[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

However, the only way we can possibly draw the match from the position we are in

Pant and Jadeja won't be batting isn't it? With no rain predicted, it's foolish to expect anything but a loss. Still find it funny that people felt the Day 1/2 (2, especially) belonged to India.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Pant and Jadeja won't be batting isn't it? With no rain predicted, it's foolish to expect anything but a loss. Still find it funny that people felt the Day 1/2 (2, especially) belonged to India.

Yes, so 6 more wickets and India can be considered all out still we can hope for miracles to happen which do happen very rarely in test cricket.

[vibbs]

Originally Posted by NPV

Yes, so 6 more wickets and India can be considered all out still we can hope for miracles to happen which do happen very rarely in test cricket.

I read Jadeja will bat if required. Not sure of Pant though.

Well the openers almost survived one full session. We now have our best batsmen at crease. Is it not fair to expect they can survive till lunch (atleast)?

And then maybe one of them goes on to score a century and Vihari finally redeems himself.

If only wishes were..

[NPV]

Originally Posted by vibbs

Well the openers almost survived one full session. We now have our best batsmen at crease. Is it not fair to expect they can survive till lunch (atleast)?

I don't think Jadeja and Pant will be at their best when batting (due to their injuries).

History and statistics are too heavily loaded against a win for India, nothing short of a rare miraculous innings can save the test with a draw and a win will be an even more rarer possibility. The first session on day 5 tomorrow will make things clearer.

[pandey.jai]

I don’t think the batsmen will survive one session tomorrow. I would be very (happily)surprised they make it to tea.

Edit:

Pant, Jadeja most likely won’t bat. Ashwin, Siraj, Saini are walking wickets. The openers are gone already. So we’re really talking Pujara, Rahane and Vihari to survive a whole day against Australia in Australia. No chance that happens.

[Eddy]

Vihari may well be playing for his career tomorrow. Let's see what happens.

[kushagra452]

Realistically I expect the Indians to play not more than 35-40 overs tomorrow. Most likely the game will be wrapped up in the first hour of the second session.

[Vin76]

A win for India is out of question. Can’t see that happening, with Rahane and Pujara, starting the proceedings on day 5. If they manage to survive the first session without losing their wickets, they will at best add 70-80 runs. Which means in the next 2 sessions, they will need to score around 240 runs. The pitch is slow and flat, but the Aussie bowling has been top notch and scoring those many in two sessions will be impossible. Even if Pant were to come out to bat, Jadeja is very unlikely to bat. Given the situation a draw will be historic and a miraculous one. But the odds are so much in favour of an Australian victory. I just hope India doesn’t fold up soon. They should show grit and try to take the match at least into the third session.

[vibbs]

Tuned in to see how our batsmen fare and was greeted by Rahane's wicket. I doubt if the rest would last till lunch now.

Pant has come and rattled off. Interesting tactics. Probably they want to materialise on Pant's good record in SCG last time. Let's see how long the resistance lasts.

But I am pleasantly surprised although Pant got two reprives already.

I think it would be good to have these two on crease atleast till the new ball is taken.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by kushagra452

Realistically I expect the Indians to play not more than 35-40 overs tomorrow. Most likely the game will be wrapped up in the first hour of the second session.

Good for you and all that your prediction has gone wrong. We have survived more than 35 overs now and above an hour. Now if these two, Pujara and Pant play for another 25-30 overs at a run rate of 3 then there is a possibility of a win.
Ashwin need to demonstrate that is no walking wicket and has the ability to bat like how we all keep saying. Jaddu may be asked to bat if the match is close. Fingers crossed

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

However, the only way we can possibly draw the match from the position we are in, is if we demonstrate the intent to go for the 309 run target and display positivity. Of course, digging in is the obvious course of action but lack of intent like inability to rotate strike / putting away the bad balls will most certainly rule out the prospects of a draw.

Well, this is what I was talking about all along! it’s great to see some positivity from the batsmen.

Just 1 wicket in that session and around 100 runs. If they keep up this momentum, a draw is on the cards and maybe even a win, if both Pujara and Pant breach three-figures.

EDIT: Pant on 97, Pujara on 58. India 250/3 - we have breached our 1st innings total of 244/10. 157 runs to win. 50 overs left in the day’s play. New ball around the corner. I’d say, game on!

EDIT: Ah, jeez. Pant is out on 97. He deserved a century for that batting display. Australia may be slightly relieved. At this point I don’t really care if india loses the match. I’m just happy that there was positive intent and a willingness to go out there and play a good game.

[landcruiser123]

Sending Pant ahead of Vihari was a master stroke. A left-right combination can throw bowlers off their rhythm.

Fingers crossed.

[samaspire]

A Sehwagish innings by Pant, ends with a Sehwagish dismissal. Hope we still go for win!!!

[vibbs]

Pant has brought life back to this test.

I think, this is why Pant is special. He has the ability to turn things if it goes his way. We need one such player in the team and I think he is it.

New Ball up. Lets see how it goes. The way Pujara and Pant batted, I believe we still have the ability to save this match if Pujara keeps holding fort and Vihari plays to his potential.

[landcruiser123]

Will the demons of Adelaide (2014) haunt India again?

I hope not.