Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Little Mouse]

But the problem is that right now we are having a very one sided series between India and South Africa (two of the teams that would have figured in the division 1). So a lot of gap exists even within these divisions as well.

Very much gap!
Elephant vs Cat  Kidding.
Kohli has shown his class once again. This man is incredible. Couldn't watch the match at all, wasn't active here for somedays, was busy in IRL.

[JSRAW]

South Africa is in big trouble once again, exactly similar situation as Last Test Match. Where they were 3 down at 2nd day stump, it would be interesting to see if their middle order is ready to face the challenge or not?

~edited out~

Same as the first test match things were happening. In the thread discussion came across a statement Umesh Yadav's addition to the team will help India big. The initial wickets taken by him has helped the team to be more strong and collapse the middle order. India has its opening partnership good, and this has made the team score reach 600. As in the statement South Africa's innings is much much depending on the Middle order as the performance of openers is not to the necessity of the team to fight back for a win.

Indeed, One wicket more and then South Africa is looking for follow on, then Inning defeat. Yeah i was backing Umesh Yadav inclusion turn out he did exceptionally well in dusty wickets. its looks like both teams are batting on the different track.

South Africa : 58/5

~Edited Out~
My suggestion is to include India, Australia, England, New Zealand, and Pakistan in the top division

I agree with @bryant.coleman list, its logical because it depends on current ranking of test Playing nation. If its about personal choice then I would like to choose India, Australia, England , South Africa, New Zealand for bilateral series.

~Edited out~

But the problem is that right now we are having a very one sided series between India and South Africa (two of the teams that would have figured in the division 1). So a lot of gap exists even within these divisions as well.

There is very simple solution to tackle this problem - Where home team dominates visiting team- Take away toss benefit , let visiting team decides if they want to bat or ball first. Then we are going to see very competitive games.

* South Africa team is going through some transition period after their legend players took retirement so i am willing to give them benefit of doubt. Only time will tell.

* Sri Lanka performs once a while.

* Pakistan : Current squad is one of the weakest test team in their cricket history and they don't even want to play Test format. but they perform in patches against England though.

* Bangladesh : I am losing patience when it comes to Bengali team.

[Sithara007]

South Africa trailing by a massive 530 runs, with the last recognized batting pair at crease (Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock). This is going to be another record-breaking loss (in terms of margin) for South Africa. No one expected South Africa to make an upset. But at the same time, few believed that they would go down without a fight. This is going to be very humiliating for the South African fans.

And the most surprising thing is that the spinners are not yet seen in the action. All the 5 wickets that have fallen so far have been taken by the pacers (Umesh got 3, while Mohammed Shami nabbed 2). Ashwin is yet to start his spell. And this time the South Africans can't even complain that the Indians have prepared a turning track. The pitch is supportive of both the pacers and the spinners.

[Avirunes]

De kock out now and only Du plessis is there at crease along with lower order. I think follow-on is likely to happen now but not sure since Du plessis has gone settled now. Don't see South Africa to win this one and also draw is very unlikely to happen as well considering we still have 2 days and 2 sessions left to play.

[onrise]

South Africa trailing by a massive 530 runs, with the last recognized batting pair at crease (Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock). This is going to be another record-breaking loss (in terms of margin) for South Africa. No one expected South Africa to make an upset. But at the same time, few believed that they would go down without a fight. This is going to be very humiliating for the South African fans.

And the most surprising thing is that the spinners are not yet seen in the action. All the 5 wickets that have fallen so far have been taken by the pacers (Umesh got 3, while Mohammed Shami nabbed 2). Ashwin is yet to start his spell. And this time the South Africans can't even complain that the Indians have prepared a turning track. The pitch is supportive of both the pacers and the spinners.

SA could not survive the Indian bowlers attack and as a result giving up the quick wickets. De Kock and Duplessis tried to stay on the wicket for some time but Ashwin got kock out and the game again belongs to India now. They would now like to wrap up SA innings quickly and give them follow on it seems.

[Vishnu.Reang]

SA could not survive the Indian bowlers attack and as a result giving up the quick wickets. De Kock and Duplessis tried to stay on the wicket for some time but Ashwin got kock out and the game again belongs to India now. They would now like to wrap up SA innings quickly and give them follow on it seems.

As long as de Kock was there, South Africa had a chance of setting up a respectable total and even a distant chance of avoiding the follow on. But since he is gone, I think that now a follow on, and later an innings defeat looks like a surety for South Africa. Senuran Muthusamy batted well during the first test. Let's see how good he is in the second test.

