The Cricket Thread

NPV · 14th August 2021, 23:05

England have a lead of 27 and a huge psychological advantage, India will definitely need to play a good second innings, a collapase and it will be England's game.

Joe Root, take a bow. India just gave up on trying to get him out!

Also, India conceded 30+ extras, this can make a huge difference if this ends closely. In fact without those runs, India would have ended with a small lead

landcruiser123 · 14th August 2021, 23:05

As much as I'm a fan of both Pujara and Rahane, I think the clock has started ticking for both. With Gill showing promise, KL Rahul grabbing his chances, and Vihari waiting to be rewarded for his heroics, the positions are going to be hotly contested if Pujara and Rahane don't do anything noteworthy this series.

Rahane has given up his compact technique and discipline to leave the ball for better white ball success. In the bargain, he's neither here nor there.

hemanth.anand · 14th August 2021, 23:29

How beautifully this game is poised. The lead of 27 runs is actually not a big one. The 4th day would be the best batting day and India have got it. They've to get a good score and quickly. This "quickly" is where England have their opportunity. To grab ot from India.

Siraj deserved that 5th wicket. He had Root but it went Root's way from the umpire. But that doesn't take anything away from the wonderful innings of Root. He almost single handed carried his team past India's total.

Pujara and Rahane need to get some runs now and Bumrah and Shami must stop those no balls. Too many free runs and wicketa being given away.

NPV · 15th August 2021, 13:22

Today by lunch/stumps we will know if this test will go the WTC final way (easy English 4th inning chase and win) or like the previous test giving England and India a fair chance for a win on day 5, for this we need to set a target of 250-300.

Double edged sword for India though since they need to score runs at good pace while holding on to key wickets.

PPS · 15th August 2021, 15:47

Hope Team India don't go in for an ultra aggressive approach in the 1st session today! Pitch is still flat with the odd ball keeping low, the sun being out should help our batting which has been struggling in the middle order.

Our over-rate will never improve with 4 pacers & now with WTC points being deducted, sooner or later team management will be forced to play 3 pacers + 2 spinners.

comfortablynumb · 15th August 2021, 16:18

Rahul gone. With the form Pujara, Kohli and Rahane are in, I seriously doubt we will be able to draw this test, forget winning. Only hope is if Rohit or Pant play a blinder.

Oh well, stranger things have happened.

EDIT: Rohit gone

NPV · 15th August 2021, 16:30

The story is unfolding already, India 27-2 with both openers out. Effectively 2 wickets down for zero because of England's 27 run lead

VWAllstar · 15th August 2021, 17:43

Possibly Kohli's disappointing form continues. He need to come out and play positively and put up few centuries in the next few test matches.

Rahane & Pujara need to play out of their skin to save this test match for India. We would need a minimum 280 runs to put up a fight. Anything over 280 would be like a bonus considering the form of Pujara & Rahane.

NPV · 15th August 2021, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Rahane & Pujara need to play out of their skin to save this test match for India. We would need a minimum 280 runs to put up a fight. Anything over 280 would be like a bonus considering the form of Pujara & Rahane.

I wish that happens and I'd be the happiest if it does. Being a bit pragamtic, given the current form of these players I have my own doubts. It's going to be a very tough situation today and a herculean task for India to get those many runs.

VWAllstar · 15th August 2021, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPV

I wish that happens and I'd be the happiest if it does. Being a bit pragamtic, given the current form of these players I have my own doubts. It's going to be a very tough situation today and a herculean task for India to get those many runs.

The option to just bat out the entire day is also not a possibility. Its like a do or die situation for ChePu & Jinx now. We may have a result by tea time on Day 5.

I hope they dont let Shaw open and push KL Rahul down to 5 in the next test match. Surely we would see some changes though. Ashwin & Vihari may get an opportunity to play.

NPV · 15th August 2021, 20:25

Lunch to tea was a decent session for us but we're still not out of the woods - not yet in a situation where we can save the game let alone winning, but just happy we didn't lose more wickets.
At times I felt England's tactics were like the Aussies when they tried to intimidate the batsman with short pitch bowling and always bowling lines outside the stumps, we saw how that backfired for the Aussies against India.
Saw couple of English fielders knock the ball around with the feet, it looked like they did try to deliberately use the boot spikes to roughen the ball, hope the matcch referee noted that.

Eddy · 15th August 2021, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

I hope they dont let Shaw open and push KL Rahul down to 5 in the next test match. Surely we would see some changes though. Ashwin & Vihari may get an opportunity to play.

I don't think the opening partnership will be tinkered with for rest of the series, barring injury.

Vihari may come in for Pujara, unless Kohli insists again for players who can "express themselves, show intent & take the game ahead", in which case SKY may get a look in.

VWAllstar · 15th August 2021, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by NPV

Lunch to tea was a decent session for us but we're still not out of the woods - not yet in a situation where we can save the game let alone winning, but just happy we didn't lose more wickets.

At this rate, we are only awaiting the inevitable. Scoring at a rate below 2 is going to be detrimental considering we only have Pant and Jadeja to bat.

Kohli has come and sat besides the coaches and surely during Tea, they must have discussed to play with minimum 3.5 RR to be in the match.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy

I don't think the opening partnership will be tinkered with for rest of the series, barring injury.

Vihari may come in for Pujara, unless Kohli insists again for players who can "express themselves, show intent & take the game ahead", in which case SKY may get a look in.

ChePu and Jinx are playing vigilantly, fingers crossed for both to take India to atleast 250. They know if they dont bail us out in this match then their participation in the next test is going to be ambiguous.

SKY is in a good form however I am not sure if he is as good in Test Cricket as he is in Limited overs.

