Lot of people are discussing about the famous Indian defeat in Windies when asked to score 120, India got out 80. I don't see much similarity here, Windies were always known for their fighting spirit, being aggressive and mostly for the intimidation they bore on the batsmen. More than once Windies have done very well under pressure. Aussies are good fighters and are agressive as well, but in this series, they are not as initimidating as they were few years ago. Remember Merv Hughes ? Batsman like Manjrekar was ground with Hughes' mediocore bowling but extreme intimidation.
India has all the right cards in this match. Just the matter of showing them at right time. Can't get better chance than this.
This turnaround just highlights that a cricket game can change color completely within a session or two...making bold predictions like Faisal did on day one actually makes you look like a fool at times! Whatever the result of this match, the bombast from the Aussies (especially Buchanan and Steve) before this series and especially before this match has begun to blow up in their faces.
Respected Mr. Faisal Shareif, On the morning of 12th, when I opened the rediff match report, the headline said (in a highly scandalous fashion), "at the end of the first day it was clear that there is going to be just one winner in this test match, and it's not going to be India" (slightly abridged)...........come day fifth and we are poised for our first victory in Australia since 1981. .....so unless we play out of our character which we have exhibited in this test match, it's time for Mr. Shareif to realize that being a soothsayer is not in his resume and if it is, he should really think if it needs to be there....
I wonder what you must be thinking now that your prediction of only Aussies having a chance of winning this match is going all haywire. I am surpised that people like you are making such careless statements knowing the uncertainties of the game.
The first day report of the 2nd test match contained a line like "if there is any side going to lose this mathc -- it is certainly not Australia " -- or something to that effect. It has not been very seldom that Faisal ate crow -- but he still keeps putting his foot in his mouth -- how long ???? YOu are a shame in the name of cricket journalism -- please quit cricket journalism and may be start a paan shop.
