Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[bryant.coleman]

If Saha is playing then may be 4 bowlers-6 batsmen combination. If not then Pant will keep the gloves, in that case we could expect 5 bowler combination, which is very handy in subcontinent and India never play with more than 6 specialist batsmen when in India.

I have a feeling that 5 bowlers may be needed. Indian tracks are quite flat and with Joe Root in excellent form, we can expect England to bat for more than 100 overs in each innings. The pace bowlers may get tired in the hot and humid conditions and therefore the spinners are expected to share most of the workload. Going with Ashwin/Sundar/Kuldeep seems to be a good option.

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[teosanru]

~snip~

I think Indian pacers wouldn't play a big role in the series it's the spinners who would make the most out of this series. Many are forgetting that we are back into the subcontinent now. The ball doesn't bounce here like Australia. It's the turn of the pitches that can give India the added advantage. It would be interesting to see performance of pacers here as they might not get the extra help from the pitch here. Ashwin/ Sundar on the other hand will be the key for India to win the series. Even in front of Sri Lanka we saw English batsmen struggling to play against Lasith Enbuldeniya but playing pacers quite comfortably. It's going to be a high scoring series.

Obviously spin going to play big role. Indian bowlers like Ishant-Shami-Yadav always outbowl opposition seamers in India, especially Umesh Yadav is beast in Indian pitches with his reverse swing, unfortunately he's injured. Its first home series for Bumrah so we have to see how he starts his home run.

Ashwin-Sundar-Kuldeep trio could create havoc in English camp, i think they should go with this trio. On the other hand its a weakest English bowling line up i have ever seen in this decade but Indian team shouldn't underestimate them, they have a long history of throwing wickets against spinners. For Poms Moin Ali would be key.

I somehow think that Indian squad must be boosted with ego after that win against Australia but I think with the senior players back in the squad they will bring back the ego to normalcy. But yes injuries can once again be a big issue for India considering this is equally longer and tiring tour. But best part is we now have a big bench strength we can afford 7-8 injuries.

Obviously spin going to play big role. Indian bowlers like Ishant-Shami-Yadav always outbowl opposition seamers in India, especially Umesh Yadav is beast in Indian pitches with his reverse swing, unfortunately he's injured. Its first home series for Bumrah so we have to see how he starts his home run.

Ashwin-Sundar-Kuldeep trio could create havoc in English camp, i think they should go with this trio. On the other hand its a weakest English bowling line up i have ever seen in this decade but Indian team shouldn't underestimate them, they have a long history of throwing wickets against spinners. For Poms Moin Ali would be key.

India is most likely to go with two pacers and two spinners, in additional to a bowling all rounder (Jadeja or Sundar). And regarding the English bowlers, both their pacers and spinners seems to be in very good form. James Anderson and Stuart Broad are quite experienced and they know the Indian conditions, while spinners such as Dom Bess and Jack Leach are in excellent form.

If Saha is playing then may be 4 bowlers-6 batsmen combination. If not then Pant will keep the gloves, in that case we could expect 5 bowler combination, which is very handy in subcontinent and India never play with more than 6 specialist batsmen when in India.

I don't think they will go with Saha. There is no place in the squad for Saha now. Pant has proved himself enough in batting and with wicketkeeping he ain't that bad a keeper. So I don't think India would waste one crucial spot merely for an extra wicket keeper when we can get an all rounder in that place.

[onrise]

SA vs Pakistan test match is also quite interesting on bowling friendly pitch. SA were wrapped under 220 and Pakistan have lost quick 4 wickets on just 33 runs. Pakistan bowled well to maintain them under 220 as opener Elgar played well for 58 and still not able to score big. But SA came back strongly by picking openers quickly and game is balanced now.

[Indymoney]

SA vs Pakistan test match is also quite interesting on bowling friendly pitch. SA were wrapped under 220 and Pakistan have lost quick 4 wickets on just 33 runs. Pakistan bowled well to maintain them under 220 as opener Elgar played well for 58 and still not able to score big. But SA came back strongly by picking openers quickly and game is balanced now.

