Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[JSRAW]

South Africa won the first session without a doubt. Elgar and Faf both looking strong against spin, it was interesting to watch Faf's sweep shots against the Ashwin-Jadeja, it tells you how confident he is against the spin on another hand Elgar adjusted to the conditions beautifully but he needs to avoid aerial shots if he wants big 100, he was lucky few times.

For India its waiting game, Pitch still good to bat on, with an uneven bounce here and there, it can bring them wickets, and they need to capitalize those moments.

[onrise]

India is in total control of this game and SA still require 150 runs to avoid follow on and 6 wickets in hand . Just a thought if India wrap up before this and will they give SA follow on will they bat and let SA face the 4th innings pitch on 4th and 5th day if required .

[teosanru]

South Africa won the first session without a doubt. Elgar and Faf both looking strong against spin, it was interesting to watch Faf's sweep shots against the Ashwin-Jadeja, it tells you how confident he is against the spin on another hand Elgar adjusted to the conditions beautifully but he needs to avoid aerial shots if he wants big 100, he was lucky few times.

For India its waiting game, Pitch still good to bat on, with an uneven bounce here and there, it can bring them wickets, and they need to capitalize those moments.

Yes I am astonished by the performance of Elgar against Indian spinners. South Africa's start looked really grim but now they are back into the game. I think Indian team won't be much surprised as they still have an upper hand but I think the dreams of India to enforce South Africa into a follow on could just shatter. Although that being said Faf has lost his wicket but De Kock too is batting very nicely so I think maybe they can together make the total reach upto 300 from where they can look forward to draw this match because after that great first innings South Africa's chances to win this match are certainly over.

[Sithara007]

South Africa won the first session without a doubt. Elgar and Faf both looking strong against spin, it was interesting to watch Faf's sweep shots against the Ashwin-Jadeja, it tells you how confident he is against the spin on another hand Elgar adjusted to the conditions beautifully but he needs to avoid aerial shots if he wants big 100, he was lucky few times.

For India its waiting game, Pitch still good to bat on, with an uneven bounce here and there, it can bring them wickets, and they need to capitalize those moments.

Yes.. so far it was good for South Africa. They made a remarkable recovery, after the horrific top order collapse they had yesterday. And this is the advantage you have, when you include world class players such as du Plessis and de Kock. Ashwin, who looked like a destroyer yesterday was looking very ordinary today. Still, South Africa needs another 67 runs to avoid follow on. They should be able to avoid it, as de Kock/Elgar is batting really well and Senuran Muthusamy is yet to come. And if they force India to bat for the second time, then the chances of a draw increases (with some help from the rain gods).

[ene1980]

They should be able to avoid it, as de Kock/Elgar is batting really well and Senuran Muthusamy is yet to come. And if they force India to bat for the second time, then the chances of a draw increases (with some help from the rain gods).

If they are able to put up a good partnership with Elgar and De Kock then they can avoid the follow on and India will try to score some quick runs and put South Africa to bat once again, they played really well till now and the chances of a draw are much higher, unless India is able to pick some quick wickets and bat again before of the end of this day, i am expecting a draw but still the final two days the pitch will favor the spinners.

[Ayiranorea]

South Africa won the first session without a doubt. Elgar and Faf both looking strong against spin, it was interesting to watch Faf's sweep shots against the Ashwin-Jadeja, it tells you how confident he is against the spin on another hand Elgar adjusted to the conditions beautifully but he needs to avoid aerial shots if he wants big 100, he was lucky few times.

For India its waiting game, Pitch still good to bat on, with an uneven bounce here and there, it can bring them wickets, and they need to capitalize those moments.

Yes.. so far it was good for South Africa. They made a remarkable recovery, after the horrific top order collapse they had yesterday. And this is the advantage you have, when you include world class players such as du Plessis and de Kock. Ashwin, who looked like a destroyer yesterday was looking very ordinary today. Still, South Africa needs another 67 runs to avoid follow on. They should be able to avoid it, as de Kock/Elgar is batting really well and Senuran Muthusamy is yet to come. And if they force India to bat for the second time, then the chances of a draw increases (with some help from the rain gods).

