[AtheK]

Shami and Siraj giving it there all, love the intensity these two get. Just that there is no support from there on. Bumrah seems to be injured forever, other wise this trio is amazing. Unadkat might have been a better choice then Umesh, there is absolutely no doubt about it. Umesh is just way too wayward, even yesterday he was the one who once started bowling took off all the pressure frmo Australia.

5 down for 376, we need to some how stop them before 450, if they cross 450, we might as well be looking at an Innings defeat.

Making Rohit sharma captain of Test team is the biggest joke of this decade, that guy did not even warrant a place in the team till a couple of years back, suddenly he is the captain. Not sure how mnay balls he will play, but I will be so happy if he can prove me wrong and atlesat get 50 runs in both innings.

Ashwin should have played ahead of Jadeja if we were playing only one sounner, there is just no other way to look at it.

Sad to see that we might be on verge of losing another ICC tournament, the wait continues.

[NomadSK]

Aussies sitting comfortable at Day-2 Lunch. Howvever, they havent yet run away with the match. Still even steven.

Indian batting post tea session would be interesting. Hope pitch doesn’t throw demons at Indian Batsmen.

[Revvatron]

Originally Posted by AtheK

First glimpse of New Jersey unveiled, would be great if they launch without sponsor logo as well. They anyway will have to for upcoming World Cup.

Attachment 2458135

Just noticed that the team has different test jersey, without any stripes. Will they use the one with stripes after wtc?

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by Revvatron

Just noticed that the team has different test jersey, without any stripes. Will they use the one with stripes after wtc?

Ya probably because this is an ICC event, I think they will switch to the stripes one later with sponsor branding, unless it is Adidas themselves who are the sponsors.

The Jerseys are on sale on adidas website now.

469 All out, good comeback today by bowlers, if not for Smith and Head partnership we could have been in a much better place, now we need one similar Partnership from Indian team. Hopefully batsman will show up and not again leave it to lower order.

[Fx14]

Isn't it strange that none of our current batsmen seem to be interested in bowling part time?

Earlier we used to have Sehwag, Sachin, Ganguly, Yuvraj, Raina etc. who would regularly turn their arm over and pick up a few wickets too. This helps with the balance of the team and used to come in handy to break up partnerships when the front line bowlers were unsuccessful.

IIRC Rohit had taken a hat trick in the IPL bowling off spin for Deccan Chargers. Rarely seen him do so for a long while.

The current Aussie side have Smith, Labuschagne, Head who do bowl some overs of spin when required by their team.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Why even bowl first in such a match? (Probably captain was scared of getting out in first Over)

Everyone knows including the team management what would have happened if India had chosen to bat first. They most probably would have been 100/5 ! Batting is the weak link for Team India going into the game unlike Australia who have a very strong batting lineup.

Originally Posted by NPV

We saw the pitch yesterday on Day 1, it didn't seem to be doing much for our bowlers, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Aussie bowlers do very well when we bat;our batting is capable of making the pitch seem like a demon

Thats precisely what's going to happen! Aussie bowlers are much stronger & taller than Indian bowlers. Unfortunately for us, the pitch is already showing variable bounce on Day 2.

Originally Posted by harry10

Dravid is too defensive as a coach. Maybe it was a stupid decision by BCCI to make him full time coach knowing fully well he didn't even wanted the job.

As we've seen over a period of time Dravid was better off as a Coach of U-19 or 'A' team & not this Senior Team.

In fact Rahane could have been benched who is anyways mediocre since long and another selection which makes completely no sense based on 3 IPL innings.

Rahane is only a temporary arrangement for this WTC Final, I assume! Who else do you think could have batted at no.5 at the Oval since Team Management didn't try out any new players?

Originally Posted by harry10

Ashwin is a better bowler than Jadeja outside India. In batting they have similar contributions.

Jadeja's batting has come on in leaps & bounds. Ashwin's batting has mostly worked in Asia over the years. Not forgetting his contribution in Australia at all.

