*Official* India Tour of England 2018

[Niall]

Not sure why anyone would want Karthik back in this side either. He was ****ing useless in the firs two tests and its not as if he can point to some stellar test batting recently to justify been persisted with.

 

[harsh.ag]

Karthik is probably a slightly better keeper than Pant, from what I saw. But then that was Pant's first game, so I am looking forward to something better in the 4th test from him behind the stumps.

 

[Daemon]

Tbh, India as a team made a far bigger statement with their tactics than selection. They got caught out at Lords not punishing the bad balls, perhaps being a bit paranoid waiting for the good ones. Guys like Dhawan know exactly where England are going to bowl to him so rather than scoring ****-all waiting for the inevitable good one, you can apply some pressure back to the bowlers by making them worry a little about how many runs they’ll concede even when conditions are in their favour and you don’t personally cash-in. Pretty useful when your oppo has plenty of batting woes themselves.

Picking Bumrah over Yadav and a new ‘keeper were probably toss-ups that paid-off but the change in batting tactics was pretty noticeable. Yeah bowlers win matches but India’s last game was a decent example of how bats can contribute more without necessarily smashing 400+. And they did it basically a bowler short.

Tbf it was some of the most favourable conditions for runs that we've had so far. I'm not convinced we won't collapse in a heap again if faced with the kind of bowling we saw at Lords.

 

[Niall]

Tbf it was some of the most favourable conditions for runs that we've had so far. I'm not convinced we won't collapse in a heap again if faced with the kind of bowling we saw at Lords.

The worst part of India collapsing will be people saying "if Vijay and Karthik were here this wouldn't be happening"

 

[Top_Cat]

You’re really going to claim this when the home oppo scores less than 200 in their first dig and all but 4 of the 20 wickets they lost in the match were caught behind the wicket?

Let’s not forget India were sent in. Root thought the conditions were good enough for his bowlers to start with. I don’t think he got it wrong, either. Was plenty of useful swing all game at all stages of the ball, for mine. More consistent than Lords anyway. India were just arse there.

 

[vcs]

Slow day at work, wish the match was starting today. No doubt things would have picked up at the office by the time the match actually begins.

 

[Kirkut]

Dropping Bumrah for Umesh!

 

[SteveWaugh]

Dropping Bumrah for Umesh!

I am talking about first class cricket, real test cricket, not IPL.

 

[harsh.ag]

I am talking about first class cricket, real test cricket, not IPL.

As opposed to the fake test cricket Bumrah has participated in

 

[Starfighter]

I am talking about first class cricket, real test cricket, not IPL.

Yadav FC average 31.46. Without tests 28.6.
Bumrah FC average 24.82. Without tests 25.33.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Pre series I would have said there was room for both, but with Ishant bowling surprisingly well so far this series that kinda takes that idea out of the equation.

 

[Shri]

Not really surprising from Ishant if you have followed Indian tests for the last few years tbh.

 

[Daemon]

Yeah he's been a known quantity, in a good sense. Makes it easier when we have to play guys like Yadav/Shami/Bumrah who can blow hot and cold.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Not really surprising from Ishant if you have followed Indian tests for the last few years tbh.

Last time I saw him was when Australia last toured India, he certainly wasn't very impressive that series

 

[srbhkshk]

Kohli in first innings - average 50
Kohli in second innings - average 76
Kohli in third innings - average 38
Kohli in fourth innings - average 55

Prefers chasing even in tests.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Yadav FC average 31.46. Without tests 28.6.
Bumrah FC average 24.82. Without tests 25.33.

Never thought I'd say these words, but SteveWaugh downright sucks

 

[Starfighter]

When does this **** start? I can't wait to see which one of these sides messes up spectacularly and how.

 

[vcs]

Thursday. Really looking forward to it, which probably means India will get bowled out for <150 in the first two sessions.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Thursday. Really looking forward to it, which probably means India will get bowled out for <150 in the first two sessions.

haha I almost wrote this myself but I think the damp squib will be the last Test. Series squared and all of India hopeful only to abjectly capitulate.

EDIT: The Oval's a pancake though isn't it? We just might be on to something here if we keep our wits about these five days.

 

[Daemon]

We badly need decent batting conditions and to win the toss. Anything else and England clear favourites imo.