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

[StephenZA]

I am glad we batted yesterday.... with the pitch flattening out a bit, it shows the real potential of this SA attack.

 

[cnerd123]

Imagine if Ashwin tons up here and then Bumrah takes a second-innings five-fer to set up a small run chase which Dhawan crushes in style, with Nohit hitting the winning runs.


I might actually prefer losing tbh

 

[Spark]

And this is the difference between this attack and the rest. Rohit and Pujara did so well to see of Steyn and Philander without losing any wickets. They batted for an hour and occupied the crease and just when you think they are out of trouble and might just build something, you have Rabada bowling 150ks at you.

Amla survived a similar session against Broad and Anderson in the 2nd Test in England. High quality swing bowling from Anderson, Amla survived, scored 87 and South Africa won.

Boy imagine Steve Bradman against this attack. We are in for a treat.

The indirect matchup between the two attacks is going to be so good. Hope they all stay fit.

 

[weldone]

ASHWIN IS NOT A NUMBER 6 FFS HOW MANY TIMES ARE THEY GOING TO DO THIS

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If Rohit is no. 5 then Ashwin is over-qualified for no. 6. He'll score more than Rohit and Kohli combined don't worry.

 

[Rasimione]

Rabada looks like he's up for this.

 

[weldone]

Imagine if Ashwin tons up here and then Bumrah takes a second-innings five-fer to set up a small run chase which Dhawan crushes in style, with Nohit hitting the winning runs.


I might actually prefer losing tbh

Lol, let me remind you this is not an IPL match against Kolhapur SuperKolaveris.

 

[OverratedSanity]

This is relentless. Back in 2013/14 in Joburg, India batted out some tough spells from Philander Steyn and Morkel and then cashed in by smashing Tahir around. SA have gone and replaced him with a far superior spinner and added another world class fast bowler on top. Anyone who scores runs against this attack will get a hell of a reputation.

 

[Shri]

Ashwin's got this.

Will be pissed if he has broken his finger though just when it looks like he has figured things out as a bowler.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Ashwin shouldn't be batting ahead of either Saha or Pandya. This tour so far has been a ****ing disaster from a think-tank POV.

Yeah especially when you have a specialist allrounder in the side.


On another note, I don't think Indian batsmen have done much wrong here today (other than the review). They are playing at their optimum level here especially Pujara's concentration and grit and yet it looks so inadequate against this attack.

 

[Pratters]

This attack is what dreams are made of.

 

[Black_Warrior]

If Rohit is no. 5 then Ashwin is over-qualified for no. 6. He'll score more than Rohit and Kohli combined don't worry.

Actually you're not wrong. He's already got double that of Kohli's score

 

[Black_Warrior]

This is relentless. Back in 2013/14 in Joburg, India batted out some tough spells from Philander Steyn and Morkel and then cashed in by smashing Tahir around. SA have gone and replaced him with a far superior spinner and added another world class fast bowler on top. Anyone who scores runs against this attack will get a hell of a reputation.

Kohli is a **** captain but I see him scoring in this series, even if only once. His knock will be remembered the way Tendulkar's 169 is remember in 96.

 

[anaksr]

I feel sorry for Indian Batsmen. Steyn goes Philander comes Philander goes Morkel comes Morkel goes Rabada comes. This is relentless attack. No time to relax. One who scores against this attack will treat that knock as special.

Till now Ashwin has not looked that bad.

 

[Spark]

Kohli is a **** captain but I see him scoring in this series, even if only once. His knock will be remembered the way Tendulkar's 169 is remember in 96.

The weird thing about Kohli is he doesn't tend to do "if only once" these days. He seems to have incredible series (the norm) or (occasionally) absolute stinkers. It's hard to explain.

 

[Shri]

Another 70 runs from Ash and Saha before HP slogs a fifty is the best case scenario.

 

[vcs]

Pujara's patience is commendable.

 

[Spark]

2015 a off year for Steyn, averaging an enormous 21

 

[Shri]

Pujara needs to attack Maharaj without going overboard. Hope he has an off day.

 

[Cow]

good batting deck really... Vijay, Dhawan and Kohli just played rubbish shots.

Stokes scored 258 here against Morne and Rabada.

 

[Gnske]

Pujara is the essential man's cricketer. Rugged, brave. Able to dig in with masculine authority.

Kohli is cricket for boys.