[It's Magic]

Originally Posted by AtheK

I am not sure what is the problem of having a different captain for each format

Agree, but I don't think we ever followed it completely.

If I remember correctly, Sourav Ganguly suggested in 2012 that India should consider having separate captains for each format. However, we still look for a captain who is available to play across formats and preferably a batsman.

I guess England and Australia have successfully used this strategy of different captains.

[samitjain]

Kohli seems clueless and when people compare him to the Great Sachin, I feel there is no comparison. Never seen Sachin clueless and getting out in the same manner repeatedly. His classic innings of not hittting a single cover drive during his double century at SCG is the testament to his true talent Guts perseverance when he was getting out at slips. True Great Master, King, god of cricket. No praise is less for Sachin. Also consider he played most of his cricket against greats in Fast bowling - Waqar, Wasim, Shoaib, McGrath, Warne, Murli, Allan Donald, Pollock, Anderson, Brett Lee. The list is very long. When it comes to Kohli - Anderson, Mitchell Johnson to some extent. None of the current worlds best could hold a candle to these bowlers and Sachin faced them throughout their life. Kohli was bunny of James Anderson. Never had a lot of success in England. Kohli test career is just 12 years compared to Sachin’s 21-22 years.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by samitjain

Kohli seems clueless and when people compare him to the Great Sachin, I feel there is no comparison.

Kohli has been out of form for almost half a decade now ! Its going to be a struggle for him to get his average back to 50 if he continues like this. Sure he was a great player but he'll retire as a very good player. Tendulkar was the ultimate GOAT ! That term is loosely used nowadays to describe just about everyone by their respective PR machinery/fan clubs. I read a stat today that Tendulkar almost averaged 50 after the age of 35.

[AtheK]

Rohit Sharma does not fail to disappoint as expected. This is beyond a joke now.

He should do himself a favor and save himself any more further embarrassment and just hand over captaincy to Bumrah mid-series at this point, just like how Dhoni did. Come back spend time with his new born and get mentally prepared for champions trophy.

9 vs 11 in two matches in a row now, can't afford same for next two matches.

[Emvi]

The only thing Rohit and Gambhir the great got right in the series is probably allowing Rahul to continue batting in the opener's slot.

Edit: Oh No! I jinxed him. He misses out on a well-deserved century.

Originally Posted by AtheK

Rohit Sharma does not fail to disappoint as expected. This is beyond a joke now.

He should do himself a favor and save himself any more further embarrassment and just hand over captaincy to Bumrah mid-series at this point, just like how Dhoni did

Not just relinquishing the captaincy, it would be good for both him and the team if he retires from Test cricket.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by Emvi

The only thing Rohit and Gambhir the great got right in the series is probably allowing Rahul to continue batting in the opener's

Heartfelt thanks to Smith, just saw that he dropped Rahul on first ball of the day, it was a sitter from Australian fielding standards.

Otherwise we might have been seeing second Indian innings probably.

Edit: As i was typing this, Smith redeems himself and takes a blinder to dismiss Rahul.

So 14 wickets and over 4 sessions to go, Australia firm favorites to win this now. Hopefully rain gods come to our rescue and wipe out two of four sessions.

[deehunk]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Rohit Sharma does not fail to disappoint as expected. This is beyond a joke now.

We Indians have a built-in problem of staying on whatever it is, whether at the workplace, in sports, in politics, or with lifestyle, despite knowing we are past our best. Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari, who could have been great Test cricketers, are now forgotten. This attitude started with Dhoni, who refused to quit despite a series of failures; Rohit and Virat have continued that trend now. Like Dhoni, Rohit too is not leaving behind a great team, so should we forget Test cricket in India?My gut always says that either you perform or let others get a chance; never become an obstacle.

[careind]

Kohli and Rohit should recuse themselves and start playing Domestic test cricket.
I think the think tank missed a trick by not promoting Nithish to 2 down.
The potential runs he can score is being wasted by pushing him down just for Kohli and Rohit to keep their slots.

[Joeboy]

Hazelwood is injured and will not bowl again in this match and it is already started to rain. So this test match will surely end in a draw.

[srvm]

Originally Posted by AtheK

.......
So 14 wickets and over 4 sessions to go, Australia firm favorites to win this now. Hopefully rain gods come to our rescue and wipe out two of four sessions.

Why should rain help us out of a hole we dug up for ourselves? So that our team can remain unchanged for next test?
I'd rather wish for a clear day to see what the Indian team is made of? Will they put up a fight in the 2nd innings or fold again. That would give us clarity on who should be dropped for next test / series.
I think most of us aren't unhappy with the Indian team losing. It is the lack of fight (or the manner of losing) which hurts us fans.

[Joeboy]

Let us not be harsh with our cricketers as Indian team is going through a transition period. With both Rohit and Kohli looking to be past their prime we need to give youngsters time to settle down. Also in bowling there is too much dependence on Bumrah. It will take time for other young bowlers to gain experience and perform up to expectation. Also Australia is not the easiest of places to play test cricket. We have to be patient with our team.

[deathwalkr]

Not much will change even if the team loses the series. Both Virat and Rohith bring in numbers. And the PR and marketing team will keep at it till they get someone new.

Gill fitted the bill (sorry no pun intended) but maybe too soon. Who knows?

And just my thought, people who follow test cricket might be like an art movie here and IPL is the blockbuster that brings in monies for BCCI.

Have to remember that it is a money making enterprise and losses and wins may not be counted for much as long as the cash registers keep ringing.

If it is in such a rut, then maybe the fans have to do what fans of Kerala Blasters football team did last week. After a string of miserable losses they declared an ultimatum to the team management saying they won't buy tickets anymore and a few days later head coach team were promptly sacked! Good? Bad? Who knows these things...

[Shumi_21]

Originally Posted by Joeboy

It will take time for other young bowlers to gain experience and perform up to expectation. Also Australia is not the easiest of places to play test cricket

Even Shami barely picked up any wickets and went at almost 5 an over in his debut tour to Australia back in 2014. That's why I wasn't really happy with Harshit being dropped after one bad game. Akashdeep should have played but in place of Siraj.

Originally Posted by Joeboy

We have to be patient with our team.

Everyone except Kohli and Rohit. We are effectively playing with 2 batters less because of the string of single digit scores for years now.

Meanwhile we are 7 down with 50 odd runs to avoid the follow on. If Jaddu can somehow manage these runs with Siraj, Akash & Bumrah, I think we will escape with a draw, given Hazlewood is injured and rain delays tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

[SoumenD]

Rain is trying hard to save us from another drubbing. Aussies might be raring to enforce follow-on and bundle us out the second time which is pretty much possible looking at out fragile batting lineup. Even 2 sessions should be more than enough

Kohli & Rohit should voluntarily take rest saving us fans the trauma of watching them fail repeatedly. Bumrah can takeover the reins for rest of the matches. We can have whoever is sitting on bench(Jurel, Washington?) and am sure they would perform better. Even if we loose, atleast we can expect some fight and not such one-sided hopeless surrenders

[Eddy]

We just need to score the 45 runs needed to avoid the follow on and we should be able to draw this game. All upto Sir Jadeja now.