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South Africa v India | 3rd Test | Cape Town | Jan 2-6 2011

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Sorry in NZ was talking about a fascinating one day innings where he hit 100 odd when score to chase was 200 and the pitch was full seaming.India lost 9 wickets with no one crossing 25.My point it is,he is hugely capable of playing so we should think twice before dropping him

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64818.html

Oh yes there is no question of dropping him as he has solved all our previous opening pair combination problems and has played a key role in the recent series of wins .
About the match that you are talking . Hell yeah i remember that one . India needed some 25-30 off runs with 6 wickets remaining and lost 9 wicket in the end , only for Nehra to hit a boundary and win the match for us . It is infact our only 1 wicket victory in Odis till date. Those were the good old days of Cricket.
 
Sehwag proving once again that he's the biggest FTB in the indian batting lineup.

Lol the only person left is him.In first test match after 136 all out,everyone were telling laxman FTB,gambhir FTB,sachin FTB.After the 2nd innings Laxman and gambhir remained FTB.After the 2nd test match gambhir and sewag became FTB,laxman became a hero.Now if gambhir plays a good innings,sewag will be FTB.
 
I didn't imply he was on a lean patch. He's doing very well at the moment. He just doesn't score consistently big outside the subcontinent. and that goes for the whole of his career.

He's always been good in ODIs, and even in tests I'm not suggesting India drop him. It's just the fact that I personally don't rate him as high as the other Indian batsmen, despite the general consensus. He just doesn't score consistently good outside the subcontinent. There's no two ways looking about it. And away, it's extremely important that you do score consistently and see off the new ball, thus reducing the chance of a middle order collapse. But Sehwag rarely does this. Both Tendulkar and Laxman are more valuable to the Indian team. If Dravid was in any sort of form he probably would be too. Heck I even rate Gambhir over Sehwag, who I believe will be a success outside the subcontinent soon enough when he recaptures his form again.


Hmm lets see,next year i think all away series only.And he has been poor in one days to be frank,wasting most opportunities.But i just feel he is the best man for the opening job.
 
I don't think Gambhir is an FTB. He looked pretty good in the 2nd innings of the 1st test and has done so again here. In the first session of the series it was obviously near-impossible to bat as an opener, so I don't think we can hold that against him.
 
Say what you will about Gambhir, but the only batsmen in their lineup who get bat on ball more often are Laxman and Tendulkar. There's a good technique in there somewhere.
 
What a knock by Kallis. Seems to be improving with age!!

Gotta respect the Shark. I dismissed him as an accumulator and minnowbasher, but since his bowling has declined he has stepped up a level and is a true world-class batter.
 
Say what you will about Gambhir, but the only batsmen in their lineup who get bat on ball more often are Laxman and Tendulkar. There's a good technique in there somewhere.

Kudos to him to an extent.Early on in his career had lot of problems with his off side shots.was dropped.Always holed out to slip or gully.But he has come back a strong man.Last year was not that much good for him.Hopes he plays well this year.
 
Gotta respect the Shark. I dismissed him as an accumulator and minnowbasher, but since his bowling has declined he has stepped up a level and is a true world-class batter.

He should move further and further towards being a specialist batsman in order to prolong his career. I never rated his bowling that highly, but it's been particularly bad recently.
 
Kudos to him to an extent.Early on in his career had lot of problems with his off side shots.was dropped.Always holed out to slip or gully.But he has come back a strong man.Last year was not that much good for him.Hopes he plays well this year.

Gambhir is my pick for sleeper hit of the series in England.
 
And congrats to kallis too.deserves all the applause.Even in the late nineties he was scoring nicely and bowling a lot.He had the best stats even that time.That time whenever there would be an argument among friends,everyone would be saying klusener,chris cairns etc just because their style of batting was exciting.Kallis was always number 1 for me,and i am happy now he is getting the proper accolades.
 
