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India [610/6d] beat Sri Lanka [205 & 166] by an innings and 239 runs to take a 1-0 series lead

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giri26

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Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first

Teams:

India (Playing XI): Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal(c), Niroshan Dickwella(w), Dasun Shanaka, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Gamage
 
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Poor selections by India. Playing Rohit Sharma for Bhuvneshwar, what sort of swap is that? so we have resorted to 4 bowlers as soon as one of the regular is injured. Virat somehow wants to get Rohit into the X1. Vijay Shankar could have been handed the debut.
 
First test - Green pitch - 2 spinners of no use
Second test - Green pitch - take one fast bowler out , but stick with 2 spinners

Am i missing something here or have common sense gone out of the window?
 
WengerOut said:
First test - Green pitch - 2 spinners of no use
Second test - Green pitch - take one fast bowler out , but stick with 2 spinners

Am i missing something here or have common sense gone out of the window?
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Kohli once again shows his poor team selection. Bringing in an extra batsman for a pacer is a poor decision and then to play two spinners is another one. I don't think India are looking to win this series. You can rotate and try different players but cannot make stupid decisions. If he wanted to play his buddy Rohit, he should have done it at the expense of a batsman, not a bowler.
 
Kohli wants somehow rohit to in in test format..other players spot is in danger if they dont perform.
 
Why are India playing two pacers and two spinners on this pitch? If they are preparing for South Africa, wouldn't they be better off playing three seamers? If they are playing to win this series, why is Sharma playing?
 
Bilal7 said:
Why are India playing two pacers and two spinners on this pitch? If they are preparing for South Africa, wouldn't they be better off playing three seamers? If they are playing to win this series, why is Sharma playing?
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Jadeja is the third seamer.
 
Bilal7 said:
Why are India playing two pacers and two spinners on this pitch? If they are preparing for South Africa, wouldn't they be better off playing three seamers? If they are playing to win this series, why is Sharma playing?
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Kohli said he needs batting practice, his love for both Sharmas is endearing, to say the least :facepalm:
 
TBF , Rohit had a good series last time he played. But Ishant is a spent force
 
Ishant has been really consistent since 2015. Our pace attacks looks decent with Ishant, Bhuvi and Shami. If Umesh can be a little more consistent, we can seriously hope to win overseas this time.
 
Selecting Ishant is OK by me. But Rohit? What has he even done to merit a spot in this team? Pathetic selection.
 
dravidthewall said:
Kohli wants somehow rohit to in in test format..other players spot is in danger if they dont perform.
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Yep, this should affect Rahul, as he is a very OFF/ON player. For the talent he has, he should have cemented his position by now (at least in Tests). Shastri has good friendship with Rohit & Dhawan (and so is Kohli)! But as an opener Rahul can relax as Rohit doesn't (cannot) eye on Opening slot and Dhawan is even more inconsistent at that. But having said that Rahul himself has too much focus, concentration and temperament issues (besides fitness)
 
Princejain191 said:
Ishant has been really consistent since 2015. Our pace attacks looks decent with Ishant, Bhuvi and Shami. If Umesh can be a little more consistent, we can seriously hope to win overseas this time.
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An overseas series (the coming one) will tell how much our Indian seamers have improved in test matches. This time we can have some hope because they have done reasonably well at home (unexpected) because seamers (barring Srinath, Zaheer & few ones) usually are namesake bowlers in India and leave everything for spinners. So we are still unsure of whether they retain the same form and improve on that with better bowling conditions overseas, or will it be again the same old story of letting us down, letting the good job by batsmen go down. Then it will be back to square one!
 
Princejain191 said:
Ishant has been really consistent since 2015. Our pace attacks looks decent with Ishant, Bhuvi and Shami. If Umesh can be a little more consistent, we can seriously hope to win overseas this time.
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I think we should look past Shami now. Dude plays one or two tests and then gets injured for an year. Its manageable when India are playing tests at home but could prove costly on tours.
 
LastManstanding said:
I think we should look past Shami now. Dude plays one or two tests and then gets injured for an year. Its manageable when India are playing tests at home but could prove costly on tours.
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That is a problem but he is the sort of bowler that can create things when a partnership is building and pitch is on the flat side. And in all probability, we will go in with 3 proper fast bowlers, Hardik and a spinner. So even if he gets injured (lets hope he doesn't), we can manage to an extent. Main concern is Umesh, he looked amazing vs Aus. If he can get back to that rhythm, the attack will look amazing. But I don't see where he will fit in tbh. Maybe on flat pitches, we will rest Bhuvi.
 
