Will Sri Lanka create history by becoming the second Asian team to win a Test series in Australia?

[BreadPakoda]

Sri Lanka has been performing admirably in the recent past. They whitewashed Pakistan in UAE, utterly demolished SA at home, and pulled off a near-impossible 5th day draw against NZ. Will they create history by becoming the second Asian side to win a test series in Australia? Share your predictions/thoughts.

 

[Mamoon]

No chance. Australia is still very good at home but were undone by the best team in the world. It will be a miracle if they don’t get whitewashed.

 

[Hasan123]

Their bowling probably isn’t good enough to win the series. Australian batters should score enough runs. Also Starc and Hazlewood will surely return to form.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Without Australian batting leaders and the woeful form of post sandpaper Starc, Lankans do have a great chance. But Angelo is not there, I predict 1-1 if Sri Lanka wins at least one toss. Sad that Pakistan is not touring this time! We could have bagged an easy series win in the toughest country to tour..

 

[volcyz]

Sri Lanka will be absolutely destroyed

Expect a complete whitewash

 

[JattMaula]

Without Australian batting leaders and the woeful form of post sandpaper Starc, Lankans do have a great chance. But Angelo is not there, I predict 1-1 if Sri Lanka wins at least one toss. Sad that Pakistan is not touring this time! We could have bagged an easy series win in the toughest country to tour..

So your prediction is that SL will all the matches in which they win the toss?

 

[Stalin]

Without Australian batting leaders and the woeful form of post sandpaper Starc, Lankans do have a great chance. But Angelo is not there, I predict 1-1 if Sri Lanka wins at least one toss. Sad that Pakistan is not touring this time! We could have bagged an easy series win in the toughest country to tour..

You cannot say that when you just got white washed comprehensively by the weakest South African team since readmission even after getting to bat first 2/3 times on relatively favourable conditions .

You just cannot.

 

[Ab Fan]

No, SL are performing admirably good according to you after a 0-3 whitewash at home against England.

 

[Godhelpma]

They stand no chance to win a match , might draw a match provided Lankans win the toss.

 

[Varun]

If they had Sangakkara and Jayawardena and Muralitharan I would have given them a shot.

 

[Shandarchowka]

So your prediction is that SL will all the matches in which they win the toss?

Yes, please bookmark this post.

 

[Shandarchowka]

You cannot say that when you just got white washed comprehensively by the weakest South African team since readmission even after getting to bat first 2/3 times on relatively favourable conditions .

You just cannot.

Australia is in doldrums now without their batting leaders and India took advantage of the situation. Obvious, isn't it? South Africa had a good team and fielded a strong bowling attack and also prepared some tough pitches. Even India lost the series last year, right?

 

[BreadPakoda]

No chance. Australia is still very good at home but were undone by the best team in the world. It will be a miracle if they don’t get whitewashed.

Any idea about the Canberra pitch? Australia hasn't lost a match at Gabba in 30+ years. So that should give them a lot of comfort

 

[jagatk]

Without Australian batting leaders and the woeful form of post sandpaper Starc, Lankans do have a great chance. But Angelo is not there, I predict 1-1 if Sri Lanka wins at least one toss. Sad that Pakistan is not touring this time! We could have bagged an easy series win in the toughest country to tour..

A team that couldn't handle rookie spinners in uae will outplay aussie attack in australia, you lot really are delusional.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Without Australian batting leaders and the woeful form of post sandpaper Starc, Lankans do have a great chance. But Angelo is not there, I predict 1-1 if Sri Lanka wins at least one toss. Sad that Pakistan is not touring this time! We could have bagged an easy series win in the toughest country to tour..

Australia could field 9 players against and we would still find a way to lose.

Let's not think Pakistan a 7th ranked team can beat Australia in home, weak as they may be.

Sri Lanka is only marginally better than us in rankings and it is almost inconceivable they will get anything other than a thrashing, toss or no toss.

In fact, I hope Sri Lanka wins the toss in all the matches to demolish the myth that anyone can beat current Australia in Australia

 

[Stalin]

Australia is in doldrums now without their batting leaders and India took advantage of the situation. Obvious, isn't it? South Africa had a good team and fielded a strong bowling attack and also prepared some tough pitches. Even India lost the series last year, right?