Today first day very interesting as 14 wickets and just 253 runs mean bowling heaven first two sessions completely controlled by Pakistan but South Africa fight back in last one hours hopefull this will ends in four day with result which is good both teams have equal chance to win this match but South Africa with some advantage as Pakistan have to bat in last inning which is never been good for them.

[7788bitcoin]

SA vs Pakistan test match is also quite interesting on bowling friendly pitch. SA were wrapped under 220 and Pakistan have lost quick 4 wickets on just 33 runs. Pakistan bowled well to maintain them under 220 as opener Elgar played well for 58 and still not able to score big. But SA came back strongly by picking openers quickly and game is balanced now.

Pakistan bowled well especially their spinners and i thought their batsman will take advantage of the situation and take a lead but they already lost 4 wickets but one wicket was their night watchman but their star player Babar Azam is back in the pavilion and they need to build partnership to be competitive in the match. I am not familiar with the Pakistan batsman but what surprised me is that the South African fast bowlers picked the top order wickets and Maharaj will play a crucial role in the match.

[SATWAT]

SA vs Pakistan test match is also quite interesting on bowling friendly pitch. SA were wrapped under 220 and Pakistan have lost quick 4 wickets on just 33 runs. Pakistan bowled well to maintain them under 220 as opener Elgar played well for 58 and still not able to score big. But SA came back strongly by picking openers quickly and game is balanced now.

Pakistan bowled well especially their spinners and i thought their batsman will take advantage of the situation and take a lead but they already lost 4 wickets but one wicket was their night watchman but their star player Babar Azam is back in the pavilion and they need to build partnership to be competitive in the match. I am not familiar with the Pakistan batsman but what surprised me is that the South African fast bowlers picked the top order wickets and Maharaj will play a crucial role in the match.

Now Pakistan is in trouble because they have very few inform batsmen right now as Azhar Ali and Fawad on and Rizwan and Faheem to follow mean now these two need to stay on and give some good response if thee two not able to give any positive partnership then surely they are going to lost this match and chance of winning series at home.

[Sithara007]

Now Pakistan is in trouble because they have very few inform batsmen right now as Azhar Ali and Fawad on and Rizwan and Faheem to follow mean now these two need to stay on and give some good response if thee two not able to give any positive partnership then surely they are going to lost this match and chance of winning series at home.

In test cricket, there can't be any team that is more inconsistent than Pakistan. They bowled really well, to restrict South Africa to 220. But all that advantage was lost in a matter of hours, when their top order collapsed. Now all the star batsmen are back in pavilion and they are still trailing by 187 runs. And the worst part is that, this is a home series for them, and were expected to do well.

[JSRAW]

~snip~

I don't think they will go with Saha. There is no place in the squad for Saha now. Pant has proved himself enough in batting and with wicketkeeping he ain't that bad a keeper. So I don't think India would waste one crucial spot merely for an extra wicket keeper when we can get an all rounder in that place.

I believe if pitch is favoring spinner heavily and they are going with Wrist spinner along with 2 finger spinners then Saha will cement his space.

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I was told that Babar is going to make another double 100? anyway 3 more innings left....

[Indymoney]

Now Pakistan is in trouble because they have very few inform batsmen right now as Azhar Ali and Fawad on and Rizwan and Faheem to follow mean now these two need to stay on and give some good response if thee two not able to give any positive partnership then surely they are going to lost this match and chance of winning series at home.

In test cricket, there can't be any team that is more inconsistent than Pakistan. They bowled really well, to restrict South Africa to 220. But all that advantage was lost in a matter of hours, when their top order collapsed. Now all the star batsmen are back in pavilion and they are still trailing by 187 runs. And the worst part is that, this is a home series for them, and were expected to do well.

Pakistan's inconsistance is still going on as today they are doing much better then expected currently 135/5 Azhar just out after completing his fifty Fawad is still on 48 and Rizwan is giving him company now its good time for these two to stay on crease and have some decent score on baord because now after this partnership they are back in match some more stay from them can give advantage this could be surely crucial in this match and series for both teams.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

I was told that Babar is going to make another double 100? anyway 3 more innings left....

