Stutter

The event that left me stunned was this. Look at that run-out. Whilst watching this game live on TV, we were left speechless. Manjrekar & Azhar were cruising. Gavaskar & the other commentators were strategizing the chase - something on lines of get 8 boundaries and that should win the game. Right after a fantastic boundary from Manjrekar, Azhar came up with this lazy piece of running. Hear the commentary. No filter I absolutely detest Azhar & Ajay Jadeja. I was at the '96 QF & his hitting was sensational on that day. But something seemed off about him. It is a shame that Azhar got elected in our elections and an equally bigger shame that A.Jadeja still gets commentary gigs. It's deplorable that Azhar put on his religious cap only when he had to face the courts & no other time until then.

Damn! The advance planning to get up early has been so true for more than 3 decades now. Can't wait! Hope to see someone to make a defining statement (like Ganguly's knock in 2003) tonight.

Although I don't have much hopes on KL, his entry due to other absentees might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for this line-up, where everyone else is in ODI mode. If KL is a little less tentative, his slow nature of batting might help us, just like how Chopra/Vijay did so admirably in the past. Chopra especially was so critical in that 2003/4 effort. Having Washi at 3 would be great, given that he has Aus success.

Whilst it's not quite Allan Border in that promo (and understandably so due to his ongoing health issues), it is great to hear that Border has agreed to be a commentator on Fox for the first test. https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/allan-border-set-to-commentate-in-australia-india-1st-test/story

You can also watch it for free on the Cricket Australia app.

Sublime shots from Jurel! Fantastic batting to bring up his second 50 of the game. Hope the Indian squad is watching his approach closely & hopefully learn from it. Great fight by Nitish Reddy as well. It wouldn't be easy, after much experienced folks at the top of the order fell for nothing. We need more of these gutsy cricketers.

Jurel has the right technique for Australia. Bad luck for Sai Sudarshan early in his innings, but Padikkal looked good. Looking forward to their second innings' display.

I think a lot of us - atleast I have - spent the last few years hoping for a second peak of Virat. His drive and passion to win was incredible to watch, when it lasted. But we finally have to accept the inevitable and let him enjoy his life, family & IPL. There's never been a good time to transition, with Rohit not slated to play the first test anyways. Washi replaces Ashwin, Axar in for Jaddu and Sai Sudarshan for Virat (or move the batsmen around) Jaiswal, Pant, Washi, Axar & (likely) Gill will fight it out in the batting line-up. We should hope for Sarfaraz & Sai Kishore to get a decent score in the first or second test to get their confidence going. We won the last series without the experienced, but struggling seniors. That Vihari effort in Sydney was the textbook definition of fight, which our current team totally lacks. Although we might end up losing badly, the fresh start will help us for the next WTC cycle. Else a encore of the (winless) 2011 England performance beckons.

I think the responsible thing to do for Rohit would be to relinquish captaincy (if he truly accepts underperforming as a leader, as he stated in the post-match interview), "skip" the Australian tour and instead join the Mumbai Ranji team, after his Jr comes around. Give Jaiswal & whosoever-replaces-Rohit a decent run in Australia. Sai Sudarshan should replace Rohit in the squad on account of his performance in the first test. Any batter performing decently at the MCG in the second "A" test turn into standbys for the main squad. BCCI should pull the emergency brake right now and make the swaps based on the current form.