[landcruiser123]

I'm guessing India might be finished by 250.

We need Yadav, Bumrah, and Shami to be at the top of their game.

Originally Posted by NPV

Agree, which is why I said Test stats look decent for Shaw. However, the horses for courses strategy hasn't been applied consistently and in the right spirit as Kohli and Shastri may claim (that's the usual reasoning given for effecting team changes in every game).

I agree that VK + Shastri's Horses for Courses is absolute rubbish. I truly hope they can make amends and have Gill open in the 2nd test and Rahul at #4.

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

I'm guessing India might be finished by 250.

Bingo! All out for 244. Though our bowling is decent, it's difficult to see us winning or even saving this match from here.

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by SoumenD

Wonder if we can even cross 250? 300 looks uphill task

As expected couldn’t even cross 250. The last few wickets bundled out like a pack of cards. 6 wickets for a paltry 56 runs. That Virat Kohli incident turned out to be turning point.

Let’s see how our bowlers perform now.

[KPR]

If Gill doesn't feature in the opening 2 games then there is no point in giving him a chance in 3rd or 4th game when we have already lost the series. Poor captaincy from VK. VK as a player is best and as a captain is below average. Regarding Rahane I don't have high hopes on him. He is currently the 'bits and pieces' player for ODI, IPL and Tests for India. I will be happy if Rahane proves me wrong.

[hemanth.anand]

bad batting by the tail but wonderful bowling by Indians. Could've easily been 35-3 had Bumrah not misjudged it terribly (and comically). Labuschagne has survived!
Australia took 28 balls to get off the mark (Trivia: this is happening after a century it seems)

Nicely poised though and an important session coming up in the test.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by KPR

Regarding Rahane I don't have high hopes on him. He is currently the 'bits and pieces' player for ODI, IPL and Tests for India. I will be happy if Rahane proves me wrong

Very true and to the point on Virat's captaincy and Rahane's role in the team. He was preferred over a batsman who scored a triple century. Karun Nair has gone in Oblivion after scoring such a mammoth score. He did get opportunities however far less than Rahane. KL Rahul is another batsman who should be preferred over Rahane considering his form and state of mind. He showed great composure and maturity as a captain in IPL and looks destined to be a good player if chances been given at the right time.

[Bibendum90949]

Originally Posted by KPR

Regarding Rahane I don't have high hopes on him. He is currently the 'bits and pieces' player for ODI, IPL and Tests for India. I will be happy if Rahane proves me wrong.

If you look at the recent stats, Rahane hasn't fared that bad as one thinks. Yes he hadn't risen to the occassion few times, but his average is pretty good especially against WI and SA in last two years. We're talking about a rare Indian batter whose away average is higher at 45 as against his career average of 43. His performances in the last few test matches is much better and hasn't done much wrong, the reason why retains the spot in the eleven.

Originally Posted by NPV

Edit:Labuschagne gets another life after Prithwi Shah put down a sitter

Man has to improve his fitness and fielding in a very big way if he wishes to play international cricket for a long time. Had few signs before too that he doesn't enjoy his fielding as much. A rare young Indian cricketer off late who has risen through the ranks with below average fielding standards.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Very true and to the point on Virat's captaincy and Rahane's role in the team. He was preferred over a batsman who scored a triple century. Karun Nair has gone in Oblivion after scoring such a mammoth score. He did get opportunities however far less than Rahane. KL Rahul is another batsman who should be preferred over Rahane considering his form and state of mind. He showed great composure and maturity as a captain in IPL and looks destined to be a good player if chances been given at the right time.

KL Rahul getting too many chances earlier in other formats is another (contentious) argument, so there's no end, these aren't apples to apples comparisons.

Edit:Labuschagne gets another life after Prithwi Shah put down a sitter

[landcruiser123]

Originally Posted by NPV

Edit:Labuschagne gets another life after Prithwi Shah put down a sitter

I just feel so bad of PP Shaw. He's just having a torrid time since a few months. A good break and some technical adjustments will help him get back on track.
Needless to say, the trolls & media are going to make him the center of attention.

EDIT: Where is R Ashwin? The fast bowlers shouldn't be overworked.

[KPR]

Originally Posted by NPV

Edit:Labuschagne gets another life after Prithwi Shah put down a sitter

Going by the superstitions we're winning this test. We've already dropped 2 catches so far (Bumrah and Shaw). Remember Kohli dropping a sitter and Chahar dropping one too and India won games, then Smith dropping a sitter and Aus won the game.

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

EDIT: Where is R Ashwin? The fast bowlers shouldn't be overworked.

There he has come to send off Smith. If Lyon extracted bounce spin then why not talented and street smart Ashwin?

[jigar]

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

EDIT: Where is R Ashwin? The fast bowlers shouldn't be overworked.

He came and he conquered in his first over itself.

Btw on a lighter note:
VK looking for those who said India won the 2018/19 series because Smith was not playing and his record against India is awesome:

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

I just feel so bad of PP Shaw. He's just having a torrid time since a few months. A good break and some technical adjustments will help him get back on track.
Needless to say, the trolls & media are going to make him the center of attention.

Rishabh Pant would be feeling a little relieved now the limelight(negative one) will be moving to Prithvi Shaw. If the 2nd ball duck wasn't enough, the dropped sitter of a catch would add to his woes. All these young players became popular overnight because of IPL and probably got introduced to mainstream a little too soon. Yes they have centuries in India but then playing in Aus/NZ/SA is a different ball game. Guess they(Pant/Prithvi) need more domestic practice and some India A outings before being let out on international stage.

And I agree on KL Rahul. While he was in bad form he was given so many chances and now when he is in his prime he is not in the team. Hope next match he gets the chance as Kohli would be leaving & open the innings with Mayank.

[KPR]

Prithvi has dropped ball on Prithvi.

[landcruiser123]

Say whatever, but I think value of the runs scored by Cheteshwar, Virat, and Rahane are just amplified by the current game situation. Barring Marnus (who had a little bit of luck), no Australian batsman showed any resistance.

I guess the pitch and pink ball combination is difficult for batsmen. I guess we still need to understand the dynamics of the pink ball and the different lighting conditions.

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

I guess the pitch and pink ball combination is difficult for batsmen. I guess we still need to understand the dynamics of the pink ball and the different lighting conditions.

Looks like it. I still remember the 1st pink ball test in this very ground. Used to stay in Adelaide back then and was lucky to witness that historic first match between Australia and New zealand in person . The ball was doing a lot and batsmen had a tough time negotiating it. 5 years down the line it still looks tough to play.

A pic from that first pink ball test match

P.S: 13 wickets in a day already, and can be more. Wow. Great to see Indian bowlers rising upto the occasion and most importantly ball sticking to hands finally after the first couple of dropped ones. 60-70 runs lead in 1st innings would be a huge confidence booster.