Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[eaLiTy]

One of the three batsmen (Pant / Vihari / Jadeja) need to play a major innings (i.e 50 plus). As of now, India is leading by 97 runs. They need a minimum of 65 to 75 runs more. I don't expect much from tail-enders such as Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. So the burden falls on the three batsmen. They should bat patiently and try to rotate strike tomorrow.

The tenth wicket partnership for India in the first innings was bigger than some of the specialist batsman and for India to give a fighting challenge for the bowlers they need to score above 250 runs lead which is really hard to score in this pitch considering the way in which the Indian batsman are struggling to score run. The New Zealand bowlers are targeting the batsman with short balls especially Wagner and how long the batman can play when they Test their patience is to be seen in the first hour tomorrow.

[mersal]

One of the three batsmen (Pant / Vihari / Jadeja) need to play a major innings (i.e 50 plus). As of now, India is leading by 97 runs. They need a minimum of 65 to 75 runs more. I don't expect much from tail-enders such as Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. So the burden falls on the three batsmen. They should bat patiently and try to rotate strike tomorrow.

The tenth wicket partnership for India in the first innings was bigger than some of the specialist batsman and for India to give a fighting challenge for the bowlers they need to score above 250 runs lead which is really hard to score in this pitch considering the way in which the Indian batsman are struggling to score run. The New Zealand bowlers are targeting the batsman with short balls especially Wagner and how long the batman can play when they Test their patience is to be seen in the first hour tomorrow.

Many Indian batsmen have issues with the short balls so on every overseas match they will be targeted with these type of balls but still none of them evolved from it or just get better on leaving those balls.Prithvi Shaw got out in the same manner as we are talking which shows their inexperience as well.

Honestly I don't expect long innings from these above three batsmen because they don't have patience like experienced players so all they have to do is to hit the balls and score runs quickly to get relief from their stuck then tail enders can do their job at the end.

[Vishnu.Reang]

One of the three batsmen (Pant / Vihari / Jadeja) need to play a major innings (i.e 50 plus). As of now, India is leading by 97 runs. They need a minimum of 65 to 75 runs more. I don't expect much from tail-enders such as Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. So the burden falls on the three batsmen. They should bat patiently and try to rotate strike tomorrow.

The tenth wicket partnership for India in the first innings was bigger than some of the specialist batsman and for India to give a fighting challenge for the bowlers they need to score above 250 runs lead which is really hard to score in this pitch considering the way in which the Indian batsman are struggling to score run. The New Zealand bowlers are targeting the batsman with short balls especially Wagner and how long the batman can play when they Test their patience is to be seen in the first hour tomorrow.

I would disagree with the target given by you (250). IMO, even 180 will be enough, if the Indian bowlers do their job. 200-220 would give the Indians a definite advantage. We all saw how the New Zealand batsmen struggled against the Indian pace triad during their first innings (Mohammad Shami / Umesh Yadav / Jasprit Bumrah)... And the 4th innings is going to be even tougher.

[erikalui]

I would disagree with the target given by you (250). IMO, even 180 will be enough, if the Indian bowlers do their job. 200-220 would give the Indians a definite advantage. We all saw how the New Zealand batsmen struggled against the Indian pace triad during their first innings (Mohammad Shami / Umesh Yadav / Jasprit Bumrah)... And the 4th innings is going to be even tougher.

180 is too much to get with just 4 wickets in hand and bowlers left to come. And if by any change they manage in getting 180, it means NZ would have to chase 187 runs which would be too easy. India would have to get 240 runs atleast to win (means with 4 wickets they would need to make 150 runs) but now it's out of question. NZ is just a day away from winning the series unless the match is delayed due to rain or bad lighting. India's lower order batsmen are not capable like NZ's bowlers to even make 50 runs as of now.

[mersal]

I would disagree with the target given by you (250). IMO, even 180 will be enough, if the Indian bowlers do their job. 200-220 would give the Indians a definite advantage. We all saw how the New Zealand batsmen struggled against the Indian pace triad during their first innings (Mohammad Shami / Umesh Yadav / Jasprit Bumrah)... And the 4th innings is going to be even tougher.

180 is too much to get with just 4 wickets in hand and bowlers left to come. And if by any change they manage in getting 180, it means NZ would have to chase 187 runs which would be too easy. India would have to get 240 runs atleast to win (means with 4 wickets they would need to make 150 runs) but now it's out of question. NZ is just a day away from winning the series unless the match is delayed due to rain or bad lighting. India's lower order batsmen are not capable like NZ's bowlers to even make 50 runs as of now.

Its not a high scoring pitch so you no need huge runs to take wickets needed to win this match.But as you said only 4 wickets in hand and they have to score runs against quality home bowling attack so its really a huge difficult task.I doubt that India even pass 150 based on their batting form.

