Day 2 session 1 will be the toughest challenge of the tour.

[Cricketics]

If we win this session, our players will go into the field with the confidence like they never had on this tour before. We are 255/5 and still lot to be done. Let's be realistic. Test cricket changes fast and especially in South Africa. A wicket or two early on day 2 and we will be reeling around 260/7. The first session of Day 2 will be all pace bowling I believe. They won't like to throw a spinner at Dhoni that early. They will be looking to get at least 2-3 wickets in this session so that they don't let us cross 315. I am sure that would be their ultimate goal. We have to look to put at least another 125 runs with last 5 players to come so that we can touch around 375+ If we can bat out the first session today without losing much wickets, I think we should be looking good to clear 350 today. That should be great boost for this new team which got beaten badly in ODI'S. As much as the key will be Rahane, Dhoni will be our demolition man. If he can save himself from Steyn, Philander and Morkel, I am sure he will get lot of runs of Tahir in 2nd session. Tahir is not going to bowl much in first session. We should remember that. It's going to be barrage of bouncers in session 1 from all 3 seamers. If they are able to play this session, then my :hatsoff: Clearing this session 1 of day 2, then we will put our self in a good situation in this game and it will bring lot of confidence on our players which might not be there during start of this game. I think this will be the toughest session of the match so far.

[GautiMaan]

Dhoni looked reasonably solid yesterday,so have some hopes.But if wickets begin to tumble will Rahane be able to accelerate is the question

[Number]

If we win this session, our players will go into the field with the confidence like they never had on this tour before. We are 255/5 and still lot to be done. Let's be realistic. Test cricket changes fast and especially in South Africa. A wicket or two early on day 2 and we will be reeling around 260/7. The first session of Day 2 will be all pace bowling I believe. They won't like to throw a spinner at Dhoni that early. They will be looking to get at least 2-3 wickets in this session so that they don't let us cross 315. I am sure that would be their ultimate goal. We have to look to put at least another 125 runs with last 5 players to come so that we can touch around 375+ If we can bat out the first session today without losing much wickets, I think we should be looking good to clear 350 today. That should be great boost for this new team which got beaten badly in ODI'S. As much as the key will be Rahane, Dhoni will be our demolition man. If he can save himself from Steyn, Philander and Morkel, I am sure he will get lot of runs of Tahir in 2nd session. Tahir is not going to bowl much in first session. We should remember that. It's going to be barrage of bouncers in session 1 from all 3 seamers. If they are able to play this session, then my :hatsoff: Clearing this session 1 of day 2, then we will put our self in a good situation in this game and it will bring lot of confidence on our players which might not be there during start of this game. I think this will be the toughest session of the match so far.

Whatever comes from now take that as a bonus, you are aiming really high with 375+ here. Winning with this team is a day dream in SA, at best we can hope to draw with some help from rain gods.

[Cricketics]

Dhoni looked reasonably solid yesterday' date='so have some hopes.But if wickets begin to tumble will Rahane be able to accelerate is the question[/quote'] He can man. I know where you coming from. And I wanted to give heads up to our people who are enjoying the 250 for 5 start for now. Thing is these guys play so much twenty20 now that all have ability to have a crack at the opposition bowlers. Things move fast in south africa. You will see tailenders coming out and hitting quick fire 25-30 odd and team still getting bowled out cheap. This is because all the South Africa fast bowlers are looking to get wickets and wrap up the tail and hence they attack with plenty of slips and the tailenders like Zaheer Khan, Umar Gul, Sharma, Muralitharan can make good use of that and get runs over the slip cordon with plenty of edges before eventually getting out.

[Cricketics]

Whatever comes from now take that as a bonus' date=' you are aiming really high with 375+ here. Winning with this team is a day dream in SA, at best we can hope to draw with some help from rain gods.[/quote'] That is why I said this session will be tough. The good thing is that we are 255 and not 225. Which shows that in first hour of the game todya, we have a chance to cross 300 regardless of the number of wickets might fall. So ending the session with not losing much should put us close to atleast 325. And if we have enough bats left, may be another 50 runs. Got to bat in p'ships and have small goals.

[Ghost Buster]

Dhoni looked reasonably solid yesterday' date='so have some hopes.But if wickets begin to tumble will Rahane be able to accelerate is the question[/quote'] Actually dhoni was looking like getting out on any ball. He was moving around the crease and playing full pitched on backfoot. I dont think dhoni will stay longer today.

[fineleg]

First session important. Within that, first 10 overs are SUPER CRITICAL steyn and mork and phil will go for the kill in first 10 and batsmen will need some overs till the feet start moving. So dangerous time

[GautiMaan]

Actually dhoni was looking like getting out on any ball. He was moving around the crease and playing full pitched on backfoot. I dont think dhoni will stay longer today.

He left well against Steyn which was good to see,it was Philander who troubled him.Hope he can survive and hit some boundaries here and there can be a big difference.

[Deleted_User_1]

We need to get to 350. A lot will depend on these two. If this partnership goes before 320 ish, then we are fecked.

[Cricketics]

We need to get to 350. A lot will depend on these two. If this partnership goes before 320 ish' date=' then we are fecked.[/quote'] I expect Ashwin and Zaheer to score about 40 runs between them. Zaheer has knack of scoring runs too and Ashwing too is good enough.

[CoverDrive]

i really hope Zaheer applies himself and being dropped has made him realise he cant be casual with batting. he was horrible in the last few tests gifting his wickets. he has a fair bit of talent with bat

[NareshK]

Its quite tough to score against these bowlers. They don't give anything away. Pujara and Kohli batted many overs and basically saw off the seamers and didnt try to be too positive against them. How can we expect the tail to bat like that ? The way I see it, the final score will be as many runs scored by Rahane, Dhoni, Ashwin from now on. 300 is the first target.

[Old guy]

Its quite tough to score against these bowlers. They don't give anything away. Pujara and Kohli batted many overs and basically saw off the seamers and didnt try to be too positive against them. How can we expect the tail to bat like that ? The way I see it, the final score will be as many runs scored by Rahane, Dhoni, Ashwin from now on. 300 is the first target.

It all depends on situation Tail can just throw bat at ball and we have seen many times in past that it works Crucial thing is rahane scoring first 50 then keep adding runs and get a big one

[saneindian]

Getting greedy, are we? I will take 275-300. Anything over that is a bonus. SA will comeback hard at us, will be fired up by Kohli's verbals in the PC after yday's play. Also, Shastri was asked in the 1st session what score would India be happy with, his answer was around 275. Even Wessels agreed 275 would be a good 1st innings total on this pitch.

[Cricketics]

We shouldn't take 275. Thats like another 20 runs for remaining five wickets. Definitely we should be looking for another 100 runs for 5 wickets.

[Zanjeer]

Its raining and overcast conditions there. Would be very difficult for dhoni to survive.

[Cricketics]

Its raining and overcast conditions there. Would be very difficult for dhoni to survive.

Your gf used to give updates of chennai ground right? When did she move to Jo'burg?

[Zanjeer]

Your gf used to give updates of chennai ground right? When did she move to Jo'burg?

Go to the match thread. People are updating weather conditions and no my gf is from Bangalore.

[saneindian]

We shouldn't take 275. Thats like another 20 runs for remaining five wickets. Definitely we should be looking for another 100 runs for 5 wickets.

Take the overcast conditions into account. Cant see the tail lasting long

[SLICKR392]

What's with all the negativity? Lets hope they nail this session. 1 wicket this session wouldn't hurt, but 2 would lead to a collapse considering the tail and of what I have seen of Rahane, he isn't the best guy to bat with the tail. BTW, sky is clear now.