India did pretty well to shut out Lankans for 200.

Since went with 7 batsmen, indianshould target 500 and should only bat once.

Not convinced with Vijay Shankar as a bowler. He is a hardcore trundler. Any one who bowls under 130k’s is useless in all formats. I heard Shankar is a good batsman.

Until Shankar increases his pace to mid 130’s he will find a spot in the squad.

Yadav is a terrible bowler. Can look like million dollars once every 5 Tests. Then he will struggle like a noob.

Shami is made of pure glass. All the talent and can’t stay fit.

Ishant is a warhorse who rarely gets injured. But he is less talented of all pace bowlers in the squad.

For SA series, BK, Shami and Ishant should be the main pace attack. Then we can have Ashwin and Hardik as 4th and 5th bowlers.
 
I dont know why yadav's pace is down.Is it age?He touched 30.We need him in overseas as he is the fastest.
 
troodon said:
India did pretty well to shut out Lankans for 200.

Since went with 7 batsmen, indianshould target 500 and should only bat once.

Not convinced with Vijay Shankar as a bowler. He is a hardcore trundler. Any one who bowls under 130k’s is useless in all formats. I heard Shankar is a good batsman.

Until Shankar increases his pace to mid 130’s he will find a spot in the squad.

Yadav is a terrible bowler. Can look like million dollars once every 5 Tests. Then he will struggle like a noob.

Shami is made of pure glass. All the talent and can’t stay fit.

Ishant is a warhorse who rarely gets injured. But he is less talented of all pace bowlers in the squad.

For SA series, BK, Shami and Ishant should be the main pace attack. Then we can have Ashwin and Hardik as 4th and 5th bowlers.
Click to expand...

Shanker was strictly 125k bowler last Ranji but according to Dravid he has increased the pace. Bowled with good rhythm for Ind A. Kholi will not play him if he is Binny2.
 
Quality batting by Pujara and Vijay.

One of the best test batting partnership going around. Think they average something in 70s?
 
Did Indian team discard a certain guy called Jayant Yadav who was giving some kind of balance to this team! I am sure he would have been much better than Rohit Sharma here (even with bat?!)
 
RamLakhan said:
Did Indian team discard a certain guy called Jayant Yadav who was giving some kind of balance to this team! I am sure he would have been much better than Rohit Sharma here (even with bat?!)
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Was little toothless in India. What will happen to his non turning off sinners outside? We have 2 spin all rounders already.
 
troodon said:
India did pretty well to shut out Lankans for 200.

Since went with 7 batsmen, indianshould target 500 and should only bat once.

Not convinced with Vijay Shankar as a bowler. He is a hardcore trundler. Any one who bowls under 130k’s is useless in all formats. I heard Shankar is a good batsman.

Until Shankar increases his pace to mid 130’s he will find a spot in the squad.

Yadav is a terrible bowler. Can look like million dollars once every 5 Tests. Then he will struggle like a noob.

Shami is made of pure glass. All the talent and can’t stay fit.

Ishant is a warhorse who rarely gets injured. But he is less talented of all pace bowlers in the squad.

For SA series, BK, Shami and Ishant should be the main pace attack. Then we can have Ashwin and Hardik as 4th and 5th bowlers.
Click to expand...
Ashwin based on what? Since the NZ series last year Jadeja has handily outbatted & outbowled him in every series they;ve played in, consistently so. If anything Jadeja deserves that spot more than anyone, including everyone's favorite Ash!
 
Pujara is a strange batsman for modern day! Even Dravid used to bat at better strike rate (test matches) in those days and had some shots (even though sixers were less). Dravid used to bat slow only on tough pitches especially if wickets used to fall. Pujara bats the same way even on flat pitches... He was actually not like this before and was considered aggressive than Dravid!
 
RamLakhan said:
Pujara is a strange batsman for modern day! Even Dravid used to bat at better strike rate (test matches) in those days and had some shots (even though sixers were less). Dravid used to bat slow only on tough pitches especially if wickets used to fall. Pujara bats the same way even on flat pitches... He was actually not like this before and was considered aggressive than Dravid!
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The lack of LOI cricket is hurting Pujara, he isn;t even in the IPL anymore, he was a few years back.

Yes that;s a problem, big problem in fact. At Ranchi his low scoring style ensured India couldn;t get a big enough lead quickly, the problem with him is that he doesn;t show intent to score. His strokes are very limited, runs very slowly, slower than Laxman I'd argue. He's also vulnerable against the moving ball & short pitched stuff, is a curious case of Benjamin Button, definitely on away tours!
 
