Should India play defensive and stack up the batting for the 5th Test ?

[rangeelaraja]

3-1 is better than 2-1 but a series win is a series win. 

 

Given how fragile we in the middle order and that even if we get play on all 5 days - the conditions are NOT going to be favorable for batting with heavy clouds according to current weather reports.

 

England has in recent years has tried to game the ground conditions to neutralize any edge the opposing team has when it's had its back to the wall. 

 

I don't think this pitch is going to support playing 2 spinners, and the weather forecast too does not support this.

 

I would play a little defensive, play the extra batsman and bowl 1st if I won the toss.

 

 

[Serpico]

They can pick vihari in place of jadeja if they're sure that spin isn't a factor

[rangeelaraja]

 

Want to ensure that the man on the left is blunted. 

[rkt.india]

Pitch is devoid of any grass. 

[rkt.india]

[rkt.india]

Looks dry bunden burner? Spin shootout?

[rangeelaraja]

2 minutes ago, rkt.india said:

 

 

Jimmy revels in cloud and gloom. Grass is a bonus but not necessary condition.

[Lord]

11 minutes ago, rkt.india said:

 

Can play Ashwin for Rahane here. or Vihari for Rahane and Ashwin for Siraj

[Lord]

11 minutes ago, rkt.india said:

Looks dry bunden burner? Spin shootout?

 

Eng also planning to play Leach

[rkt.india]

57 minutes ago, rangeelaraja said:

 

 

Jimmy revels in cloud and gloom. Grass is a bonus but not necessary condition.

Is that actually the pitch to be used for the test? It looks unprepared. Foot marks at the delivery stride of the bowler and on side of the pitch. 

[rangeelaraja]

7 hours ago, rkt.india said:

Is that actually the pitch to be used for the test? It looks unprepared. Foot marks at the delivery stride of the bowler and on side of the pitch. 

 

 

How would I know ? No idea. 

 

England would not want to lose 2 back to back home series in 1 season before facing Aus in away Ashes. 

 

They will most likely tailor the ground conditions to suit their strength.

[vvvslaxman]

Actually their pacers will be utterly ineffective on dry tracks.  England's best chance is green track with cloud and bowling first. 

[jf1gp_1]

you mean like 3rd test ?

[nevada]

We need to strengthen our batting but by replacing the weak link, which at this time is Rahane. 

[Gollum]

Maybe they are banking on the fact that our stubborn captain will go for 4+1 irrespective of conditions, thereby giving us a turner and catching us off guard? 

 

Imagine if they now give us a turner and play Moeen+Leach while we rely on our pacers. If that happens, will be the ultimate Chanakya move by Poms. 

[express bowling]

17 minutes ago, nevada said:

We need to strengthen our batting but by replacing the weak link, which at this time is Rahane. 

 

 

True.

 

We already have batting till 8.

 

What we need is better quality middle order batsmen rather than more batsmen.

 

Replacing Rahane would be automatic strengthening of our batting.

 

 

[adi B]

We can go with 4 bowlers ,3+1 (Ashwin) to play safe especially if rain plays a big factor and the pitch is dry .

 

[express bowling]

5 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Maybe they are banking on the fact that our stubborn captain will go for 4+1 irrespective of conditions, thereby giving us a turner and catching us off guard? 

 

Imagine if they now give us a turner and play Moeen+Leach while we rely on our pacers. If that happens, will be the ultimate Chanakya move by Poms. 

 

 

But our TM can see what kind of pitch is being offered.

 

And If a pitch is given which may or may not be a turner ( regular rain will affect the dryness of the pitch and it's turning nature ) then we can choose 4 pacers + Ashwin + Vihari.

 

This Will cover all bases.

[express bowling]

4 minutes ago, adi B said:

We can go with 4 bowlers ,3+1 (Ashwin) to play safe especially if rain plays a big factor and the pitch is dry .

 

 

If there is rain, pitch won't be dry. 

[YCCC]

No never play defensive. Leads to a defeat more often than not in any sport. England in the Euro final being a recent example