Even if they are in "doldrums" or missing their batting leaders , they would have thrashed the headlights out of this pakistan test team irrespective of the toss. India were good enough to take advantage of that , which Pakistan are obviously not. And when you say that South Africa has fielded a strong bowling attack, you should also know that Australia have fielded theirs as well.

And coming to India losing in south Africa last year, we basically lost to a man named Ab de Villiers. If he was not there in that series, India would have surely won 2-1 atleast. He was literally half or more than half of the SAF batting line up and it was his batting that eventually made the difference.
If India would tour south Africa now, they will most likely win the test series and you lot would have made threads about "Would India have won the series if ABD and Morkel were still playing? "

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

No chance, after this series everyone will accept the fact that it was indian bowlers brilliance which made aussie batsman look weaker than they actually are.
Usman khwaja will be the top scorer.
Aus-2-0.
One innings victory

 

[Mamoon]

Any idea about the Canberra pitch? Australia hasn't lost a match at Gabba in 30+ years. So that should give them a lot of comfort

It is not a regular venue so it is hard to say, but if the recent ODIs are anything to go by, it appears to be a proper road.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

They can win a test provided they win the toss.It's going to be an interesting series.Their batting is pretty decent but bowling is very mediocre.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

That is not how cricket works. Yes Australian team is marginally weaker but Asian teams always struggle in SENA countries. Australia still have enough firepower to whitewash Lanka. India did not win the series due to a poor Australian side, they won because they are currently the best side in planet earth. The signs were already there from SA series which India lost only due to bad luck and gave Eng tough fight at home even with many key players injured.

Pakistan just got whitewashed againt the weakest SA side in history. SL will face the same fate as well.

 

[Bilal7]

Even if they are in "doldrums" or missing their batting leaders , they would have thrashed the headlights out of this pakistan test team irrespective of the toss. India were good enough to take advantage of that , which Pakistan are obviously not. And when you say that South Africa has fielded a strong bowling attack, you should also know that Australia have fielded theirs as well.

And coming to India losing in south Africa last year, we basically lost to a man named Ab de Villiers. If he was not there in that series, India would have surely won 2-1 atleast. He was literally half or more than half of the SAF batting line up and it was his batting that eventually made the difference.
If India would tour south Africa now, they will most likely win the test series and you lot would have made threads about "Would India have won the series if ABD and Morkel were still playing? "

So Australia lost to a guy named Pujara and not India? Okay. Hopefully, Pakistan can become the first Asian team to beat Australia in Australia later this year. However, they'll probably have more than one batsman by then so it'll be tough.

The logic is incredible.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Even if they are in "doldrums" or missing their batting leaders , they would have thrashed the headlights out of this pakistan test team irrespective of the toss. India were good enough to take advantage of that , which Pakistan are obviously not. And when you say that South Africa has fielded a strong bowling attack, you should also know that Australia have fielded theirs as well.

And coming to India losing in south Africa last year, we basically lost to a man named Ab de Villiers. If he was not there in that series, India would have surely won 2-1 atleast. He was literally half or more than half of the SAF batting line up and it was his batting that eventually made the difference.
If India would tour south Africa now, they will most likely win the test series and you lot would have made threads about "Would India have won the series if ABD and Morkel were still playing? "

So you agree that a single batsman can have a series turning impact? Glad you agreed. Now imagine the 2 of the top 5 batsmen of world cricket missing out on Indian series. Obviously Australia would've won!

You have contradicted yourself in the last paragraph. In the second one you state ABD was the difference and in the last one you say just the opposite. At least be consistent in what you want to say.

 

[Bilal7]

Probably not, given that their bowlers' lack of skill will make-up for Australia's lack of batsmen. However, England, South Africa, Pakistan and New Zealand would all beat the current Australian side in Australia. Provided they win at least half of the tosses at least.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Australia could field 9 players against and we would still find a way to lose.

Let's not think Pakistan a 7th ranked team can beat Australia in home, weak as they may be.

