget how good Gillespie was.

Still only a 4 man attack mind you. Others like Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn/Symonds bowled a lot of filler overs in between.

 

[Pratters]

Still only a 4 man attack mind you. Others like Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn/Symonds bowled a lot of filler overs in between.

Not really. They shared most of the work load usually.

 

[Anil]

No shame in getting out for a low score to this bowling line up. One of the AT greatest ever. The wi quartet didn't have a good spinner. So which attack competes the current 5 in SA? Two attacks come to my mind.
Wasim Waqar Akhtar Saqlain and Mushtaq
McGrath Gillespie Lee and Warne

well there would certainly be shame in folding without a fight regardless of how good the attack is...we will see what happens on the 2nd day...

 

[oblongballs]

A very entertaining day of test cricket, which at times seemed to play out like an ODI. Pujara is the man for a crisis in this Indian side and Sharma has some form to capitalise on. I bet they both go on and score at least another 80 runs together.

 

[Slifer]

I liked the fact that RSA had the balls to play the 5 bowlers and IMO they can do a WI circa 1980s. Put 250-300 odd on the board then shoot out the opposition for 100 odd. Give them 300+ to chase. Of course there's a long way to go in this match but Im liking what I see. Hopefully, the core group of bowlers can stay fit.

 

[Moss]

McGrath, Gillespie, Warne, fourth bowler was crazy formidable. People forget how good Gillespie was.

Also Harmison Hoggard Flintoff and Jones, circa 2004-2005?

 

[Pratters]

Also Harmison Hoggard Flintoff and Jones, circa 2004-2005?

Too brief. Wish we saw more of Jones like in 05.