**Official** Australia in India Thread

[Jono]

There's been so many turning points (or points when the game could of turned) in this match. Harbhajan's wicket of Langer and Hayden in one over, the wickets of Ganguly, Laxman and Sehwag in reasonably quick succession, the partnership of Kaif and Patel and now I feel Gilchrist's wicket was absolutely vital. With Gilchrist there at stumps the game was well within Australia's grasp (it still is mind you) but India are in a much better position, and really have a chance of victory.

Nothing other than a win will be acceptable here, Kumble and Sehwag have done extremely well, its there for the taking now.

 

[Sehwag309]

The timing of gilchrist's wicket was just perfect

 

[SJS]

I'd wait at least until the series was actually lost before dropping somebody like Laxman. Even though I'm sure he's used to it by now, I'm still shocked at how quickly the knives come out for him.

You are probably right about that. Actually, there is a big disappointment over the batting since the Pakistani tour. Now with the lower order performing , the middle and top really is shown up for the poor performance. I suppose it is a reaction to that.

There is also a feeling that during the months they had off, the cricketers did not spend time even in the nets. Not that the fans know this for sure but there is total amazement at the batting since April.

I think you are right also in that, we tend to allow Sachin and Dravid a longer string of failures than someone like Laxman. I think this criticism is valid.

Its not true for Ganguly though. Most people would advocate dropping him for batting failures.

In the case of Sehwag, not only have his failures not been that obvious, I think the fact that he is an opener and we are anyway struggling (much more) for his partner, makes it easier on him.

But compared to Tendulkar and Dravid, yes we in India are a bit biased in taking out the knoives , as you say.

I concede this much

 

[Dydl]

They might not be able to grasp it. They might be able to hold it but not grasp it. The Australians would have to wrench it from India if they lost another wicket before lunch on Day 4.

 

[Spetsnatz]

Well India certainly got the big wicket right before stumps.

Bur a lot of work awaits India tomorrow -- they certainly cannot afford to be complacent one iota.
Australia still have a fair bit of batting left -- India need to continue to bowl well and apply pressure right from the start.

I was very pleased to see Zaheer bowl well -- hope he can continue in the same vein.

 

[SquidAU]

There is alot of Aussie batting to come but if Kumble bowls like he has been this test, then the Aussies are up the creek. Martyn seemed more comfortable this innings against the spin. Gillespie can hang in there for a while. Still in the balance I would think!

 

[Dydl]

It is the 1st big wicket Kahn has taken this series.

 

[Slow Love™]

What? Game over! If Lehman performs and so does Clarke, it is a long way from game over. Gillespie is steady and hits the bad balls. Besides Martyn is still in and hitting the Indian bowlers well.

Well, I said "close". And I think it is. The Aussies still have a chance, but I think they need to set India 220-250 (I know that 160 is the record chasing at this ground, but these records are being broken regularly in these bat-dominated days).

The three batsmen left are going to have to all contribute. And, even though Warne's bowled well, he's got no real spin support and he hasn't threatened to run through the batting lineup like Kumble has.

 

[Dydl]

Slightly going India's way.

 

[Spetsnatz]

Who do you guys think India should open the bowling with tomorrow morning ?

The 2 spinners in tandem - or would you be inclined to give Zaheer or Pathan a go at one end. Zaheer was getting a bit of reverse swing so Pathan may come into the equation.

 

[Waughney]

Australia still in with a chance, but have a lot of work to do.

 

[Dydl]

He hasn't threatened to run through it, but that could change dramatically. Like Hayden and Langer were cruising and suddenly one thing went wrong. Kapow!

 

[Sehwag309]

Sunday will be a great day of test cricket.

This is what makes test cricket the real stuff.

I couldnt watch the game today . Tomorrow chilled beer, kabaabs and a great game of cricket

..ahh Aamchi Mumbai life..have a fosters to jinx the auzzies

 

[Dydl]

It is never over until a team has 400 or so to get in a day with a couple of wickets in hand. But in Australia vs India games, it is rarely completely impossible.

 

[SJS]

..ahh Aamchi Mumbai life..have a fosters to jinx the auzzies

Ok Fosters it'll be.

Where in Mumbai did you live ?

 

[Slow Love™]

Its not true for Ganguly though. Most people would advocate dropping him for batting failures.

Yeah, I could see that, and his form probably warrants it. But while he may not be a genius in the field, his captaincy of this team is invaluable, and I think the selectors are totally correct to stick with Ganguly on this basis.

There's a possibility that Gangs could play a very important innings this test if India find themselves chasing a challenging total, given that it sounds like the ball is keeping a little low.

 

[Dydl]

This is completely relevent to the topic isn't it.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I don't get how people are merely saying India have edged ahead in the game, they're big favourites to win as far as I'm concerned. There's only Martyn, Lehmann and Clarke left and most people are of the opinion Martyn doesn't do it (very much) when it counts and you wouldn't put much money on Lehmann scoring a fifty or more.

 

[Jono]

It is never over until a team has 400 or so to get in a day with a couple of wickets in hand. But in Australia vs India games, it is rarely completely impossible.

I agree, when it comes to these two nations, one of them always seems to come back from the impossible or when they look gone.

India in Kolkota and Australia in Chennai in 2001, India in Adelaide and Australia in Melbourne and now India in this test. Who knows what the Aussies can do from here? Tomorrow will be so crucial.

 

[Dydl]

He could play an important innings in a tight situation, but there are others in the team who could captain. But giving his captaincy recently, he should stay in. If he falters, he could be dropped. He isn't on firm ground. To be on firm ground he would have to get a high score this series.