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R0H1T said:
The lack of LOI cricket is hurting Pujara, he isn;t even in the IPL anymore, he was a few years back.

Yes that;s a problem, big problem in fact. At Ranchi his low scoring style ensured India couldn;t get a big enough lead quickly, the problem with him is that he doesn;t show intent to score. His strokes are very limited, runs very slowly, slower than Laxman I'd argue. He's also vulnerable against the moving ball & short pitched stuff, is a curious case of Benjamin Button, definitely on away tours!
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Laxman was light years ahead of Pujara, in fact Laxman was comparable with Sehwag for the kind of impact he had in Test Matches (he used to "win" test matches or give a chance to win from precarious situations, and not just "saving" it!) Probably running between wickets was an issue with Sehwag and Laxman which affected their LOI batting (yes even Sehwag under-performed in LOIs) But that should not affect Test Cricket much! Because if you score 1 boundary every over that's more than enough! Laxman had wide range of shots, used to play both spinners and pacers at ease, maybe he lost that touch at the fag end of his career. But in Pujara's case, we thought he is younger and will improve, if its left like this he will almost become a senior player with permanent limitations. Justin Langer was another player who could not hold his place in ODI team but batted aggressively in Tests!

If this is how Pujara bats then its better of putting him at opening slot. Because at No.3 you should have some accumulating & accelerating skills. If he is so much defensive then better he opens and he can save his wicket against the new ball with ultra-defensive technique! Also the opening spot is a bit open now with Vijay aging and Rahul looking circumspect!
 
Laxman and Pujara are brilliant players of spin. Laxman is better against pace & bounce while Pujara is better against swing.

Regarding strike rate Pujara starts slowly, but i think he invariably ends up with more than 50 strike rate . I think the strike rate issue is overblown here
 
Fun fact: Pujara has now batted in all 7 days of the series. 8th will be obviously tomorrow
 
RamLakhan said:
Laxman was light years ahead of Pujara, in fact Laxman was comparable with Sehwag for the kind of impact he had in Test Matches (he used to "win" test matches or give a chance to win from precarious situations, and not just "saving" it!) Probably running between wickets was an issue with Sehwag and Laxman which affected their LOI batting (yes even Sehwag under-performed in LOIs) But that should not affect Test Cricket much! Because if you score 1 boundary every over that's more than enough! Laxman had wide range of shots, used to play both spinners and pacers at ease, maybe he lost that touch at the fag end of his career. But in Pujara's case, we thought he is younger and will improve, if its left like this he will almost become a senior player with permanent limitations. Justin Langer was another player who could not hold his place in ODI team but batted aggressively in Tests!

If this is how Pujara bats then its better of putting him at opening slot. Because at No.3 you should have some accumulating & accelerating skills. If he is so much defensive then better he opens and he can save his wicket against the new ball with ultra-defensive technique! Also the opening spot is a bit open now with Vijay aging and Rahul looking circumspect!
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So you agree with me then?

Pujara can;t handle the moving ball or pace demons as well as Vijay/Rahul that;s why he is at 3, it;s also a pivotal position in any team. You need solid batsmen at 3, the ones who can play lots of balls & leave many of them, he is good at that hence @3 instead of someone like Kohli.
WengerOut said:
Laxman and Pujara are brilliant players of spin. Laxman is better against pace & bounce while Pujara is better against swing.

Regarding strike rate Pujara starts slowly, but i think he invariably ends up with more than 50 strike rate . I think the strike rate issue is overblown here
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His record in Eng/NZ thus far suggests otherwise.

Not true, he has career strike rate just under 50. In asia he can milk spinners, outside he struggles to score against quicks that;s why it;s a real problem when he;s not in form, like the last time he played in places like NZ/Eng/Aus et al.
 
@ROH1T Compare against Laxman who had a non existent footwork against awing , Pujara is better. He was simply out of form in England. His last innings at Eden Gardens shows that. Every below par statistics don't mean that the person is simply not good. You can gauge a players ability through your experience of watching high class cricket . Sometimes you should account for lack of form. His 150 odd in SA came at a good click if I am not mistaken
 
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WengerOut said:
@ROH1T Compare against Laxman who had a non existent footwork against awing , Pujara is better. He was simply out of form in England. His last innings at Eden Gardens shows that. Every below par statistics don't mean that the person is simply not good. You can gauge a players ability through your experience of watching high class cricket . Sometimes you should account for lack of form. His 150 odd in SA came at a good click if I am not mistaken
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only bad year pujara had was in 2014.He shouldn't have played IPL in 2014.I would argue he has been our best batsmen in 2012,2013,2015,2016&2017.
In 2015,he played terrific MOM innings of 145* in series decider against SL.
In 2016,He was consistent in all series unlike kohli.Kohli was out of form during most of matches against WI and NZ
pujara was easily our best batsmen in 2012,2013 & now 2017.
 
