[Oxy]

We cannot bat on seamers and we cannot bat on turners.

Our fielding is atrocious and bowling toothless.

I am afraid the writing is very much on the wall as far as this game is concerned. I just hope we manage to somehow avoid 0-4, because that is going to be an entirely different level of embarrassment.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by srishiva

If you look at how Lyon bowled, he was faster through the air and also extracting turn.

Some years back, Swann & Panesar wreaked havoc due to this very same reason. Their trajectory!

[landcruiser123]

What's the prediction for tomorrow?
I'm going to watch the match at the stadium. I'll be delighted if India finish Australian innings in the first half-hour to 45 minutes.

[Chetan_Rao]

If Australia make it to lunch, or even get through the first hour and post a 100+ run advantage, India will need to score at least 300-350 in four sessions to set a decent target and leave themselves enough time to get 10 wickets.

Doesn't seem likely on evidence so far.

[Sawyer]

If Australia make it to lunch, they probably will not need to bat again.

Australia seems to have exchanged batting philosophies with India; that attack is the only form of defense and aggressive intent is the answer to every situation. That worked for Australia when talent like Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Gilchrist was around, but it isn't now and they have adopted a grittier strategy that is better suited to their existing capability.

[vibbs]

Jadeja has taken his fourth for the match in half the number of overs as compared to Ashwin. I don't know what cricketing brainwave made Kohli under bowl him this much yesterday. Anyways the lead is nearing 100. I don't see much hope in this test now.

[hemanth.anand]

Australia dismissed in a shade over an hour. That's good for India. Now it's up to the batsmen to prove their mettle. I'm betting big on the 2 local boys to come good in this innings. The 3rd local boy (adopted ) and the captain is due for a big one too.

[harry10]

Good bowling by jaddu as usual. Blunder by kohli under bowling him. We need minimum 300 to make a match. Rahul looks solid again so I have hope.

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by harry10

Good bowling by jaddu as usual. Blunder by kohli under bowling him. We need minimum 300 to make a match. Rahul looks solid again so I have hope.

Only Rahul has looked solid and comfortable in both the tests so far. I am perplexed as to what happened with the batting line up that played against England. I dont feel the Aussies are bowling so brilliantly that it is very difficult to score.

[srishiva]

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

Only Rahul has looked solid and comfortable in both the tests so far. I am perplexed as to what happened with the batting line up that played against England. I dont feel the Aussies are bowling so brilliantly that it is very difficult to score.

I think not being able to score may be getting to their mind.

Hopefully with change in weather conditions, pace bowlers shouldn't torment us in the 2nd innings.

[suhaas307]

It's frustrating to see majority of the batsmen refusing to dig in / just hang around for as long as they can. They seem inclined to play every delivery or hit-out of trouble, and it's disconcerting.

Also, what's up with the fielding? It's terrible for a side that's considered to be one of the better fielding sides today.

And to think they would have learned something from the absolute debacle that was the Pune test-match.

[hemanth.anand]

Gritty 50 from Rahul. and the lead is into single digits. Game nicely in the balance.
Its now really upto the batsmen to set it up. hope other batsmen come back to form after hopefully what was just a small failure

Rahul is now the highest run getter in the series now crossing 200 runs

[harry10]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

Gritty 50 from Rahul. and the lead is into single digits. Game nicely in the balance.
Its now really upto the batsmen to set it up. hope other batsmen come back to form after hopefully what was just a small failure

Rahul is now the highest run getter in the series now crossing 200 runs

And just about when we were getting back in the game, Rahul plays a ridiculous shot to get out
Kohli needs to make a 100 today.

[NPV]

Ind at 99/2 are 12 runs ahead (after Aus lead of 87 from the first inning) and not in a great position really. I just hope Pujara and Kohli (and Karun, Rahane to follow later) can steady the ship and take us to a position of a decent lead say 300+, otherwise this test is as good as lost

I just hope our team doesn't get SOK'd or Lyon'd yet again!

Oh, and whats with Rahane dropping so many catches ? India's fielding has been quite bad in this series and Rahane has already dropped a few, can it be a reason to drop him if he fails with the bat yet again ?

EDIT:Kohli out Lbw again, God save India.

[hemanth.anand]

With Kohli gone, its more or less the match gone too. Hope someone proves me wrong
That's 4 innings in a row that Virat hasn't come good (although this was really close). That's quite rare!

Surprisingly Jadeja has come into bat now! Hope this move works and he is the guy to prove me wrong...