Elgar and De Cock takes the match with a perfect phase. After Du Plessis De Cock gives the perfect support to Elgar. This is how test cricket needs to be, because if the wickets have fallen continuous the match would have lost its essence. Now the current situation makes the cricket people watch it without coming to a conclusion about the match. De Cock has scored 38, soon we can see the half century from him.

[JSRAW]

............moments.

Yes I am astonished by the performance of Elgar against Indian spinners. South Africa's start looked really grim but now they are back into the game. I think Indian team won't be much surprised as they still have an upper hand but I think the dreams of India to enforce South Africa into a follow on could just shatter. Although that being said Faf has lost his wicket but De Kock too is batting very nicely so I think maybe they can together make the total reach upto 300 from where they can look forward to draw this match because after that great first innings South Africa's chances to win this match are certainly over.

Elgar was a lucky couple of times. The ball keeps falling on no man's land, but luck favors the brave. Other than that, he's looking good. I didn't like field placing from Virat. He should keep his best man on key positions at least on short leg and silly point. Rohit dropped the catch there, it was half chance, but when you are looking for wickets, then you should keep your guards up all the time.

On this pitch for follow on, any team need at least 200 runs lead, otherwise its suicidal if you are batting on 4th day and chasing even 150-180 runs target.

Ashwin, who looked like a destroyer yesterday was looking very ordinary today.

You hate Ashwin, Dont you?  Its Test match so its good and we shouldn't worry much. New ball is due after few overs so we might see some action from him and Shami.

And Rohit comes as a part time bowler 

[akhjob]

Elgar and de Kock had crossed 100 runs partnership and are in good form. India should try to get their wickets early. Since a follow-on cannot be imposed, the more the time SA stay, more the chances for a draw.

[JSRAW]

SA : 354/6... trail is only 148 runs now.

Fielding is pathetic for Team India today, so many missed chances. You can't expect to win test games if you keep dropping catches from one side.

100 for De Kock too, Well played.

[Avirunes]

SA : 354/6... trail is only 148 runs now.

Fielding is pathetic for Team India today, so many missed chances. You can't expect to win test games if you keep dropping catches from one side.

100 for De Kock too, Well played.

De Kock is the only one who is experienced to cover up the lead for South Africa. I was kinda expecting spinners to take some wickets but both Elgar and Faf Du plessis played some fine innings. Without their contribution I don't think they would have been able to chase the score.

3rd session of 3rd day now and we still have to go through Second Innings. I feel like this one is going towards draw being the likely outcome.

[Haunebu]

SA : 354/6... trail is only 148 runs now.

Fielding is pathetic for Team India today, so many missed chances. You can't expect to win test games if you keep dropping catches from one side.

100 for De Kock too, Well played.

This match is getting more and more exciting currently. I knew Ashwin would provide the breakthrough that India needed and getting De Kock most likely closes out the SA innings. They might touch 450 with the last few wickets.

I still feel India will win this one if they score some quick runs in the 2nd innings and provide SA a big target to chase. Ashwin and Jadeja will probably continue dismantling their batsmen rapidly.

[Sithara007]

Ashwin, who looked like a destroyer yesterday was looking very ordinary today.

You hate Ashwin, Dont you?  Its Test match so its good and we shouldn't worry much. New ball is due after few overs so we might see some action from him and Shami.
And Rohit comes as a part time bowler 

Well... I have my own reasons and normally I am not a fan of spin bowling. What I hate about Ashwin is the fact that Indian management prepares dust-bowls, so that he could take wickets. This luxury is not given to any of the other players in the XI. All the Indian tracks are doctored to suit the spin of Ravichandran Ashwin, as in normal surfaces he becomes toothless.

That said, even before the start of the match I had argued for the inclusion of one more spinner in the playing XI. Jadeja as a part-time bowler failed to take a lot of wickets and conceded more than 100 runs. If Kuldeep Yadav was there to support Ashwin, then South Africa might have got out for less than 300, and India would have managed to enforce the follow on.