Yeesh. This has not been Sachin's best innings thus far, but that was a fantasy shot.
 
Kudos to him to an extent.Early on in his career had lot of problems with his off side shots.was dropped.Always holed out to slip or gully.But he has come back a strong man.Last year was not that much good for him.Hopes he plays well this year.
Yep, I rate Gambhir very highly. He's one of my favourite players at the moment. I really do think he could go on and become a legend of the game. Perhaps even mentioned in the same breath as Tendulkar or Laxman even. Maybe I'm overrating him a lot of people on this forum seem to think he's an FTB (which I don't agree with).

But the man is pretty much the perfect opener. He's got good technique, gets bat to ball, grinds out there in difficult situations, almost always gets a start (he's extremely consistent). He puts a huge price on his wickets, when the situation demands for him to accelerate, he does it, he's a very adaptable player, able to change his play when the situation demands it.

He's got it all quite frankly. :D
 
I think people call him an FTB because they just watch India occasionally when they have a collectively bad team game. After all, who would want to watch a game where India does well? :D Watching him on this tour, it has been clear that he is not an FTB.
 
Ha ha ha.Almost fell down from my chair because there is a comedy saying in our language when translated reads "How much ever beating he gets,see how he is acting as if strong"

He needs a Chance in Bollywood.. But I think he will be flop there.. :))
 
I think people call him an FTB because they just watch India occasionally when they have a collectively bad team game. After all, who would want to watch a game where India does well? :D Watching him on this tour, it has been clear that he is not an FTB.
It's not really fair. He hasn't played so many test matches (only 38) and hence he's only played around 15 matches abroad. It's senseless to just brand him an FTB, when he averages over 60 away and in every away country he's played in he's performed. Averages over 60 in all of Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, South Africa, New Zealand. In fact the only country he averages less than 40 is Sri Lanka. Next lowest is actually in India. So if you go by stats alone he's anything but an FTB. He looks more like a bouncy track bully :D.


I think it's ridiculous the criticism Gambhir seems to get on this forum. It just doesnt make any sense. Not too long ago I remember, there was a comparison between Butt and Gambhir on who was the better opener, and Butt getting the majority of votes :facepalm:
 
I think it's ridiculous the criticism Gambhir seems to get on this forum. It just doesnt make any sense. Not too long ago I remember, there was a comparison between Butt and Gambhir on who was the better opener, and Butt getting the majority of votes :facepalm:

lol. mental.

this has been a particularly good innings thus far from GG. Had a bit of luck, but taken full advantage. When you get to 50 as a top order batsman, you simply have to get a ton. And India really need at least one from somebody.
 
Kallis is out of the attack due to injury. This could be a long slog for South Africa unless they have somehow got India 5 down for 200, but nobody looks remotely threatening right now.
 
Gambhir has the potential to be an excellent player. Far better than any opener we have produced in a long time to be honest
 
You really feel the quality of the Kallis innings when you consider that even a big partnership between this pair will leave India with a lot of work to do if they want to win the game.
 
It's not really fair. He hasn't played so many test matches (only 38) and hence he's only played around 15 matches abroad. It's senseless to just brand him an FTB, when he averages over 60 away and in every away country he's played in he's performed. Averages over 60 in all of Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, South Africa, New Zealand. In fact the only country he averages less than 40 is Sri Lanka. Next lowest is actually in India. So if you go by stats alone he's anything but an FTB. He looks more like a bouncy track bully :D.


I think it's ridiculous the criticism Gambhir seems to get on this forum. It just doesnt make any sense. Not too long ago I remember, there was a comparison between Butt and Gambhir on who was the better opener, and Butt getting the majority of votes :facepalm:

Gambhir Does not get too many votes because, He plays Premeditated shots too often.. Butt is not a premeditated stroke player.

Success and Talent not the same thing. Gambhir may have more success ( On Indian Soil ). But, Butt has better talent..
 
