Thoughts on Day 1... predictions for the rest?

[kabira]

when Samarweera failed, I told my buddy, should be easy to fold them around 270. Did not happen Even when Dilshan fell (rather umpire made him fell) they were about 270 odd even then I told them its possible to get them under 320. Jeez third session was poor from us.

[vvvslaxman]

when Samarweera failed, I told my buddy, should be easy to fold them around 270. Did not happen Even when Dilshan fell (rather umpire made him fell) they were about 270 odd even then I told them its possible to get them under 320. Jeez third session was poor from us.

They started poorly they just continued that.. here is our third session..

[vvvslaxman]

Apart from our batsmen another hope for me is Sangakkara's captaincy. He is generally defensive.

[Karan114]

^^ True, but in this situation he HAS to attack so even he will probably attack tomorrow. If Sehwag can survive the early burst, that could play into India's hands to be fair. Ultimately, they have to make the running to square the series.

[Sachinism]

Some very big overs. Suggests poor bowling

[dial_100]

It doesn't look like a batting side will crumble down in 2 seasons at all. Pitch has a nice bounce and carry. Ball will come on bat if they apply themselves. Tough for RD, SRT but good for VS, VVS and may be YS. India has too many good players so reaching 350+ is unstoppable. But for them to take a lead, some one has to come up with 100+ or couple of 80+ scores will do. Sree bowled really really well in the second spell. But still there were too many lose balls by everyone including bhajji. We didn't keep it tight. If SL does, then we wills struggle to score 350. RD, SRT has this habbit of chasing the off stump line balls. If they survive then we will definitely get the 450 runs, a second innings around 225 to score in over 2 seasons.

[Guest Hiten.]

We are getting unnecessarily restless. India will shut out SL under 400 and we look good to match their score or even perhaps take a minuscule lead. As Gambo mentioned, this match is about how the teams perform in their 2nd innings. From Indian perspective, if we are to win this game we have to attack with Veeru and bhajji from other hand. Veeru has the ability to zip the ball around and hurry the batsman into playing his strokes. I fail to understand why MSD hesitates in using Veeru when it is clear that he is able to bowl (that is no signs of shoulder problem). India to win this one lads, sit tight :isalute:

[bunny]

Here's the record for India (since 90s) when fielding first and the opposition scores 325+ in the first innings. http://stats.cricinfo.com/guru?enddefault=2009-11-27;conchigh=800;conclow=325;oversbowledhigh=;oversbowledhigh=;wicketslow=;ballsbowledhigh=;runslow=;homeaway=home;scheduleddays=0;notopposition=0;takenhigh=;finals=0;end=2009-11-27;viewtype=resultlist;groundid=0;bowlevent=allout;daynight=0;decade=0;startdefault=1932-06-25;continent=0;notcountry=0;oversbowledlow=;oversbowledlow=;innings=24;class=testteam;team=IND;result=0;season=0;start=1990-01-01;seriesresult=0;opposition=0;submit=1;ballshigh=;wicketshigh=;takenlow=;captainid=0;ballsbowledlow=;bpo=0;country=0;toss=0;overslow=;overslow=;filter=advanced;sdb=team;bpobowled=0;tourneyid=0;scheduledovers=0;runshigh=;overshigh=;overshigh=;ballslow=;batevent=0;followon=0;recent=;.cgifields=viewtype Going by this, SL is marginally ahead especially considering they have Murali with a decent backup attack. Pretty much what Shwetabh concluded. In all the losses we have had big collapses in the 4th innings. Will be interesting to see what happens this time around.

[King Tendulkar]

I am very pleased with day 1 after losing the toss. We are in pole position to win this one thanks to the turbinator. Nightmare scenario was Sri Lanka ending day 300 odd for 3. We will bowl them out for under 400 and then pile on the runs to get 600 odd. Their run rate is misleading, they have had a bad day! We are gonna win this

[dial_100]

After the initial moist gone from the surface, the fast bowlers are not going to get much from this pitch. SO I dont see really any problem from SL fast bowlers. That leaves us Murli alone to handle. Even if we manage, Herath from other end, we have some good chance of scoring 450+. Even I dont see in problem with that. But for that wee need some big partnerships up front from top top 4.

[Guest Hiten.]

Only worrisome part is will our frontline batsmen (barring Vijay) be able to add 'extra' 20/30 runs (each) to conjure up the runs that we will be missing from GG's willow.

[dial_100]

Yep. Even I think it will be hard for any one to survive more than 2 seasons on this pitch. So 40-60 from everyone (top 5) will take us comfortably beyond 350 and tail enders survive for 10-20 we can surpass SL total. I feel good right now on second day's play

[Macj]

SL victory is the only option, especially since theyll most likely fold after another 20 runs. SL 390 ao. IND 300 ao, pitch starts turning. SL 200+ /9 pitch cracks and rough unavoidable. Ind 300 to win on a day 5 pitch. Unlikely.

[vvvslaxman]

One way India can pull off something is not conceding a lead more than 50 and bowl SL out for 120 odd runs. Another way pile up 500 plus runs and win by an innings. First thing is possible. Not sure about second option. We have to wait and see.

[kabira]

One thing I am sure about is Lanka will collapse in 2nd dig under 200.

[Cricketics]

With Sehwag, Vijay, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Yuvraj, Bhajji in our line up. India should be able to post 450 on this track in first innings. They get to bat most on 2nd day, and then 3rd day too. I think it will be Sri Lanka who will face the first music during day 3's final session and on day 4 first up. India in commanding position.

[satishg]

We are winning this one but not easily this time. It is going to be a close match but i am sure we will be on the top at the end. SL will be bundled under 385 and my prediction is we will score around 475 in the first innings. Chasing anything more than 200 will be tricky on this pitch. But we have an excellent match in our hands..call all the cricinfo dummies who went gaga over the test match btw Pak and NZ, they have a real test match now!

[vvvslaxman]

Last time when we chased and won a Test against SL was in Srilanka. Ganguly and Dravid played brilliantly in the 2nd innings. Ganguly made 98 not out. Somebody should grind them to dust in the first innings. It all depends how the pitch behaves.

[punjabi_khota]

I think we will probably score around 450 in our first innings and get about 50 runs lead. It is hard to predict what will happen next though. I am hoping for a SL collapse ~200 runs and us having a target of 150. Plenty of :boxing: will be going on in this match.

[goose]

8 wickets on the first day of a bat first wicket is a very good return. Think we've got a cracker of a game on here.