Quite strange but we dont have a good bench strength for Test Cricket. Apart from Pujara and Ajinkya, I cannot think of anyone who is a specialist test batsman. As said by someone in earlier post, Ajinkya is trying to get into limited over by tweeking his game which is leading him to be neither here nor there.

Carmine_pepper · 15th August 2021, 21:56

with pujara gone. its time for the make or break innings from Pant.. the good thing about pant is we will know it shortly either way

.

Emvi · 15th August 2021, 22:16

Meanwhile, West Indies are totterring at 24/3 against Pakistan, chasing 168 for victory in the 4th innings of the Sabina Park test.

14th August 2021, 23:05	#13636
NPV Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Namma Bengaluru Posts: 7,522 Thanked: 11,187 Times	Re: The Cricket Thread England have a lead of 27 and a huge psychological advantage, India will definitely need to play a good second innings, a collapase and it will be England's game. Joe Root, take a bow. India just gave up on trying to get him out! Also, India conceded 30+ extras, this can make a huge difference if this ends closely. In fact without those runs, India would have ended with a small lead Last edited by NPV : 14th August 2021 at 23:07.
	(2) Thanks

14th August 2021, 23:05	#13637
landcruiser123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,002 Thanked: 6,921 Times	Re: The Cricket Thread As much as I'm a fan of both Pujara and Rahane, I think the clock has started ticking for both. With Gill showing promise, KL Rahul grabbing his chances, and Vihari waiting to be rewarded for his heroics, the positions are going to be hotly contested if Pujara and Rahane don't do anything noteworthy this series. Rahane has given up his compact technique and discipline to leave the ball for better white ball success. In the bargain, he's neither here nor there.
	(1) Thanks

14th August 2021, 23:29	#13638
hemanth.anand Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 3,321 Thanked: 15,473 Times View My Garage	Re: The Cricket Thread How beautifully this game is poised. The lead of 27 runs is actually not a big one. The 4th day would be the best batting day and India have got it. They've to get a good score and quickly. This "quickly" is where England have their opportunity. To grab ot from India. Siraj deserved that 5th wicket. He had Root but it went Root's way from the umpire. But that doesn't take anything away from the wonderful innings of Root. He almost single handed carried his team past India's total. Pujara and Rahane need to get some runs now and Bumrah and Shami must stop those no balls. Too many free runs and wicketa being given away.
	(1) Thanks

15th August 2021, 13:22	#13639
NPV Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Namma Bengaluru Posts: 7,522 Thanked: 11,187 Times	Re: The Cricket Thread Today by lunch/stumps we will know if this test will go the WTC final way (easy English 4th inning chase and win) or like the previous test giving England and India a fair chance for a win on day 5, for this we need to set a target of 250-300. Double edged sword for India though since they need to score runs at good pace while holding on to key wickets. Last edited by NPV : 15th August 2021 at 13:47.
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15th August 2021, 15:47	#13640
PPS Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: mumbai Posts: 2,510 Thanked: 3,945 Times	Re: The Cricket Thread Hope Team India don't go in for an ultra aggressive approach in the 1st session today! Pitch is still flat with the odd ball keeping low, the sun being out should help our batting which has been struggling in the middle order. Our over-rate will never improve with 4 pacers & now with WTC points being deducted, sooner or later team management will be forced to play 3 pacers + 2 spinners.
	(1) Thanks

15th August 2021, 16:18	#13641
comfortablynumb Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 2,068 Thanked: 3,627 Times	Re: The Cricket Thread Rahul gone. With the form Pujara, Kohli and Rahane are in, I seriously doubt we will be able to draw this test, forget winning. Only hope is if Rohit or Pant play a blinder. Oh well, stranger things have happened. EDIT: Rohit gone Last edited by comfortablynumb : 15th August 2021 at 16:29.
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15th August 2021, 16:30	#13642
NPV Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Namma Bengaluru Posts: 7,522 Thanked: 11,187 Times	Re: The Cricket Thread The story is unfolding already, India 27-2 with both openers out. Effectively 2 wickets down for zero because of England's 27 run lead
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15th August 2021, 17:43	#13643
VWAllstar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,114 Thanked: 2,854 Times	Re: The Cricket Thread Possibly Kohli's disappointing form continues. He need to come out and play positively and put up few centuries in the next few test matches. Rahane & Pujara need to play out of their skin to save this test match for India. We would need a minimum 280 runs to put up a fight. Anything over 280 would be like a bonus considering the form of Pujara & Rahane. Last edited by VWAllstar : 15th August 2021 at 17:50.
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15th August 2021, 20:25	#13646
NPV Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Namma Bengaluru Posts: 7,522 Thanked: 11,187 Times	Re: The Cricket Thread Lunch to tea was a decent session for us but we're still not out of the woods - not yet in a situation where we can save the game let alone winning, but just happy we didn't lose more wickets. At times I felt England's tactics were like the Aussies when they tried to intimidate the batsman with short pitch bowling and always bowling lines outside the stumps, we saw how that backfired for the Aussies against India. Saw couple of English fielders knock the ball around with the feet, it looked like they did try to deliberately use the boot spikes to roughen the ball, hope the matcch referee noted that. Last edited by NPV : 15th August 2021 at 20:29.
	(1) Thanks

15th August 2021, 21:56	#13649
Carmine_pepper BHPian Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Bhubaneswar Posts: 27 Thanked: 51 Times	Re: The Cricket Thread with pujara gone. its time for the make or break innings from Pant.. the good thing about pant is we will know it shortly either way .
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15th August 2021, 22:16	#13650
Emvi BHPian Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: KA-21 Posts: 637 Thanked: 3,542 Times	Re: The Cricket Thread Meanwhile, West Indies are totterring at 24/3 against Pakistan, chasing 168 for victory in the 4th innings of the Sabina Park test.
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