[Oxy]

Considering there is 80% chances of rain tomorrow as per the weather forecast, Cummins might have played a match saving innings here.

Hope the poor decision of not enforcing the follow on doesn't come back and bite us in the rear tomorrow.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by Oxy

Considering there is 80% chances of rain tomorrow as per the weather forecast, Cummins might have played a match saving innings here.

Hope the poor decision of not enforcing the follow on doesn't come back and bite us in the rear tomorrow.

The forecasts have changed and have reduced probability of rain now, touchwood.

[srishiva]

Getting little annoyed with Pant's constant bickering behind stumps. Even Paine seems to have taken it too far. Its useless batter and un-interesting too. Not sure how being in the team for short time, he has assumed that role.

[Eddy]

It's raining cats, dogs and kangaroos in Melbourne.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by Eddy

It's raining cats, dogs and kangaroos in Melbourne.

Yup. Michael Clarke must be laughing away to glory, part one of his (wishful) prediction at end of day 3 is coming true; when he said that irrespective of how many runs the lower half of India adds to the score, this match was an Indian win for sure. The only scenario that Australia could come up top is with rain, and he was sure the Australian team will make sure to bring their best to the Sydney match and make it a 2-1 victory.

It seems a very gloomy scenario for thr Indian team. And I expect a lot of backlash on this thread over the next few hours as the rain progresses

[vibbs]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

It seems a very gloomy scenario for thr Indian team. And I expect a lot of backlash on this thread over the next few hours as the rain progresses

Well the covers are coming off. I guess this (the rain) is in India's favour. It has taken off some time from the match to thwart any hopes of Australia scoring the remaining 140 runs. But India still gets time to pick up 2 wickets.

Edit: Ominous sign for India. Australia needs 139 runs and Ishant' s figure now in this innings is 1-39!!

[Santoshbhat]

Great win for India. Everything fell in place for India in this match right from winning the toss, to the openers putting up a decent start, the big guns - Pujara and Kohli getting runs to all the bowlers chipping in with wickets including Jadeja.

2-1 up and only the Sydney Test to go. There won't be a better chance to come away with a test series victory in Australia. India traditionally plays 2 spinners at Sydney. With all three quicks getting wickets and bowling well, it will a tough call to drop one of them to make way for a spinner. I would love to see Kuldeep playing at Sydney. I think Ashwin is done for the series.

[NPV]

Great win in the end and the rain gods could not save Australia from defeat
Despite the Indian dominance on Day 1 and 2, and most part of Day 3, the last session did go in Australia's favour and Pat Cummins heroics on Day 4 and rain scare on Day 5 could not save the test for them. India deserved to win this, just hope Sydney will be a happy hunting ground again - 3-1 victory in Australia would be nice and something to cherish for long

[Eddy]

Well played India. Choosing a sensible playing 11, openers doing better, field placements etc were better so well done Kohli.
Ishant for Ashwin in Sydney? Or will Pandya play as the 3rd seamer somehow?

[pandey.jai]

Great win for the Indian team. I would have loved to beat a full strength Australian team but you can only beat what you're up against.

For the Sydney test, I think we will see Pandya and Ashwin (or Kuldeep) coming in to the team with Ishant and Rohit making way. I'm not sure if we will see Shaw come in but I wouldn't be surprised if Vihari made way for Shaw since his bowling services also may not be required (assuming we play Bumrah, Shami, Jadeja, Ashwin and Pandya)

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Ishant for Ashwin in Sydney? Or will Pandya play as the 3rd seamer somehow?

If it was upto me then none of them.

Just replace Ishant with Kuldeep and Rohit or Vihari with Bhuvneshwar Kumar from the current eleven. That gives us 2 spinners on a tradationally spin friendly pitch and decent batting depth as well.

Pandya is a mediocre bits and pieces hack. Bhuvi over him any day of the week especially for tests.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by pandey.jai

...I'm not sure if we will see Shaw come in but I wouldn't be surprised...

Shaw is in Bangalore in rehab and training at NCA. Unlikely he'll be rushed in for the 4th Test.

[PPS]

Just hope Indian Team doesn't lose focus & concentrates on winning the series now. Traditionally Sydney assists the spinners but whether it should warrant 2 spinners in the XI is debatable. With so many left handers in the Australian lineup & with possible footmarks outside the left handers off stump, Jadeja should be enough since nobody has any clue about Ashwin's fitness.
Rohit Sharma it seems is the lucky charm for us in this series.

[swissknife]

Going by history that the SCG assists spinners, the Indian team should be doubly careful to negotiate Nathan Lyon. He has had his fair share of success against this Indian team. The toss would be very crucial.

[harry10]

Great win. 2 spinners are a must for Sydney. Ishant should be rested as he looks really tired now. Ashwin /kuldeep for him. Rest I won't tinker with anyone. Even Rohit was alrite this match and we need batting depth. Pandya/bhuvi have no match practice so should not be played in a series decider.