[NomadSK]

3 days of test and everyday the pitch has behaved differently, with first day it spitting venom and by the time 3rd day finished it has started to misbehave and started keeping low. Shows the importance of playing time.

Interesting what’s in store for 4th & 5th day (if they can reach there) Tough time for Aussie batsmen to keep this match alive.

Would be interesting if Aussies fight out this match rather than to crumble like a pack of cards. That’s where champions/fighters rise to the occasion.

Well played India, it was absorbing to watch each and every session so far.

[lightfootdriver]

Originally Posted by PreludeSH

Kohli looks like he plays more for his wife than India

I'm sorry, did I read that right?

Maybe it is on lighter note but that's quite an unwanted comment to make on someone's personal life and question their devotion towards the country.

It's Anushka who stands beside him through thick and thin, right?

That's one beautiful sight to see how a mighty successful sportsperson almost always makes sure to look at their partner after doing well for himself and his country, and convey her how much he appreciates having her in his life. That's a rare sight, particularly in a patriarchal country like ours, and we should be celebrating this.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by PreludeSH

Kohli looks like he plays more for his wife than India

You are absolutely right.

Even I work only because I want to provide for my family.

[Asish_VK]

Originally Posted by lightfootdriver

I'm sorry, did I read that right?

Maybe it is on lighter note but that's quite an unwanted comment to make on someone's personal life and question their devotion towards the country.

It's Anushka who stands beside him through thick and thin, right?

That's one beautiful sight to see how a mighty successful sportsperson almost always makes sure to look at their partner after doing well for himself and his country, and convey her how much he appreciates having her in his life. That's a rare sight, particularly in a patriarchal country like ours, and we should be celebrating this.

+1

I believe Kohli is one of those playes who fights his heart out always to win the match, be it team India or RCB. Whatever his personal life and related decisions are, nobody can doubt his commitment to the game.

Everyone knows he was going through tremendous pressure. I can't even imagine how he managed to handle all those media warriors who were hungry for his blood.

I'm sure he must had many emotional breakdowns and sleepless nights. Anushka must've been the pillar of support for him throughout this period and what's wrong with thanking her in public when it mattered?! Total respect to his gesture and her support to him.

Coming to the match, it’s great to see the Mighty Aussies are humbled in this way at their home.

Proper test match batting by India.

[rajeevsulu]

This is some pitch. The way it has changed character every day is amazing. Lyon"s one delivery took 10 degrees of turn. Looks like this match is heading only one way.

Bumrah is one bowler who actually does not need a responsive pitch. With a responsive pitch as in variable bounce and cracks,he is going to destroy them.

And, Virat got a good 100.

Cheers

[PPS]

Originally Posted by Asish_VK

Everyone knows he was going through tremendous pressure. I can't even imagine how he managed to handle all those media warriors who were hungry for his blood.

He has an entire army of PR & Marketing Team which take care of everything! And sometimes I feel that includes Star Sports. The hype is understandable if he's in rocking form but the fact is he hasn't been in the last so many years. But glad he's back in form & hopefully he gets a few more tons as he's a lot more comfortable on these pitches. Virat should credit Jaiswal & KL as well for his 100 as easy singles were available to him thanks to the lead.

https://x.com/UmdarTamker/status/1860559105548562488

[jkrishnakj]

Its almost as if that someone magically changed the pitch when we were batting and has changed the pitch again, when we started bowling in the last 20 minutes. Jokes aside, what a great demonstration of a test match by our batters and bowlers. Was nice to see Australis on their knees.

Did anyone watch the interview that Brad Haddin did with Mark Taylor? Taylor had a great point about why it was key for India to be bowling for the last 15 minutes and was having a great point of view about why Bumrah might have actually declared before cut-off time even if Kolhi was in the late 90's. Good PoV from him actually.

[suhaas307]

At the end of the second session, on day one, after India folded meekly for 150, I had prepared a scathing post that I was ready to submit on this thread.. something on the lines of the players not having learned anything from their routing at the hands of NZ a few weeks ago.

It’s great to see the team get it together and properly show-up in Australia. Hope they can keep this up!

[PPS]

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

Did anyone watch the interview that Brad Haddin did with Mark Taylor? Taylor had a great point about why it was key for India to be bowling for the last 15 minutes and was having a great point of view about why Bumrah might have actually declared before cut-off time even if Kolhi was in the late 90's. Good PoV from him actually.

Based on Washington's dismissal & Reddy's urgency it was evident that Bumrah wanted to have a crack at Aussies for 40mins minimum! We as a nation love our milestones & there was zero chance of a declaration with Virat in the 90's.

[Shumi_21]

Originally Posted by Shumi_21

Skill issues aside, one thing Virat still has is his will to fight. He would be raring to go after having an all around bad day yesterday.

Felt really happy to see Virat get a 100. It wasn't anywhere close to his best, he was jittery at the beginning and almost ran Sundar out a couple of times. But Kohli hung in there and got the runs and hopefully his form back too. Expect him to show his best form in the next 4 matches.

The last Indian opener to score a century playing his first match in Australia was Sunil Gavaskar! Jaiswal now has 4 centuries and each time he has made it count and scored 150+. KL was at his grinding best and hopefully he continues to be so in the middle order. A calm and sorted KL playing between a swashbuckling Pant & Reddy seems exciting!

What an unbelievable 3 days of test cricket we've had! The only believable thing about it was Bumrah troubling the Aussies

[lightfootdriver]

Originally Posted by PPS

We as a nation love our milestones & there was zero chance of a declaration with Virat in the 90's.

Not really a ZERO chance. If Dravid can declare while Sachin Tendulkar is on 194 in Pakistan, declaring when Kohli is in 90s is acceptable and I'm sure, with GG as head coach, it wouldn't have been controversial.

Irrespective, it is good for Team India that Kohli has a 100 behind him early in the series. It would give him a world of confidence and form. Kohli in form is good for Team India.

[Ananthang]

Assuming we will win today, who will India drop for next test once Rohit is back. Will it be Dhruv or Padikal?

Both of them deserves to be around. Let’s see what happens.

[rx100]

Originally Posted by Ananthang

Assuming we will win today, who will India drop for next test once Rohit is back. Will it be Dhruv or Padikal?

Both of them deserves to be around. Let’s see what happens.

Obviously Padikkal and Jurel(if Gill is fit) will be on the sidelines for next test.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by rx100

Obviously Padikkal and Jurel(if Gill is fit) will be on the sidelines for next test.

Wonder why S Khan was not played instead of one of them. His technique is questionable however he was among the few who scored against NZ. Hate to say this but they should play KL Rahul in the next match as well. In all these years, for the first time I felt he put his head down and played well.

Y Jaisawal
KL Rahul
R Sharma
V Kohli
S Gill
R Pant (wk)
N K Reddy
W Sundar
H Rana
J Bhumrah
M Shami

[am1m]

This supposedly most predictable of formats has certainly become very exciting! After the NZ whitewash at home, if anyone had been bold enough to say we'd be on course for a fantastic victory at Perth on Day 4, well.

Happy to see this sort of unpredictability, makes things so much more fun. Also shows the importance of spreading the net, new players, more Tests between smaller nations, all add to the mix.