Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[onrise]

Rahane is talk of the day and with good support from Gill and Jadeja, thing is not looking bad for India as was considering it with Virat out, not much experienced team. But, till now India is completely leading this test match and with 82 lead and 5 wickets in hand at end of 2nd day. Things are in control now and if they take lead of 175 as well, major dependency will then come on bowling as India will have to repeat the same performance which showed while blowing out OZ under 200 in first innings. If OZ go on to make a big score things may slip away from India.

[mersal]

Jadeja become better batsman after this year's IPL, not sure what is the reason but it is really a good thing for India. And also the way Gill approach was positive than what other players doing in the first Match. I don't think the rain will spoil the party, looking forward to see the comeback of Indian innings more stronger.

Jadeja always had the potential, and during this series he got the opportunity since the top order batsmen failed. And regarding Gill, he looks to be much more confident when compared to Shaw in the first match. It will be quite a surprise if India manages to win this match, without their star players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Shami. And it will be a significant boost to the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane as well. But right now it is too early to reach any conclusions. What happened in the first test is still fresh in my mind. 

If Ajinkya Rahane can win this test series for team India then he may become dedicated test captain for team India I guess since Kohli is can't able to express his full potential while captaining the team for a while so let his captain burden down for longer format so India's run machine can keep producing in the matches.

[JSRAW]

SA vs SL

2 days done and dusted. 700+ runs scored in 168 overs, almost 4.2 runs per over. Surprised to see that scorecard as you don't expect batsmen to dominate in such manner when playing in South African pitches, not sure what's happening. Are bowlers that bad or batsmen playing too good?

[onecall123]

Rahane is talk of the day and with good support from Gill and Jadeja, thing is not looking bad for India as was considering it with Virat out, not much experienced team. But, till now India is completely leading this test match and with 82 lead and 5 wickets in hand at end of 2nd day. Things are in control now and if they take lead of 175 as well, major dependency will then come on bowling as India will have to repeat the same performance which showed while blowing out OZ under 200 in first innings. If OZ go on to make a big score things may slip away from India.

That's what he is very deserve for that as Rahane playing a captains inning and scoring an unbeaten century. At the end of the second day India lead by 82 runs. India are in control where Australia’s poor fielding has dropped their way out of the game. India has a great chance to win. However, The job has not done yet till then keep watching.

[bryant.coleman]

If Ajinkya Rahane can win this test series for team India then he may become dedicated test captain for team India I guess since Kohli is can't able to express his full potential while captaining the team for a while so let his captain burden down for longer format so India's run machine can keep producing in the matches.

I am not sure whether the BCCI has enough courage to make Rahane the full-time test captain. Kohli and Damaadji (Shastri) are not going to accept this graciously, and Rahane for sure will be facing a lot of hostility. But personally I believe that this will be a step in the right direction. Kohli needs to be told that captaincy is not his birthright and he needs to improve on his performance as a captain.

[onrise]

SA vs SL

2 days done and dusted. 700+ runs scored in 168 overs, almost 4.2 runs per over. Surprised to see that scorecard as you don't expect batsmen to dominate in such manner when playing in South African pitches, not sure what's happening. Are bowlers that bad or batsmen playing too good?

The pitch is quite batting friendly and as well spearhead in bowling is missing from both sides. SA just behind by 79 runs and if Du plessis makes a century then SL might just be in little trouble as SA may take some decent lead here and still there would be enough days left in match to get result and SL would surely looking to wrap up SA as early as possible . Not very frequently we all see like 700+ runs being scored in just first 2 days of match.

[mersal]

If Ajinkya Rahane can win this test series for team India then he may become dedicated test captain for team India I guess since Kohli is can't able to express his full potential while captaining the team for a while so let his captain burden down for longer format so India's run machine can keep producing in the matches.

I am not sure whether the BCCI has enough courage to make Rahane the full-time test captain. Kohli and Damaadji (Shastri) are not going to accept this graciously, and Rahane for sure will be facing a lot of hostility. But personally I believe that this will be a step in the right direction. Kohli needs to be told that captaincy is not his birthright and he needs to improve on his performance as a captain.

If they make Rahane as full-time test captain it is just win-win situation for the team India as well as for Kohli himself because since he became captain we know he is getting more pressure so his natural flow while batting is getting affected which gives a big blow to the total batting order as well on the other hand when Rajane takes captaincy he lay more sensible and classy.

