No Wonder Test Cricket is Dying...

[riwi999]

Today's Times of India talks of one aspect that nobody seems to have picked up on. I quote: "Even West Indies skipper Darren Sammy raised eyebrows and said he was surprised India decided to go for a draw. His own bowlers were tired - Ravi Rampaul struggled with an upset stomach, Fidel Edwards began cramping, Devendra Bishoo was exhausted and Sammy himself was taped from toe to toe". I watched the whole innings and can vouch for the fact that the WI bowlers were tiring. Raina's soft dismissal was a huge slice of luck for them but they looked clearly exhausted. If the Indian batsmen had gone a bit after the bowling, I feel the bowlers would have withered away. It was definitely a missed opportunity, there's no denying that.

[NareshK]

^^Why didnt he go for the win ? Indian players were tired after fielding for the whole day as well.

[rkt.india]

Edwards was tired and still bowling 90 mph

[singhprakash72]

Edwards was tired and still bowling 90 mph

You don't get the point ...the incentive to WIN the 3rd test was too low (2-0 instead of 1-0 series win) if only we made the last 15 overs as part of IPL trophy with $10 Million winner's check, then the scene would have been different. The same Dhoni would have gone for that target and same Dravids & Laxmans would have slogged their b***s to win this Test. It is simple- they don't give a feck for test matches..they have no option here but to play this 5 days test match for a sum that can be easily made by playing 3 hrs of Circus cricket.

[mukul002]

Because of India's inability to finish off the Westindies innings, India were left with a bigger target than they would have liked to chase with the amount of time left in the game . I think Dhini would have prefered chasing a total around 80 to 100 rather than 170 odd . It was not worth the risk to bat recklessly when India where already one up in the series and where losing would mean a drawn series .

[coffee_rules]

Or we can put our foot on the table, grab a cup of coffee and lament on how King Richards slammed Indian bowlers silly (including the great Kapil *sigh*) when Windies chased down 173 in 25 overs at Kingston losing 6 wickets in the process. Richards scoring 61 off 36 in the process. http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63335.html Wait, this belongs in SRT vs Viv thread :hmmm:

Wrong times comparison. There was no other cricket except test cricket then. WI had a full strength peak team. If we had Sehwag, Gambhir and didn't go for the win, then it would be a valid comparison. SRT would have scored those runs in the first Inn! :giggle:

[singhprakash72]

Wrong times comparison. There was no other cricket except test cricket then. WI had a full strength peak team. If we had Sehwag, Gambhir and didn't go for the win, then it would be a valid comparison. SRT would have scored those runs in the first Inn! :giggle:

Wrong times and I would add Wrong team comparison...Windies of 80s played with Passion,Flair and Confidence. I bet even with Sehwag we would have abandoned the chase once he would have got out. India has come long ways from 80s ..90s but still remains TIMID when it comes to playing attacking game or dominating the opposition.

[urbestfriend]

Wrong times and I would add Wrong team comparison...Windies of 80s played with Passion' date='Flair and Confidence.[b'] I bet even with Sehwag we would have abandoned the chase once he would have got out. India has come long ways from 80s ..90s but still remains TIMID when it comes to playing attacking game or dominating the opposition.

I disagree, we attribute a lot to Viru but it is Gauti who has won us a lot of tests in second innings. I'm sure Gauti's presence would have made a difference.

[coffee_rules]

Wrong times and I would add Wrong team comparison...Windies of 80s played with Passion,Flair and Confidence. I bet even with Sehwag we would have abandoned the chase once he would have got out. India has come long ways from 80s ..90s but still remains TIMID when it comes to playing attacking game or dominating the opposition.

India chased 207 in 45 overs in Bangalore against Aus just a few months back.

[singhprakash72]

India chased 207 in 45 overs in Bangalore against Aus just a few months back.

You mean in World Cup ???

[urbestfriend]

You mean in World Cup ???

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2010/engine/match/464527.html

[Laaloo]

To increase excitement in test cricket and for the sake of WI fans and gaize watching on TV in Amreeka and India' date=' our team should have tried chasing at 6 RPO in a test match on a 5th day pitch even if it meant we lose the series instead of sealing a 1-0 win, all because the thrillz and funz it would have brought and may be even a 2-0 series win instead of a boring 1-0. :hahaha:[/quote'] When the hell did we ever require 6 RPO? We had 47 Overs to make 180 runs against a half fit Rampaul, a half fit Edwards, and freaking Sammy. Even when the players shook hands and agreed for a draw, we required 88 runs in 15 overs and that's not 6 RPO.

[rkt.india]

When the hell did we ever require 6 RPO? We had 47 Overs to make 180 runs against a half fit Rampaul' date=' a half fit Edwards, and freaking Sammy. Even when the players shook hands and agreed for a draw, [b']we required 88 runs in 15 overs and that's not 6 RPO.

It was just under 6 RPO and No one was half fit. Edwards was still bowling 90 mph. Rampaul was still bowling good and Bishoo bowling out side leg. Understand the difference between ODIs and tests like field restriction, bowler restriction, bouncer, wides, etc. and we had VVS and RD slowest SR batsman in the team. Pitch was not conducive to score more than 2-3 runs per over. We did not achieve 5-6 RPO even in ODIs. You are talking about test here. Raina was sent to score quick, but he too struggled and got out. Vijay too tried to up the ante but got out. It was an indication how scoring was tough there.

[singhprakash72]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2010/engine/match/464527.html

Well if I guess right India had about 80 odd overs to make 207 runs which is less than 3 runs per over. But better attack than WI and similar situation 1-0 up. SO WHAT MADE DHONI TAKE THIS PATH ???? CAN NOT STILL FATHOM...it is like going back to 80s and 70s era whenever India won a test match (eg. Ind Vs Eng 1981) they would hold on to that lead till end of series.

[singhprakash72]

It was just under 6 RPO and No one was half fit. Edwards was still bowling 90 mph. Rampaul was still bowling good and Bishoo bowling out side leg. Understand the difference between ODIs and tests like field restriction, bowler restriction, bouncer, wides, etc. and we had VVS and RD slowest SR batsman in the team. Pitch was not conducive to score more than 2-3 runs per over. We did not achieve 5-6 RPO even in ODIs. You are talking about test here. Raina was sent to score quick, but he too struggled and got out. Vijay too tried to up the ante but got out. It was an indication how scoring was tough there.

Agreed it was not easy, but is it okay for a stronger team (forget # 1 tag) vs a mediocre attack ( for heaven's sake Edwards & Rampaul are not Mc Grath & Marshall) to not TRY and Win. I don't think people would have been too upset if they fell short by even 20-30 runs in end with say 4-5 wkts in hand. Yes they could have shake hands after Shiv and Edwards were still playing ...and be DONE with it....why drag even this long. BTW They had a partnership in same match ( although in 1st innings)that had following Run Rate 6th 103 30.4 3.35 SK Raina (47) MS Dhoni (49)