Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Maidak]

What a test match and what a turn of events. Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah deserve credit for the first innings and Mohammed Siraj for the stormy bowling attack. For me, Brisbane tests are unforgettable, but the victory of Lord's test match, which is hard to express, the test match win will be unforgettable.

Lord's is considered as the home of cricket (similar to what Wembley is for football), and a victory there, under any circumstances is exceptional. The Indian team, has on a consistent basis shown that they can win in SENA conditions. Also, this time they had to deal with restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID pandemic. It was true that England was missing some of their big names as a result of injury, but I really doubt whether the outcome would have been any different if these players were available.

I can see that there is pure joy at the home of cricket. I admire the Indian Cricket team and their skipper for doing a miracle. Let's hope India keeps the momentum going. England will not succeed as long as they only rely on Joe Root and expect Anderson to do the damage every time. England missed out on big names, yes, but what about teamwork? England must try something at the top of the order.

India is according to me the best touring team right now in the world. They have beaten australia in australia and here in england as well they are looking the much better team than england. I think there is more victories to come for india in this series.

I agree with this. India is the best touring team right now. However, they had a very poor performance against Sri Lanka. The main reason for this is that they sent a second-tier team to Sri Lanka. Although the second-tier team was also experienced by the Sri Lankan national team. But the Indian players were overconfident. So they were defeated in Sri Lanka. Overconfidence is never good.

[JSRAW]

India is according to me the best touring team right now in the world. They have beaten australia in australia and here in england as well they are looking the much better team than england. I think there is more victories to come for india in this series.

I would still rate New Zealand one level above India. And the Indian batsmen have no clue about facing the Kiwi pacers. New Zealand currently has the best pace bowling attack for any of the test teams right now. And their batting is also quite strong, with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor adding the experience and Devon Conway/Tom Latham complementing them. And I am sure that England would be a very different team, once Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer recover from the injuries. They were without two of their best players.

No team can claim that they are best touring team. Having said that this Indian team has some chance if they win in England and SA too.

Some stats (India-NZ) in SENA countries.
-Aussie beat NewZealand for fun, they didn't won single series against Aussie in last 2 decades. India won last 2 series in Australia.
-New Zealand yet to register their first test series win in India. India on the other hand won at least 1 series in New Zealand back in 2008-09.
-Kiwis yet to open their account against South Africa (home-away). India is equally shit against Proteas when playing away, not in home tho.
-In England both India and Nz won 3-3 series, although will rate kiwis slightly better in England.

[Vishnu.Reang]

I agree with this. India is the best touring team right now. However, they had a very poor performance against Sri Lanka. The main reason for this is that they sent a second-tier team to Sri Lanka. Although the second-tier team was also experienced by the Sri Lankan national team. But the Indian players were overconfident. So they were defeated in Sri Lanka. Overconfidence is never good.

If the team is among the best, they will be able to perform even if some of their players are not available. And in case of India, they were facing one of the weakest test playing nations, so these excuses don't hold. And even Sri Lanka was without players such as Angelo Mathews. So they were also not in their full strength. However, I have noticed one thing. For batting in SENA conditions, India used to be heavily dependent on Virat Kohli previously. This dependence has now vanished altogether.

[Maidak]

I agree with this. India is the best touring team right now. However, they had a very poor performance against Sri Lanka. The main reason for this is that they sent a second-tier team to Sri Lanka. Although the second-tier team was also experienced by the Sri Lankan national team. But the Indian players were overconfident. So they were defeated in Sri Lanka. Overconfidence is never good.

If the team is among the best, they will be able to perform even if some of their players are not available. And in case of India, they were facing one of the weakest test playing nations, so these excuses don't hold. And even Sri Lanka was without players such as Angelo Mathews. So they were also not in their full strength. However, I have noticed one thing. For batting in SENA conditions, India used to be heavily dependent on Virat Kohli previously. This dependence has now vanished altogether.

