[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

....
And for those who say that it would have been a different story with Smith, Warner and Bancroft in the team, we should bear in mind that 5 out of the playing 11 in the Indian team have very little to no experience playing test matches. We are just as fresh as they are!

One, nobody knows if India couldn't have still won against a full-strength opposition, so the point is moot. You play with what you've got and try to beat who you get.

Two, I empathize with the players who made bad choices in an apparently toxic competitive environment, but that doesn't exempt them and those around them from the consequences of their actions. They've sullied their own reputations and cost their team a home series they could've been more competitive in.

[NPV]

Nice to see a 600+ score and declaring the innings - the middle/lower order batting came good (finally) after the superb base laid out by the top order. This is the kind of game that can win matches against opponents like the Aussies, just hope the bowlers can do their best to get 10 wickets twice in quick succession...that one last extra mile performance from the bowlers will seal this game and the series 3-1 (hopefully without batting again, an innings victory will be the icing on the cake).

[PPS]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

As I type, Pant has dropped 1 catch. Looks like the idea of tiring them out has also tired some of the own team.

That is the norm for Pant! Every inning he drops atleast 1 catch. He badly needs help with his keeping, should go back to his coach or some specialist now that he's not part of the ODI squad.

[Oxy]

Thank you Pant for ruining what could have been a perfect day.

This is why someone like Saha should be a part of every squad that goes on tour. For the very limited talent that he had, he overachieved considerably and used to punch well above his weight. He can be a perfect mentor for Pant. When we can have duds like Smashtri and Bharat Arun, why can't we invest in a specialist keeping coach?

[NPV]

Australia going quite well at 110/1. The pitch doesn't seem to be doing much so the bowlers will need to toil and be innovative, still hoping we can get few wickets.
Anyone watched this ? The Bharat Army fans singing for Rishabh Pant, lyrics include his babysitting abilities as well
https://twitter.com/thebharatarmy/st...87378590728193

[ninjatalli]

^^wow we really have cases of some sour grapes on this thread, don't we (wrt to views above)! I'm glad Kohli put out the disclaimer that he purposely doesn't read comments or views online, else if someone looks at this thread, it'll seem the Aussies are 2-1 on our home pitches

On a different note, it's highly refreshing to read the Aussie news media - they are not letting the home team easy!

Originally Posted by NPV

Australia going quite well at 110/1. The pitch doesn't seem to be doing much so the bowlers will need to toil and be innovative, still hoping we can get few wickets.

My guess is this is going to be a high scoring match from both sides; which historically what Sydney ground has always been. It's in the last two days that things start to get into motion, especially for the spinners so it all depends how much the bowlers achieve today.

[searacer932]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

^^wow we really have cases of some sour grapes on this thread, don't we (wrt to views above)! I'm glad Kohli put out the disclaimer that he purposely doesn't read comments or views online, else if someone looks at this thread, it'll seem the Aussies are 2-1 on our home pitches

Perfect! After going through some posts on this thread it looks as though Indians were responsible for the sandpaper gate and that this Australian team is worse than Zimbabwe team and the two wins cannot be treated as wins.

People complaining about a weak Australian team, should also remember that even India played with only 4 front line batsman in the first two test matches. The Indian openers were like free vouchers to the opposition

[harry10]

Kohli won't enforce follow on. We are one bowler short. And rest need a breather. We will bat again. Give them a target and wish somehow get them all out in 2nd innings. Series is in the bag, why risk burning players out.

Realistically if they make another 100 runs with 4 wickets we can still have a 280+ lead in hand. Bat for 40 overs. Make 150 and declare. 400+ won't be chaseable. So, still hope for a win. Barring rain of course.

On a side note. Anyone watches BBL? I firmly believe it's way below IPL. Especially the talent on display. India has far better domestic talent than Aussies. Also, we get more current International players playing. BBL mostly have retired ones.

[kavensri]

Originally Posted by harry10

On a side note. Anyone watches BBL? I firmly believe it's way below IPL. Especially the talent on display. India has far better domestic talent than Aussies. Also, we get more current International players playing. BBL mostly have retired ones.

I guess, the reason for this is 'popularity of cricket is on decline' in Australia. Found this article (random search on google) and I found this article to be close to reality.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/...r-other-sports

[searacer932]

Originally Posted by harry10

On a side note. Anyone watches BBL? I firmly believe it's way below IPL. Especially the talent on display. India has far better domestic talent than Aussies. Also, we get more current International players playing. BBL mostly have retired ones.

I watch only the highlights but I found the tournament to be quite good. I have not been following it for the past couple of years though but I followed it prior and I found the quality to be quite good. In fact the fielding used to be top class in BBL. People like Smith & Maxwell came into prominence via BBL.

The scheduling is messed up in my opinion. BBL happens in parallel to the Australian test/ODI season. I don't think this will help them in the long term.

[karanraheja]

Originally Posted by harry10

Kohli won't enforce follow on. We are one bowler short. And rest need a breather. We will bat again. Give them a target and wish somehow get them all out in 2nd innings. Series is in the bag, why risk burning players out.

If Aussies get bundled out with deficit of 300 runs i would still want Australia to bat . We have nothing to lose. Aussies are on backfoot trying to draw a match . Kohli will use to Spinners more in 4th & 5th Day so not much workload for quicks. Also the Aussie weather is unpredictable.

[suhaas307]

Looks like we're heading towards another victory. It's possible that Cummins and Handscomb, along with the tail, will put on about a 100 runs or so over the next one-and-a-bit sessions before they're bundled out.

That would still leave them trailing by a substantial nearly-300 run lead. Knowing Kohli, he will not enforce the follow on and will bat the rest of the day to ensure the lead breaches 400 and only then declare. He may want a crack at bowling the last few overs of the day, light permitting!

On the flip side, if we do manage to bundle them out before the end of the morning session and trailing by 350 or more, Kohli should consider enforcing the follow on.

All of this is of course subject to the weather over the next few days. Let's hope it does not rain and play is not stopped due to bad light.

Originally Posted by Oxy

Thank you Pant for ruining what could have been a perfect day.

This is why someone like Saha should be a part of every squad that goes on tour. For the very limited talent that he had, he overachieved considerably and used to punch well above his weight. He can be a perfect mentor for Pant.

Now, I think that may be a bit harsh on Pant. It's true, he is a bit twitchy and lacks balance as he swings to his left before going to his right, leaving him wrong-footed after the ball reaches the batsman. He's dropped at least 4 catches this series, if not more! But he is young and fairly new to International Cricket. The inexperience comes through, but with more games under his belt, he will develop his glove-game and his temperament with the bat. A word with Dhoni or even Gilchrist should help.

[NPV]

Australia now 9 wickets down, but with the possibility of rain looming, will we have enough time to bat again ?

Almost an entire session was lost to rain this morning, so it's probably time for Kohli to enforce a follow on for the first time ever! I think in 6 previous matches when he had the option, he hasn't enforced the follow on even once

*Last wicket pair playing well to frustrate Indian bowlers. Starc and Hazlewood on 20+ scores.

[hemanth.anand]

Ok Australia bundled out for 300. With 322 lead and 4.5 sessions remaining, I feel India should enforce the follow on as batting 4th is not a very difficult thing on this pitch. That is if Australia give us a target to win. With rain possible, well waste time if we bat again and push the game more towards a draw.

Edit: IND have enforced follow-on

[NPV]

Australian batsmen appeal for "bad" light condition (with lights on) and play has been suspended with tea being taken early. Obviously they will now use every opportunity to save the match