Sri Lanka is only marginally better than us in rankings and it is almost inconceivable they will get anything other than a thrashing, toss or no toss.

In fact, I hope Sri Lanka wins the toss in all the matches to demolish the myth that anyone can beat current Australia in Australia

Last time Pakistan toured, we were defeated by Steve Smith, David Warner and a firing Starc. We even threatened to win a game. With those 3 factors missing, why are you sounding so defeatist? I hope Pakistani players don't have the same attitude of some of our countrymen!

 

[Shandarchowka]

What if your prediction fails again just like the Asia Cup one?

Maybe it might, so what? I stated something that should happen in an ideal world if everything goes as expected. Of course the prediction could be wrong but the principle of my statement is not wrong.

 

[Bilal7]

Last time Pakistan toured, we were defeated by Steve Smith, David Warner and a firing Starc. We even threatened to win a game. With those 3 factors missing, why are you sounding so defeatist? I hope Pakistani players don't have the same attitude of some of our countrymen!

Azhar loved batted there last time around and Shafiq got rund as well. South Africa is a far, far more difficult place to win test matches in, currently.

This is taking nothing away from India though. They played very well and have one of the best pace attacks in the world.

 

[Gullycricket]

Don't think so.Aussies have removed the dead wood and brought in some good talent like Renshaw,Burns.Walking wickets like Finch,Marsh brothers are not there

 

[Shandarchowka]

Azhar loved batted there last time around and Shafiq got rund as well. South Africa is a far, far more difficult place to win test matches in, currently.

This is taking nothing away from India though. They played very well and have one of the best pace attacks in the world.

Bolded part - Exactly my point.

Credit where it's due.. Bumrah really bowled well.

However, winning in Australia now isn't the same as winning in Australia even 2 years back. Pakistan have found a good core in batting now and will truly challenge current Australia in Australia. Even Azhar may find it easy to score on flattish Aussie tracks. Heck we might even win a match or two if tosses go our way.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Last time Pakistan toured, we were defeated by Steve Smith, David Warner and a firing Starc. We even threatened to win a game. With those 3 factors missing, why are you sounding so defeatist? I hope Pakistani players don't have the same attitude of some of our countrymen!

Better teams of Pakistan have gone to Australia and lost.

I am being logical here.

There is no chance of us winning anything with Sarfi and company.

 

[BDfanforever]

Some chance if they still had Herath. Other than that they don't have pacers or batsman like CA Pujara to match India.

However, they have been playing good with exception of drubbing they received from Eng at home.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Better teams of Pakistan have gone to Australia and lost.

I am being logical here.

There is no chance of us winning anything with Sarfi and company.

No Doctor, you're being too generous to India here. Better teams of Pakistan have faced the best teams of Australia and lost. Unlike India who haven't had to face McGrath and Warne in 2003-04, Smith and Warner in 2018-19 (both the faults of Australia's own doing admittedly), Pakistan always faced the best Aussie teams and still managed to compete and run them close on the field. What makes you think the current Pakistan bowlers can't really knock over the likes of Marsh brothers, rookie Harris, and Khawaja in helpful conditions? Pakistan has done well even in 2010 (and lost because of reasons only a certain Akmal would know) when there was no hope and only despair. I fully expect the current Pakistani team to do really well against a weakened Australia in Australia.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

A phainta is coming up for SLankans.

India won because they can get 20 wickets with their classy bowling attack.

I don't see their bowlers getting Aussies out.

 

[Balthazar]

No. No other Asian teams, besides India, have the capability to win in Australia.

 

[Stalin]

Yes, whitewashed but still managing to hold their own. There's more to it than what scorecards suggest. Pakistan could have easily won at least few of those games.

Yes. Even India could have easily won both the England and Australia test series in 2011. But they did not.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Yes, whitewashed but still managing to hold their own. There's more to it than what scorecards suggest. Pakistan could have easily won at least few of those games.

In which whitewash Pak were the most impressive and in which they performed the worst?

 

[MenInG]

thread about asian teams in Australia ONLY.

