Lords test 2011 : Predictions and discussion

[anotherhawkeye]

It's going to be a combination of inexperience, rust and poor form that might do us in in the first test. For many its going to be first international match in 4 months, after WC. Batting: GG - Rusty, back from injury - Inexperience RD - Solid SRT - Rusty VVS - Solid, but many times plays bad in the first test. #6 - Weakest link. Inexperience if Raina. Rusty if Yuvraj. MSD - Poor form. Hard to see this group score 400 runs in a innings in the first test. Would be happy to get away with 300s if one of RD/VVS have a big innings and one other rusty player plays big.. 200s might be realistic. Bowling - Rust is not as much a concern here. ZK - Rusty IS - Solid #3 seamer - Weakest link HS - Poor form. I feel better about our bowling than about our batting. Can they compensate for poor batting, esp. in the first innings ? That might probably determine the outcome.

[urbestfriend]

First test is huge concern, if we manage to somehow draw the first one, our boys will do good in remaining tests. :good:

[Sid]

We just need to avoid defeat in the 1st terst and we will win the series ........

[asterix]

Yes.. and I'm pretty sure my friend Dandaroy will agree too.. :((

[Karan114]

We always screw up the first Test anyway. Hopefully we can somehow avoid defeat and then be set for the rest of the series.

[anotherhawkeye]

We must try everything possible to draw out the first test. If we lose it, its going to be extremely hard to win the series. I expect one of the 4 to end in a draw, so we need to win the other 2 tests to win the series.

[cowboysfan]

we have a practice match this time,hopefully msd,gg and sachin can get some batting practice.I am not expecting much from MSD though,he is the definition of walking wicket right now.

[Karan114]

we have a practice match this time' date='hopefully msd,gg and sachin can get some batting practice.[b']I am not expecting much from MSD though,he is the definition of walking wicket right now.

Yep :((

[J P K]

we have a practice match this time' date='hopefully msd,gg and sachin can get some batting practice.I am not expecting much from MSD though,he is the definition of walking wicket right now.[/quote'] yup dhoni is suffering from AFIRIDIX hope he gets well soon

[Sidhoni]

We have a practice game here, so hopefully we will do well against them.

[akshayxyz]

We have one practice game to dust off the rust!!!

[Yoda-esque]

We have one practice game to dust off the rust!!!

Not enough..We'll probably struggle in the first test and then hit our straps..The Indian team is like an expensive Ferrari.Lots of struggle to hit peak performance and unstoppable after that :--D

[Sooda]

Well at least theres a warm up game.

[Sachin=GOD]

We are slow starters so no worries.

[Pagalpanti]

Lords had the flattest pitch of the 3 tests that SL played against Eng. So not really concerned and yeah we do have a practice match.

[Ultimate_Game]

Don't worry, we will be fine. We have a warm-up game and it's a 4 match series so we will have enough time to do justice to our talent.

[saneindian]

Can the players not n WI be asked to reach England a week before rest of the team joins them from WI? Sachin, GG, Viru, Zak, Yuvi, Sree, Saha could do with an additional week of acclamatisation in England and the net practice there instead of nets in India. Guru Duncan can use his contacts there to ensure our boys get some good facilities there. Could help dust off some of the rust and get back into shape for the first test.

[Roshanrocks]

I dont mind Dhoni having poor batting form... I would really mind if he loses his winning form

[fineleg]

Eng batting lineup is a strong one. Indian bowlers will have their work cut out for them to take 20 wickets.

[bihutoli]

Rusty? As far as I remember they all played in the IPL. There should be no excuses there.