***Official*** India in South Africa

[Turbinator]

Well according to Cricinfo, it's gonna be a nightmare for the batsmen.

"Though some of the grass is likely to be shorn before the game starts on Tuesday, the dark-brown colour and the presence of quite a few cracks suggested that it would once again be the bowlers that held sway."

I suggest we still look to bowl first because it's not like Kumble will be able to pull off something special on the last two days on these SA pitches, and we do have a pretty decent pace attack atm.

But then again, Kumble actually might play a big role if those "quite a few cracks" begin to open up.

 

[Salamuddin]

I think if India win the toss, they should definitely bat.

 

[Turbinator]

Does anyone know if there are chances of rain in Durban?

 

[adharcric]

The forecast looks good but there is a chance of showers on Day 5 according to some sources. The ball should swing early on due to overcast conditions.
Let's hope we get another high-quality test match with the Proteas fighting back and the Indians continuing the good work to take a 2-0 lead.

 

[Turbinator]

Let's just hope this one doesn't turn out to be a draw cuz' of the rain.

 

[silentstriker]

The forecast looks good but there is a chance of showers on Day 5. Let's hope we get another high-quality test with the Proteas fighting back and the Indians continuing the good work to take a 2-0 lead.

Well unfortunately, I'll be watching with friends and family tonight so I won't be able to entertain you with my commentary during the early part of the game. Hopefully, India come out firing and not fall victim to a big emotional let down.

 

[Turbinator]

The forecast looks good but there is a chance of showers on Day 5 according to some sources. The ball should swing early on due to overcast conditions.
Let's hope we get another high-quality test match with the Proteas fighting back and the Indians continuing the good work to take a 2-0 lead.

Now that's what I am talking about. Positive, optimistic fans equals positive, optimistic results!

 

[adharcric]

Well unfortunately, I'll be watching with friends and family tonight so I won't be able to irritate you with my commentary during the early part of the game.

Thank you.

 

[Turbinator]

Well unfortunately, I'll be watching with friends and family tonight so I won't be able to entertain you with my commentary during the early part of the game. Hopefully, India come out firing and not fall victim to a big emotional let down.

I don't know how you guys manage to stay on CW and watch the game... it's so hard! Are your computers like right beside the TV?

 

[adharcric]

Positive, optimistic fans equals positive, optimistic results!

Haha not exactly, India have gotten owned quite a lot of late as well, but that's no reason to lose the optimism.

 

[adharcric]

I don't know how you guys manage to stay on CW and watch the game... it's so hard! Are your computers like right beside the TV?

I get streaming on my computer, hook it up to the TV with an s-video cable and then multitask.

 

[Turbinator]

Haha not exactly, India have gotten owned quite a lot of late as well, but that's no reason to lose the optimism.

Actually, it's our optimism that gets them these rare victories, but most of the time the opposite type of fans *cough* SS *cough* weigh the team down.

 

[silentstriker]

Actually, it's our optimism that gets them these rare victories, but most of the time the opposite type of fans *cough* SS *cough* weigh the team down.

Weigh the team down? I suppose the no overseas victories for almost 20 years was because of the fans weighing the team down, and not because, you know, we had **** for bowling.

 

[Turbinator]

Weigh the team down? I suppose the no overseas victories for almost 20 years was because of the fans weighing the team down, and not because, you know, we had **** for bowling.

That's what your type of fans want us to believe....

 

[adharcric]

Excellent move to send Pathan back IMO. He can be a match-winner for India and he's wasting his time on the bench. Our domestic system has been ridiculously underused so far.
Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Joginder Sharma, Gagandeep Singh and VRV Singh all need to produce results ahead of the World Cup and tour of England.

 

[silentstriker]

I'm rooting for Gagandeep Singh, hope he gets a shot.

 

[Turbinator]

It'll help Pathan if he consults a few bowling greats.

 

[silentstriker]

It'll help Pathan if he consults a few bowling greats.

I think he's done that enough. Sometimes you just have to get away and figure it out yourself. It can't help if he talks to five bowlers and they all give him conflicting advice.

In the end, he's the one who knows his game the best.

 

[adharcric]

I think he's done that enough. Sometimes you just have to get away and figure it out yourself. It can't help if he talks to five bowlers and they all give him conflicting advice.

In the end, he's the one who knows his game the best.

Agreed. He can have a chat with Wasim Akram if he wants to, but in the end it will come down to the hard work that Pathan puts in, be it in the nets or playing for Baroda.

 

[Turbinator]

Yeah well that's what I meant, consult Akram, but at the end of the day it is upto him to analyze and improve his bowling. But Akram can guide him in the right direction and also do his confidence some good.