 

[Rahul1]

No Doctor, you're being too generous to India here. Better teams of Pakistan have faced the best teams of Australia and lost. Unlike India who haven't had to face McGrath and Warne in 2003-04, Smith and Warner in 2018-19 (both the faults of Australia's own doing admittedly), Pakistan always faced the best Aussie teams and still managed to compete and run them close on the field. What makes you think the current Pakistan bowlers can't really knock over the likes of Marsh brothers, rookie Harris, and Khawaja in helpful conditions? Pakistan has done well even in 2010 (and lost because of reasons only a certain Akmal would know) when there was no hope and only despair. I fully expect the current Pakistani team to do really well against a weakened Australia in Australia.

Lol. Got whitewashed by a South African team with no AB, Morkel and Ngidi. No Philander in the first test and no Faf in the third test but will somehow defeat Australia in Australia.

 

[Stalin]

Some chance if they still had Herath. Other than that they don't have pacers or batsman like CA Pujara to match India.

However, they have been playing good with exception of drubbing they received from Eng at home.

Tests are in Canberra and Brisbane. Herath would have done jack on these wickets, even if he had played.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Some chance if they still had Herath. Other than that they don't have pacers or batsman like CA Pujara to match India.

However, they have been playing good with exception of drubbing they received from Eng at home.

India had also whitewashed them at home last year
Though they whitewashed Pak in UAE just after that

 

[Dr_Bassim]

No Doctor, you're being too generous to India here. Better teams of Pakistan have faced the best teams of Australia and lost. Unlike India who haven't had to face McGrath and Warne in 2003-04, Smith and Warner in 2018-19 (both the faults of Australia's own doing admittedly), Pakistan always faced the best Aussie teams and still managed to compete and run them close on the field. What makes you think the current Pakistan bowlers can't really knock over the likes of Marsh brothers, rookie Harris, and Khawaja in helpful conditions? Pakistan has done well even in 2010 (and lost because of reasons only a certain Akmal would know) when there was no hope and only despair. I fully expect the current Pakistani team to do really well against a weakened Australia in Australia.

I didn't bring India into my discussion because I am not looking at what others are doing and not doing but I am gauging the strengths of the teams in question, which include Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The thread is related to how Sri Lanka and how it would perform, but since you included Pakistan, which is languishing at the bottom end of rankings table, I had to respond to you, otherwise I tend to ignore most posts and posters which are borderline outlandish, because I believe they are either trolling or not bothering to look at facts.

Sri Lanka does not have the bowlers to get 20 wickets in Australia. You need good fast bowlers and Sri Lankan trundlers will not trouble Australia, toss or not. That's why I stick to my words, that Sri Lanka could win all the tosses but still won't be able to get anything out of a Down Under trip.

Regarding, Pakistan, the story is a bit different. We couldn't even manage to sweep Australia in UAE when the ignominious Paine managed to stick out a whole day in the desert with his defensive skills, we lost to NZ in the Desert ( I know people say it should've been 2-1 to Pakistan , but could have, would have, should have are terms made to appease the emotionally distressing result and I deal in cold, hard facts), and if we had won something in South Africa, you might have given Australia a shout. But we lost there 3-0 too.

We have been on a losing run winning only one Test Series in Australia, that too 1-0 over the last 6 months, so much so, that our ranking has deteriorated to 7th only better than WI and Bangladesh because we have not been WINNING.

Which is why when I say we won't win in Australia, it's not based on defeatist attitude or mentality, but based on cold, hard facts that I have seen over the last 06 months. Anything else is a mere whiff or imaginary stuff which is not based on facts or any substance.

India doing well or not doing well, is not my concern and I will not address it in a topic which is focused on Sri Lanka, and a pretentious Pakistan somehow winning in Australia after failing for 20 years.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Yes. Even India could have easily won both the England and Australia test series in 2011. But they did not.

Yeah, just the year before the famous 0-8 whitewashes the "minnow" Pakistan came close to wining against the same Australia team only for the worst wicketkeeper of all time to just drop the test for reasons everyone can speculate. It's the same if it makes you happy.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Sri Lanka will easily win the series, if their bowlers perform the way they did against NZ.
With Steve Rixon as their fielding coach, i’d expect some sort improvements. Sri Lanka’s fielding has been at the level of U-15’s.
Their batting is too reliant on Mathews, but it’s not as bad as Australia’s and Pakistan’s.

