[jkrishnakj]

This test is still wide open though. It will be interesting to see if the Aussie batsmen come with an approach of aggression and how our newbie bowlers cope with and that will determine what our target will be.

Is there rain predicted for tomorrow / day after ? We might need some from the heavens to celebrate our tail that wagged lovely today.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

This test is still wide open though. It will be interesting to see if the Aussie batsmen come with an approach of aggression and how our newbie bowlers cope with and that will determine what our target will be.

Is there rain predicted for tomorrow / day after ? We might need some from the heavens to celebrate our tail that wagged lovely today.

Australia will go with their tried and tested approach of quickly getting to a lead of around 300+ and try to bowl out India in 3.5-4 sessions, so 0.5-1 session of batting for India tomorrow on Day 4. It will be nice if the Indian bowling can get them all out though

I think rain is a possibility on all days of this test according to weather forecasts.

[padmrajravi]

Washington Sundar looks like a great find. Can't believe he is primarily in the team for his bowling skills. He looked like a proper batsman out there today. And he is just 22. That is a good foundation. He can be groomed to a world class all-rounder.

The resilience showed by this team is unbelievable. Everytime we looked like we were out of the match, someone unexpected turned up to turn the tables. May be that 36 all out changed their mindset.

[Avinash_R]

Originally Posted by padmrajravi

Washington Sundar looks like a great find. Can't believe he is primarily in the team for his bowling skills. He looked like a proper batsman out there today. And he is just 22. That is a good foundation. He can be groomed to a world class all-rounder.

The resilience showed by this team is unbelievable. Everytime we looked like we were out of the match, someone unexpected turned up to turn the tables. May be that 36 all out changed their mindset.

He opens for Tamil Nadu, he is quite a capable batsman. Very impressed with how calm and composed he was.

[KPR]

Including Sundar was a master stroke for sure. Ashwin could be a vital think-tank of the team even when he is not playing and his part in team selection cannot be ruled out. He is the man of series for me for playing mind games with Aussies. A man whose place isn't confirmed yet showed us his sports acumen.

[jkrishnakj]

Originally Posted by padmrajravi

Washington Sundar looks like a great find. Can't believe he is primarily in the team for his bowling skills. He looked like a proper batsman out there today. And he is just 22. That is a good foundation. He can be groomed to a world class all-rounder.
.

He was actually picked for his batting in this test match. Even in the IPL, most days, he doesn’t finish his quota of 4 overs. He is a good bat for TN and it wasn’t a surprise that he came good today. Today’s innings will do a world of good for him.

With that form and confidence continuing for him, i hope he cracks a few wickets for us tomorrow, that’ll be huge.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by KPR

Including Sundar was a master stroke for sure. Ashwin could be a vital think-tank of the team even when he is not playing and his part in team selection cannot be ruled out. He is the man of series for me for playing mind games with Aussies. A man whose place isn't confirmed yet showed us his sports acumen.

He needs to sort out his differences with Kohli. Hard to believe that such a shrewd bowler isn't a part of our T20 and ODI teams. Moreover, he is a captain material. Like Kumble we should not over see his captaincy skills and controlled aggression.

[PPS]

Sundar & Shardul showed why India didn't pick Kuldeep & why 4 pacers were picked! Great to see batting depth & the lower order coming good.

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

Is there rain predicted for tomorrow / day after ?

Last session decent chance of rain on both days.

[harry10]

Excellent day of cricket
Everyone barring Gill got start and wasted them except Puji who got a peach again from Hazelwood.
Rahane for a long time has been mediocre and again got out to a loose shot, it's time selectors pay attention.
Pant is pant and such shots when goes to boundary looks good, today it didn't.

Sundar's on drive and Thakur's cover drive were worthy of a specialist batsman. What a beautiful partnership with high quality shots.

With a lead of 54, 80% rain probability tomorrow, this match should be an easy draw. After SCG heroics Paine won't give anything less than 375 target and they simply don't have the time for that.

Saini should be able to bowl tomorrow.

[VWAllstar]

Oh Dear, looks like it's going to take another last innings fight to save the match and the series.

1. Warner in his best form today. Looks like he has come out with a clear intention of scoring a well paced century

2. Weather forecast is improving. May not have any rains, it isn't London however it is fairly difficult to predict 100%

3. We are playing with 4 bowlers. None of them seem to threaten the opening pair so far.

[hemanth.anand]

Unless we do something like the 2nd innings of the first test, this is going towards a draw.

Australia will come out positively and will want to declare after scoring at a brisk rate. But they can't and won't declare with any lead less than 350. To get to a lead of 350, they've to bat the entire day. But that leaves only the last day for us. 3 sessions is tough for them to get all of our 10 wickets. The pitch won't be like the one England are facing right now. Additionally we will not be having full play with the weather forecaat like it is.

This is why Shardul and Sundar's partnership was so wonderful...they upset the calculations of Australia and tuned the game head over heels. If we had given them 150 run lead, they would've asked us to bat after lunch today with a lead of around 400.

[VWAllstar]

And as I mention the Aus openers playing well, both have got out. I want to jinx it again by saying the current two batsmen in the middle are the core of Australia's batting

Edit: And another two head back to the pavillion. I am doing good

[NPV]

This test is quite evenly poised at the moment but the scales could just tilt one way or the other in the next 2 sessions.
If Australia get to a lead of 250+ it's going to be tough for India and they need to create history chasing that total (highest winning chase is 236 at the Gabba). If Australia bat well and take control, a result could also depend on when they declare based on what they think is a score that India can't get.

If India gets them all out for a lead of less than 250 we can fancy a history creating win or (don't want to see this happen though) a last inning crash can take us to a test and series loss.

Interesting day, possibility of different results in the reckoning.

[Venkatesh]

Rohit Sharma doing shadow practice at the crease as Steve Smith watches

[vibbs]

I think Australia are in a bit of bother. They want to win this match to claim the Border - Gavaskar Trophy, but they cant do so without risking a loss themselves.

The last session would be interesting. India's batting effort in the last test and the first innings here despite being 6 down will weigh down heavily on them. I would back the team to survive 3 sessions and chase down 320 runs if they have more than 3 sessions.

The only apprehension is the kind of balls that got Smith out. Australian bowlers have got the pace and strength to make the ball misbehave. All in all a good test match and this Indian team has really proved a lot of us wrong with their never say die attitude. They keep taking body blows only to come back stronger. There was a comparison on TV where they showed what would Australian team look like if they lost similar players as us. It looked much worse than the last series when they had only Smith and Warner out of the team.

Take a bow boys. You did us proud.