*Official Third Test at Headingley* 25-29 August

[Bahnz]

If India can't win in England now, with England playing a weakened team and India having the longest prep for it, I don't know when India can beat England.

Still think India are favourites to at least draw this series. Having said that, it’s interesting to see how the narrative from last week (i.e. India would be 2-0 up if it wasn’t for rain) can now be flipped (England should be 2-0 up if it wasn’t for an hour of madness at Lord’s). India definitely feeling the absence of a Bhuvneshwar-type bowler to test Root’s outside edge in overcast conditions.

 

[harsh.ag]

To be fair his last innings was excellent for India so he should be next in line.

What's Yadav done to justify selection over him?

Nothing. He might score some quick runs if he's lucky to get a flattish period of play. Vihari not capable of that. Vihari is a sure 10(50) at best.

 

[harsh.ag]

Jadeja at three is madness. Absolute madness.

Less mad than continuing a #3 who the opposition bowlers are laughing at

 

[harsh.ag]

Meanwhile, the actual number three made 90 a day ago. What is this insanity?

Yeah let's bury our head in the sand because he scored 90 a day ago

 

[morgieb]

Yeah let's bury our head in the sand because he scored 90 a day ago

It was his most recent innings. And a far more fluent one than most of his other recent knocks. You don't dump Test-class bats if they look like they're on the verge of rekindling some form.

 

[Daemon]

There’s definitely some underrating of Vihari going on. He’s been dicked around in the lineup and in and out of the side playing against very strong bowling attacks all away from home.

He had a really really good away series against WI in swinging conditions against the duke. Was great in Sydney and would’ve scored more could they actually take a run. I think he deserves a chance.

We’d be fools to write anyone off completely, especially given Rohit’s change in technique and how that’s paying dividends for him. Players can improve, especially early on.

In the pre series interview before Australia Kohli said he’s most excited for Vihari. There has to be something about him for him to say that.

 

[Daemon]

It was his most recent innings. And a far more fluent one than most of his other recent knocks. You don't dump Test-class bats if they look like they're on the verge of rekindling some form.

Yeah agreed.

Don’t actually think he’s turned a corner or anything but at least he was trying to score some runs on day 3. Hopefully it sparks something.

Can’t drop him now. Rahane on the other hand..

 

[grecian]

Pujara and Rahane's boring partnership probably helped you win the last Test Match, but anyway, yes dropping Pujara after looking great here would be purest stupidity, so I suggest you do it.

Jadeja at 3 against Jimmeh with a swinging ball, go for it I say.

 

[honestbharani]

Jaddu can bat above Pant mainly because he can stay in longer with a batsman that way and Pant can come and hit out without worrying about staying in, which he seems to struggle to do right now in these conditions. I still think it is more mental with Pant than directly technical. Anyways, I think the next two wickets might be flat. We dunno what the status of Jadeja's injury/scans are. Virat has been like a dog with a bone about his 4+1 "template"... Hopefully he sees reason if it is a typical Oval wicket and brings in SKY/Vihari/Prithvi for Rahane (would have said for Pujara but he got a 90 last inning, and cant drop after that for the next test) and Ashwin for Ishant. I would consider Shardul for Shami too coz its back to back tests and Shami needs his rest.

 

[Burgey]

Who the **** is this Sky **** everyone is talking about?

 

[Prince EWS]

Who the **** is this Sky **** everyone is talking about?

Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav Profile - Cricket Player India | Stats, Records, Video

Read about Suryakumar Yadav cricket player from India profile, stats, rankings, records, videos, photos at ESPNcricinfo

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He was batting in an IPL game when I made my CW Commentary dayboo. Bumrah was playing that game too and @Howe_zat absolutely bagged the **** out of him. Good times.

 

[Burgey]

Was there commentary of IPL games?

**** he's been around 10 years. If he was any good he'd have got a run by now. Spud

S P U D
P
U
D

Spud.

 

[Prince EWS]

Was there commentary of IPL games?

It was the first ever CW Commentary I think - we basically used it to test the process before covering real games.

 

[Howe_zat]

Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav Profile - Cricket Player India | Stats, Records, Video

Read about Suryakumar Yadav cricket player from India profile, stats, rankings, records, videos, photos at ESPNcricinfo

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He was batting in an IPL game when I made my CW Commentary dayboo. Bumrah was playing that game too and @Howe_zat absolutely bagged the **** out of him. Good times.

I don't remember anything about that game lol. Did you keep a recording?

Bumrah then would have been about a year and a half before I saw him in the Asia Cup and actually noticed he was good. I definetely don't remember bagging him.

 

[Prince EWS]

I don't remember anything about that game lol. Did you keep a recording?

Haha nah. Not sure we even posted the link on the forum; it was straight up a test that we just sent the link around to a few people for IIRC.

 

[harsh.ag]

Morgieb and Burgey defending Pujara but if Marnus averaged 20 for the next 2 years including being involved in a first innings collapse on a flat track leading to an innings defeat, they would lynch him regardless of the second innings 90

 

[Burgey]

I think the salient point here is I wouldn't be advocating for Pat Cummins to replace Marnus at number three, but then again I have a functioning cerebral cortex.

 

[harsh.ag]

I think the salient point here is I wouldn't be advocating for Pat Cummins to replace Marnus at number three, but then again I have a functioning cerebral cortex.

Well yeah if India had a full squad then I wouldn't be either. Ideally it should be Gill or KL at 3, maybe Iyer.

 

[Prince EWS]

Well yeah if India had a full squad then I wouldn't be either. Ideally it should be Gill or KL at 3, maybe Iyer.

Burgey loves Iyer.

 

[Burgey]

Haven't you got that bloke who looks like he's a 70 year old Sonny Liston but who's really like 23 or something? He played a test out here and looked awful, but is he on the tour at all? Time before last out here he trod on a boundary rope and pulled a heart muscle or something.