[ghodlur]

340 runs in 90 overs does not seem like a difficult task unless the Indians follow the domino effect where once Sehwag goes, the rest follow. They need to score consistently at 4 runs per over and presently are going at 2 runs/over

I personally feel this is going to be a draw.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Speed-Gladiator

Probably sehwag may give it a try.

Yeah well, he is out. Caught at slip.

[New.Novice]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

340 runs in 90 overs does not seem like a difficult task unless the Indians follow the domino effect where once Sehwag goes, the rest follow. They need to score consistently at 4 runs per over and presently are going at 2 runs/over

I personally feel this is going to be a draw.

Well, I will be more than happy if it is going to be a draw. There can only be one winner in this match and that is SA. And as I started writing this, Sehwag just ended one of his worst tours.

[anilisanil]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

340 runs in 90 overs does not seem like a difficult task unless the Indians follow the domino effect where once Sehwag goes, the rest follow. They need to score consistently at 4 runs per over and presently are going at 2 runs/over

I personally feel this is going to be a draw.

I will be more than happy if it is a draw, I somehow feel we gonna lose this match!!

Originally Posted by amitoj

Yeah well, he is out. Caught at slip.

see! you are faster than cricinfo mate!!


Time for Dravid to test his deodrant, hope Boucher survives

[KRRaj]

India are playing for the Draw as expected. They will never change. A first series win in South Africa beckons and they play defensively right from yesterday.

I wonder how this team is ranked No1 really.

[Spitfire]

The strategy would be to hold wickets at least in the first two sessions. Then balze away if possible.

And SA were playing safe too. They didn't declare even after reaching 300 and continued to play till all got out. If they could have let India in yesterday for an hour of Morne and Steyn then we could have been looking at something.

They are number 2 god knows how.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

They are number 2 god knows how.

Any team, except maybe Steve Waugh's Aussies, would have done the same.

[anilisanil]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Any team, except maybe Steve Waugh's Aussies, would have done the same.

But during Steve's time, there have been such decisions by other teams too. Somehow I tend to agree with spitfire, this match has been pushed towards no result later yesterday itself, if they were to play it for result they would have declared it past 300!

[Hatari]

300 would have been too risky.
They know what Sehwag can do, so there was no way they would chance it.
A quickfire 80 odd from him would have made 300 very gettable.
Remember they are 1 bowler short in Kallis.

Why would they give the opposition any chance to win the test?

Already playing for a draw KRRAJ?
Have u seen any cricket? If u did you would have seen how much bounce and movement they are getting.
Chasing 4 runs an over on a 5 day pitch is a MIGHTY TASK.
this aint no videogame buddy

[Eddy]

There was a risk of losing the series. They had to be safe. India, the Rank 1 team, would have done the same I am sure.

Safety first. Remember SA had forfeited an innings against England to set them a competitive target, but only after the series was in the bag.

Edit: ^^ SA lost that match.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by KRRaj

India are playing for the Draw as expected. They will never change. A first series win in South Africa beckons and they play defensively right from yesterday.

I wonder how this team is ranked No1 really.

Absolutely disagree!
You think this is an ODI happening here?
This is test cricket.
If people like kallis and tendulkar have to graft with patience for their runs it can be very well ascertained that batting on this pitch is never too easy.
and you expect india to bat with 4 runs per over today to win the match. Wishful thinking!

BTW this match was supposed to be draw. If SA had any inclination of winning they would have batted fast at the end of innings and declared atleast an hour before close of play.
IMO India is doing the right thing by surviving and playing for a draw.

[anilisanil]

Originally Posted by Hatari

300 would have been too risky.
They know what Sehwag can do, so there was no way they would chance it.
A quickfire 80 odd from him would have made 300 very gettable.
Remember they are 1 bowler short in Kallis.

Chasing 4 runs an over on a 5 day pitch is a MIGHTY TASK.
this aint no videogame buddy

Aren't you contradicting yourself here? In the first statement you say 300 is too risky and in the very next statement you say it is a mighty task!! Did I miss anything?

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Any team, except maybe Steve Waugh's Aussies, would have done the same.

I was replying to the statement above mine, How did India manage to be number 1.

On that pitch having Steyn, Morne and Tsotsobye on your side I would have declared at 302 yesterday.

India would never go after 250 on that pitch forget 300.

Sehwag is a lottery for both sides.

[amitoj]

India had the first chance to bag this match yesterday when half the SA batting side was back in the pavilion. 200+ runs were made in the last 4 partnerships of SA innings. I dont think SA had the chance to push for a win yesterday. We had that chance and we lost it.
Now all we can hope for is a draw. No point blaming SA for playing for a draw. They never had the chance to play for a win.

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by amitoj

They never had the chance to play for a win.

What about the time Steyn got out, with 10 odd overs still to be bowled?