Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[eaLiTy]

Ganguly was a decent captain at best and I feel that MSD laid the foundation by replacing the older players with new talent which worked wonders for India in the long term.

If not for Ganguly we will not see players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag in international cricket, these were the greatest find and contribution from Sourav Ganguly to Indian cricket and he brought these players in the Indian team when he was the captain and you think he was just a decent captain  . Sourav Ganguly changed the concept of getting selected just by mere selection process and he was involved in bringing all these players directly into the international scene and into his team and his concept is being followed by MSD and now Kohli.

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[uray]

~snip
202/0 is not an outstanding performance? Hilarious. Rohit and Mayank set up the perfect start for India and I highly doubt this will end in a draw. This looks like a win for India all the way at this point. Even if it rains later, I am expecting India to pack up the South African lineup pretty quickly.

Waiting for the Indian team to declare their innings and send South Africa to bat and you will understand what i was talking about, i like to see a competitive cricket and not seeing players scoring tons of runs and there is no assist to any bowlers, Test cricket is dying because of these dull events and if ICC is planning to reinvent Test cricket they need to come up with a minimum standard for pitches too rather than having flat batting wickets.

[erikalui]

176 is a terrific score for Rohit and now Agarwal is also got 150+ runs. Pujara failed to perform today so now hope to see another 100 partnership between Virat and Agarwal to get them to 450-500 runs. In 2 hours, they should declare as already 1.5 days are over and first innings should be done by now. SA is good when it comes to test matches so even 500 now seems less but since they aren't playing in SA, there's still hope that they may not get these runs.

Checking their earlier stats, SA won against India and Australia last year but in their own land. They haven't performed that well in foreign countries but are masters in their own country.

[ene1980]

Checking their earlier stats, SA won against India and Australia last year but in their own land. They haven't performed that well in foreign countries but are masters in their own country.

To win against India in India is a difficult task but South Africa too have a decent batting line up and as everyone says if the pitch is batting friendly then we might see a draw. I am watching Agarwal for the first time and he is playing fluently and the search for a good opener might end here with Rohit and Agarwal giving India a dream start. I am confused what to make of the situation with three days left, India and draw will be a good option.

[AjithBtc]

Checking their earlier stats, SA won against India and Australia last year but in their own land. They haven't performed that well in foreign countries but are masters in their own country.

To win against India in India is a difficult task but South Africa too have a decent batting line up and as everyone says if the pitch is batting friendly then we might see a draw. I am watching Agarwal for the first time and he is playing fluently and the search for a good opener might end here with Rohit and Agarwal giving India a dream start. I am confused what to make of the situation with three days left, India and draw will be a good option.

More chances for India to win the match, and this can be known soon after the first ten over batting of South Africa. Mayank Agarwal is getting close to 200 runs, this is best in terms of opening. Looking upon the wicket fall of Rohit Sharma it confirms how necessity is the opening partnership. Probably India will declare after scoring 500.

[erikalui]

Virat failed today but we saw two great openers for India. Haven't seen any batsman make a double century for long and especially an opener. Last I remember Sehwag making a double hundred and that too in a T20 match.

Don't know whether they'll declare at 450 but it's about time being afternoon now. Their RR is the best for the team and they did not waste time today and made as many runs as possible before losing wickets. Jadeja may add up another 50 now if they still wish to play. I don't expect a draw but a win for India.

[teosanru]

Ganguly was a decent captain at best and I feel that MSD laid the foundation by replacing the older players with new talent which worked wonders for India in the long term.

If not for Ganguly we will not see players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag in international cricket, these were the greatest find and contribution from Sourav Ganguly to Indian cricket and he brought these players in the Indian team when he was the captain and you think he was just a decent captain  . Sourav Ganguly changed the concept of getting selected just by mere selection process and he was involved in bringing all these players directly into the international scene and into his team and his concept is being followed by MSD and now Kohli.

See no matter whose fan we are but it is useless to undermine the importance of any player and his contributions to team. Ganguly on one hand taught India how to win matches and series overseas as until then India never imagined winning a lot of series overseas. moreover the overall balance what he gave the team can also not be undermined. While dhoni tautght India how to win big tournaments and how to turn out to become the best team in the world. Both brought some players which gave some great wins to India later on. Even kohli is doing great as a captain but fact is that he has got the best side in the World already

[Sithara007]

Virat failed today but we saw two great openers for India. Haven't seen any batsman make a double century for long and especially an opener. Last I remember Sehwag making a double hundred and that too in a T20 match.

India should be looking for batsmen who can perform in all types of surfaces. I have no bad blood against either Mayank Agarwal or Rohit Sharma. But these two batsmen have failed to perform outside the subcontinent. In my opinion, India doesn't need players such as Ravichandran Ashwin, who have the capability to be competitive only on doctored tracks.

But still, the collapse by South Africa during the last session of play today was disappointing. Despite having many experienced players in their batting lineup (Markram, Elgar.etc), they were unable to contain the spin of Ashwin. And the decision to send Piedt as the night watchman was another mistake. How can you expect him to survive out there, when top order batsmen were finding it very tough?

