***Official*** India in Australia

[Top_Cat]

Yes, if Indian bowlers can swing it and keep it consistent like in the first innings, 400+ would be enough. The question is, can they do that under pressure?

Surely if the Aussies are chasing 350+, it'll be them who is under pressure? Seriously, you have an inexperienced opening combo, a number 3 who is struggling a bit and a big total to chase. The Aussies are bowling well right now but it's them who is under pressure right now and India are still in front.

 

[Laurrz]

300 run lead or 300 as the raw score? I'm almost tempted to think a 300 score, with a lead of 400+ might even be enough, but India need a lead of 450+ or 500 to realistically be confident of victory against this side. Looks pretty unlikely ATM.

i owuldnt say safe... wrong choice of words...but tehy will feel they are atleast 50/50 with Australia if they get a 300 lead IMO...

going by what we saw in the 1st innnings, how well they bowled

 

[Top_Cat]

Tait: One Day specialist?

Ponting; Johnson and Symonds specialist?

 

[Laurrz]

Tait: One Day specialist?

too early to say he has a terrific FC record

 

[adharcric]

For the record, I don't think India are the worst team in the world by any measure. WI and NZ are definitely significantly worse ATM. As for Pakistan, England, SL and SA, it's sort of level.

I think India are the biggest underachievers in the world, though. They generally put in spineless performances, for as long as I remember, and for the amount of talent the country has, it always punches far below its weight. But it's similar to India's performance with the Olympics, and pretty much in every sporting field - I guess there isn't much that can be done about it (and all kinds of 3rd world countries do better, so lack of infrastructure and facilities is no excuse). If a college student goes to secondary school, should we all be happy that he's scoring straight As? That's the complacency of India and its fans that bothers me.

Years later, are people gonna remember who put in the first innings lead, or who actually won the game? I respect NZ because they usually play as well as they possibly could, given the population and the background of the country. For India, it's one disappointment after another. The only victory I consider as a reversal of India's abysmal performance history is the series win in England. I don't consider the Pak series because it's at home against a crap attack (where even Yuvraj made a hundred) and the WI series because everyone wins in WI.

Fair enough, India have been an underachieving side but if you ask me, things are clearly improving. You can look at the recent results - the long-awaited series victory in WI was a small step, defeating SA on the Jo'burg greentop was significant (the umpiring played its part in India not taking the series, but that's a separate issue) and the series victory in England was massive. Now, India is giving Australia a pretty good fight without two leading fast bowlers. Really though, it goes beyond the results. Suddenly, India have a whole pack of quality seamers winning matches overseas and if you've been following junior and domestic cricket, the fielding has improved and prospects like Pujara, Sharma, Badrinath and Kohli, to name a few, are standing out on overseas pitches. I can go on and on, but hopefully that's enough for you to understand why there are still people who genuinely support this Indian side.

 

[Raghav]

Yes, if Indian bowlers can swing it and keep it consistent like in the first innings, 400+ would be enough. The question is, can they do that under pressure?

I have the answer! They will not do

 

[Raghav]

For the record, I don't think India are the worst team in the world by any measure. WI and NZ are definitely significantly worse ATM. As for Pakistan, England, SL and SA, it's sort of level.

I think India are the biggest underachievers in the world, though. They generally put in spineless performances, for as long as I remember, and for the amount of talent the country has, it always punches far below its weight. But it's similar to India's performance with the Olympics, and pretty much in every sporting field - I guess there isn't much that can be done about it (and all kinds of 3rd world countries do better, so lack of infrastructure and facilities is no excuse). If a college student goes to secondary school, should we all be happy that he's scoring straight As? That's the complacency of India and its fans that bothers me.

Years later, are people gonna remember who put in the first innings lead, or who actually won the game? I respect NZ because they usually play as well as they possibly could, given the population and the background of the country. For India, it's one disappointment after another. The only victory I consider as a reversal of India's abysmal performance history is the series win in England. I don't consider the Pak series because it's at home against a crap attack (where even Yuvraj made a hundred) and the WI series because everyone wins in WI.

This is good post. This is why I love NZ cricket than Indian cricket. Well said Evermind....

 

[taitmachine]

Surely if the Aussies are chasing 350+, it'll be them who is under pressure? Seriously, you have an inexperienced opening combo, a number 3 who is struggling a bit and a big total to chase. The Aussies are bowling well right now but it's them who is under pressure right now and India are still in front.

