*Official* India in South Africa

[R_D]

Would take the world cup.

 

[Jono]

No contest. Scenario 2. I'll throw in the '83 World cup if that guarantees a victory in England later this year.

Haha I would too but apparently Dev's India winning the World Cup was what sparked Sachin's huge interest in cricket. So we may need that one

 

[Turbinator]

Indian fans:

What would you prefer:

Scenario 1:
India draws this test series and wins the World Cup

Scenario 2:
India wins this test series 2-1 and doesn't win the World Cup (but still put in a strong performance).

Curious considering the commentators are talking about the WC now.

Wow really tough question because as much as I'd love a drawn series + World Cup, if India wins this from here on, it'll take a massive effort from Tendulkar and Co. One that will stun the world.

But tbh, I'm happy with a drawn series, and the World Cup will be the icing on top.

 

[Thom Yorke]

The highest runs made/day in this test is 289 by SA on day 4. So 340 on the final day is a way too defensive & hopeless target. Far from a reasonable bait. Dire captaincy from Smith.

 

[duffer]

Yes but the scenarios I'm giving you, losing this series isn't one of them. So it doesn't matter about where this match is at.

Normally I'd have said draw and WC win.

But the excitement I had yesterday when it looked like we could win was possibly the most excited I've been in a long time as a cricket fan.

Not sure if a WC win would reach the heights I imagine I'd have felt if we won.

Think I'd trade WC for a series win here. This isn't me being a test elitist snob. I just really wanted to win in SA.

Sachin's last World Cup,on home soil too? Would be the greatest moment in Indian cricket in my lifetime. Would be incredible.

 

[Turbinator]

Sachin's last World Cup,on home soil too? Would be the greatest moment in Indian cricket in my lifetime. Would be incredible.

Exactly, that too with the final being in his home city of Mumbai. Would be spectacular.

 

[Jono]

Sachin's last World Cup,on home soil too? Would be the greatest moment in Indian cricket in my lifetime. Would be incredible.

Sachin hitting a ridiculous match winning test ton against a soon to be all-time great fast bowler on foreign conditions to lead India to it's first ever win in SA would have been incredible too IMO.

****ing Dhoni.

Going to take me a long time to forgive Dhoni here.

 

[chicane]

Given the situation as is, um give me the World Cup please.

Haha. SA series win would have been infinitely better though.

 

[Blaze 18]

Indian fans:

What would you prefer:

Scenario 1:
India draws this test series and wins the World Cup

Scenario 2:
India wins this test series 2-1 and doesn't win the World Cup (but still put in a strong performance).

Curious considering the commentators are talking about the WC now.

As we have already won a World Cup, I would go for scenario two (out of question now though )

 

[Jono]

Man I really should have put a disclaimer "don't judge my scenarios taking into account India's current position"

Imagine India bowled out SA with a target of 210 and then chased it down instead perhaps.

 

[Turbinator]

I want both

 

[vic_orthdox]

Today shows how Harris (often) feeds off players underrating him and trying to deposit him 75 rows back.

 

[Bun]

Laxman overtakes Tendulkar.

 

[Blaze 18]

No contest. Scenario 2. I'll throw in the '83 World cup if that guarantees a victory in England later this year.

Why ? South Africa I can understand because we have never won a test series there, but why England ? India have won three (?) test series there.

 

[Shri]

VVS overtakes Sachin!

 

[Prince EWS]

Why ? South Africa I can understand because we have never won a test series there, but why England ? India have won three (?) test series there.

Some people value Tests infinitely higher than ODIs. It's okay if you don't, but some people do.

 

[Uppercut]

Today shows how Harris (often) feeds off players underrating him and trying to deposit him 75 rows back.

Haha but in the run up to every series involving South Africa the fans of the opposing side still always say, "we need to get after Harris".

Tbf to Harris, as the commentators were just saying, this isn't his job. The selectors knew his limitations when they picked him.

 

[Ruckus]

Oh SA what a waste.

 

[Jono]

I reckon if Harbhajan was South African they'd still pick Harris, Harbhajan's record away from home is deplorable at best, as well as he bowled last test. Harris does a job for South Africa, his record is far from embarrassing and has claimed more than a few big scalps.

Woah, that is a huge huge call.

On talent alone, despite the fact that Harbhajan is Hugely overrated due to one dream series, then yes Harbhajan would be picked ahead of Harris. But the way he fits into the team (and the way Harbhajan would not) and glowing endorsements from team management, not to mention the continued omission of Botha suggest they won't move him on any time soon.

I know he's banned, but I love that Harbhajan followed this up with a 7-fer and Harris has been unable to get a wicket on a 5th day track that is spitting balls up off a length.

 

[Prince EWS]

Haha but in the run up to every series involving South Africa the fans of the opposing side still always say, "we need to get after Harris".

I know; it happened in this series too. There's a myth around that Harris gets wickets because he gets treated with too much respect - as a result he keeps getting over-attacked and keeps taking wickets. It happens over and over again; so annoying.