[carboy]

Originally Posted by anb

What was Sachin's age when he played first test match ?

Sachin is the exception, not the rule. You need to study Sachin's history before he played his first test match. Almost no has done what he did right from age 11. The Sachin justification cannot be given for every kid out there.

That aside, OP suggested keeping Shaw out because he was raw & suggested replacing him with Gill who is as raw.

[Eddy]

So much for cricket in Pakistan after 10 years. The stands are empty.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by Eddy

So much for cricket in Pakistan after 10 years. The stands are empty.

May be they are Celebrating Gandhi Jayanti

Out of 11 of the Srilankans playing, I guess 8 are on their debut series. Don't think it is a success but PCB shall promote it as if a World Cup happened

[anb]

Originally Posted by carboy

Sachin is the exception, not the rule. You need to study Sachin's history before he played his first test match. Almost no has done what he did right from age 11. The Sachin justification cannot be given for every kid out there.

That aside, OP suggested keeping Shaw out because he was raw & suggested replacing him with Gill who is as raw.

Shaw scored hundred in his debut innings and has a batting average of 118 in tests.

[carboy]

Originally Posted by anb

Shaw scored hundred in his debut innings and has a batting average of 118 in tests.

Surinder Amarnath scored a 100 in his debut innings. So did Suresh Raina & Shikar Dhawan.
As I wrote before, you need to study Sachin's history before he played his first test match with merited his selection in tests. Almost no has done what he did right from age 11.

[harry10]

So, Rohit sharma has booked himself for next 3 test series at least. He played quite well today. If he can work on his game against swing bowling he can be a decent opener for sometime.

[anb]

Originally Posted by carboy

Prithvi Shaw : 17 first class matches (includes 2 tests), age 20 years
Shubman Gill: 15 first class matches, age 20 years

I would recommend keeping both of them out.

Post reminds me of this. Reaction of a few members when Kohli first selected in ODI side

[carboy]

Originally Posted by anb

Post reminds me of this. Reaction of a few members when Kohli first selected in ODI side

I don't care who you select in the ODI team. You could select an U-15 World Cup captain for all I care.

[landcruiser123]

This is why Test cricket is the best form of cricket. Great fight from RSA. I'm so glad they haven't folded for 160 and 180 in the 2 innings. Great stuff by Elgar. He's easily been the best Test opener in the past few years. Good mix of caution and aggression in his innings. de Kock capitalized on a tired Indian bowling lineup.

It's going to be difficult for India to win if it rains on Day 4.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

This is why Test cricket is the best form of cricket. Great fight from RSA. I'm so glad they haven't folded for 160 and 180 in the 2 innings. Great stuff by Elgar. He's easily been the best Test opener in the past few years. Good mix of caution and aggression in his innings. de Kock capitalized on a tired Indian bowling lineup.

It's going to be difficult for India to win if it rains on Day 4.

For me Elgar and Smith would be the best non Asian Batsmen to play in Asian conditions. Elgar had performed well in Srilanka as well. He has shown the right temperament and technique to play on such flat pitches with some assist to spinners later on.

[Oxy]

I heard SA have got one of our domestic cricket legends Amol Muzumdar as their batting coach. Good appointment it has proven to be so far.

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by Eddy

So much for cricket in Pakistan after 10 years. The stands are empty.

I think they had a power failure at the stadium too.

Originally Posted by Oxy

I heard SA have got one of our domestic cricket legends Amol Muzumdar as their batting coach. Good appointment it has proven to be so far.

At national anthem time, he was singing along with Indian national anthem in SA colours.
Never saw him in Indian colours or whites in the first team. Perhaps he played a few India A games.

[Eddy]

Misbah and the selectors are copping a LOT of criticism for going back to known failures like Ahmed Shahzad and Umar Akmal, and rightly so. Even the current Waqar had asked Pakistan to look beyond these two after the T20 WC debacle, and he had to some damage control recently when they were selected.

[NPV]

Following on, South Africa are reeling at 79/5

Saha proves yet again why he is the first choice wicketkeeper in tests - he's taken 2 brilliant catches both very sharp chances one on the leg side and one on the off side (diving in front of the stumps to complete the catch)

[PPS]

This has to be the worst SA side to tour India! I guess they're going through a transitional phase now with some players having retired & some lost to Kolpak. The pitches haven't exactly been turning either.
From India's point of view, being unable to get the tail out is the only slight concern.