[erikalui]

3 wickets down for SA. With only du Plessis left, I doubt they can manage even 150-200 score as now after 20 overs, they managed to get just 39 runs. Loved Ashwin's comeback with those 2 important wickets.

India should be looking for batsmen who can perform in all types of surfaces. I have no bad blood against either Mayank Agarwal or Rohit Sharma. But these two batsmen have failed to perform outside the subcontinent. In my opinion, India doesn't need players such as Ravichandran Ashwin, who have the capability to be competitive only on doctored tracks.

But still, the collapse by South Africa during the last session of play today was disappointing. Despite having many experienced players in their batting lineup (Markram, Elgar.etc), they were unable to contain the spin of Ashwin. And the decision to send Piedt as the night watchman was another mistake. How can you expect him to survive out there, when top order batsmen were finding it very tough?

Rohit has always proven to be the best player for T20 as well as ODI and today again he proved himself reliable for test matches. Ashwin was always the best bowler for test matches may it be in or outside India so I don't want them to be dropped. Bumrah is the next great bowler along with Shami but still Ashwin is irreplaceable as of now.

[eaLiTy]

3 wickets down for SA. With only du Plessis left, I doubt they can manage even 150-200 score as now after 20 overs, they managed to get just 39 runs. Loved Ashwin's comeback with those 2 important wickets.

India is in drivers seat now and with South Africa not known to play spinners that well and they have already lost 3 wickets it is going to be a tough series for them, Ashwin is always the best spinner in India and it is good we have a good bench strength for spin as well as fast bowlers which India never had the luxury earlier.

Bumrah is the next great bowler along with Shami but still Ashwin is irreplaceable as of now.

I would like to see Bumrah, Shami and Ashwin together in one team and they will be the greatest bowling line up for India in Test even for abroad series.

[Avirunes]

As expected Ashwin-Jadeja magic was too hot to handle for South Africa. Great innings from Mayank Aggarwal and Rohit Sharma to put up a massive score and keep India on advantage over South Africa. I am sure Day 3 is gonna be exciting and we will be watching a lot of wickets taken by the spinners. Its a spinning track so a very well judgement by the management to put the best right down the slate.

[Sithara007]

As expected Ashwin-Jadeja magic was too hot to handle for South Africa. Great innings from Mayank Aggarwal and Rohit Sharma to put up a massive score and keep India on advantage over South Africa. I am sure Day 3 is gonna be exciting and we will be watching a lot of wickets taken by the spinners. Its a spinning track so a very well judgement by the management to put the best right down the slate.

South Africa lost 3 wickets in 20 overs (although one of those who got out was a tail end batsman - Piedt). The good news for them is that their best batsmen are yet to bat (Francois du Plessis/Quinton de Kock). If these two are unable to handle the spin from Ashwin, then South Africa is staring at an innings defeat. Realistically, they should target scoring 303 (in order to avoid follow on). If they are lucky, then rain may come to their rescue and enough overs may be wasted to force this match to a draw.

[MFahad]

Checking their earlier stats, SA won against India and Australia last year but in their own land. They haven't performed that well in foreign countries but are masters in their own country.

To win against India in India is a difficult task but South Africa too have a decent batting line up and as everyone says if the pitch is batting friendly then we might see a draw. I am watching Agarwal for the first time and he is playing fluently and the search for a good opener might end here with Rohit and Agarwal giving India a dream start. I am confused what to make of the situation with three days left, India and draw will be a good option.

It seems that South Africa will lose this match and maybe they will get an innings defeat. Other than Elgar, the top three batsmen were only able to make any significant score and they are three wickets down with not even 50 on the score card. its seems that Indian team is too strong for them.
With 3 days still left in the match, do you think any batsmen of south africa can resist the Indian bowling attack with the pressure of over 500 runs ?

[7788bitcoin]

If they are lucky, then rain may come to their rescue and enough overs may be wasted to force this match to a draw.

Weather is the only thing that can save South Africa from defeat with three days left in this test match. The pitch started gripping more in the second day and it is going to be a spinners paradise for the next three days and South Africa will find it difficult to face the famed Indian spinners and i am expecting an innings victory for India, the morning session tomorrow will give you the clear picture.

[Juggy777]

As expected Ashwin-Jadeja magic was too hot to handle for South Africa. Great innings from Mayank Aggarwal and Rohit Sharma to put up a massive score and keep India on advantage over South Africa. I am sure Day 3 is gonna be exciting and we will be watching a lot of wickets taken by the spinners. Its a spinning track so a very well judgement by the management to put the best right down the slate.

South Africa lost 3 wickets in 20 overs (although one of those who got out was a tail end batsman - Piedt). The good news for them is that their best batsmen are yet to bat (Francois du Plessis/Quinton de Kock). If these two are unable to handle the spin from Ashwin, then South Africa is staring at an innings defeat. Realistically, they should target scoring 303 (in order to avoid follow on). If they are lucky, then rain may come to their rescue and enough overs may be wasted to force this match to a draw.