[7788bitcoin]

SA vs SL

2 days done and dusted. 700+ runs scored in 168 overs, almost 4.2 runs per over. Surprised to see that scorecard as you don't expect batsmen to dominate in such manner when playing in South African pitches, not sure what's happening. Are bowlers that bad or batsmen playing too good?

I was expecting much from South Africa and i placed a bet before the match and i was surprised to see many new faces in both the teams. I have no idea about the team members in Sri Lanka as i am seeing those names for the first time and South Africa is also placing a new team and i cannot identify many players in the team and now i regret placing a bet on the match.

[ene1980]

The match between India VS Australia is getting very exciting day by day. So far India is playing very well. Tomorrow is a very important day for both the teams. I think the team that plays well tomorrow will win.

India is already having a lead and the match depends upon how much runs they can score and how long they can frustrate the Australian bowlers. If Australia was able to grab the chances the India batsman offered they would have being in a much better position.

In the match between New Zealand and Pakistan, New Zealand scored 431 runs in their first innings. And Pakistan has already lost their first wicket by 30 runs.

New Zealand will dominate the match as most of the Pakistan batsman are struggling to make any meaningful partnership to help the team and until we some extraordinary batting New Zealand will win the match easily.

Sri Lanka scored 398 in their first innings, while South Africa is in great form. They lost only 4 wickets and able to scored 316 runs. Dean Elgar was out for 95 runs. His luck was bad so he could not score a century.

This is going to be a draw as i am not expecting any extraordinary performance from any bowlers from both the teams.

[Sithara007]

If they make Rahane as full-time test captain it is just win-win situation for the team India as well as for Kohli himself because since he became captain we know he is getting more pressure so his natural flow while batting is getting affected which gives a big blow to the total batting order as well on the other hand when Rajane takes captaincy he lay more sensible and classy.

It will be wrong to say that Kohli's performance was affected by the added responsibility of captaincy, because he has been the captain for so long. He has performed exceptionally, while carrying out his duties as the captain in the past. Now I don't know whether the same can be said for the others, who are being considered for the captaincy. I am talking about players such as Rahane, Iyer and Rohit.

[onecall123]

India picked up three early wickets, they picks up few more wickets to take the advantage. AUS 72/3 now and trail by another 59 runs, anything around 150 could be OK for chasing. I think it's fair enough on this pitch.

[bryant.coleman]

India picked up three early wickets, they picks up few more wickets to take the advantage. AUS 72/3 now and trail by another 59 runs, anything around 150 could be OK for chasing. I think it's fair enough on this pitch.

Two of the most important Australian batsmen are back in pavillion (Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne), along with the opener Joe Burns. India is definitely having the advantage here. Australia is trailing by 42 runs at this point, with 7 wickets in hand. India should be looking towards keeping the lead under 150 runs. Anything above that, the Australian bowlers are going to attack with their full might.

[JSRAW]

India picked up three early wickets, they picks up few more wickets to take the advantage. AUS 72/3 now and trail by another 59 runs, anything around 150 could be OK for chasing. I think it's fair enough on this pitch.

Two of the most important Australian batsmen are back in pavillion (Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne), along with the opener Joe Burns. India is definitely having the advantage here. Australia is trailing by 42 runs at this point, with 7 wickets in hand. India should be looking towards keeping the lead under 150 runs. Anything above that, the Australian bowlers are going to attack with their full might.

I was cursing at Indian tailenders when they got bundled cheaply as i was expecting at least 150 runs lead. But damn Indian bowlers doing excellent job and i hope they keep things tight here as 4th inning chase could be tricky so don't give them any chance.

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One more ....................!!

[bryant.coleman]

I was cursing at Indian tailenders when they got bundled cheaply as i was expecting at least 150 runs lead. But damn Indian bowlers doing excellent job and i hope they keep things tight here as 4th inning chase could be tricky so don't give them any chance.

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One more ....................!!

Indian bowlers are looking to be in splendid form, without any exceptions. Australia is still trailing by 33 runs, with just 5 wickets in hand. No one really expected India to have a good chance against Australia in this match, especially without their key players. If they manage to win this one, then it is going to be such a morale booster for them. There is even a chance of a win by an innings.