 

[Stalin]

Yeah, just the year before the famous 0-8 whitewashes the "minnow" Pakistan came close to wining against the same Australia team only for the worst wicketkeeper of all time to just drop the test for reasons everyone can speculate. It's the same if it makes you happy.

Not our problem.

 

[Pakhs]

I think they can do it, This Srilankan team is not great but this Australian side is the worst for a long time.

 

[Pakhs]

That is not how cricket works. Yes Australian team is marginally weaker but Asian teams always struggle in SENA countries. Australia still have enough firepower to whitewash Lanka. India did not win the series due to a poor Australian side, they won because they are currently the best side in planet earth. The signs were already there from SA series which India lost only due to bad luck and gave Eng tough fight at home even with many key players injured.

Pakistan just got whitewashed againt the weakest SA side in history. SL will face the same fate as well.

India did win the series because Australia was weaker they won 2-1 so still managed to lose a test to this weak Australian side. The margin of 2-1 suggest if Warner and Smith were playing it would have been at-least a drawn series. But India is better than Srilanka and Pakistan so were able to take advantage of Weaker Australian side thats the credit they deserve.

 

[gh54785]

Just because India won in Australia few have been deluded into thinking their team too can can trounce this Australian side. Pffff....India won because they have probably the best current pace attack alongside SA who are capable of constantly taking 20 wickets on any surface. Currently no other asian team has a proper no.3 like CA Pujara who can bat on days end and grind the opposition to dust. Pakistan struggled against this same australian side with key bowlers rested, were soundly thrashed by NZ in their own backyard and got whitewashed by a second string SA squad even after winning 2/3 tosses. So don't see any other asian team winning in down under atleast in this decade.

 

[gh54785]

India did win the series because Australia was weaker they won 2-1 so still managed to lose a test to this weak Australian side. The margin of 2-1 suggest if Warner and Smith were playing it would have been at-least a drawn series. But India is better than Srilanka and Pakistan so were able to take advantage of Weaker Australian side thats the credit they deserve.

Series scoreline was 2-1 just because rain played spoilsport in the last 2 days of 4th test. India was well on their way to win 3-1. I do agree that Smith and Warner would have made a difference but if a side can't win a home series spanning over 4 tests just because 2 of their batsmen were missing then they deserved to get thrashed like they did.

 

[Pakhs]

Just because India won in Australia few have been deluded into thinking their team too can can trounce this Australian side. Pffff....India won because they have probably the best current pace attack alongside SA who are capable of constantly taking 20 wickets on any surface. Currently no other asian team has a proper no.3 like CA Pujara who can bat on days end and grind the opposition to dust. Pakistan struggled against this same australian side with key bowlers rested, were soundly thrashed by NZ in their own backyard and got whitewashed by a second string SA squad even after winning 2/3 tosses. So don't see any other asian team winning in down under atleast in this decade.

What you on about second string SA? This was their first choice batting line up actually steyn only played one match against India and Faf himself admitted they rested their main bowlers for the 3rd test against India and wont commit same mistake against Pakistan. India is better than Srilanka and Pakistan so they were best place out of the three to take advantage of week Australian team.

 

[Pakhs]

Series scoreline was 2-1 just because rain played spoilsport in the last 2 days of 4th test. India was well on their way to win 3-1. I do agree that Smith and Warner would have made a difference but if a side can't win a home series spanning over 4 tests just because 2 of their batsmen were missing then they deserved to get thrashed like they did.

Those were their best 2 by a massive margin. And tbh even when they were in the team its was them who were doing most of the work in the batting so its not surprising. But the tall claims Indians are making here that they are the best side in the world because they beat this week Australian side are just stupid. Pakistan have their weakest test side for a long time, Srilanka similar and India are better than both of them we knew that even before Australian series.