If NZ needs 160 runs or something to win this match then it is going to be easy for them since they know there is no hurry to score runs so just play and play as much balls you want and take singles to win this match.

[eaLiTy]

I would disagree with the target given by you (250). IMO, even 180 will be enough, if the Indian bowlers do their job. 200-220 would give the Indians a definite advantage. We all saw how the New Zealand batsmen struggled against the Indian pace triad during their first innings (Mohammad Shami / Umesh Yadav / Jasprit Bumrah)... And the 4th innings is going to be even tougher.

You think India could win comfortably with a lead of just 180, if you are that confident then that is great but first let us see whether they are able to put up a score above 150 runs, New Zealand batsman are good in their own home ground and if the total is small to chase and with a couple of days left in this match they can play a patient innings to win the match. The first couple of hours will determine how the match will end .

[onrise]

I would disagree with the target given by you (250). IMO, even 180 will be enough, if the Indian bowlers do their job. 200-220 would give the Indians a definite advantage. We all saw how the New Zealand batsmen struggled against the Indian pace triad during their first innings (Mohammad Shami / Umesh Yadav / Jasprit Bumrah)... And the 4th innings is going to be even tougher.

You think India could win comfortably with a lead of just 180, if you are that confident then that is great but first let us see whether they are able to put up a score above 150 runs, New Zealand batsman are good in their own home ground and if the total is small to chase and with a couple of days left in this match they can play a patient innings to win the match. The first couple of hours will determine how the match will end .

Poor form of India continues and as a result NZ have beaten India comfortably by 7 wickets. Both openers of NZ had made half century and lost first wickets at 103 runs chasing 132 runs to win. Jamieson was Player of the match for picking 5 wickets in first innings and making 49 runs in the same innings as well. India would have to re-align their unit as the way they started the NZ tour and in the end have being just losing all the matches seems there is a huge imbalance in the team.

[JSRAW]

For India one cycle is done and dusted in SENA countries.

- 2-1 lost in South Africa
- 4-1 lost in England
- 2-1 Won in Australia
- 2-0 Lost in New Zealand

If i look back and compare all series, then this is the first time Indian team got outplayed in all department. They put up good fight in South Africa and England but lost due to their own terrible mistakes, then they won in Australia but here in NZ, Kiwis didn't gave them any chance to breathe. I didn't expected this kind of performances from batsmen, for me this series is like Deja_Vu of 2014 England tour when Indian team got rekt completely.

I really hope management will learn thing or two from this experience and take necessary steps. if not then we can't expect Indian team to play in WTC final as their 2 last series are against the good teams England (Home) and Australia (Away).

[7788bitcoin]

India would have to re-align their unit as the way they started the NZ tour and in the end have being just losing all the matches seems there is a huge imbalance in the team.

The pitches in New Zealand are not batting friendly and India is playing in these tracks after a long time, the batsman are more than capable of scoring runs in flat pitches and in sub continent pitches but once they are tested they fall and Virat Kohli is not in form as the team revolves around his performance in the past in these kind of tracks and once he is out of form the entire batting line up struggled to put some resistance and that is what we saw in this series.

[akhjob]

Yesterday, when I saw that NZ were all out for 235, I thought that India are back to their standard. But once they started their second innings, things went downhill. It's really a poor performance from the Indian side, dominated by NZ on all departments of the game.

[Haunebu]

Looks like both teams basically humiliated each other through out this series. Began with India humiliating NZ in the T-20 series(5-0) which many people are conveniently forgetting and ended with NZ humiliating India in both ODI(3-0) and test(2-0) series.

Overall, it was an entertaining series. Both teams need to improve in so many areas. Also, IPL hype has begun people(Chennai fans are losing it with Dhoni's return). Exciting!

[erikalui]

Knew that India would lose but atleast expected 150 runs but they did not even put up a good fight. NZ on the other hand played brilliantly whether it's batting or bowling. Vihari and Pant did not even last for 2-3 overs today and Jadeja also proved to be a disappointment. Am wondering if I am seeing new players or the experienced ones have forgotten to bat. 124 is a shame!

[Vishnu.Reang]

Knew that India would lose but atleast expected 150 runs but they did not even put up a good fight. NZ on the other hand played brilliantly whether it's batting or bowling. Vihari and Pant did not even last for 2-3 overs today and Jadeja also proved to be a disappointment. Am wondering if I am seeing new players or the experienced ones have forgotten to bat. 124 is a shame!

It is not right to blame the lower order batsmen, when the top and middle order failed. Virat Kohli made a total of 38 runs in 4 innings (at an average of 9.50). Compared to that, players such as Vihari and Jadeja did much better. Vihari totaled 86 runs from 4 innings and Jadeja averaged 25. The weak top order was the reason why India got whitewashed.