The main reason for the defeat against Sri Lanka was the over-confidence of the players. I remember an Indian player saying that any Indian third-tier team can easily beat Sri Lanka.
India is no longer dependent on Virat Kohli. The team now has many experienced players. Virat's performance in the last 2 Tests was not good but overall India team has performed very well.

[Juggy777]

I agree with this. India is the best touring team right now. However, they had a very poor performance against Sri Lanka. The main reason for this is that they sent a second-tier team to Sri Lanka. Although the second-tier team was also experienced by the Sri Lankan national team. But the Indian players were overconfident. So they were defeated in Sri Lanka. Overconfidence is never good.

If the team is among the best, they will be able to perform even if some of their players are not available. And in case of India, they were facing one of the weakest test playing nations, so these excuses don't hold. And even Sri Lanka was without players such as Angelo Mathews. So they were also not in their full strength. However, I have noticed one thing. For batting in SENA conditions, India used to be heavily dependent on Virat Kohli previously. This dependence has now vanished altogether.

The main reason for the defeat against Sri Lanka was the over-confidence of the players. I remember an Indian player saying that any Indian third-tier team can easily beat Sri Lanka.
India is no longer dependent on Virat Kohli. The team now has many experienced players. Virat's performance in the last 2 Tests was not good but overall India team has performed very well.

@Maidak the team likes to draw attention on Virat, because the opposition becomes so busy on focusing on him that they forget there’re other good player’s in the team too like KL Rahul. Furthermore I would give him two year’s and at max the ODI World Cup 2023 before he either retires completely or plays only one format, because his form is not that great and I feel age is also a factor here.

[JSRAW]

~snip~
@Maidak the team likes to draw attention on Virat, because the opposition becomes so busy on focusing on him that they forget there’re other good player’s in the team too like KL Rahul. Furthermore I would give him two year’s and at max the ODI World Cup 2023 before he either retires completely or plays only one format, because his form is not that great and I feel age is also a factor here.

Not only teams but everyone, this include News, Media, Commentator, Broadcasters. Virat kohli is big brand and cash cow for everyone that's why every camera follows him even when someone takes wickets. Broadcaster wants to catch his every reaction and by doing so sometime they don't even show the poor bowler but you can't blame anyone because these series generate ridiculous amount of money, for ex this series is worth approx 130 ish millions.

[Haunebu]

Furthermore I would give him two year’s and at max the ODI World Cup 2023 before he either retires completely or plays only one format, because his form is not that great and I feel age is also a factor here.

I disagree. Kohli still has a lot of fuel left in his tank and I expect him to captain the Indian side in all formats for the next 3-4 years unless something crazy happens to him. Kohli's form isn't great currently, but he will recover it pretty soon in my opinion.

Broadcaster wants to catch his every reaction and by doing so sometime they don't even show the poor bowler but you can't blame anyone because these series generate ridiculous amount of money, for ex this series is worth approx 130 ish millions.

I absolutely love watching his reactions these days since he doesn't cross the line anymore like in the past.

[bryant.coleman]

I absolutely love watching his reactions these days since he doesn't cross the line anymore like in the past.

Even during the second test, he created some controversy. While batting, he tried to sledge James Anderson. A few balls later, he got out to Sam Curran.

https://twitter.com/TanmaySh18/status/1427796008310689800

Anyway, these things don't matter as long as India is winning matches. But I don't expect the good times to last forever. Kolhi is already having a very poor record in ICC tournaments and the defeat during WTC finals was the latest one. If the team performs poorly in the T20 World Cup, then questions will be asked about his behavior.

[7788bitcoin]

India's players are in a better position than England's. The Indian bowlers are bowling well but the England bowlers are not performing well. If they had done their duty properly, Shami and Bumrah would not have been able to collect so many runs in the 9th wicket partnership. If England want to improve their performance in the next match, they need to change their bowling lineup a bit.

I am not sure they need to change their bowling  line up, but there should be definite change in their batting line up, the openers failed to deliver and they should be replaced by someone else and their top order needs a good shuffle. If not we will yet again see another domination from India in the next match.

