AFM
First Class Star
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2011
- Runs
- 3,636
Rabada replacing Steyn 
Poor rockstars.

Poor rockstars.
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Its a tough pitch dude. Indian pacers didn't use it properly.
Yes, we have away wickets but it ain't some easy pitch to keep batting.
On a Pakistani forum, that is quite surprising.I see more energy among Pakistani fans than Saffers.
Did you see the pitches where all 3 of NZ ,Aus AND Pak got bowlee out for under 50?
Pachees saal ka badlaaaa)
THIS is where we need Rahane.
0-3 beckons.
To me real test now - SA were 3 down too when they mounted their fight back
I am not comparing with those pitches.
Saying this pitch ain't easy.
The only thing that'd be worse for India at the moment is if Shehryar Khan invaded the pitch with banner inscribed "Honour the MOU".
In all seriousness, there's just no let up in this South African attack. No weak link you can identify.
6:01pm A packet of breath for India, that last over. They deserved it on humanitarian grounds. South Africa have completely battered them over ten overs.
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You are talking as if rahane is the second coming of Dravid. Rohit Sharma is more than capable to replicate his ODI legendary innings in Test matches.
Anti climatic over by Morkel, 6 balls left in a row. Back to his rubbish, thought he turned the corner.
Not really. Battered is when bowlers keep beating the bat and finally cleaning them up.
Vijay and Dhawan started very well before gifting their wickets. Their wickets have nothing to do with the bowlers.
Kohli is the only one that got a superb delivery from Morkel. Even then, Kohli could have left it easily.
To me real test now - SA were 3 down too when they mounted their fight back
Saffers should bowl thrash to Sharmaji so that he confirms his place in the side ahead of Rahane as it would help them win the series 3-0.
Dhawan was rushed, Steyn cranked it up. I expect similar dismissals tomorrow as the pitch quickens.
Dhawan was rushed, Steyn cranked it up. I expect similar dismissals tomorrow as the pitch quickens.
If Kohli can't stop playing the dab to third man, he should stop playing Odis and T20s.
Pujara just left a similar ball that Kohli got out to.
Seriously pathetic batting from openers and Kohli. They need to understand they are not in India anymore. They cannot play the shots that they could play in India.
It will be a miracle if India reaches 250 against this SA attack on these conditions
If Rohit scores a 120 tomorrow, all is forgiven.
But I highly doubt it.
I don't get why they selected Dhawan and Sharma?? - They should have gone for Rahual and Rahana. How they could drop Rahana?? - It was an arrogant move, they thought making 100s in AUS/SA is piece of cake...Those Phatta 200s clouded their thinking![]()
Dont know why people are putting it completely past Rohit to score runs. Yes it is difficult but not improbable.
However i still remember his "sledge" to steyn his last time in SA , "come to India,we will show you there")
I can understand the reason behind dropping Rahane. He was really terrible against Lanka. Looked worse than a tailender. He seems to have lost his confidence. Needed a break. Rohit was scoring so many runs and even in Tests when he got the chances, he played very well. So hard to drop Rohit.
But Everyone knows Rahul is a much better player than Dhawan in tough conditions. He would never play a bone headed shot that Dhawan did.
Vijay's shot was horrible. Plays so many dots and finally ends up chasing wide half volleys.
Weather it is test or ODI, you bring Kholi early to the crease, when ball is new, chances of him fail is 70+%. There is a reason he does not open in ODI and play one down in test, moving and jumping ball is his weakness. He is no Steve Smith or AB, we may discover that this year.
THIS is real cricket. Not the joke we play versus Lanka at Pallekele and Indore.
Steyn never came to India. But Rohit is a boss when batting in Asia. Even in ICC tournaments where the pitches are super flat.
If the pitch flattens out tomorrow, then Rohit can score runs. But he needs some luck in the first 10 overs of the 2nd day morning.
Conditions are suited for Rohit's style of batting. Expect a big score from him tomorrow.
How much does steyn average in India?
^ Clearly SA won Day-1.
If India were only 28-1, then it would have been even stevens. But losing Vijay and Kohli who are the Top3 makes this SA day.
Also, India are playing only 5 batsmen. Saha/Ashwin/Pandya can bat. But you cannot really trust them. If India has any hope of competing in this Test, then Saha/Pandya/Ashwin/Bhuvi needs to score at least 100-150 runs between them. Just like how SA batsmen did.
India has to somehow score 230-240 runs on this surface. Otherwise, they will lose this Test by 8 or 9 wickets.
South Africa 12/3 = Great batsmen.
India 28/3 = FTB's
Great logic by the usual suspects.
Still 59 away from saving the follow-on!
Nothing to worry 1st day of test match
India will have to see many phases like this if they like to win test series in SA
Can somebody tell Rohit that it's a 50-over game tomorrow, but with white clothing?
That's our only chance.
Surely, India can easily avoid the follow-on, can't they?
If India loses Pujara early tomorrow, then we can get bundled for 120 runs. Indian lower order and tail can wag. But can they do it in SA conditions? No sure.
Can somebody tell Rohit that it's a 50-over game tomorrow, but with white clothing?
That's our only chance.
I dont think follow on is an issue. India need to get within a 100 of SA's score to have a fighting chance in this test.
Making it an ODI match doesn't change the fact that he will be facing Morkel/Steyn/Rabada/Philander rather than Lakmal and company
Rohit has scored against Starc, Hazlewood in ODI's in Australia. Yes, the pitches are flat there unlike in SA. So the chances are grim.
Like [MENTION=132715]Varun[/MENTION] said, Rohit's only chance to score runs is if he starts treating this match as an ODI. If he clicks, then he will score super fast. Playing defense is not his stronger suit. He will get out sooner or later.
This pitch isn't that bad. They just played terrible shots.
If India loses Pujara early tomorrow, then we can get bundled for 120 runs. Indian lower order and tail can wag. But can they do it in SA conditions? No sure.
If Pujara and Rohit can put on a 100 run partnership like Faf and ABD did, then India will more than avoid follow on.
India should aim to be at 100-4 by lunch. Then the likes of Saha, Ashwin, Pandya and Kumar can push the score beyond 200.
The partnership between Sharma and Pujara will be the key here. They need to grind it out and endure the storm. If they survive the initial onslaught, then runs will flow in the post lunch session.
Lots of ifs there. My gut feeling is, India will be bundled out for 170.
Why are India playing half the team with T20 players?
One more wicket for SA and they are into the tail.![]()