[eaLiTy]

There is very simple solution to tackle this problem - Where home team dominates visiting team- Take away toss benefit , let visiting team decides if they want to bat or ball first. Then we are going to see very competitive games.

That is impossible to have a fair game, a good captain must have the luck to win toss as winning the toss will make a huge difference in the outcome of a match, if it is a green track no team will bat first but if it is a turning track all the team will prefer to bat first because it will be difficult to bat in the final two days. West Indies was dominating world cricket for a period of time and then Australia was dominating and now India is dominating in Test cricket.

South Africa is struggling and it looks like an innings defeat and not even rain can help them.

[Sithara007]

That is impossible to have a fair game, a good captain must have the luck to win toss as winning the toss will make a huge difference in the outcome of a match, if it is a green track no team will bat first but if it is a turning track all the team will prefer to bat first because it will be difficult to bat in the final two days. West Indies was dominating world cricket for a period of time and then Australia was dominating and now India is dominating in Test cricket.

South Africa is struggling and it looks like an innings defeat and not even rain can help them.

Forget about the rain. I really doubt whether even the god can help them. And trust me, there are 61 overs remaining for today's play. I would say that there is a very real chance that the match would get over by today itself. And just now the South Africans have lost their 7th wicket, as Senuran Muthusamy has been trapped leg before the wicket by Ravindra Jadeja. The score stands at 139/7, and I think that South Africa will be bowled out even before they could get past 150. I am not sure whether the Indians are going to enforce the follow on or not. They may decide to bat for another 50-60 overs, in order to enhance the batting stats of their players. They can do that, as a lot of time is remaining in this match.

[Avirunes]

I am not sure whether the Indians are going to enforce the follow on or not. They may decide to bat for another 50-60 overs, in order to enhance the batting stats of their players. They can do that, as a lot of time is remaining in this match.

They will give South Africa the follow-on obviously. It will be easy road for India for victory. They still trail by good amount of runs. By giving them follow it will be easy for India to chase down the runs for victory.

Impressive bowling from speedsters- Yadav and Shami. Now spinners are piling up the rest. India totally dominating the game. Apart from De Kock and Du Plessis there is no batsman in their team. Now I think India will win the rest of the matches in the series as well if there is any (haven't checked the schedule).

[JSRAW]

^^ I am expecting follow on as well, Fast bowlers are still fresh and spinners can bowl long spell so no excuse for Kohli this time.

There is very simple solution to tackle this problem - Where home team dominates visiting team- Take away toss benefit , let visiting team decides if they want to bat or ball first. Then we are going to see very competitive games.

That is impossible to have a fair game, a good captain must have the luck to win toss as winning the toss will make a huge difference in the outcome of a match, if it is a green track no team will bat first but if it is a turning track all the team will prefer to bat first because it will be difficult to bat in the final two days. West Indies was dominating world cricket for a period of time and then Australia was dominating and now India is dominating in Test cricket.

~edited out~

I get carried away when i said "simple solution" This discussion is long-controversial and it has its pro-cons just like any another solution, Will try to write more on this topic if it ever comes in core discussion or when i got some free time.

[Sithara007]

^^ I am expecting follow on as well, Fast bowlers are still fresh and spinners can bowl long spell so no excuse for Kohli this time.

A total of 220 overs remain (two and half days) in this test. India just needs two more wickets. If they enforce the follow on, then the match will be over by end of the day today, or by tomorrow morning. Star Sports is not going to be happy, as they will lose valuable ad revenue (just joking). Right now South Africa is trailing by 418. If India could add another 200 runs, then they can set a target of 600 plus for South Africa. And the bowlers will be having two days to bowl them out.

[Haunebu]

As long as de Kock was there, South Africa had a chance of setting up a respectable total and even a distant chance of avoiding the follow on. But since he is gone, I think that now a follow on, and later an innings defeat looks like a surety for South Africa. Senuran Muthusamy batted well during the first test. Let's see how good he is in the second test.

Even if de Kock was still playing, he would never be able to set a decent total without support from 2 other players. Jadeja already removed Muthusamy and this is not exactly surprising since he is not exactly a batsman to begin with.

Right now South Africa is trailing by 418. If India could add another 200 runs, then they can set a target of 600 plus for South Africa. And the bowlers will be having two days to bowl them out.