The advantage for India is that their openers are playing and their tail end is playing well and their bowlers are in top form.

[eaLiTy]

~
I am not sure they need to change their bowling  line up, but there should be definite change in their batting line up, the openers failed to deliver and they should be replaced by someone else and their top order needs a good shuffle. If not we will yet again see another domination from India in the next match.

There is a huge cry in the media and former England players about the way England went about the game when Shami and Bumrah was in the crease, there were no slip fielders, all the fielders were in the boundary. The commentators and former players were confused with the field placing and the captain Joe Root should be blamed because that partnership changed the momentum of the match.

I am also expecting a major change in their batting line up, i will be surprised if they continue with Dom Sibley and Rory Burns as openers as the entire media is roasting them for not performing.

[Sithara007]

Thee is a huge cry in the media and former England players about the way England went about the game when Shami and Bumrah was in the crease, there were no slip fielders, all the fielders were in the boundary. The commentators and former players were confused with the field placing and the captain Joe Root should be blamed because that partnership changed the momentum of the match.

I am also expecting a major change in their batting line up, i will be surprised if they continue with Dom Sibley and Rory Burns as openers as the entire media is roasting them for not performing.

The fielders were placed at the boundary, because their fastest bowler (Mark Wood) wanted to bowl a few bouncers. Joe Root wanted his revenge against Bumrah (for bowling bouncers against James Anderson), and he never thought that these two would make more than 10-15 runs. Until that point, England had the advantage in the match. But the partnership changed the advantage back to the Indian side. And it's not just Dom Sibley and Rory Burns. All of the England batsmen apart from Joe Root have been in poor form.

[Maidak]

@Maidak the team likes to draw attention on Virat, because the opposition becomes so busy on focusing on him that they forget there’re other good player’s in the team too like KL Rahul. Furthermore I would give him two year’s and at max the ODI World Cup 2023 before he either retires completely or plays only one format, because his form is not that great and I feel age is also a factor here.

You are right. Opposition bowlers have only done homework about Virat Kohli. They did not study about players like Kl Rahul or Rohit. KL Rahul has proved his mettle. India has won with the help of his performance. Bumrah and Shami's performances on the other hand were completely unexpected. The England team has never thought that Shami and Bumrah will be able to bat so well.

[ene1980]

~
You are right. Opposition bowlers have only done homework about Virat Kohli. They did not study about players like Kl Rahul or Rohit. KL Rahul has proved his mettle. India has won with the help of his performance. Bumrah and Shami's performances on the other hand were completely unexpected. The England team has never thought that Shami and Bumrah will be able to bat so well.

If a team did not study about Rohit Sharma and did not make a game plan then they will struggle, KL Rahul is not new and the openers are performing well but the players that are struggling is Rahane and Pujara and they need to step up their game as they are failing in consecutive innings.

The partnership of Sharmi and Bumrah changed the matches and there were many blunders during the match.

[Haunebu]

What ultimately helped India win is England's stupidity to be honest. Check this out.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/that-kind-of-statement-from-jimmy-was-a-surprise-ashwin-reveals-what-happened-between-bumrah-and-anderson-at-lords-101629444925161.html

Players like Kohli, Bumrah etc successfully got under the skins of some of the English players through sledging. England was so focused on getting back at Bumrah that they messed up their game-plan completely.

[CryptoBuds]

I am enjoying the second Test match between Pakistan and West Indies. Strange batting lineup of Pakistan team. They lost 3 wickets for 2 runs. The first 3 batsmen have been out. Babar Azam and Fawad Alam are in the crease. The future of the team depends on them now. If they are out, Pakistan will lose all their wickets before 100 runs.
The West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl. Looks like they are confident of winning this match.

[Iranus]

I am enjoying the second Test match between Pakistan and West Indies. Strange batting lineup of Pakistan team. They lost 3 wickets for 2 runs. The first 3 batsmen have been out. Babar Azam and Fawad Alam are in the crease. The future of the team depends on them now. If they are out, Pakistan will lose all their wickets before 100 runs.
The West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl. Looks like they are confident of winning this match.