Inside information  , so you have a deal with South Africa for him to score a century as they need to drop the catches  .

Pakistan is trailing by 76 runs and if the first two days was dominated by the spinners how is it possible to bat in the last two days as the pitch will be completely deteriorated and every run is valuable in a pitch like this and if Pakistan looses in their own grounds it will not be good for the entire team.

[JSRAW]

I was told that Babar is going to make another double 100? anyway 3 more innings left....

Inside information  , so you have a deal with South Africa for him to score a century as they need to drop the catches  .

Pakistan is trailing by 76 runs and if the first two days was dominated by the spinners how is it possible to bat in the last two days as the pitch will be completely deteriorated and every run is valuable in a pitch like this and if Pakistan looses in their own grounds it will not be good for the entire team.

This bloke averages 200ish at the home ground, although data is not big and he scored his tons against weaker opponents (SL, Ban). Still one can expect fine inning from the Babar so i thought why not haha anyway i already lost a bet lol will try again, hope he score at least 1 ton in this series.

[bryant.coleman]

Fawad Alam may score another test century today, almost one month after doing the same against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui. Nice to see at least one player other than Babar Azam scoring the runs. Their bowlers performed well during the first innings. So if they can get the lead to 100-150, then there is a very good chance of Pakistan winning the match. And that will enable Pakistan to promote themselves to the 5th position in the ICC World Test Championship points table.

[JSRAW]

Pakistan did a tremendous job today, they were struggling at 33 for 4 and they pulled up 88 runs lead and still got 2 wickets in the banks. Fawad alam proved once again that why he's class batsman even at home turf, after all he had 10+ years experience behind him.

[teosanru]

~snip~

I don't think they will go with Saha. There is no place in the squad for Saha now. Pant has proved himself enough in batting and with wicketkeeping he ain't that bad a keeper. So I don't think India would waste one crucial spot merely for an extra wicket keeper when we can get an all rounder in that place.

I believe if pitch is favoring spinner heavily and they are going with Wrist spinner along with 2 finger spinners then Saha will cement his space.

---------
I was told that Babar is going to make another double 100? anyway 3 more innings left....

How Saha? you have Kohli-Rohit-Pujara-Rahane-Gill-Pant fixed 6 batsmen for the first match I believe, will they add Saha as a 7th batsmen but this way they will have no all-rounder in the squad so technically you need to choose between Pant and Saha and considering the recent performance how can you keep him on the bench? It would be a big morale detractor if he sits on the bench after such a good inning. Apart from him skipping Gill also doesn't make any sense. They are definitely not going to touch the big-4 for sure. or will Rohit sit outside?

[JSRAW]

~snip~

I don't think they will go with Saha. There is no place in the squad for Saha now. Pant has proved himself enough in batting and with wicketkeeping he ain't that bad a keeper. So I don't think India would waste one crucial spot merely for an extra wicket keeper when we can get an all rounder in that place.

I believe if pitch is favoring spinner heavily and they are going with Wrist spinner along with 2 finger spinners then Saha will cement his space.

---------
I was told that Babar is going to make another double 100? anyway 3 more innings left....

How Saha? you have Kohli-Rohit-Pujara-Rahane-Gill-Pant fixed 6 batsmen for the first match I believe, will they add Saha as a 7th batsmen but this way they will have no all-rounder in the squad so technically you need to choose between Pant and Saha and considering the recent performance how can you keep him on the bench? It would be a big morale detractor if he sits on the bench after such a good inning. Apart from him skipping Gill also doesn't make any sense. They are definitely not going to touch the big-4 for sure. or will Rohit sit outside?

If moral detractor or something else exits then even Kolhi-Bumrah etc dosen't deserve their place in the squad if we are considering recent win as a parameter but that's not a BCCI concern.