You really feel the quality of the Kallis innings when you consider that even a big partnership between this pair will leave India with a lot of work to do if they want to win the game.

yup , if we had them bowled out at ~300 ,we would have been in a strong position by now ...that 50 extra runs for the last 2 wickets might prove very costly .

we will need two batsmen to score big .
 
yup , if we had them bowled out at ~300 ,we would have been in a strong position by now ...that 50 extra runs for the last 2 wickets might prove very costly .

we will need two batsmen to score big .

Ominously for you, a big and/or long last wicket partnership is usually a horrible omen...teams don't tend to win when they suffer one of these.
 
Yep, I rate Gambhir very highly. He's one of my favourite players at the moment. I really do think he could go on and become a legend of the game. Perhaps even mentioned in the same breath as Tendulkar or Laxman even. Maybe I'm overrating him a lot of people on this forum seem to think he's an FTB (which I don't agree with).

But the man is pretty much the perfect opener. He's got good technique, gets bat to ball, grinds out there in difficult situations, almost always gets a start (he's extremely consistent). He puts a huge price on his wickets, when the situation demands for him to accelerate, he does it, he's a very adaptable player, able to change his play when the situation demands it.

He's got it all quite frankly. :D

Dont think Gambhir is legend material at all ...Maybe someone like Mike Slater or maybe Sarawan type who were good players at times and bit reliable dependent at times but not as great as Lara Tendulkar, Inzi ,Waughs etc
 
Dont think Gambhir is legend material at all ...Maybe someone like Mike Slater or maybe Sarawan type who were good players at times and bit reliable dependent at times but not as great as Lara Tendulkar, Inzi ,Waughs etc

and inzy is in the same class as Lara and Tendulkar ?
 
Inzy is as much a legend of the game (which IMO he is) for his character and heart as he is for any batting achievements.

Purely as a batsman, he is not in the class of SRT, Lara, Ponting, Kallis or Dravid.
 
Inzy is as much a legend of the game (which IMO he is) for his character and heart as he is for any batting achievements.

Purely as a batsman, he is not in the class of SRT, Lara, Ponting, Kallis or Dravid.

Cant disagee with that , am a fan too .
 
Kallis injured and maybe now Steyn.

Morkel, Tsotsobe and Harris wouldn't be able to bowl Kenya out on this pitch.
 
Kallis injured and maybe now Steyn.

Morkel, Tsotsobe and Harris wouldn't be able to bowl Kenya out on this pitch.
Morkel still might. The other two certainly not lol.
 
The run rate has slowed down..They should atleast be rotating the strike so, that there is no pressure...
 
If India finish todays play without losing another wicket then for me this has been India's day by a country mile. After SA being 240-4 I expected them to atleast get 400 but that didnt happen. Both Ghambir and Teenda are well set now.
 
If India can somehow muster 450 by the end of tomorrow then they will be in the driving seat and favourites for me.
 
If India can somehow muster 450 by the end of tomorrow then they will be in the driving seat and favourites for me.

450 is way too much...
Coming close to SA total will be a big plus as far as I am concerned...
India's last four wickets are way too easy for SA bowlers..
 
450 is way too much...
Coming close to SA total will be a big plus as far as I am concerned...
India's last four wickets are way too easy for SA bowlers..
Not if both these two set batsmen get hundreds just like Kallis did
 
End of Day 2..India 142/2...
Even Stevens...I guess..
India need couple of big partnerships..
And SA need to make early inroads tomorrow..Any body's game from here...
 
Thought it would back fire,but Draw mindset maybe has worked so far.If india don't lose wickets by tomorrow lunch,series may be heading for a draw.
 
I remember India were bossing this test 4 years ago and lost as they collapsed 2nd innings.

I do feel that as this pitch flattens out, unless India get a lead of at least 50+, if overhead conditions stay pleasant, Sharma, Sreesanth and Singh will struggle and Zaheer would have to go into reverse swing mode.
 