I agree its not the same side these days. Hayden is a major loss in this situation. Symonds, Hussey & Gilli still give me a little bit of confidence, but the other four need to contribute - Ponting will lift for the occassion.

 

[taitmachine]

The main advantage Australia have is the game is in a win or lose situation - there is no draw in the equation. This is the way the Aussies love to play, most other teams like to have the comfort of a draw in the background and when confronted with the possibility of losing start to crumble.

 

[Nishant]

india need a lead of abt 400 IMHO...if they can do that, they will hav a realistic chance of winning the test. Its turning out to be a really good match again isnt it? The aussies are a team that keeps fighting and never gives up TBH....an example for the other teams around the world. As for india....they hav really impressed me in this series so far....now pathan and laxman and dhoni after that need to gt the lead to 400+....then its dwn to the bowlers.
C'mon India!!!!!

Btw...sorry guys...ive bin away 4 a long tym TBH...ive tried to post here and there but its never bin the same...things hav bin really busy etc etc...but hopefully i can gt back to bein my normal self again on CW lol...

 

[Slow Love™]

Would really like 5 test series between these two teams.

The last four Aus v India contests (including this one) have been crackers (even if the flat wickets of 03/04 hurt the spectacle a little).

 

[Nishant]

The main advantage Australia have is the game is in a win or lose situation - there is no draw in the equation. This is the way the Aussies love to play, most other teams like to have the comfort of a draw in the background and when confronted with the possibility of losing start to crumble.

good point...thats why the aussies tend to win a few more games lol.....but ur also right in that this match cannot be a draw....but with that said, after the first 2 days of cricket....if india cannot beat the aussies...i really dont know how they ever will!

 

[taitmachine]

good point...thats why the aussies tend to win a few more games lol.....but ur also right in that this match cannot be a draw....but with that said, after the first 2 days of cricket....if india cannot beat the aussies...i really dont know how they ever will!

Its a bit like poker - you have to be prepared to lose in order to win. If you lose your nerve then you will get pushed over.

 

[Nishant]

Its a bit like poker - you have to be prepared to lose in order to win. If you lose your nerve then you will get pushed over.

lol...nice one!!!!

 

[adharcric]

The glee is at the comical optimism of the fans, and how quick they are to condemn the naysayers. I find it strangely hilarious.

I agree that this is India's best period in cricket. They are taking definite baby steps, but they're improving nonetheless. However, to me doing well is winning - and that's that. If they win, they'll have done well. The way it stands is 2-0, and unless there's at least a 1 after that hyphen, it doesn't count for much I'm afraid.

Oh great, so you'll give them a little credit once they dominate world cricket but until then, you'll ignore any progress they make or any matches they win? How convenient. Wake up to the reality - India are not an inferior side to Australia simply because they are underachievers. There's a lot more to it than that and India won't become champions overnight. If you don't have the patience or interest to hope and watch their progress, don't ruin it for everyone else. Thank you.

 

[Nishant]

Oh great, so you'll give them a little credit once they dominate world cricket but until then, you'll ignore any progress they make or any matches they win? How convenient. Wake up to the reality - India are not an inferior side to Australia simply because they are underachievers. There's a lot more to it than that and India won't become champions overnight. If you don't have the patience or interest to hope and watch their progress, don't ruin it for everyone else. Thank you.

exactly..........any fool can tell that india have improved greatly in tests over the last few years and have come up with some remarkable acheievements....they have given the aussies a right run for their money and TBH...if it wasnt for poor umpiring decisions, the score would not be 2-0 and may have been 1-1. BUT...lets not go over that all over again. The bottom line is: india are playing really well and all indian fans should be proud of their team. Cant remember the last tym a side actually scared the aussies in their own backyard. Well done for pointing that out Adharcric.

 

[Salamuddin]

Man, India have really stuffed it up here I feel

When the pressure's on Tendulkar fails again.....

This test has echoes of Cape Town last year when India threw away a golden chance to beat South Africa.

 

[Laurrz]

thinking that 350 is par now

70 runs away

 

[Evermind]

Isn't anyone up for an Avatar challenge? 1 month, let's say.

 

[Salamuddin]

This pitch and the conditions definietly have something in it for the bowlers - 350 might be a very tough target here irrespective of the time available