Discussing first test at Nagpur between India and SA, 2010

[Sachinism]

I wonder what kinda performance it would take to make him angry :hmmm:

[Dravid]

yes, iz expect the turnbanator to show up :desiman:

[vvvslaxman]

They are coming from fast, juicy wickets in SA. This will be a batting paradise for them. Only way India can take their wickets is when they lose their heads which is never going to happen. Apart from that Zak has to produce an inspiring spell.Wait until they declare.

[Ram]

Comeback? They will pile on the runs and agony with vigor. The more they bat in the first innings, the more they will sap the morale and energy of the Indian batsmen and higher the chances of victory.

[punjabi_khota]

^Hows your flat pitch theory working so far ? Spin our strength ? The ball was turning but the dead track had no bite...:phehehe:

[Ram]

^Hows your flat pitch theory working so far ? Spin our strength ? The ball was turning but the dead track had no bite...:phehehe:

Duh, of course I know our tracks are getting slower and lower. That has been the trend for the last few years now. Irrespective, do you know when was the last time we lost a test series at home? Nearly 6 years ago..:hahaha: Are you trying to tell me the pitches used for the previous Lanka series was any more quicker than this? Of course not. Our batsmen piled on the runs and our spinners and pacers combined well to dismiss the opposition. At home, we have the best chance of victory when the pitches favor spin bowling and reverse swing. Not when there's pace and bounce like you wanted.

[vvvslaxman]

They are coming after a good show in their last Test against England on a slightly livelier surface. we are coming after a good show against Bangladesh on a flat pitch. It was so obvious the batting was too easy for them. It will continue to be easy for them. Yes we will come back. But not while bowling but batting.

[vvvslaxman]

At home, we have the best chance of victory when the pitches favor spin bowling and reverse swing. Not when there's pace and bounce like you wanted.

One of the problem here is Nagpur outfield is lush green. So there won't be much aberration. Getting reverse is harder here compared to other grounds.

[Watson87]

Dhoni will even praise the bowlers tomorrow after 600/6 and he will say, at leat we managed to pick up 4 more wickets today. Common dude stop praising, Kallis was only toying with the bowlers, juicing up the runs, making all our players sweat.

[flamy]

Wow, you guys lay into Dhoni when he publicly criticizes and rip into him if he does not.

[Feed]

I'm happy with bowlers' show: Dhoni Indian bowlers' found little success barring the first half hour's play but skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday defended their performance on a lifeless track while conceding that centurions Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla put the hosts on the backfoot. More... I'm happy with bowlers' show: Dhoni Press Trust Of India Nagpur, February 06, 2010 Indian bowlers' found little success barring the first half hour's play but skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday defended their performance on a lifeless track while conceding that centurions Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla put the hosts on the backfoot. "I'm quite happy with the bowlers' performance and Zaheer bowled really well. We did a decent job of it as the wicket is rather slow. They were also a bit unlucky as the ball missed the edge on quite a few occasions," said Dhoni after four of his five bowlers drew a blank in South Africa's end of play score of 291 for 2 in 91 overs on the first day. "There was a bit of turn especially for (leg-spinner) Amit Mishra but the ball did not rip off the pitch. It's not a square turner," he said, trying to explain the lack of success for his frontline spin duo despite bowling 47 overs in combination. Dhoni lauded Kallis (not out 159) and Amla (not out 115) for rescuing their team from a precarious 6 for two, after Zaheer Khan's double strike in successive overs, with a record unconquered stand of 285 in 512 balls. "They batted really well. You have to compliment them, We tried to put pressure, especially on Kallis, but he went after Harbhajan Singh in one over in which he gathered around 15 runs.

