*Official* South Africa in India

[Jono]

I love how you call GI Joe's statement earlier a false dichotomy yet basically insinuated that anyone who will clap a good shot from an opposition batsman has no "passion".

 

[silentstriker]

I love how you call GI Joe's statement earlier a false dichotomy yet basically insinuated that anyone who will clap a good shot from an opposition batsman has no "passion".

That's probably the wrong word - a better thing to say is they probably don't do their passion justice, and create a passionless atmosphere which I don't want to be a part of.

 

[Pratters]

I would like to think so Pratters...lol

Just love the game and express my opinions on it.

I saw you were at the ground but decided not to go in. Naughty naughty...nah just kidding mate. I don't blame you if you have a Virender Sehwag in your line-up.

I did go in, sat in the new plastic seats, took some pics, had a nice half an hour and came back.

And GO INDIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Champion team.

 

[Jono]

Why did you go back and not stay? It is not a good experience live?

 

[G.I.Joe]

Probably had a movie to catch

 

[Pratters]

This is why Eden Gardens is the home of Indian cricket. Did you see the crowd? It was so awesome. No other Indian crowd is this good at a Test match.

Only 40,000 of the 1,10,000 seats in the ground have been reconstructed till now. Still awesome atmosphere.

 

[G.I.Joe]

That's probably the wrong word - a better thing to say is they probably don't do their passion justice, and create a passionless atmosphere which I don't want to be a part of.

Nah, it just means they're passionate about something different to what you're passionate about. Think of what you make of the IPL, and apply it to them as a Test crowd.

 

[Shri]

That's probably the wrong word - a better thing to say is they probably don't do their passion justice, and create a passionless atmosphere which I don't want to be a part of.

You know whats worse than booing a player during a game? Booing a player during the presentation ceremony. Why am I saying this and quoting you? BECAUSE I AM SO ****ING SLEEPY!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Because they are good at the expense of your team.....

This is a sarcastic third person observation, surely...

 

[Jono]

Nah, it just means they're passionate about something different to what you're passionate about. Think of what you make of the IPL, and apply it to them as a Test crowd.

Lol

 

[Pratters]

Why did you go back and not stay? It is not a good experience live?

I was not keen on watching India's bowling and South Africa's batting. No one except Smith excites me in the RSA line up. I forgot about Smith, or would have stayed for the 12 balls of his play. DeVilliers is damn good but not attractive enough. Smith is stylish.

Plus I had a small party at home in the afternoon and caught up with a few people but that was not a deciding factor.

 

[Jono]

Never heard someone say Smith is a stylish batsman before

 

[silentstriker]

Nah, it just means they're passionate about something different to what you're passionate about. Think of what you make of the IPL, and apply it to them as a Test crowd.

That's fair enough. I just don't enjoy that atmosphere personally. That's why I'd much rather watch a game at Eden Gardens or an American Football game than one at Chennai or Lord's*.


* Well, I'd see it at Lord's than any other place due to it's status in cricket history, and also because I loved the stadium, but I am speaking in terms of enjoying the cricketing experience.

 

[Pratters]

Never heard someone say Smith is a stylish batsman before

"graeme smith" "stylish batsman" - Google Search

Only 1140 odd links and all point to Laxman. So yes, I am the first.

 

[Cruxdude]

That's fair enough. I just don't enjoy that atmosphere personally. That's why I'd much rather watch a game at Eden Gardens or an American Football game than one at Chennai or Lord's*.


* Well, I'd see it at Lord's than any other place due to it's status in cricket history, and also because I loved the stadium, but I am speaking in terms of enjoying the cricketing experience.

Chennai doesn't always just stand up and clap. The din that we make when Sachin is bating is awesome. We cannot be an Eden Gardens as we can't have 1 lakh guys in the stadium but MAC is a brilliant place to watch cricket. I still remember watching the last day of the 1999 test match. Everywhere people were dancing on the chairs and screaming themselves hoarse. It is only when we lose that we become all solemn and clap. To equate us with English crowds is insulting.

 

[silentstriker]

To equate us with English crowds is insulting.

Haha . No, I am being a bit unfair to English crowds. I thought they were finally doing something right when they started booing Ponting.

 

[ret]

Dhoni is not going to jeopardize his own captaincy record for accommodating a buddy, now is he? Whatever Dhoni is, he isn't a ****** when it comes to reading the game.

Selectors better be hard at work evaluating seaming all rounders (like Pathan) for that slot too. I'm something of an Irfan fan (still) and if we're going to arrange comic situations like debuting Saha - wouldn't too dumb an idea to give that guy another try. In tests, the last 3 or 4 appearances he made, didn't disgrace himself with either the bat or ball (and was crucial in Perth, MoM). Doing OK in FC too, took a 5-for and scored a 40-something in Duleep trophy finals (last week).

Ofc Dhoni will not, that's why I said UV may get more chances than some of the others but eventually it's the performance that decides whether he stays in the team.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind trying out Pathan as an all-rounder in a 2+2 bowling set up (esp since he is not that far behind than some who have batted as an extra batsman) and someone like Jadeja in 3+1 bowling set up

 

[Turbinator]

Why is that a bad thing? As a fan of cricket, I want the right decision. At the game, I'm going to let everyone know exactly how I feel emotionally about getting a decision against my team.

Without passion, sports loses all meaning. To me anyway, I couldn't watch sports like that, unless I am neutral to both teams. I'd rather go do something else that'll have an emotional impact, like read a good book or repeatedly call McGrath just to hear his voice.

For once, I agree with SS. But, I believe, it would come as no surprise to everyone that I do so on this matter.

 

[G.I.Joe]

....thus spake the unabashed Michael Hussey fan...

 

[social]

Didnt watch any of today's play, havent read a bulletin or any posts but it looks to me as though it's a typical Indian pitch backed by good local performance on the first day

Thoughts?