***Official*** India in South Africa

[Nishant]

No basically, one of the main reasons for our losses was due to the fact that we were very unaware of the conditions and needed more practice matches. Winning the remaining ODI shows that these matches have geared our players for a better showing in the Test series because now we know what to expect.

Exactly.....at least someone understands!

 

[Anil]

Anil.....u seem to be forgetting that cricket is a confidence game. India suddenly had a lot more energy after they won yesturday! That should help them in their next game!

Also, i think a few of u are mistaking me for saying that i don't like ODIs!

I'm not saying that.....i love all forms of cricket and agree that tests>ODIs>20/20! But, i think its important to support ur team in all forms of the game.

U seem to be neglecting 20/20.....its cricket as well u know! I think u ahve some mental blog that prevents u from giving 20/20 any respect! You should stop moaning about 20/20 and just watch the bloody game!!

sorry...one dayers are as bastardized a version of proper cricket as i can take....i want india to win...doesn't mean that i shouldn't criticize them or turn a blind eye to their shortcomings....support doesn't mean blind support...

 

[Anil]

No basically, one of the main reasons for our losses was due to the fact that we were very unaware of the conditions and needed more practice matches. Winning the remaining ODI shows that these matches have geared our players for a better showing in the Test series because now we know what to expect.

1. we haven't yet crossed 180 or lasted 50 overs, forget winning a odi against their best bowling attack...let's first cross that hurdle, then talk about it....

2. test matches are not just about lasting 50 overs and chasing down targets within that period, if they lay down bouncy wickets and throw 4-man or 5-man pace attacks at us in the tests, we have a dravid who would likely withstand it, a tendulkar who would hopefully come to play...other than that we don't have too many folks who are equipped to handle that(at least on a consistent basis, they might be a good innings here and there)...while on the other hand, their batting lineup is far better equipped to handle whatever our bowlers throw at them....add to that the fact that they are a far better fielding and catching side and the point is whether we win the last odi or not, we go into the tests as big underdogs...

 

[Turbinator]

1. we haven't yet crossed 180 or lasted 50 overs, forget winning a odi against their best bowling attack...let's first cross that hurdle, then talk about it....

2. test matches are not just about lasting 50 overs and chasing down targets within that period, if they lay down bouncy wickets and throw 4-man or 5-man pace attacks at us in the tests, we have a dravid who would likely withstand it, a tendulkar who would hopefully come to play...other than that we don't have too many folks who are equipped to handle that(at least on a consistent basis, they might be a good innings here and there)...while on the other hand, their batting lineup is far better equipped to handle whatever our bowlers throw at them....add to that the fact that they are a far better fielding and catching side and the point is whether we win the last odi or not, we go into the tests as big underdogs...

1) I never said we WILL win it, I said IF we win it...

2) I also never said we'll do wonders in the Test Series if we win the remaining ODI, I just said if we win the remaining ODI we'll be much better off and will certainly be considered contenders for the Test series than we would be if we lost the remaining ODI. Also, I didn't say winning the remaining ODI will make us favourites, we'll still remain underdogs, but atleast we'll insert that lil' bit of doubt in the South Africans that, "O these guys are improving as they play more matches, they are getting used to the condition and might just upset us."

 

[adharcric]

Strange coincidence, India win a 20/20 and suddenly the game takes on more importance than a fifty over game. Would it be wrong to suggest if India had lost yesterday such comments would not be forthcoming?

There's nothing strange about it. Had India lost, South Africa would be clear favorites having demolished the opposition in all of the previous matches and with nothing likely to change. The India win, albeit in a minor match, doesn't ensure a better performance but it will give them more confidence and perhaps lead to a shift in momentum.

Regardless of the modifications you make to your technique, it doesn't matter if you don't have confidence.

 

[Benny2k1]

Should sachin be dropped tomorrow? to show the indian side that no one is immune

12
65
4
35
29
10
35
2
1
10

Thats a poor run by any ones standards

 

[PhoenixFire]

Should sachin be dropped tomorrow? to show the indian side that no one is immune

12
65
4
35
29
10
35
2
1
10

Thats a poor run by any ones standards

Never drop Sachin. After all these years of him being easily the most successful One-Day player of all time, what attitude is that to show him. Who else are you going to bring in, the order would crumble without someone like him, when he's playing well.

