What was the most surprising element from Indian side?

[vvvslaxman]

Lot of us predicted if we escape with a draw we would be lucky. Mostly due to Dhoni's selection policies and captaincy. Nobody expected such a turn around. Even the hardcore optimists might not have expected this. For me the most surprising aspect was Bhuvaneswar's batting this is something i never ever expected even in the wildest dreams 3 fifties out of 4 matches. and one more valuable 38 as well. 2 innings came on a green pitch in crunch situation. Are you kidding me. This is something i never was prepared for. I could even buy Ishant's spell (albeit bouncer tactic working was bit of surprise), Vijay's patient batting. Before the series India had the world's worst tail statistically. Averaged 18 between them lowest among test playing nations. I bet it improve significantly.

[fineleg]

BK batting is a surprise, yes. But IS bowling is the BIGGEST surprise. Infact, it is so big a surprise that I still am not sure if he can sustain it over a period of time, or is IS' bowling a flash-in-the-davaraa-pan?

[Stuge]

Its the lower order batting which has bailed us out in both the test matches .I don't know for how long this will work ,but top order needs to score else ,I don;t see this team getting more wins on this tour .

[veer]

Its the lower order batting which has bailed us out in both the test matches .I don't know for how long this will work ' date='but top order needs to score else ,I don;t see this team getting more wins on this tour .[/quote'] Hope Kohli clicks.. and I wish Gambhir gets picked in place of Dhawan.

[vvvslaxman]

Hope Kohli clicks.. and I wish Gambhir gets picked in place of Dhawan.

Dhawan is playing far too many shots. Otherwise he is not totally out of place. But he still has to tighten his technique. Though he plays some sweet shots he always looks like getting out any moment. They will give him few more tests before contemplating on including Gauti.

[kubrickian]

Batting first on that green pitch and posting 295 is a fantastic effort. Great batting by Pujara, Vijay who didnt have a lot of runs to show but they batted very long and then Rahane scored a superb century and Bhuvi's contribution was also crucial. Ishant Sharma's spell where he picked 5 wickets in the final day was also great. Ravindra Jadeja's knock in second innings was special. His counter attack added a lot of runs in a short time which wouldn't have been possible if another batsman had batted normally because its not easy to bat long as one ball can get you out in those conditions. He was chancing his arm a lot but it put pressure back on the bowlers and it paid off. Though the most surprising aspect has to be Bhuvi's bowling and batting. I knew he would be effective in England but never expected a 5 wicket haul in first test and a 6 wicket haul in 1st innings of 2nd test. 3 fifties out of 4 innings in England is extra ordinary.

[veer]

Dhawan is playing far too many shots. Otherwise he is not totally out of place. But he still has to tighten his technique. Though he plays some sweet shots he always looks like getting out any moment. They will give him few more tests before contemplating on including Gauti.

Dhawan's century in NZ is biting us.. He scored 100 with 2-3 lives/dropped catches etc. I hope we drop him or dont pick him in first 11 in Aus. Those guys will be brutal and we gotta bat much much better than this. Vijai is a changed batter.. he learned and improved his technique. Dhawan on other hand is not learning or he does not have enough technique to improve.

[nevada]

What was most surprising was that India clawed its way back every time they fell behind. Rahane's gem in the first innings, Vijay's determination, Jaddu-Bhuvi partnership in the 2nd innings and Ishant's surprise bowling success in the final innings. It was very impressive how India managed to fight back and snatched a win instead of letting go, which is the usual mode.

[BlackMamba]

Its the lower order batting which has bailed us out in both the test matches .I don't know for how long this will work ' date='but top order needs to score else ,I don;t see this team getting more wins on this tour .[/quote'] This ! As I have said in some other thread, 100 runs/inn between Dhawan, Kohli and Pujara is not going to help. Not for long. They need to step up and step up BIG. Starting next test ! Another huge worry is Dhoni at 6. He needs to start getting 40s and 50s there not 10s and 20s.

[BlackMamba]

And I am surprised how the big innings' have deserted Pujara

[veer]

For me the most surprising aspect was Bhuvaneswar's batting this is something i never ever expected even in the wildest dreams 3 fifties out of 4 matches. and one more valuable 38 as well. 2 innings came on a green pitch in crunch situation. Are you kidding me. This is something i never was prepared for. I could even buy Ishant's spell (albeit bouncer tactic working was bit of surprise), Vijay's patient batting. Before the series India had the world's worst tail statistically. Averaged 18 between them lowest among test playing nations. I bet it improve significantly.

In batting, I think its a Dravid effect. He seems like bowler version of Dravid. Has that attitude of "No fuss, do your job and go home". He showed couple of times in NZ ODIs that he can bat. But now i think he is putting big price to his wicket and not throwing away. There were signs on his bowling improvement though: In IPL, he was regularly turning in better figure compare to his counter part Steyn. Eonomy wise and also strike rates.

[SLICKR392]

And I am surprised how the big innings' have deserted Pujara

What do you mean by 'deserted' Pujara? It's only a few innings. His 28 was as crucial as Jadeja's 60.

[vvvslaxman]

Another small surprise is Shami's batting lol. Some of his on the up shots would make top order proud .

[CSK Fan]

In batting, I think its a Dravid effect. He seems like bowler version of Dravid. Has that attitude of "No fuss, do your job and go home". He showed couple of times in NZ ODIs that he can bat. But now i think he is putting big price to his wicket and not throwing away. There were signs on his bowling improvement though: In IPL, he was regularly turning in better figure compare to his counter part Steyn. Eonomy wise and also strike rates.

I think Dravid said, he did NOT train or give tips to Bhuvan or Shami (after their first match partnership for 10th wicket). So bhuvi did all that on his own

[Midfielder]

Vijayas determination. If he did not hold the opening spot tight there would be no win. No one should overlook his contribution. To this point he is the man of series.

[SLICKR392]

Vijayas determination. If he did not hold the opening spot tight there would be no win. No one should overlook his contribution. To this point he is the man of series.

It will be a competition between him an Bhuvi if they continue to fair well.

[Midfielder]

Vijay is my definition of a team player. He has very little talent but a blue collar player. Nothing but guts. Not taking anything away from Bhuvi. For me it is Vijay.

[vvvslaxman]

Vijay is my definition of a team player. He has very little talent but a blue collar player. Nothing but guts. Not taking anything away from Bhuvi. For me it is Vijay.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IELQZM1db7A]HIGH 15 - MATCH32 - IPL 2010 - CSK v RR - YouTube[/ame] Beautiful player to watch when in flow. Even slogging is beautiful

[ThePhenomenal1]

India's fight. Just pure guts. Yes wickets fall quickly but that happens. team will learn. Some beautiful partnerships have formed. Bhuvi's batting. Vijay's gutsy batting. Dhoni's more aggressive captaincy. Loving this, only thing they need is aaron for binny or ashwin for binny if it suits spinners

[Brainfade]

The khunnas. The resilience. They did not fold. There was always someone ready to take the fight to the opponent.