Shastri/Kohli did play Ashwin last WTC final and he was our best bowler too. and Bumrah was wicket less. And still they benched Ashwin this final when he is highest wicket taker this cycle.

Ashwin could only have done a holding job on that pitch in the last WTC Final. Bumrah was wicketless, but from what I recollect he didn't bowl badly infact he bowled well but Kane Williamson played him out.

Originally Posted by Eddy

Don't know about others, but the head coach definitely needs to go. Captain is anyway on his way out with his form, fitness and age. This could well be his last test match.

Both are only going on a long holiday considering Team India don't play any cricket at all for a month!

Below is an article on how Ashwin prepared for the WTC Final!

https://indianexpress.com/article/sp...n-ipl-8646513/

[SoumenD]

And as expected Mr. Captain didn't bother the Aussies much. He is done within 6 overs

Gill does look confident. Hope he/pujara/Kohli can do for India what Smith & Head did for the Aussies.

Edit : Spoke too soon. Gill too is on his way out. 2 down for 30

[Fx14]

Originally Posted by SoumenD

And as expected Mr. Captain didn't bother the Aussies much. He is done within 6 overs

Edit : Spoke too soon. Gill too is on his way out. 2 down for 30

2 down for 30 in the powerplay.

They were not reminded that the IPL is over.

[khanmaj]

The first choice players are already out due to on field or of filed injuries. The team is not as bad as people think because we have reached the final twice. The batting has been the weak link for a long time now and they have not clicked together. There is no player in the team right now who has 50+ average in the test matches with more than 20 match experience and that says the state of batsmen.
I don't remember when India last scored 500+ against a potent bowling attack. When the bowling fails everything fell apart and that's exactly what is happening here.

[vibbs]

Every time India has travelled, we have started not so well. Irrespective of what happens today, if the final was a three tests series, I am confident India would have won it.

(Note: This does not excuse the bad selection and cricket played so far in this game. Just an observation.)

[Revvatron]

Originally Posted by khanmaj

I don't remember when India last scored 500+ against a potent bowling attack. When the bowling fails everything fell apart and that's exactly what is happening here.

Rightly pointed out. Infact this has been going on from some time. Our lower order heroics papered over the cracks, but when it is a one off game we don't have the luxury of comeback anymore.

[harry10]

Lyon turned the ball and Jadeja nicked it. Shows Ashwin would have been quite handy here especially with Australia having so many lefties..

Kohli got a Peach. Happens.

Gill and Pujara didn't know where there off stumps is. Novice mistake.

Rohit has been out of form since sometime. Don't know when we will get proper dependable openers.

Jaddu was great until misjudged a Lyon ball. Still did his job.

Rahane was playing like old Rahane. Each ball on merit. Lucky escape with that no ball.

Only if we had Pant and Ashwin playing my hopes for a good score would be intact.

Let's see if Bharat and Thakur can support Rahane to avoid follow on atleast.

Disappointing day with ball yesterday and with Bat today.

[Eddy]

I am now at a stage where I just stop watching when we bat. We are so poor, and have been for a long time.

[NPV]

At the end of Day 2, India, at 151/5, haven't even scored as much as Travis Head! That says a lot about the so-called strongest batting line-up in test cricket (on paper?)

I don't see this game going till Day 4 when rain could possibly play a part, so even the raingods won't be in a position to help India!

Rishabh Pant is sorely being missed.

Originally Posted by Eddy

I am now at a stage where I just stop watching when we bat. We are so poor, and have been for a long time.

Our batting overseas is pathetic for the most part and comes good sometimes after a battering in the first test of a series (which makes them more acclimatized and determined to bat well ?)

But, in sub-continent games we're the heroes

[Acharya]

Sorry to say this, when you make entertainment out of the game(read ipl), the real game will make entertainment out of you.

The heros of IPL are falling flat infront of red swinging ball. In the end, why would BCCI care about consistent failure of Indian team in international tournaments, as long as they are able to pocket 40-50k Cr in tax free income every year.