[PreludeSH]

After Waqar/Wasim, there have been great fast bowling talent regularly coming out from Pakistan. But most these bowlers have petered off after a few years. Not sure how someone bowling unplayable balls can suddenly look so bad.

Hope India can do well in the remaining tests. Looks like our trump card spin is not effective against NZ.

[ValarMorghulis]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Why?

What is enough?

Just because the captain made one mistake and the batting line up failed?

Seriously! I was baffled by this post as well.

1. We are the reigning T20 WC champions.
2. Runner-ups of the ODI WC (where barring a freak final loss, we were unassailable in the tournament).
3. Runner-ups of the test WTC (for two years in a row)!
Countries would love to have such credentials!

This is just one test and that too one inning! Relax.

[saket77]

Indian batting lineup trying to redeem themselves here. The scoring rate seems pretty good. They want to put runs on the board and not only get over the time because being day 3, alone time cannot save India. The bowlers need some runs (& and time) to bowl at and kill time in the process too. Still a tough ask even to get it drawn but good to see some positive cricket.

[AtheK]

Oh Man, such a bad time to get out!! Well played India though, this is quite a redemption.

If somehow we had got Southee a bit earlier, those runs seems might be the difference between win and a loss. Hopefully sun comes beating down tomorrow morning and we are able to continue to bat sensibly. We need at least a 150 run lead to make a match out of it.

Only if we had bowled first!! Good application by top order today.

[Shumi_21]

So we end on 231/3. Rohit's way of dismissal was disappointing, but Kohli's on the last ball of the day made it downright painful. If we can reach 356, being 3 or 4 down, there is a chance of even winning this game.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by Shumi_21

So we end on 231/3. Rohit's way of dismissal was disappointing, but Kohli's on the last ball of the day made it downright painful. If we can reach 356, being 3 or 4 down, there is a chance of even winning this game.

Winning may be out of the question, I feel.

It can only end two ways - either draw or Nz win.

We can certainly draw it while holding the upper hand - provided two or three batters get big scores tomorrow and we end our 1st innings with a 150-200 run lead.

[Mumbaiker]

Originally Posted by Shumi_21

So we end on 231/3. Rohit's way of dismissal was disappointing, but Kohli's on the last ball of the day made it downright painful. If we can reach 356, being 3 or 4 down, there is a chance of even winning this game.

I really was hoping for this scenario. But the last ball wicket of Kohli just the punch in the gut draining the air out.
Lets hope they survive the first hour and then the hopes would rekindle for me.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

Winning may be out of the question, I feel.

It can only end two ways - either draw or Nz win.

We can certainly draw it while holding the upper hand - provided two or three batters get big scores tomorrow and we end our 1st innings with a 150-200 run lead.

Draw probably will only happen if it rains and we have few sessions washed out, otherwise I definitely see a result of this match. Even of we bat the whole day tomorrow, New zealand has enough time to chase it with whole of the last day. If we can make another 300 somehow, it will be very tough for NZ to chase 175. Anything less NZ should win but not with a lot of wickets in hand.

Our fightback today has made a game out of this.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Shumi_21

So we end on 231/3. Rohit's way of dismissal was disappointing, but Kohli's on the last ball of the day made it downright painful. If we can reach 356, being 3 or 4 down, there is a chance of even winning this game.

I don't think we are winning this. Don't forget the Pant injury, he may not be taking any further part in this match.

Jurel needs to be playing the next two tests with Pant rested. We really would need a fully fit Pant in Australia.

[handsofsteel]

Much as I do not like to single out players in a team game (for either credit or for brickbats), KL Rahul continues to baffle me. Potentially one of the most gifted players, his recent record, in any format, is abysmal. His continued selection as a batsman alone is befuddling. Home ground, Indian conditions, team up against the wall, he couldn’t have asked for a better scenario to make a statement. Hoping he does well at least once.

[NPV]

An overcast day yet again in Bangalore. Will it be a familiar Indian batting failure in the first session of play (gosh it has happened so many times now!), fingers crossed hoping they will prove me wrong and bat with strong resolution.
Chance of a draw if we survive the days first session.

[harry10]

What a fight back by batters yesterday.
Decision making has been flawed by Rohit this game no doubt.
And whatever can go wrong is going wrong for the team.
This is that kind of the game.

But, highly impressed by the top order yesterday. Jaiswal curbed his aggressive game and partnered with Rohit to give a solid start. Rohit was damn unlucky in his dismissal. Really happy for Sarfraz showing once again his domestic exploits aren't a fluke. His partnership with Kohli was a treat to watch. Kohli back with some runs but still doesn't looks his usual assured self. I still feel he needs game time in domestic.

That last ball out was a booster for kiwis. Whatever the result I just want same fight today. I am sure no matter his injury Pant will bat today even if he can't run. Hopefully KL can chip in when team is in need otherwise what is the point of selecting him again and again.

A word of appreciation for Rachin. Every time I see him bat he is an improvement. Solid technique and aggressive play. Generational talent for kiwis.

[PreludeSH]

Rained a lot overnight. Hope the first innings doesn't repeat.
KL should bat like how he does in limited overs ��

[harry10]

Rain is back.

But, what an exhilarating session.
Sarfu getting his well deserved 100
Pant making his usual Flamboyant 50.

Just 12 deficit left.
Match is in balance now.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by harry10

Rain is back.

But, what an exhilarating session.
Sarfu getting his well deserved 100
Pant making his usual Flamboyant 50.

Just 12 deficit left.
Match is in balance now.

Still in NZ’s favour I’d say, even more so now with the rain coming in hard.

If we have a session left today to bat, I hope we don’t lose all our wickets in a flurry like we did in the first session on day 2. That would restrict our lead to 50 or so which would be an easy target for NZ, given that they would have a whole day to play - again assuming it doesn’t rain.

On the flip side, if we dig in and bat through the day, not lose wickets and somehow manage another 150-200 I’d say it’s game on! We need KL and Pant to make a few big ones.

Great fight back by India yesterday and today as well, after the blushes on day 2.