India would have been the best side in the world if they beat England 2-1 away. But they lost 4-1.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Those were their best 2 by a massive margin. And tbh even when they were in the team its was them who were doing most of the work in the batting so its not surprising. But the tall claims Indians are making here that they are the best side in the world because they beat this week Australian side are just stupid. Pakistan have their weakest test side for a long time, Srilanka similar and India are better than both of them we knew that even before Australian series.

India would have been the best side in the world if they beat England 2-1 away. But they lost 4-1.

Simple question :
Which team is the best in the world?

 

[gh54785]

Simple question :
Which team is the best in the world?

The one who performs better than all other teams..oh wait...that's India.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Depends.

India played an Australian team that didnt feature the following :-

1. Smith
2. Warner
3. Bancroft
4. Maxwell
6. Pattinson

Besides the pitches were very un Aussie in fact the most unaussie pitches India would have ever encountered in Australia.

If Sri Lanka are also lucky to get it all going their way they have a clear chances of registering an easy win against the worst ever Aussie team in 200 years.

 

[Pakhs]

Simple question :
Which team is the best in the world?

The one who performs better than all other teams..oh wait...that's India.

In the last year England has performed better and are unbeaten. They have also beaten India 4-1. SA and India are on par both cant beat each other away.

 

[gh54785]

Depends.

India played an Australian team that didnt feature the following :-

1. Smith
2. Warner
3. Bancroft
4. Maxwell
6. Pattinson

Besides the pitches were very un Aussie in fact the most unaussie pitches India would have ever encountered in Australia.

If Sri Lanka are also lucky to get it all going their way they have a clear chances of registering an easy win against the worst ever Aussie team in 200 years.

You keep on mentioning Bancroft on every other thread as if he was second born of Bradman, an 8 match rookie averaging 30. And btw what stopped CA from including Maxwell and Pattinson on wait both them haven't played for the australian test side in 2 years. Its laughable how riled up you get and can't seem digest the fact that India have outplayed the ozzies plain and simple.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Sri Lanka will easily win the series, if their bowlers perform the way they did against NZ.
With Steve Rixon as their fielding coach, i’d expect some sort improvements. Sri Lanka’s fielding has been at the level of U-15’s.
Their batting is too reliant on Mathews, but it’s not as bad as Australia’s and Pakistan’s.

Getting smashed for 550 twice in 3 innings does not exactly count as performing.

 

[Stalin]

In the last year England has performed better and are unbeaten. They have also beaten India 4-1. SA and India are on par both cant beat each other away.

Lol

Lost ( read thrashed) 4-0 in Ashes lost 1-0 (including a patchetic 57 all out) vs New Zealand, dropped a test to a 7th ranked mediocre pakistan team that too at home. Delusion at it's best. Apparently, logic is taking a serious hit here at PP to compensate for the burn that the Indian test team is giving them .

 

[Canford Cliffs]

India did win the series because Australia was weaker they won 2-1 so still managed to lose a test to this weak Australian side. The margin of 2-1 suggest if Warner and Smith were playing it would have been at-least a drawn series. But India is better than Srilanka and Pakistan so were able to take advantage of Weaker Australian side thats the credit they deserve.

Australia was playing at home with full strength bowling attack. So they were far from being a weak team. Missing 2 key batsman is a big thing in away tours but it gets mitigated in home series. For example, I expect India to beat any cricket team at home without Kohli and Pujara (our 2 main batsman). SA were also missing many of its key players, including captain in last test...yet they whitewashed Pakistan because they were playing at home.

India won in Australia because they are the best test team in the world at present. They would hv also won in SA had toss luck gone their way. This same Australian team will beat most Asian sides in their own den.

#TeamIndia #BestTeamInPlanetEarth

 

[Pakhs]

Lol

Lost ( read thrashed) 4-0 in Ashes lost 1-0 (including a patchetic 57 all out) vs New Zealand, dropped a test to a 7th ranked mediocre pakistan team that too at home. Delusion at it's best. Apparently, logic is taking a serious hit here at PP to compensate for the burn that the Indian test team is giving them .

That 4-0 thrashing is not this year and New Zealand was before they humiliated India badly as No.1 ranked team. what does that say about India?