[ene1980]

Indian bowlers are looking to be in splendid form, without any exceptions. Australia is still trailing by 33 runs, with just 5 wickets in hand. No one really expected India to have a good chance against Australia in this match, especially without their key players. If they manage to win this one, then it is going to be such a morale booster for them. There is even a chance of a win by an innings.

Australia messed up big time, Steve Smith is struggling in this series which is a rare scene and the credit goes to the bowlers and when their batsman put the score on the board they were able to dismantle the Australian batting line up with ease as if both these teams are playing in different pitches.

Pat Cummins and Green in the crease and they still trail by 27 runs and India will win the match and level the series.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Australia messed up big time, Steve Smith is struggling in this series which is a rare scene and the credit goes to the bowlers and when their batsman put the score on the board they were able to dismantle the Australian batting line up with ease as if both these teams are playing in different pitches.

Pat Cummins and Green in the crease and they still trail by 27 runs and India will win the match and level the series.

Steve Smith, without any doubt is the best Australian batsman and his lack of form has had a huge impact on the prospects of Australia. David Warner is absent from this series and combined with Smith's lack of form, Australia has struggled in the batting department. Everyone were expecting a 0-4 whitewash for the Indians. If they could win even one match, it is going to be huge.

[Haunebu]

Everyone were expecting a 0-4 whitewash for the Indians. If they could win even one match, it is going to be huge.

Wrong statement. Majority were expecting this while I am a part of the minority who didn't expect this at all. I mentioned that underestimating India on the basis of one horrible innings is pure stupidity.

Many people conveniently forgot the fact that Australia struggled in the 1st innings of the 1st match. India has the capability to draw this series from here on out.

[7788bitcoin]

Wrong statement. Majority were expecting this while I am a part of the minority who didn't expect this at all. I mentioned that underestimating India on the basis of one horrible innings is pure stupidity.

Many people conveniently forgot the fact that Australia struggled in the 1st innings of the 1st match. India has the capability to draw this series from here on out.

The hype before the tournament was that Australia was waiting to avenge the loss they had in the last tour and the first match was close till India batted in the second innings. Australia is struggling with the bat as well and the interesting aspect of this series is that both the teams having quality bowlers and all the batsman are struggling to score runs expect for Rahane who scored a century and played a captains knock.

Pat Cummins and Green in the crease and they still trail by 27 runs and India will win the match and level the series.

Two days to go and how much runs they can score with the tail exposed. It is another disappointing innings yet again by Steve Smith and all of his dismissals are in the leg stump line and it looks like they have found his weak spot  .

[AB de Royse777]

How is everyone!
I am not watching cricket these days especially these Test matches but day before yesterday I thought to bet some money on the matches. I got:

Australia to win
South Africa to win
New Zealand to win

The confidence level in the Australia to win was super high and when yesterday I checked the score I was like wtf! Now just checked the score and I feel Australia is going to lose the match.

The India tour of Australia is a nightmare for me.

In the ODI series after winning the first two match I thought Australia was going to win the last match too. I had a decent amount for them in the last match. Lost all LOL

In the T20 series, in the first match I had Australia again - thought they will win but Australia lost. I did not bet in the 2nd match. After two consecutive wins in the last match I thought India will win again. I put money on them this time and lost LOL.

I did not bet in the first Test match. If I would then I would go for Australia. However, seeing the performance in the first Test I thought okay let's bet this time in the 2nd Test and you can see where I am.

The experts here - what do you think of me and my relationship in India tour of Australia LOL

[Vishnu.Reang]

Everyone were expecting a 0-4 whitewash for the Indians. If they could win even one match, it is going to be huge.

Wrong statement. Majority were expecting this while I am a part of the minority who didn't expect this at all. I mentioned that underestimating India on the basis of one horrible innings is pure stupidity.

Many people conveniently forgot the fact that Australia struggled in the 1st innings of the 1st match. India has the capability to draw this series from here on out.

Well.. good for you. Indian bowlers performed well during the first match, and they lost because of poor performance from the batsmen. And this time Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill ensured that there will be no batting collapse similar to what happened during the first match. Now it should be a cakewalk for the Indians. I don't think that Australian lead (which stands currently at 2 runs) will get in to three digits.