 

[Turbinator]

Should sachin be dropped tomorrow? to show the indian side that no one is immune

12
65
4
35
29
10
35
2
1
10

Thats a poor run by any ones standards

Drop him and have him replaced by who? Dropping him just to show no one is immune is less important than having him in the team and keep the Indian team morale intact. Plus it might be his day tommorow!

 

[Perm]

Is Laxman going to be playing tomorrow? Good news that Sehwag has been stripped of his vice captaincy in the test's, goes to show that he can't continue on with the current attitude he has got.

 

[adharcric]

Yeah Laxman's playing. The selectors have been impressive of late. A few good calls they've made ...

1) Bring back Ganguly for his experience after a few good domestic knocks.
2) Bring back Kumble, Zaheer and Laxman in the one-day side.
3) Strip Sehwag of the vice-captaincy and apparently consider dropping Sehwag and Bhajji for attitude issues.
4) Include VRV Singh in the test squad. His natural bounce could be crucial.
5) Call for a bowling coach. Vengsarkar has been adamant and the search is on.

 

[Turbinator]

BTW, anyone else wanna place a bet with me for tommorow's game, one similar to SS's.

 

[Perm]

Yeah Laxman's playing. The selectors have been impressive of late. A few good calls they've made ...

5) Call for a bowling coach. Vengsarkar has been adamant and the search is on.

Good that Laxman's playing, they need to shore up the middle order with some experience. Fanie de Villiers offered himself as a bowling coach for India earlier on in the tour if I remember correctly.

 

[adharcric]

Good that Laxman's playing, they need to shore up the middle order with some experience. Fanie de Villiers offered himself as a bowling coach for India earlier on in the tour if I remember correctly.

Apparently, the candidates are Venkatesh Prasad, Javagal Srinath, Paras Mhambrey, Bruce Reid, Sarfraz Nawaz and Fannie de Villiers.
I'd prefer de Villiers or Reid ... Nawaz seems like an idiot after some of his recent public statements and the Indians might not have that same push for excellence.

 

[Perm]

I would probably go for Reid or de Villiers, I doubt the Indians would respond that well to Nawaz who doesn't seem that smart. Not sure how the Indians in the list would go but like you say, they probably wouldn't have the attitude that Reid and de Villiers have and wouldn't be striving for excellence. Then again they might get the players to lift in a way that the others can't.

 

[adharcric]

Agreed. Reid or de Villiers for me unless the Indians can really relate to our bowlers better. Even then, I don't see them having the impact of a Reid or de Villiers.

 

[Anil]

de villiers would be the best bet out of that lot having been a pretty accurate line-and-length bowler himself...

 

[Dravid]

India batting for a change. Well India have done well before at this ground, lets see if they can keep up with history. I take it this way, no matter how India bat in the first inning and bowl in the second inning, if it's possible for Smith to get into double figures, than it's possible for India to win despite the poor form.

Anyway does anyone know the record for how many times a bowler has got a batsman out in a single ODI series? I'm sure Zaheer must be closing in on the record.

 

[silentstriker]

Wow the exact second Ashes ends, the first delivery is bowled. Amazing! I will have watched 20 hours of non stop cricket when its over.

Yay me!

 

[Dravid]

Wow the exact second Ashes ends, the first delivery is bowled. Amazing! I will have watched 20 hours of non stop cricket when its over.

Yay me!

You're lucky, they ended the Ashes in India because of the stupid talk show before the match.

 

[chalky]

Wow the exact second Ashes ends, the first delivery is bowled. Amazing! I will have watched 20 hours of non stop cricket when its over.

Yay me!

I was just about to ask if you ever sleep? Been posting during the night on the Ashes now a full one day match to watch. Think I will catch the 1st couple of hours before getting some shut eye - don't have your dedication.