 

[WengerOut]

Lol

Lost ( read thrashed) 4-0 in Ashes lost 1-0 (including a patchetic 57 all out) vs New Zealand, dropped a test to a 7th ranked mediocre pakistan team that too at home. Delusion at it's best. Apparently, logic is taking a serious hit here at PP to compensate for the burn that the Indian test team is giving them .

Wait for them to change the narrative to NZ being the best team.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Even if Australia play their C team they will win 2-0 because they outmatch Sri Lanka in both departments. Their bowlers don't know how to bowl on these pitches, they seriously lack in pace and don't know how to bowl consistent lines. And although their batsmen are better I don't see them scoring many runs against Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins, Lyon.

 

[Pakhs]

Australia was playing at home with full strength bowling attack. So they were far from being a weak team. Missing 2 key batsman is a big thing in away tours but it gets mitigated in home series. For example, I expect India to beat any cricket team at home without Kohli and Pujara (our 2 main batsman). SA were also missing many of its key players, including captain in last test...yet they whitewashed Pakistan because they were playing at home.

India won in Australia because they are the best test team in the world at present. They would hv also won in SA had toss luck gone their way. This same Australian team will beat most Asian sides in their own den.

#TeamIndia #BestTeamInPlanetEarth

Well these if and buts dont count. Fact is India lost to both teams who didst have there main players banned and incidentally both those teams are anyways better even if Australia get their main players back.
Regarding Asian teams definitely Pakistan and Srilanka test teams are well below par we didn't need India to win in Australia for us to know if India is better than them.

 

[gh54785]

That 4-0 thrashing is not this year and New Zealand was before they humiliated India badly as No.1 ranked team. what does that say about India?

It says that India performed poorly in England but then if away wins are a criteria than what does it say about other teams? Have they been better than India?

 

[WengerOut]

That 4-0 thrashing is not this year and New Zealand was before they humiliated India badly as No.1 ranked team. what does that say about India?

Last year, they did not play India in India. Last time they played, they were thrashed 4-0 despite winning 90% tosses. They lost to I did 100% after losing toss.

 

[Pakhs]

Wait for them to change the narrative to NZ being the best team.

England thrashed India 4-1 where is your argument anyway? NZ can also beat India at home but they are not good enough to win in England and Australia so just below India.

 

[Pakhs]

It says that India performed poorly in England but then if away wins are a criteria than what does it say about other teams? Have they been better than India?

NO they have not, but England have won in Australia many times and they beat SA in SA. They have also won in India not that long ago as well as Srilanka.

 

[WengerOut]

NO they have not, but England have won in Australia many times and they beat SA in SA. They have also won in India not that long ago as well as Srilanka.

Now changing the "last year" criteria huh

 

[Pakhs]

Last year, they did not play India in India. Last time they played, they were thrashed 4-0 despite winning 90% tosses. They lost to I did 100% after losing toss.

I am talking in just last 12 months as things can change quickly. India has only beaten the weakest Australian side. And their loss 4-1 is enough o say right now England is best side.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Depends.

India played an Australian team that didnt feature the following :-

1. Smith
2. Warner
3. Bancroft
4. Maxwell
6. Pattinson

Besides the pitches were very un Aussie in fact the most unaussie pitches India would have ever encountered in Australia.

If Sri Lanka are also lucky to get it all going their way they have a clear chances of registering an easy win against the worst ever Aussie team in 200 years.

Your first criteria gets satisfied as none of the 5/6 mentioned seem to be returning for this series.

Coming to the second criteria, how do you define un-Aussie pitches? The ones which don't bounce, aid spin, etc.?

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Well these if and buts dont count. Fact is India lost to both teams who didst have there main players banned and incidentally both those teams are anyways better even if Australia get their main players back.
Regarding Asian teams definitely Pakistan and Srilanka test teams are well below par we didn't need India to win in Australia for us to know if India is better than them.

The only person doing ifs and buts is you brother. If Warner was there...if Smith was there...xyz would hv happened. The fact is, being the greatest team with the best seam bowling attack and an ATG batting line up, India would hv won anyway in Australia. Such is team India's class.