In my opinion, India probably might not need to bat since all of their bowlers(Seam and spinners) are performing brilliantly and it is only a matter of time for South Africa to probably lose this one by an innings.

[JSRAW]

Right now South Africa is trailing by 418. If India could add another 200 runs, then they can set a target of 600 plus for South Africa. And the bowlers will be having two days to bowl them out.

In my opinion, India probably might not need to bat since all of their bowlers(Seam and spinners) are performing brilliantly and it is only a matter of time for South Africa to probably lose this one by an innings.

Follow on sounds good deal atm because Ishant hardly bowled one spell due to 2 warning - Stepping on danger zone-. But Kohli likes to play mind game with opposition team and everything depends on the bowlers if they are okay with bowling again then its go go for Kohli otherwise India going to bat again.

[erikalui]

Again SA will lose before reaching 250. Virat will now possibly choose to bat and put up 400-450 runs as he always does but glad that this match will have a result as the first innings is already over in 2.5 days. A follow-on would be better but Virat never chooses that.

India is at the top of the table with 160 points and till now they did not have a single loss. *happy dance *

[Little Mouse]

* Bangladesh : I am losing patience when it comes to Bengali team.

Same here, Bangladesh rarely play a match which fit the criteria of a test cricket team. I think a test cricket must be encouraged in domestic level than any other format, because it's the real cricket, no matter who likes what.

[akhjob]

Again SA will lose before reaching 250. Virat will now possibly choose to bat and put up 400-450 runs as he always does but glad that this match will have a result as the first innings is already over in 2.5 days. A follow-on would be better but Virat never chooses that.

India is at the top of the table with 160 points and till now they did not have a single loss. *happy dance *

SA have crossed 250   Maharaj and Philander are relentless, they have already batted out nearly 45+ overs and have scored over 109 runs. Most of the time, India fail to pick up the tail-enders. Looking at the current situation, I am expecting Maharaj batting through the day and to score a ton

So no follow on......

Yeah, we won't have one.  

[Haunebu]

SA have crossed 250   Maharaj and Philander are relentless, they have already batted out nearly 45+ overs and have scored over 109 runs. Most of the time, India fail to pick up the tail-enders. Looking at the current situation, I am expecting Maharaj batting through the day and to score a ton

Damn. These guys could be setting a new record right here. Who in the world would have expected tail-enders to forge such a big partnership? Maharaj is playing brilliantly while Philander is supporting him without losing his wicket.

Looks like India might have to play again after all. Disappointing turn-out. Also, the Pune stadium authorities need to improve their services since the audience don't have proper shade due to the scorching heat and are not allowed to take their umbrellas inside.

Edit: Maharaj just got out!

[onrise]

SA have crossed 250   Maharaj and Philander are relentless, they have already batted out nearly 45+ overs and have scored over 109 runs. Most of the time, India fail to pick up the tail-enders. Looking at the current situation, I am expecting Maharaj batting through the day and to score a ton

Damn. These guys could be setting a new record right here. Who in the world would have expected tail-enders to forge such a big partnership? Maharaj is playing brilliantly while Philander is supporting him without losing his wicket.

Looks like India might have to play again after all. Disappointing turn-out. Also, the Pune stadium authorities need to improve their services since the audience don't have proper shade due to the scorching heat and are not allowed to take their umbrellas inside.

Edit: Maharaj just got out!

This is excatly what is required from SA openeres or middle order batsman to stay on the crease and make some runs. I tik definately the MAharaj innings could boost up the SA dressing room and they would come back strongly in the test match. But for now they are all out at 275 runs and India lead by 326 runs in first innings.
 

[akhjob]

Finally, SA was allout for 275 and its end of Day 3. Maharaj and Philander did a great job taking out 2 sessions of the game. They are now trial by 326 runs. The better option would be to enforce the follow-on. But its Kohli's decision to take and we have to wait for tomorrow to know whether India is going to enforce a follow-on or not.

[Haunebu]

I tik definately the MAharaj innings could boost up the SA dressing room and they would come back strongly in the test match. But for now they are all out at 275 runs and India lead by 326 runs in first innings.

The max that South Africa can hope for at this stage is a draw which is possible only if they bat exceptionally well and I don't think they will since most of them are out of form and a single good innings by a tail-ender won't change that.

India might score close to 200 runs and declare and South Africa might have to chase a mammoth score which is why this match is almost over. Expecting another fine innings from Mayank.