Can't say this collapse was totally unexpected. Viru got out playing the way he was playing, Gambhir's return to 'form' was against NZ so that wouldn't have counted for much. Dravid and Sachin got good deliveries, Laxman inexplicably missed a straight one, Raina struggled, and the tail folded.
Sachin was playing with the right mindsight on this wicket, attacking from the start. On this sort of surface you are bounce to get an unplayable delivery now and then, you might as well score as much as you can while you're in there. Dravid was playing his natural game and got a good one.
This is why Viru will be so crucial, as will Laxman. They score quickly while they're in. Dravid might underperform, and I expect Gambhir and Raina to struggle a lot. Hopefully they won't.
We might need to get Pujara in for the next match
And Unadkat playing...sigh. We do love ruining young fast bowling talent, don't we. Here's praying he bowls well and comes out of this test match without any mental scars.
Also...Sreesanth and Ishant need to click from ball one. Can't afford them bowling one of their rubbish spells till they find their radar if we're going to win or draw this.
Bhajji will like the bounce on offer.
