India tour of West Indies

[Hallatia]

First test started tonight, interesting start too.

I must admit, I haven't been following the tour all that keenly. The time difference is too much for me and WIndies don't make good enough opposition to warrant taking on the time difference. Was however great that they got up in the last 2 ODIs even if they were dead rubbers.

India with 3 debutants this test-Abhinav Mukund, Virat Kohli and Praveen Kumar. WIndies still without Gayle, but haven't started too badly. Dhoni actually won the toss (for once) and opted to have a bat. Ordinary over rate so far, but 2 wickets in the first hour. Laxman and Dravid at the crease now, could be a long while before the WIndians get their third... Laxman is a pretty special batsman.

 

[Red Bear]

Disapointed no Roach. but india rolled for 246, windies 0/14

 

[Hallatia]

WIndies 1/34 at the end of day 1. I hear the pitch is doing crazy things. I just think it's always nice to see India get rolled for so little, would be insane (in a good way) to see them lose to WIndies the number 7 test playing nation.

 

[Sudhir]

Bhaji!! :crazy:

Pretty comfortable with where we sit at the moment, still think this will be a win. Can't see the Windies chasing anything approaching 200 in the fourth innings. You'd think we would be able to better our total in the second innings, guys as good as VVS and Dhoni don't usually fail twice. As long as we dismiss them for under 300 tommorow we should be fine.

 

[Red Bear]

Bishoo looks a talent, nice wickets today.

 

[Sudhir]

Edwards for Roach was the right call, first sensible selection decision of 2011 by them, credit where credits due.

Windies attack looks pretty good now. Going to be tough for Jerome Taylor to make his way back into the team

 

[Red Bear]

Roach has been out of form post world-cup, i agree, but I think he'll become a world class bowler, love the way he bowls

 

[Hallatia]

I loved him against Ponting a couple of Summers ago and he is very young too (but not younger than me so I don't have secret resentment for him:lol, I can see a good future ahead of him. He's very fast too, consistently in the high 140s. Accuracy at that speed comes with experience, I can see him getting faster with experience too. Probably cracking 160kph

 

[Sudhir]

Like the look of Andre Russell as well

Just hope he doesn't go the way of Pollard and become another Twenty20 whore

 

[Hallatia]

I saw Edwards say that WIndies were hoping to get 400+ in the first innings, they didn't even manage 200. All out for 173. Praveen Kumar has had a good debut, taking 3 big wickets, was however removed for running in the danger area and I am hearing criticism about his lack of pace, but I think it's effectiveness should be all that really matters. All of India's bowlers took wickets this morning. Already three wickets down in the second innings but I would say are well on top. India 3/91 at stumps on day 2 with a lead of 164 runs. Could be all over tomorrow morning:crazy:

 

[Sudhir]

Good commanding performance by Team India, showing why we're number one

Congrats to Praveen on his first Test wicket

 

[Hallatia]

I'd say there's only a matter of time before you stop being number one...

 

[Twizzle]

Team India, lol

That's an Americanism if I've ever heard one, not really British ol' chap

 

[Sudhir]

I'd say there's only a matter of time before you stop being number one...

I'd say so to, there's only one direction we can go
Enjoying it while it lasts, don't you worry about that :crazy:\\\\/:alcho:

 

[Hallatia]

I remember when SAfrica was World number 1. But they just don't play enough test cricket to keep the number 1 spot. Aaaand Smith doesn't listen to me when I tell him how to captain the side. I do think de Villiers will be a superb captain, but he's only taking limited overs for now.

I think if WIndies beat you in a single test, then it will be easy for England to claim number one in your tour over there. India needs to win every test against the WIndies to maintain the same position "rating" they have now

 

[TheParraboy]

Good commanding performance by Team India, showing why we're number one

Congrats to Praveen on his first Test wicket

 

[Sudhir]

I remember when SAfrica was World number 1. But they just don't play enough test cricket to keep the number 1 spot. Aaaand Smith doesn't listen to me when I tell him how to captain the side. I do think de Villiers will be a superb captain, but he's only taking limited overs for now.

With a bit of luck, they'd still be number one

Morne and Amla were just two overs away from stealing a draw in Kolkata, which would have won them the series. Before that there were two Tests against England where South Africa were one wicket away from a win in both and a little further back from that there's Sydney

So that's 4 Tests since 2009 which have been decided in the penultimate or very last over, none in the South Africans favour. That hurts #-o

I think if WIndies beat you in a single test, then it will be easy for England to claim number one in your tour over there. India needs to win every test against the WIndies to maintain the same position "rating" they have now

Absolutely, even a drawn Test against the Windies would do us damage, as they're so low on the ICC rankings. Stay away rain

 

[African Monkey]

another century from dravid on from what i've heard is a very difficult track to bat on. well done to him

 

[Hallatia]

The first day of this match also marked him reaching 15 years in international cricket. I think that's wonderful

 

[African Monkey]

yes that's right hala. people have been calling for dravid's head of late, but he is still the best no.3 india have to offer. he also plays well in england and although at 38 with his footwork getting slower, i still think that the man has the ability to overcome the swinging ball against anderson and the steepling bounce that tremlett has to offer.