Should India have enforced the follow-on in the 3rd Test vs Australia?

[MenInG]

Can someone explain the thinking here, India have hardly been on the field for that long - why not kill the game and win by an innings?

 

[Buffet]

Can someone explain the thinking here, India have hardly been on the field for that long - why not kill the game and win by an innings?

I think Indians didn't want back to back bowling and then short rest and then against a possibility to bowl first in the next test.

 

[someone21]

Obviously yes. Its seems they were selfish and their batsman just wanted to score more runs in the series and increase averages.

They had the momentum but lost it due to their silly error

 

[BreadPakoda]

Obviously yes. Its seems they were selfish and their batsman just wanted to score more runs in the series and increase averages.

They had the momentum but lost it due to their silly error

On the contrary they were unselfish. Looking for quick runs at the cost of their averages.

Unfortunately such tactics don’t work against top class bowling attacks, and that too in their dens.

 

[ali2220]

On the contrary they were unselfish. Looking for quick runs at the cost of their averages.

Unfortunately such tactics don’t work against top class bowling attacks, and that too in their dens.

Its not about being selfish or unselfish, its about being a bit cautious.Had kohli enforced follow on, india would have still won

 

[BreadPakoda]

Its not about being selfish or unselfish, its about being a bit cautious.Had kohli enforced follow on, india would have still won

Yes. Definitely would have won.
However, the next game is only few days away. Some resistance from Ozzies and most probably Jadeja who’s half fit would have been uncertain to play the next game after bowling 30-40 more overs.
We have already lost Ashwin and Sydney supports spin a bit. Cant risk both the spinners.
Also needed to tire the Ozzie bowlers.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Ashwin bowled 40 overs on the trot in the second innings to help India win the first test.
To play a similar role, Jadeja needs rest. Especially when he’s unfit and is required in the next test.

 

[ali2220]

But its important for india to win this test match and demoralize australians before sydney, if aus escape a certain defeat, they will become more dangerous in next test match.

 

[Amjid Javed]

India have plenty of time to win this match which they will with ease from here so no issue not enforcing follow on.

 

[jagatk]

I think this is a simple case of giving bowlers a bit of rest and adding a bit more fatigue to the already tired Aussie Bowlers, the SCG test in 4 days after this one, handling your bowling lineup with care is as important as anything else here.

 

[BreadPakoda]

But its important for india to win this test match and demoralize australians before sydney, if aus escape a certain defeat, they will become more dangerous in next test match.

The likeliness of Australians escaping a defeat is near about the same as them building a lead after follow on and putting India under pressure on day 5.

 

[jnaveen1980]

No. Period. Back to back test. Just in case Australia starts well and Indian bowlers worn out or picked up an injury due to work load it will be a serious issue for Sydney test and rest of the MCG test. Also chasing in last innings even 100 will be challenging.

 

[Boxer]

Not a pitch to bat 4th. Chasing 20 would spell doom.

 

[cricketworm]

Yes, absolutely. That's how you protect your bowlers getting injured. And force Aus. bowlers to get even more tired.

 

[Mp812]

The only logical explanantion.Increase workload of Aus bowlers and reduce workload of own bowlers.
Also
Even if India bats 30-40 overs all out...the lead will swell by 100 runs atleast ... which increases scoreboard pressure incase one of the Aus batter decides in morning, he gonna play the inning of his lifetime and luck favors him, but more the score to chase, the less probablity that happens.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Is there rain forecast?

If so , yes it was a poor decision. When you are so far ahead and will be using spin from one end, you have to enforce it against a team which is batting poorly.

 

[Titan24]

Considering the rain forecast, they should have.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Considering the rain forecast, they should have.

Odd showers or most of the day 4/5 rained out?

 

[Super Santi]

No, think good to give the bowlers some rest and make their bowlers work again.
Some rain predicted but should be enough time on day 5 to bowl them out.
If today is rained off, India will declare first thing on day 5 and should have 50-60 overs to bowl Australia out (enough).

 

[Sadozai]

There was no need to enforce follow on

 

[Hasan123]

No need to enforce the follow on. Rest the bowlers and score another 100.

 

[Mahee]

we would have got them all out for the 2nd time in a day, had we enforced follow on yesterday...now see, match is going to be a tame draw because of heavy rain in Melbourne...missed great opportunity to win the series.

 

[Sadevdesai]

No need to enforce the follow on. Rest the bowlers and score another 100.

No one wants to BAT on a Fifth day wicket ..... new thinking nowadays !!!!!

 

[Dingolfy]

How many teams have you seen enforcing follow-on in the recent years. India didn't enforce even against much weaker Lankans in 2017. Nobody wants to bat fourth on this minefield of a pitch. Make Aussie bowlers go all out in hope in search of an elusive victory. Thus increase their chances of exhaustion and possible injury in the next Test. Pretty simple strategy.

 

[par]

Not enforcing the follow-on has been the trend for a while now. Kohli has enforced it only once, I think.

 

[Big Mac]

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1057/jors.2010.169

This paper analyses declaration and the follow-on decisions in test cricket. We model the match outcome given the end of first, second and third innings positions; data on 391 test matches, from the period 1997 to 2007, are used to fit the models. We then investigate how declaration strategy should vary from innings to innings, and how the nature and strength of the covariate effects vary. As the match progresses, the explanatory power of the covariates increases (from 44% at the end of the first innings to 80% at the end of the third). Home advantage and the effects of team strengths decrease. Overs-remaining, or equivalently overs used, and the number of runs by which the reference team lead their opponents remain important throughout. The follow-on decision problem is also briefly considered, and surprisingly, we find that the decision to enforce the follow-on or otherwise has no effect on match outcome.