But when we toured SA, we were given minefield where batting at 4th innings were impossible. So it was literally win the toss and win the match. India won toss in only once and comprehensively won that game too. So its safe to say, had toss luck had gone India's way...they would hv won the series. Its a fact and not ifs and buts.

Team India is the best team in earth and thats all you need to know

 

[Pakhs]

Now changing the "last year" criteria huh

That was in reply of someone talking historical performances. which doesn't count in current best side discussion.

 

[Stalin]

That 4-0 thrashing is not this year and New Zealand was before they humiliated India badly as No.1 ranked team. what does that say about India?

Of course it's not this year , it was in 2018 and we're in 2019.

Humiliated? You call the thing Proteas did to you recently as humiliating ( where they thrashed you even after batting last on 2/3 occasions) , not the one where a team competes for 5 days in every test match and were unfortunate to lose toss On all occasions and still competed like how a no.1 team should in difficult conditions.

 

[Pakhs]

The only person doing ifs and buts is you brother. If Warner was there...if Smith was there...xyz would hv happened. The fact is, being the greatest team with the best seam bowling attack and an ATG batting line up, India would hv won anyway in Australia. Such is team India's class.

But when we toured SA, we were given minefield where batting at 4th innings were impossible. So it was literally win the toss and win the match. India won toss in only once and comprehensively won that game too. So its safe to say, had toss luck had gone India's way...they would hv won the series. Its a fact and not ifs and buts.

Team India is the best team in earth and thats all you need to know

I dont think they are the best as both SA and England have beaten them in recent times. Yes they are better than Australia.

 

[WengerOut]

That was in reply of someone talking historical performances. which doesn't count in current best side discussion.

What is the time frame for "current"?

 

[BreadPakoda]

Guna-Karun opening partnership will be critical. As India saw, openers can make or break your innings in Australia. Would be great for Lanka if Chandimal and Mendis keep getting runs.

 

[Pakhs]

Of course it's not this year , it was in 2018 and we're in 2019.

Humiliated? You call the thing Proteas did to you recently as humiliating ( where they thrashed you even after batting last on 2/3 occasions) , not the one where a team competes for 5 days in every test match and were unfortunate to lose toss On all occasions and still competed like how a no.1 team should in difficult conditions.

4-1 is competing? Man stop joking.

 

[Markhor]

As usual thread veers off into another boring Pak v Ind debate. Don't know how guys have the stamina for this daily routine.

As for the topic - Sri Lanka don't have the bowling to take 20 wickets. Their three seamers Lakmal, Chameera and Kumara don't even have bowling averages below 35.

They also need to find an opening partner for Karunaratne.

 

[Pakhs]

What is the time frame for "current"?

Well its your choice but for me England have the best performances in recent times followed by India. India have basically won one away series against weekend Australia in last whatever years England have won many. And since they have beaten India 4-1 just recently they are the best side.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

I dont think they are the best as both SA and England have beaten them in recent times. Yes they are better than Australia.

Both SA and Eng were playing at home. India had whitewashed both teams also when they toured India. Atleast India gave better fight in their home and didn't fold like they did in India. Remember, Jayant Yadav of all people raised havoc against England

Also the rankings clearly suggest, India is the best test team. Its high time...you try to accept it too. I know it hurts...especially when your team languishing at 7th rank but give credit where due.

 

[Pakhs]

Both SA and Eng were playing at home. India had whitewashed both teams also when they toured India. Atleast India gave better fight in their home and didn't fold like they did in India. Remember, Jayant Yadav of all people raised havoc against England

Also the rankings clearly suggest, India is the best test team. Its high time...you try to accept it too. I know it hurts...especially when your team languishing at 7th rank but give credit where due.

I dont worry about my team as they are well below par at the moment and not playing at home. England have returned the favor to India anyway by someone like Sam Curran a debutant spanking the bowlers around. And they have done better overseas over all than India.

 

[Stalin]

4-1 is competing? Man stop joking.

A few of your countrymen have claimed that Pakistan's legendary 12-0 test record in Australia since 1996 is competitive.

Now tell me who is joking?