@Avirunes there were many people who had doubted Rohit Sharma’s ability to play in tests, but he silenced them all with his brilliant innings. Mayank who was making his debut managed to score a double century, and I’m sure he’ll remember this innings for a very long time. It seems to me South Africa are already chocking, and it’s only a matter of time before their batting lineup collapses. @Sithara007 you’re correct there’s a high chance that it may rain, and if it happens the end result of this match maybe a draw.

https://www.scoopwhoop.com/sports/twitter-bows-down-to-rohit-sharma-as-he-shuts-critics-with-176-run-innings-in-1st-test-as-an-opener

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/india-vs-south-africa-1st-test-visakhapatnam-weather-forecast-1605225-2019-10-01

[AB de Royse777]

Weather will play a major role in this match and if we are to see a result India must declare the innings with a good first innings of 450 runs and then put the South Africans to bat and see whether India could trouble their batting line up and if India could pick the wicket then we might see a result if not i am expecting a draw as South Africa does have a good batting line up and the pitch was flat on the first day, whether it will assist the spinners in the coming days is yet to be seen.

Well just looked at the scoreboard and I would say India is not far away from winning. South Africa will face follow on for sure. 3 gone for only 39 runs and still 463 to chase. A broken team like South Africa can not do that.

We still have three full days but I think one full day in enough for India to win the match.

I am still hopeful for the bet I have:

Team With Top Bowler: India
Maharaj got three, I need any of the India bowler to have only 4 wickets LOL

[JSRAW]

Not sure bro what run out - stumping chances he missed, not able to recall any missed chance in Red Ball cricket and if we are talking about caught behind the wicket then i must remind you that he's one of the 3 wicket keeper in Cricket history who took 11 catches in one test game. he missed the world record by dropping catch though.

Come on bro, if you missed a run out chance or a stumping chance in any form of cricket, it is not a good sign of his confidence, i am taking into account his performance as a keeper in the past few series he played and he dropped many chances, may be those are in the shorter format of the game but what difference does it make if you miss chances in the field. Let him fix his technique and come back stronger as he is really young in his career and can be an asset in the future.

His reputation is not good as an wicket keeper so its fair argument and i am in favor of dropping him from the shorter format but kicked out from the Test squad looks dodgy- Mismanagement to me. Anyway Saha was looking strong behind the wicket today so all well.

no one can replace players like Kapil Dev, Gavaskar, Sachin, Sehwag, Dravid, MSD and the captaincy brilliance of Ganguly, he made the foundation when India was struggling and now we have a bench strength of good players .

Ganguly was a decent captain at best and I feel that MSD laid the foundation by replacing the older players with new talent which worked wonders for India in the long term.

@Haunebu : Have to agree with eaLiTy and My vote for Dada only 

Actually my point of comparing him with Rohit Sharma was actually due to the graph of career of Rohit Sharma.

Interesting....

[Indymoney]

Weather will play a major role in this match and if we are to see a result India must declare the innings with a good first innings of 450 runs and then put the South Africans to bat and see whether India could trouble their batting line up and if India could pick the wicket then we might see a result if not i am expecting a draw as South Africa does have a good batting line up and the pitch was flat on the first day, whether it will assist the spinners in the coming days is yet to be seen.

Well just looked at the scoreboard and I would say India is not far away from winning. South Africa will face follow on for sure. 3 gone for only 39 runs and still 463 to chase. A broken team like South Africa can not do that.

We still have three full days but I think one full day in enough for India to win the match.

I am still hopeful for the bet I have:

Team With Top Bowler: India
Maharaj got three, I need any of the India bowler to have only 4 wickets LOL

Friday or Saturday first session surely going for end of this match as South Africa is completely helpless on this track and they cannot face these two giants of India they will surrender very quickly and lost this match by very big margin.
@Royse777 Ashwin already takes two wickets and will take 2 more very easily for you

[vella85]

India are in a strong position right now to enforce the follow-on if SA lose some quick wickets in the morning session however if India do happen to get SA out for less then 200 runs, will they enforce the follow-on? We have seen many times before when India have been in a strong position to enforce the follow-on they never did so it will be interesting to see if they do if it comes to that. It would also send a strong message to SA that India want to win the series and win big.

[Sithara007]

India are in a strong position right now to enforce the follow-on if SA lose some quick wickets in the morning session however if India do happen to get SA out for less then 200 runs, will they enforce the follow-on? We have seen many times before when India have been in a strong position to enforce the follow-on they never did so it will be interesting to see if they do if it comes to that. It would also send a strong message to SA that India want to win the series and win big.

If they get a lead of 200 or more and still doesn't enforce the follow on, then it will be plain stupidity. Because there is a very high chance of rain interruption and if India bats again and takes up another 90-100 overs to do that, then the Indian bowlers may not get enough time to bowl South Africa out for the second time. Three days of play remains, but given the weather, they should not take any chances and enforce the follow on if they are in a position to do so.

I don't understand the logic behind not enforcing the follow on. The only reason that comes to my mind is that they might want to improve their personal batting statistics. As a team, India should learn from Australia. The Australians never go after individual records, and they always put their team first. I have seen Australians declare their innings, when one batsman was just around 10 runs short of a double century.