I am not telling to drop Pujara or force him to bat at opening, but at most times he simply kills the game even on flat tracks. He is definitely an important player in the Indian test team without him we may even lose some matches that we can draw, but at the same time Pujara should not be so much ultra-cautious on flat pitches which can seize the chance of winning... He should cultivate an art to score runs at least on flat tracks once he is settled (at least after 20+) There is no scare of him being dropped from the side like some others in the team (Rahul) even he knows that he is an important person in the team. Test cricket is not just about blocking, actually batting is about strokeplay and not just being defensive... At least he should pick some weak bowlers and start scoring or capitalize when the bowlers are tired, etc. He just looks same dimension all the time. Dravid was not like that! Actually Pujara was not like that before, we thought he is aggressive than Dravid and also can be part of our LOI side. So once he started eyeing LOI and failed in that, he went ultra-defensive knowing that he is fit for only Test Cricket and so he has to limit his shots so much!
 
Rahul needs to be careful. He is actually going through a purple patch , but does not have the big statistics to back it up. Couple of more failures and he can safely warm the bench. He is being arrogant in a bad way while batting.
 
WengerOut said:
Rahul needs to be careful. He is actually going through a purple patch , but does not have the big statistics to back it up. Couple of more failures and he can safely warm the bench. He is being arrogant in a bad way while batting.
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Exactly, by now he should have cemented his place in the side. But the inconsistency and injury are not helping his cause. Especially injury/fitness issues has ruined his chance in LOIs. He is still in the Test reckoning because of those big purple patches and also because of the vacant opening slot (otherwise Rohit would have eaten his place alive by now!) Really his career is not shaping how it expected to be, there is a danger that he may slip out... (a case where mental weakness overtakes talent! He reminds me very much of yesteryear's Vijay Bharadwaj of same state who had tremendous domestic record and good promise in the beginning of international career)
 
RamLakhan said:
Exactly, by now he should have cemented his place in the side. But the inconsistency and injury are not helping his cause. Especially injury/fitness issues has ruined his chance in LOIs. He is still in the Test reckoning because of those big purple patches and also because of the vacant opening slot (otherwise Rohit would have eaten his place alive by now!) Really his career is not shaping how it expected to be, there is a danger that he may slip out... (a case where mental weakness overtakes talent! He reminds me very much of yesteryear's Vijay Bharadwaj of same state who had tremendous domestic record and good promise in the beginning of international career)
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But but but he is in a different league to Babar Azam :yk
 
RamLakhan said:
Exactly, by now he should have cemented his place in the side. But the inconsistency and injury are not helping his cause. Especially injury/fitness issues has ruined his chance in LOIs. He is still in the Test reckoning because of those big purple patches and also because of the vacant opening slot (otherwise Rohit would have eaten his place alive by now!) Really his career is not shaping how it expected to be, there is a danger that he may slip out... (a case where mental weakness overtakes talent! He reminds me very much of yesteryear's Vijay Bharadwaj of same state who had tremendous domestic record and good promise in the beginning of international career)
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Vijay Bharadwaj cannot be compared with Rahul. Rahul has scored 8 fifties in last 9 innings. He has more or less established himself in the test XI. He needs to work on his ODI batting though.
 
TheRock said:
Coz many people on this forum had lot of faith in SL being able to win their 1st ever test in India, after they won the series 2-0 in UAE.
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and they started celebrating after India's first inning in first test but eventually their premature celebration went in vain and ever since they have gone in deep hibernation praying.
 
This Pujara guy is such a bore-fest. Still batting at 40 SR on 3rd day after a hundred. Yawn!
 
BCCI's scheduling (against which Kohli had complaints) is giving him two easy test centuries :))
 
Another century for king kohli [MENTION=132954]Aman[/MENTION] [MENTION=129948]Bilal7[/MENTION] :baelish
 
Pujara showing why he;s Ravi Shastri 2.0 making everyone go to sleep!
 
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