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*Official* - Road to India in South Africa - 2010-11

vcs

vcs

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honestbharani said:
Is this the series between the 2 top teams in the world based on the last 2 or 3 years? Yes. Is England coming on well? Yes, but let us wait for them to sustain something over more than 2 tests before jumping on to anything. It is funny that certain posters who thought India didn't DESERVE to be #1 when they actually were, are suddenly finding that 2 tests against a team shot of confidence and leadership is enough of a sample size to declare them the best in the world.. Apparently, anything India did against better Aussie sides in the past doesn't mean much...


Coming to this series, RSA are firm favorites for mine, for I just do not think any team in the world are gonna beat them at home, including Australia or England on current form. India have a decent chance but we have to play better than we have ever done over there, and that, while not impossible, is a pretty difficult thing to achieve..
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Well said. England are in great form currently but declaring them the best team in the world, even on current form, while ignoring India's credentials for No. 1, which they built up for the last 3 or 4 years, is double standards.
 
Blaze 18

Blaze 18

Banned
England are definitely a very good side, but you have to look at their performances over a reasonable time period before calling them the best side in the world. I would have India and South Africa just ahead of England at this point, but I reckon England will be the best side in two years time.
 
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Woodster

Woodster

International Captain
Blaze 18 said:
England are definitely a very good side, but you have to look at their performances over a reasonable time period before declaring them to be the best side in the world. I would have India and South Africa just ahead of England at this point, but I reckon England will be the best side in two years time.
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I'd agree with this, think both SA and India have proved themselves over a longer period of time and deserve to be recognised as the best two right now. Some big series coming up currently and in the next 12 months so perhaps that might tell us a bit more.

England are currently a very good side who will be a match for anyone now, we saw that in SA last winter and hopefully we'll see that in the English summer against India, but it is about consistency and longevity, and England find themselves just behind.
 
smash84

smash84

The Tiger King
Teja. said:
I can smell a win tbh and I'm the most pessimistic fan ever.
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I have to admit you are somewhat pessimistic. However as a neutral observer I am unable to share your optimism.

akilana said:
weren't Eng beaten by Pakistan recently in their backyard and stretched by Bang?
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True. England are not that. I would rate Ind and SA higher. The only reason England look so good these days is that Aussie bowling is ****.

Teja. said:
Despite being injured for most of the period, Has Sree evolved as a bowler from the '06 version? I think so.

Has Zaheer become a better bowler? **** yeah.

Are our Batsman in better form? Yes.

Only drawback is we'll miss Kumble.

Can't ****ing wait
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yeah it is a tantalizing wait. That is a big big drawback. Kumble was arguably the greatest match winning bowler in India's history.

honestbharani said:
Coming to this series, RSA are firm favorites for mine, for I just do not think any team in the world are gonna beat them at home, including Australia or England on current form. India have a decent chance but we have to play better than we have ever done over there, and that, while not impossible, is a pretty difficult thing to achieve..
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Agreed with all except firm favorites. While I would rate SA favorites I do think it would be somewhat closely fought. I don't think it would be a cake walk for SA.
 
smash84

smash84

The Tiger King
Cruxdude said:
Gambhir seemed to be lacking confidence and with this NZ series might have just regained it. Can still be hopeful.
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Gambhir flopped terribly in the test series where the bowlers have a bit more leeway. I get the feeling that Gambhir in SA test series will be what he has been for the last one year, a walking wicket.
 
smash84

smash84

The Tiger King
I can't wait for the series to begin. I want to watch Sachin and Dravid against Steyn. Now that is a mouth watering prospect.
 
Blaze 18

Blaze 18

Banned
smalishah84 said:
Gambhir flopped terribly in the test series where the bowlers have a bit more leeway. I get the feeling that Gambhir in SA test series will be what he has been for the last one year, a walking wicket.
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He played quite well in the final test match, actually.
 
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Prince EWS

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
There's a difference between who deserves to be ranked #1 and who has the best team as such, though. Based on results and what has actually gone, India unquestionably deserve their #1 ranking and I don't have any time for people who say otherwise (least not those who try to take it away by saying there is no number one..), but that doesn't mean people can't look at the teams in the world cricket and say they think another one is better.

Basically what I'm getting at is that the rankings show who the best team has been has been over the last two or three years, whereas when people say that a team is the best it's usually based on how they think they'll go over the next year or two, or how strong the side looks right at this moment.
 
honestbharani

honestbharani

Whatever it takes!!!
Prince EWS said:
There's a difference between who deserves to be ranked #1 and who has the best team as such, though. Based on results and what has actually gone, India unquestionably deserve their #1 ranking and I don't have any time for people who say otherwise (least not those who try to take it away by saying there is no number one..), but that doesn't mean people can't look at the teams in the world cricket and say they think another one is better.

Basically what I'm getting at is that the rankings show who the best team has been has been over the last two or three years, whereas when people say that a team is the best it's usually based on how they think they'll go over the next year or two, or how strong the side looks right at this moment.
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Not that I don't agree with your sentiments.



But if 2 tests or so are good enough to judge England, why was it not good enough to judge India?
 
honestbharani

honestbharani

Whatever it takes!!!
smalishah84 said:
The other two were belters too but he had gotten a start in the final one and should have made a big hundred. It was due on him.
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I can see why you think he will struggle, tbh.. So that's all fair and alright :) Juz seems funny that it is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" when it comes to making runs on flat tracks...
 
vcs

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Gambhir's footwork looks a lot more confident and positive in his last few innings including the ODI series.. like all Indian batsmen he cannot play the pull shot well, but he has a very good technique at ducking and avoiding short balls so he should be fine in that department. But he needs to avoid fishing loosely outside off-stump.
 
GotSpin

GotSpin

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
vcs said:
Gambhir's footwork looks a lot more confident and positive in his last few innings including the ODI series.. like all Indian batsmen he cannot play the pull shot well, but he has a very good technique at ducking and avoiding short balls so he should be fine in that department. But he needs to avoid fishing loosely outside off-stump.
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How many tests has Gambhir played out of the subcontinent?
 
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