[ene1980]

India is in total control of this game and SA still require 150 runs to avoid follow on and 6 wickets in hand . Just a thought if India wrap up before this and will they give SA follow on will they bat and let SA face the 4th innings pitch on 4th and 5th day if required .

India does have the upper hand and with two days left i am expecting a draw, South Africa just trail by 117 runs on the third day and they still have two wickets in hand and even if India starts their batting they will be batting the entire 4th day and will try to score a lead of above 350 runs and then put the South Africa to bat on the final day and if they are able to play for a longer time then it is going to be a dead match. I expect the wicket to spin in the final two days and it will be difficult for batsman to score freely and a couple of good session could change the match.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

I have my own reasons and normally I am not a fan of spin bowling. What I hate about Ashwin is the fact that Indian management prepares dust-bowls, so that he could take wickets. This luxury is not given to any of the other players in the XI. All the Indian tracks are doctored to suit the spin of Ravichandran Ashwin, as in normal surfaces he becomes toothless.

What do you expect. You are telling as if you found a revelation that the home side prepare tracks that suits them best, it is not a new revelation, every country prepares tracks that suites their strength, Sub continent teams does have good spinners and hence they are preparing spinning tracks and Australia England and South Africa have good fast bowlers and hence they have pitches that suites them, now India too have good fast bowlers but spin is their strength historically.

[akhjob]

@Royse777 I think you are happy right now with Ashwin taking 5 wickets. Who knows maybe he'll bag 1 or 2 wickets tomorrow.

India does have the upper hand and with two days left i am expecting a draw, South Africa just trail by 117 runs on the third day and they still have two wickets in hand and even if India starts their batting they will be batting the entire 4th day and will try to score a lead of above 350 runs and then put the South Africa to bat on the final day and if they are able to play for a longer time then it is going to be a dead match. I expect the wicket to spin in the final two days and it will be difficult for batsman to score freely and a couple of good session could change the match.

I'm expecting India to bag the remaining 2 wickets early tomorrow. Play around 60 overs and set a target of 400+ runs and try to get SA out by the 5th day. A win for India is still a possibility.

[Vishnu.Reang]

India is in total control of this game and SA still require 150 runs to avoid follow on and 6 wickets in hand . Just a thought if India wrap up before this and will they give SA follow on will they bat and let SA face the 4th innings pitch on 4th and 5th day if required .

India does have the upper hand and with two days left i am expecting a draw, South Africa just trail by 117 runs on the third day and they still have two wickets in hand and even if India starts their batting they will be batting the entire 4th day and will try to score a lead of above 350 runs and then put the South Africa to bat on the final day and if they are able to play for a longer time then it is going to be a dead match. I expect the wicket to spin in the final two days and it will be difficult for batsman to score freely and a couple of good session could change the match.

Around 180 overs remain in this match and South Africa hasn't finished their first innings yet. Even if India could get them out without much effort during the first session of the 4th day, I really doubt whether they will get enough overs to bowl out South Africa. But you never know. Ashwin can be very lethal on the 5th day. And if Jadeja also offers good support to him, then India may win this match comfortably.

[noormcs5]

India is in total control of this game and SA still require 150 runs to avoid follow on and 6 wickets in hand . Just a thought if India wrap up before this and will they give SA follow on will they bat and let SA face the 4th innings pitch on 4th and 5th day if required .

India does have the upper hand and with two days left i am expecting a draw, South Africa just trail by 117 runs on the third day and they still have two wickets in hand and even if India starts their batting they will be batting the entire 4th day and will try to score a lead of above 350 runs and then put the South Africa to bat on the final day and if they are able to play for a longer time then it is going to be a dead match. I expect the wicket to spin in the final two days and it will be difficult for batsman to score freely and a couple of good session could change the match.

Around 180 overs remain in this match and South Africa hasn't finished their first innings yet. Even if India could get them out without much effort during the first session of the 4th day, I really doubt whether they will get enough overs to bowl out South Africa. But you never know. Ashwin can be very lethal on the 5th day. And if Jadeja also offers good support to him, then India may win this match comfortably.