Babar Azam does not seem to be able to stay at the crease for very long. He is batting aggressively. Looking at his batting style, it looks like it is an ODI match. He scored 20 runs off 24 balls. He hit 4 boundaries. If these two batsmen do not stay at the crease for a long time, Pakistan will lose this match as usual.

[UmerIdrees]

I am enjoying the second Test match between Pakistan and West Indies. Strange batting lineup of Pakistan team. They lost 3 wickets for 2 runs. The first 3 batsmen have been out. Babar Azam and Fawad Alam are in the crease. The future of the team depends on them now. If they are out, Pakistan will lose all their wickets before 100 runs.
The West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl. Looks like they are confident of winning this match.

Pakistan made a bad start as usual and they lost 3 wickets at the score of 2 only. What a bad start by the Pakistani team. Later Baber Azam and Fawad Alam are playing better and scored around 50 runs till now. Still the West Indies team are on the top of this match and they just need regular wickets to keep the Pakistani score under 150-200.

A lot depend on how Baber Azam will take this innings and lets see if he can rescue Team Pakistan.

[Minor Miner]

I am enjoying the second Test match between Pakistan and West Indies. Strange batting lineup of Pakistan team. They lost 3 wickets for 2 runs. The first 3 batsmen have been out. Babar Azam and Fawad Alam are in the crease. The future of the team depends on them now. If they are out, Pakistan will lose all their wickets before 100 runs.
The West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl. Looks like they are confident of winning this match.

Pakistan made a bad start as usual and they lost 3 wickets at the score of 2 only. What a bad start by the Pakistani team. Later Baber Azam and Fawad Alam are playing better and scored around 50 runs till now. Still the West Indies team are on the top of this match and they just need regular wickets to keep the Pakistani score under 150-200.
A lot depend on how Baber Azam will take this innings and lets see if he can rescue Team Pakistan.

Pakistan made a bad start but now their position is very stable. Babar Azam and Fawad Alam are batting well. Babar scored 37 and Fawad 30 runs. If both of them are at the crease, the Pakistan team can be worry-free. But I don’t think there are any more experienced batsmen besides Mohammad Rizwan after they are out.

[Mahdirakib]

I am enjoying the second Test match between Pakistan and West Indies. Strange batting lineup of Pakistan team. They lost 3 wickets for 2 runs. The first 3 batsmen have been out. Babar Azam and Fawad Alam are in the crease. The future of the team depends on them now. If they are out, Pakistan will lose all their wickets before 100 runs.
The West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl. Looks like they are confident of winning this match.

A good comeback from Pakistan team. I also thought that Pakistan will struggle to make big score. But Babar Azam and Fawad Alam saved Pakistan from a batting collapse. They are still playing and made more than 100 runs partnership. We are at early stage of the match. It's difficult to make the prediction now. Pakistan will try their best to win this test match as they have lost the first game.

[Maidak]

~
You are right. Opposition bowlers have only done homework about Virat Kohli. They did not study about players like Kl Rahul or Rohit. KL Rahul has proved his mettle. India has won with the help of his performance. Bumrah and Shami's performances on the other hand were completely unexpected. The England team has never thought that Shami and Bumrah will be able to bat so well.

If a team did not study about Rohit Sharma and did not make a game plan then they will struggle, KL Rahul is not new and the openers are performing well but the players that are struggling is Rahane and Pujara and they need to step up their game as they are failing in consecutive innings.

The partnership of Sharmi and Bumrah changed the matches and there were many blunders during the match.

Rahane and Pujara are not experienced enough. So they are struggling to collect run. Scoring in Lord's is not easy. Experienced batsmen also have a lot of trouble making runs in Lord's. Rahane and Pujara may not be playing well. But they are talented. Given the opportunity, they will prove their worth. But I want to see bigger innings from Virat's in this series. He is the best player in India. But so far he has not been able to perform as expected.