This is my team for 1st match
Rohit
Gill
Kohli
Pujara
Rahane
Pant
Sundar
Ashwin
Kuldeep
Ishant
Bumrah

[teosanru]

~snip~

I don't think they will go with Saha. There is no place in the squad for Saha now. Pant has proved himself enough in batting and with wicketkeeping he ain't that bad a keeper. So I don't think India would waste one crucial spot merely for an extra wicket keeper when we can get an all rounder in that place.

I believe if pitch is favoring spinner heavily and they are going with Wrist spinner along with 2 finger spinners then Saha will cement his space.

---------
I was told that Babar is going to make another double 100? anyway 3 more innings left....

How Saha? you have Kohli-Rohit-Pujara-Rahane-Gill-Pant fixed 6 batsmen for the first match I believe, will they add Saha as a 7th batsmen but this way they will have no all-rounder in the squad so technically you need to choose between Pant and Saha and considering the recent performance how can you keep him on the bench? It would be a big morale detractor if he sits on the bench after such a good inning. Apart from him skipping Gill also doesn't make any sense. They are definitely not going to touch the big-4 for sure. or will Rohit sit outside?

If moral detractor or something else exits then even Kolhi-Bumrah etc dosen't deserve their place in the squad if we are considering recent win as a parameter but that's not a BCCI concern.

This is my team for 1st match
Rohit
Gill
Kohli
Pujara
Rahane
Pant
Sundar
Ashwin
Kuldeep
Ishant
Bumrah

Yes exactly by morale I meant that atleast the people who perform recently should get a seat in the squad obviously you can't keep the big guns out but yes even my side is pretty similar just like you mentioned. But you said na Saha will cement his place that's why I was curious that how would Saha fit in? I just think that you might not see 3 spinners in the very first match. But let's see Subcontinent has always been about spin when it comes to test matches spinners bowl like 30 overs continuosly in a spell.

[JSRAW]

~snip`

Yes exactly by morale I meant that atleast the people who perform recently should get a seat in the squad obviously you can't keep the big guns out but yes even my side is pretty similar just like you mentioned. But you said na Saha will cement his place that's why I was curious that how would Saha fit in? I just think that you might not see 3 spinners in the very first match. But let's see Subcontinent has always been about spin when it comes to test matches spinners bowl like 30 overs continuosly in a spell.

I still think that Saha is strong contender if 3 spinners are playing and might get in the playing XI. We are struggling to figuring out the final XI. Just imagine what selectors are going through. Tbh its freaking nightmare for them after historic win in Australia.

[onrise]

Fawad Alam may score another test century today, almost one month after doing the same against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui. Nice to see at least one player other than Babar Azam scoring the runs. Their bowlers performed well during the first innings. So if they can get the lead to 100-150, then there is a very good chance of Pakistan winning the match. And that will enable Pakistan to promote themselves to the 5th position in the ICC World Test Championship points table.

Fawad made it to the century and got out at 109. Faheem was also impressive and was striking it nicely. Good to see a tailender batting well and his 64 runs helped Pakistan to take till now 88 runs lead and 2 wickets left. So maybe around 100+ runs Pakistan would have lead and should be in a good position from here unless SA ends up making 350+ runs in 2nd innings.

[aysg76]

I still think that Saha is strong contender if 3 spinners are playing and might get in the playing XI. We are struggling to figuring out the final XI. Just imagine what selectors are going through. Tbh its freaking nightmare for them after historic win in Australia.

Rishab Pant's keeping is not that bad but his batting skills are surely better than Saha. Moreover, his past form do make him a strong contender for starting XI

[eaLiTy]

Pakistan did a tremendous job today, they were struggling at 33 for 4 and they pulled up 88 runs lead and still got 2 wickets in the banks. Fawad alam proved once again that why he's class batsman even at home turf, after all he had 10+ years experience behind him.

Fawad Alam rescued the Pakistan team with a century, there are many reports coming out about how his career is destroyed by the Pakistani selectors as he scored a century in his debut and now he is in the team after 10 years and he is performing consistently in the domestic circuit and yet he was not selected in the team until recently. Pakistan does lack the batting talents and he should be in the team and hopefully they scout for young talents and groom them.