[eaLiTy]

Knew that India would lose but atleast expected 150 runs but they did not even put up a good fight. NZ on the other hand played brilliantly whether it's batting or bowling. Vihari and Pant did not even last for 2-3 overs today and Jadeja also proved to be a disappointment. Am wondering if I am seeing new players or the experienced ones have forgotten to bat. 124 is a shame!

In a Test match if the top order fails miserably and how long the rest of the batting line up could face the ball the next morning and i was not expecting India to score a lead of 150 runs because the way in which the New Zealand bowlers were targeting the Indian batsman troubling them with short balls i had a clue it will be over withing the first two hours and with a small total to chase New Zealand ended the match and gave India some rest  . Kyle Jamieson is the find of the series for New Zealand as he will be the much needed all rounder they lacked all this while.

[erikalui]

It is not right to blame the lower order batsmen, when the top and middle order failed. Virat Kohli made a total of 38 runs in 4 innings (at an average of 9.50). Compared to that, players such as Vihari and Jadeja did much better. Vihari totaled 86 runs from 4 innings and Jadeja averaged 25. The weak top order was the reason why India got whitewashed.

Top, middle, lower order batsmen all failed. The score:



Looking at the score, it's tough to say which score belongs to which order batsmen. Earlier we had Dhoni who used to come at 6 and save the game many times but we don't see the same spirit now. I really don't know if the conditions are to be blamed or the players. All the players being unable to perform is something absurd. I had hopes from Jadeja, Pant and even Vihari as Vihari just managed to get 100 runs earlier in the warm-up matches so what went wrong then?

They even tried new batsmen and bowlers but all failed. It's as if I am watching a newbie team playing their first game.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Looking at the score, it's tough to say which score belongs to which order batsmen. Earlier we had Dhoni who used to come at 6 and save the game many times but we don't see the same spirit now. I really don't know if the conditions are to be blamed or the players. All the players being unable to perform is something absurd. I had hopes from Jadeja, Pant and even Vihari as Vihari just managed to get 100 runs earlier in the warm-up matches so what went wrong then?

They even tried new batsmen and bowlers but all failed. It's as if I am watching a newbie team playing their first game.

You can't really compare warm-up matches with the actual test match series. Scoring a 100 against some second-string bowling side is one thing, and doing the same against a world class attack consisting of Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson is another. India could have played a few more warm-up matches against the domestic sides, but they were too overconfident to do that.

[7788bitcoin]

Earlier we had Dhoni who used to come at 6 and save the game many times but we don't see the same spirit now. I really don't know if the conditions are to be blamed or the players. All the players being unable to perform is something absurd. I had hopes from Jadeja, Pant and even Vihari as Vihari just managed to get 100 runs earlier in the warm-up matches so what went wrong then?

MS Dhoni was an exceptional player who could play a major contribution whenever the team needs and you cannot find a player to replace his caliber. Jadeja could not do anything alone, he needs to have someone to build a partnership and hence he remained unbeaten without a partner, he took some sensational catches in the out field and picked up a few wickets and Pant was a disappointment with the bat but i was impressed though when took a running catch in the first innings.

[onrise]

Looks like both teams basically humiliated each other through out this series. Began with India humiliating NZ in the T-20 series(5-0) which many people are conveniently forgetting and ended with NZ humiliating India in both ODI(3-0) and test(2-0) series.

Overall, it was an entertaining series. Both teams need to improve in so many areas. Also, IPL hype has begun people(Chennai fans are losing it with Dhoni's return). Exciting!

The major difference is that NZ lost T20 matches in which 2 went in super over which means both were at par . That is different that both were one sided match for them but India came back strongly in those matches . But rest of the series ODI and Test match those were not close enough where India played well or something . It was really poor performance of the team due to which it lead to this situation . They will need to re- engineer and make a comeback back now .

[Haunebu]

The major difference is that NZ lost T20 matches in which 2 went in super over which means both were at par .

Quite silly to mention a reason like this. If this were the case, both England and NZ are joint winners of the World Cup since they not only played a super over, but drew that one too. However, that is not the case.

India won those matches fair and square and it is NZ's fault for messing up as they usually do in the super overs. India was the better team in the T-20 series while NZ was the better team in both the ODI and test series. This is the simple truth.

[Indymoney]

The major difference is that NZ lost T20 matches in which 2 went in super over which means both were at par .

Quite silly to mention a reason like this. If this were the case, both England and NZ are joint winners of the World Cup since they not only played a super over, but drew that one too. However, that is not the case.

India won those matches fair and square and it is NZ's fault for messing up as they usually do in the super overs. India was the better team in the T-20 series while NZ was the better team in both the ODI and test series. This is the simple truth.

New Zealand comeback in ODI and Test Series is really out standing after losing 5 - 0 in Tewenty/20 series but I feel its failure of Indian batting line up as well they completely fail to give any resistance and outclass by Kiwi bowlers in very ordinary way without any resistance they have some world class batsmen but still need to rethink about this if they want to go in WTC FInal.