England Versus India - 1st Test (9 Nov - 13 Nov)

[sussexpob]

Crazy that only two months ago Indian fans were calling for Pujara to be dropped

indian fans can be so fickle.
they hated vijay in 2014.
hated ashwin in 2012 and again in 2014.

Yep. I was defending Vijay recent on here too, even some Indian fans wanted to drop him for the NZ series.

[Dr Cricket]

not really sure why they hated Vijay though, always thought he had a good leave and knows what to play at, think his post IPL career ruined perception was about 18 months where T20 ruined his mindset and people assumed he was a *modded* slogger with no technique.

[Dr Cricket]

think the issue now is that india basically got 3 openers for two slots, lucky for them Dhawan is *modded* so the choice isn't that hard.
Vijay and Rahul.

[Dr Cricket]

4 test in a row where Shami got the ball to reverse and the opposition haven't, could be key in this series that, especially if the outfield is lush to remove any sort of reverse swing for england.

[sussexpob]

think the issue now is that india basically got 3 openers for two slots, lucky for them Dhawan is *modded* so the choice isn't that hard.
Vijay and Rahul.

You dont think Gambhir will get another run in the team then?

Id love to know what happened to GG..... was it in 2009 or 2010 that no team could get him out, then overnight he turned into a tailender opening

[sussexpob]

It was actually October 2008 to Jan 2010.

Played 14 tests, scored 8 x 100, 7 x 50, and failed to make 20 in only one innings.....

Hes averaged under 30 since.

Actually, I rememebr in 2012 he looked appalling vs Australia away. In one test he made 70 odd, and I dont think any scoring shots he made we off the middle of the bat. He ended past the fielder for two sessions

[Dr Cricket]

well he only got the 2nd test left really since Rahul and Dhawan expected to play ranji cricket soon.
think age and recent form will see Rahul ahead in the pecking order, Gambhir will have to get hundreds to keep his place.
Gambhir didn't even score many runs to get into the team in the first place and was surprising to see him included but guessing they didn't look at the 4th opening option yet.

thought Gambhir lost his patience, around 2009/10 thought he waited for the bad balls well and feasted on the crap he got in response to Sehwag going crazy, actually reminded me of what Vijay does well in leaving the balls and only playing strokes or shots that are less risky.
you didn't really see the technical flaws till he went to england in 2011 and since then he not been the same player in India,England or anywhere and even changed his stance to overcome that and I don't think he looked totally in control either with it.

[meninblue]

Excellent batting

[yuppie]

If you didn't make a 100 here, you might feel that you have missed out.

[meninblue]

Keep them on field for 2 more sessions tomorrow.

[hopeforthebest]

England's slow bowlers are just cannon fodder for these two batsmen on this pitch.

[Gingerfinch]

The only good thing is, the run rate isn't that high. India will still be 200 behind come close of play.

As I type, Vijay hits a six.

[Dr Cricket]

Stokes gets a wicket, pujara goes.

[sussexpob]

The only good thing is, the run rate isn't that high. India will still be 200 behind come close of play.

As I type, Vijay hits a six.

Run rate is at 5 for the last 10 overs, they are definately starting to hit the gas a bit more

[Gingerfinch]

The only good thing is, the run rate isn't that high. India will still be 200 behind come close of play.

As I type, Vijay hits a six.

Run rate is at 5 for the last 10 overs, they are definately starting to hit the gas a bit more

Yeah, I missed the last 10 over rate.