If we can score about 240-250 and set them a target of about 300, we should be able to score a knock out in the 90 overs available tomorrow.The pitch, the way it behaved in the first innings, should definitely aid the spinners.
Yesterday I have sent a message on the following lines but as that 'subject page' totally disappeared from Rediff columns I am trying to recollect the contents and put down again here again. About 5 days ago I stated in these columns that Sehwag and Tendulkar would manage to retain their places in the team for the third test by pretending if necessary as utility bowlers, despite their miserable performance with the bat. Though not spot-on my prediction, turned out to be accurate with regard to Sehwag who has been included as a spinner according to the official statement. So who cares about winning or loosing, when the places in the team for the boys with influenced connections are at stake? If one does not like the way the affairs are run he may as well stop being a cricket fan.
Mr. Sehvag is God for Mr. Chapel and Indian Selector. India was on too strong position, but what have seen selector, caption & chappel in Sehbag that they have send him again as opener and he has gone back on 4 run.
Indian Selector, Caption & Chappel have decided they cannot go on right way. Thanks to all of you.
excellent captaincy by rahul he managed resources verywell and his bowling change field placement were very impressive. dravid proved he deserved to win the cap for icc test team dravid won recently CASTORAL cricketer / batsman of year 2005-2006 ( ind media never highlight dravid s hardwork or achievements.) and keep up good work .... team management and bcci should complain to icc about this dubious sub standad umpring SA is playing better cricket than india and 2 umpries are also doing job for it will be very difficult task to win the game. Nobody can take credit from fighting spirit of SA team Game is still open can swing to any side best of luck to team india.
While it is admirable that Mr. Panicker takes time with the details, language and frivolous nuances the report is god awfully long. I wonder who really reads these long reports. Why couldnt it be terse like the BBC. I remember Mr. Panicker chiding someone to "go elsewhere" for shorter versions and wonder if the aim of Rediff is to bore viewers and induce them to follow his directions. Without being sarcastic I wish to suggest that it will be good if the report is broken down into play and non play accounts.
Just about 4 days ago, I had predicted through this channel that both Sehwag and Tendulkar might manage to retain their place in the test squad by pretending to be utility bowlers and the management would be glad to accept them in the new roles, despite their miserable performance with bat. Though not spot-on my prediction proved accurate at least in the case of Sehwag. The team management has justified Sehwag's retention for the third test, based on his utility as spin bowler. Obviously if need be, to accommodate Sehwag, Interests of Indian cricket are relegated to the back-bench. India's position in the 3rd test should have been unassailable, had Harbhajan or Gambhir been picked, in place of Sehwag. But who cares? It appears that the powers that be are only interested in propping up boys with powerful connections.
Dravid who is a staunch supporter of Sehwag would have to regret this misplaced support to the unworthy. Dravid should realize that if he himself were to go through such prolonged lean patch and Sehwag were enpowered to cast Captain's vote Dravid would be undoubtedly be voted out.
Rahul Dravid was the villain today. I failed to understand why he continued with the old ball for 115 overs. Especially when Pollock was new, Zaheer and Sreesanth had their best opportunity to bowl out SA within 315 - 325. But India waited till SA made 350 to take the new ball. That is a criminal waste of resources. We have seen Kumble was not at his best in this test. So the new ball should have been taken as soon as Gibbs fell. Now the only likely result in this test appears to be a SA win. I don't believe India have it in them to rattle up 325 in a day and then challenge SA with a 4 runs per over target on the last day. Even if they do, SA will manage at least a draw. This Indian team can't bowl out SA again in this test. Unless Laxman and Dravid bat out of their skins, India will lose this test before Tea on the 5th day. Only honourable escape for India is to bat till lunch on day-5 and save the test. Good luck you bunch of Prideless Guys. Raj
I wonder how many cricket fans have the time to read through such a laborious description of the day's proceedings. Maybe some do.
I have read as an youngster cricket commentaries by Neville Cardus, John Arlot, Jack Fingleton, Victor Richardson et al.
They made the game more interesting by their writings. Brief reports by Reuter on the day's game touching the highlights of the day's play used to provide the necessary details.
Mr. Panicker, no doubt, is a good writer. But he tends, more interested it would appear, to show off his proficiency in the English language, using at times words and expressions, with which not many of his readers may be familiar.