Kallis has done a muscle in his side - he will not field or bat again in the series unless absolutely necessary. Could miss first 2 ODIs.

Massive news.
 
Kallis has done a muscle in his side - he will not field or bat again in the series unless absolutely necessary. Could miss first 2 ODIs.

Massive news.

no way..... hopefully the "chocking midget" chokes again and steyn can run through the rest of the lineup:akhtar
 
Kallis has done a muscle in his side - he will not field or bat again in the series unless absolutely necessary. Could miss first 2 ODIs.

Massive news.

thats bad news , hope hes fit enough to at least bat in the second innings
 
Gripping day. From 60-40 in favour of SA yesterday, it is even stevens right now.

Gambo and Sachin are both set and need to carry on for at least a session and more for us to get a little ahead of SA. Steyn in his 2nd spell was in wonderful rhythm and without that spelll from him we could well have been 190-200 for 2.

Another thing about SA bowling attack, looking at how they have had a few issues with Tsotsobe , Harris and to an extent even Morkel in relatively better batting conditions, have to say the English bowling attack looks to be the best in the world by some distance.
 
honestly if tsotsobe is the 3rd best fastbowler in southafrica than God help them i mean even ishanth "i run faster than i bowl" sharma and santhakumaran "im craving for an opponents bat up a very unpleasant part of my anatomy "sreesanth r much better
 
Kallis injury is very bad news for SA. He almost made 50% of team total.
Kallis played great inning.
As of today his average is 56.41 with 39 hundreds.
Ponting avg - 53.51 with 39 hundreds
So statically he surpassed Ponting already.
Tendulkar is par with 56.54 average but lot more 100's.
 
honestly if tsotsobe is the 3rd best fastbowler in southafrica than God help them i mean even ishanth "i run faster than i bowl" sharma and santhakumaran "im craving for an opponents bat up a very unpleasant part of my anatomy "sreesanth r much better

Well, Sreesanth is a lot better than Tsotsobe. If he stops being such a child half the time, he could be a very useful bowler indeed. Some of his spells in this series and earlier in his career have been pure class.

Not sure about Sharma though. Looks totally rubbish to me.
 
Well, Sreesanth is a lot better than Tsotsobe. If he stops being such a child half the time, he could be a very useful bowler indeed. Some of his spells in this series and earlier in his career have been pure class.

Not sure about Sharma though. Looks totally rubbish to me.

yeah but b honest there must b about half a dozen fastbowlers better than tsotsobe playing county in england
 
I remember a new pacer named De Wet playing for the Saffers when England toured SA last. Had a lot of pace and looked a very decent prospect. Wonder where he has disappeared now.
 
Well, Sreesanth is a lot better than Tsotsobe. If he stops being such a child half the time, he could be a very useful bowler indeed. Some of his spells in this series and earlier in his career have been pure class.

Not sure about Sharma though. Looks totally rubbish to me.

The problem is that his brattishness is consistent while his good performances aren't. If he wants to be become a regular in the team he needs to work very hard at his bowling and less at his sledging.
 
Well, Sreesanth is a lot better than Tsotsobe. If he stops being such a child half the time, he could be a very useful bowler indeed. Some of his spells in this series and earlier in his career have been pure class.

Not sure about Sharma though. Looks totally rubbish to me.

Sharma might be a handful on the 4th and 5th day. But he has been dissapointing throughout this series.
 
The problem is that his brattishness is consistent while his good performances aren't. If he wants to be become a regular in the team he needs to work very hard at his bowling and less at his sledging.

I said at the time that the snorter he dismissed Kallis with in Durban was one of the best deliveries I've seen in test cricket, if not the best. It was absolutely unplayable in every way for any player. A bowler that is capable of doing this to Kallis is more than a little talented. Like you said, he is just woefully inconsistent - but I have reasonably high hopes for him. He's your second-best seamer.
 
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