The biggest problem for India will be to decide when they declared their innings.  What will be the safe score which they think that South Africa will not be able to chase in the last innings.  At the same time they do not want to make use of lot of overs for them to reach the safe score because then it will leave less overs for them to bowl out the South African team.

[JSRAW]

SA : 354/6... trail is only 148 runs now.

Fielding is pathetic for Team India today, so many missed chances. You can't expect to win test games if you keep dropping catches from one side.

100 for De Kock too, Well played.

De Kock is the only one who is experienced to cover up the lead for South Africa. I was kinda expecting spinners to take some wickets but both Elgar and Faf Du plessis played some fine innings. Without their contribution I don't think they would have been able to chase the score.

3rd session of 3rd day now and we still have to go through Second Innings. I feel like this one is going towards draw being the likely outcome.

We should give credit to SA's Batsmen they attacked the Ashwin-Jadeja effectively. I also feel that Indians were sloppy with their fielding. Saha dropped Elgar, Rohit dropped De Kock when he was around 15ish, Rahane was sleeping too . Virat looked defensive with fielding positions. Jadeja was rusty too. Usually, he keeps run rate in check from opposite end but today he was expensive and surprisingly he didn't had a good day on the field also, call it off day I suppose.

About Draw scenario: I have to agree with  @Haunebu. The match can only get exciting from here. Only Rain and Kohli's decision (2nd Inning declaration)  can act as a party pooper

[eaLiTy]

Fielding is pathetic for Team India today, so many missed chances. You can't expect to win test games if you keep dropping catches from one side.

I was not able to watch the match nor the highlights as i was busy for the past few days because of personal issues. Who was missing the catches and i remember the India team who had specialist in the slips like Azharuddin and Dravid who never misses any catches and outfield fielders like Kaif, Yuvraj and our own Sir Jadeja . If you are not able to grab the chances the opposition gives then you are not going to dominate and the hard work done by the bowlers will go in vain.
The match hangs on how Indian players are approaching the match, the next two sessions determine whether we will see a draw or a result.

Edit:

I also feel that Indians were sloppy with their fielding. Saha dropped Elgar, Rohit dropped De Kock when he was around 15ish, Rahane was sleeping too . Virat looked defensive with fielding positions. Jadeja was rusty too. Usually, he keeps run rate in check from opposite end but today he was expensive and surprisingly he didn't had a good day on the field also, call it off day I suppose.

Here we go, thank you for the summary. Saha is in the team because he was a better keeper than Pant and yet he is sleeping in the field  .

SA have really played well and credit goes to them as at a time we thought their could be follow on possibility

If India dropped chances then the full credit goes to the Indian fielders for giving South African players the chance to score runs  .

[onrise]

SA : 354/6... trail is only 148 runs now.

Fielding is pathetic for Team India today, so many missed chances. You can't expect to win test games if you keep dropping catches from one side.

100 for De Kock too, Well played.

De Kock is the only one who is experienced to cover up the lead for South Africa. I was kinda expecting spinners to take some wickets but both Elgar and Faf Du plessis played some fine innings. Without their contribution I don't think they would have been able to chase the score.

3rd session of 3rd day now and we still have to go through Second Innings. I feel like this one is going towards draw being the likely outcome.

We should give credit to SA's Batsmen they attacked the Ashwin-Jadeja effectively. I also feel that Indians were sloppy with their fielding. Saha dropped Elgar, Rohit dropped De Kock when he was around 15ish, Rahane was sleeping too . Virat looked defensive with fielding positions. Jadeja was rusty too. Usually, he keeps run rate in check from opposite end but today he was expensive and surprisingly he didn't had a good day on the field also, call it off day I suppose.

About Draw scenario: I have to agree with  @Haunebu. The match can only get exciting from here. Only Rain and Kohli's decision (2nd Inning declaration)  can act as a party pooper

SA have really played well and credit goes to them as at a time we thought their could be follow on possibility if I’d is have them but now they are just 117 runs behind and 2 wickets left . India now will have to play some good cricket if they want to win the test from here .