[mukul32]

Yes. Finally! Looks like an easy win for India.
As a matter of fact, the last time India played Pakistan in a bilateral ODI series, Misbah was captain, Younis was the number 3, Kamran Akmal was keeper, Nasir Jamshed was opener, Umar Gul was the opening bowler and Ajmal was the lead spinner. Today not one of them is in their side.

[Eddy]

Eagerly looking forward to the first day / night pink ball test match between Aus & NZ that starts on 27th

[mukul32]

Yes Ed, that match does sound very interesting. And whatever the oldies and pundits may have to say, day-night tests are here to stay. According to what players from either sides like Williamson, Hazlewood, Burns, etc have reported, the pink ball behaves very differently from their red ball at times, and wears out faster. As the end of the day is near, it also tends to swing a lot. So should create interesting competitive scenarios in different stages of the game.

Also, don't know why, but I have a hunch that this match may be somewhat one sided, and will be heavily titled in favour of the bowlers. If the likes of Warner, Smith, Williamson, McCullum, etc have other ideas, let's see...

[Eddy]

Mukul, I agree but at the same time I am not sure of how this will work in the subcontinent. Especially in the winters when there is dew in the evening.

[mukul32]

In the subcontinent, it may help the spinners even more than it does now. The pink ball will be much more difficult to read than the red ball under the lights from the hands of bowlers like Ashwin, Mishra or Yasir. In broad daylight, one can see which way the bowler holds the ball. And on the red ball, the seam is clearly visible. Won't be the same with the pink ball. Also quicker wear would mean spinners come into play earlier on in the innings.
Also, the matches shouldn't be as tiring as day matches are, due to rhe obvious absence of sunlight. The faster bowlers may not lose their pace late into the day's play. I mean, just imagine watching a game of test cricket live in a stadium, say between India and Australia, under the lights, with a cool breeze blowing and the spinners turning the pink ball all over the wicket..... Aah!

[Marauder]

The people calling the Mohali pitch a rank turner should have a look at the Nagpur one.
A bowler like Simon Harmer in the tenth over of the match is spinning the ball a mile. Hope this match lasts more than 3 days.

[Eddy]

Talent goes.

125 for 6 looks a little bleak. The pitch is turning, but someone like Superman ABD can take this match away with one good innings.

[mukul32]

Not just talent, angry bird, new wall, monk, all have succumbed to South Africa. Can't help but admire the tremendous hardwork and dedication of Morkel. On a low, dusty pitch away from home, he has gotten rid of the opposition's best batsmen.
The only thing I wish for is that this team should remain unchanged for any rank turners available for the next home matches. No more of Binny or Aaron please. Maybe Yadav for Rohit or something like that is possible. Also, Jadeja must stay on. He is the guy to provide incomparable balance and striking potential to the side, and will prove a vital cog of this five-bowler strategy.

EDIT: He is proving me right, you know. Now playing on 21 off 26. A counterattacking approach, hit 4 boundaries in 21 runs. For an idea of how things are going otherwise, Saha at the other end is playing on just 9 off 52, and is still struggling against the better balls.

[hemanth.anand]

One session (33 overs and a ball to be exact) is all it took to finish SA
India have batted in all the 5 sessions till now!

This is yet another 3 day game in the making.
While pitch might be the main culprit, I don't see any sense of application from the batsmen.
The most entertaining form of the game is certainly spoiling the most gruelling form of the game

[BaluJ]

As a cricket fan, i feel this test is not providing an even chance for a bat vs ball contest. Haven't see the SA innings but saw a few deliveries and those ones were turning square

[Eddy]

If and when it happens, this will be the first overseas series loss for SA for close to a decade.

What a record !!

[NPV]

Looks like this test will end on Day 3 ?
Home teams do prepare pitches to suit their strengths but this one seems to be something else, or is it just the batsmen lacking patience and application to bat on turners ?
Unable to watch the match but will catch up with highlights (hope highlights will be for at least 5 minutes ).

[hemanth.anand]

With 27 overs remaining and only 3 more Indian batsmen left, I wouldn't be surprised if this match is over today itself!!!

[harry10]

Originally Posted by NPV

Looks like this test will end on Day 3 ?
Home teams do prepare pitches to suit their strengths but this one seems to be something else, or is it just the batsmen lacking patience and application to bat on turners ?
Unable to watch the match but will catch up with highlights (hope highlights will be for at least 5 minutes ).

Most of the batsman getting out is their own rash shots rather than pitch doing something extraordinary. Dhawan, kohli, Nohit, Rahane, Jadeja.. All played crap shots.

With 310 to win now the good question is will SA be able to cross 100

[hemanth.anand]

12 Wickets on the first day
20 Wickets on the second day
What a wicket!!