[Feed]

Our plan to counter Harbhajan clicked: Kepler Wessels Proteas batting coach, Kepler Wessels, has lauded both Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla for their exploits one day one of the first Test against India. More... Our plan to counter Harbhajan clicked: Kepler Wessels NAGPUR: South Africa batting consultant Kepler Wessels today said his side's strategy to deny Indian spin spearhead Harbhajan Singh any success clicked as the visitors were in a commanding position on the opening day of the first Test here today. Wessels was delighted that plans worked out to counter Harbhajan were carried out successfully by Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla, who struck an unbeaten 159 and 115 respectively, to take South Africa to 291 for two on Day One. "You don't often see Harbhajan go through a day like today without bowling a maiden. We had very good game plan against him and Kallis and Amla executed the strategy perfectly," he said. The Indian off-spinner finished the day with unimpressive figures of 0 for 81 in 21 overs. Wessels, however, defended Harbhajan saying that the first day wicket did not have much for the spinners. "A first day pitch for any spinner is always challenging. So I don't think he bowled badly. The two batsmen, once they got in, batted quite beautifully," he explained. Wessels said his side would look to bat for at least two more sessions tomorrow to put the hosts under pressure. "From our point of view the same intensity tomorrow, the same concentration tomorrow, and if we can bat well until tea session then clearly our bowlers can come really go hard at the Indian top order," Wessels told reporters after the opening day's play. South Africa recovered from a stuttering start of six for two through a record 285-run stand for the third wicket between one-down Hashim Amla (115 not out) and number four Jacques Kallis (159 not out) to end the day at 291 for two. Wessels was full of praise for the duo for the manner in which they resurrected the team's innings and denied the home team a wicket after the first half hour's play on a slow-paced wicket which offered low bounce. "It was a very difficult start in the morning but fantastically recovered and awesome performance by Kallis and Hashim. The powers of concentration (shown) by both batsmen were exceptional. I think their shot selection was very good," he said. Wessels described Kallis, who notched up his 34th Test hundred to draw level with Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara as one of the best technically equipped players who can adjust to any condition. "Jacques Kallis makes runs everywhere in the world. He assesses the conditions very well, he is technically one of the best batsmen in the world, certainly one of the best that South Africa has ever produced and has the ability to play under all conditions," he said. "I think as he (Kallis) has grown in stature over the years he has got his game so well worked out, so well organised, that he knows exactly how to bat under different conditions," elaborated Wessels.

[vvvslaxman]

When you think India allowed BD to reach 281 for 2 in their second innings, this is nothing. Except SA won't collapse like that. But on day 1 pitch in India you shouldn't be surprised at a score like this.

[pappu_kanghi]

Dhoni will even praise the bowlers tomorrow after 600/6 and he will say' date=' at leat we managed to pick up 4 more wickets today. Common dude stop praising, Kallis was only toying with the bowlers, juicing up the runs, making all our players sweat.[/quote'] As long as non performers like Ishant and Bhajji are in the indian team we can't take 20 wickets. Look at their performances during the last one year. On what basis they deserve a place in this team?

[urbestfriend]

Last time, Viru had played gem of an innings at chennai to bail us out...! Lets see who'll bail us out this time!

[flamy]

You can expect all you like, doesn't mean your expectations will materialize :hysterical: Good idea not to expect too much

wat a fatalistic attitude

[The Outsider]

I watched around 70 overs ball by ball and also feel that our bowlers, except Harbhajan, did a good job. Kallis and Amla batted really well and deserve credit but there were always half chances being created and never did the South Africans run away with the game. Can't really ask for a better effort on the kind of a flat and slow pitch where the batsmen are willing to grind it out. Harbhajan, yes, is a different animal.

[vvvslaxman]

I agree. It is not want of effort. Bhajji as usual had a bad line of attack though. It is a combination of gritty batting from 2 world class batsmen on an unhelpful surface.

[Jersey #10]

Sachin for the rescue :orderorder:

[The Outsider]

Well, unless we get them out for less than 450 our chances of winning are practically gone. Hopefully, South Africa commit a few errors tomorrow and we can capitalize on those and some half chances and borderline decisions going our way won't hurt. If South Africa do pile up a big score, it becomes a question of whether India can bat 250 overs combined in their two innings to save the test, which even with a depleted line up we are well capable of on this track.