Tournment Ends

[aussie1st]

Poor Mathews, didn't need to take that risk with only 1 more run to get.
India now have a similar start and I don't see their batters collapsing like SL's did.

 

[pcfan123]

Whats the pitch playing like?

 

[CaptainOZ]

Argh.... Cricinfo has been horribly slow today. It's been stuck on 16.4 overs for 5 minutes now..

 

[sohum]

Maybe with the retirements of legends like Dravid and Tendulkar, Sehwag can be pushed down the order with Vijay-Gambhir being our specialist openers (if Vijay can prove himself).

Until and unless Sehwag fails for an extended period of time at the opening position, we should not move him around. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[SaiSrini]

Whats the pitch playing like?

He he... Take a chill pill man! The pitch is a sporting one and provides assistance for seamers and spinners alike. Sehwag and Vijay have batted very well to take India to where they are right now. Esp. Sehwag is in scintillating form.

Vijay looks very very good. Would love to see him go on and make a big one here. That last ball off Murali, BEAUTY for four! Since Sehwag is still in there, our run rate is 5+ per over now and its test cricket.

 

[CaptainOZ]

Well that's lunch and although I'm happy to see Sehwag reach a 50, I'm very impressed with this Vijay - looks like he's got some talent.

 

[sohum]

Whats the pitch playing like?

Seems pretty true, which is expected from a 2nd day pitch. Today and tomorrow will probably be the best batting conditions. Herath hasn't got that much spin yet. There was some seam movement with the new ball but the Sri Lankan bowlers didn't bowl it in consistent areas.

 

[SaiSrini]

Until and unless Sehwag fails for an extended period of time at the opening position, we should not move him around. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

What if the retirements of the seniors leaves a big hole in the middle order that becomes hard to fill? Laxman and Sehwag are similar in the sense that both have flaw in their techniques but they are so stylish to watch (Laxman has so much patience whereas Sehwag can quickly rush to a substantial score before one starts knowing it).

 

[CaptainOZ]

What if the retirements of the seniors leaves a big hole in the middle order that becomes hard to fill? Laxman and Sehwag are similar in the sense that both have flaw in their techniques but they are so stylish to watch (Laxman has so much patience whereas Sehwag can quickly rush to a substantial score before one starts knowing it).

I love that about Sehwag... it seems as though the innings only started 5 minutes ago and he can already be 40-odd. He's a runs machine.

 

[SaiSrini]

Seems pretty true, which is expected from a 2nd day pitch. Today and tomorrow will probably be the best batting conditions. Herath hasn't got that much spin yet. There was some seam movement with the new ball but the Sri Lankan bowlers didn't bowl it in consistent areas.

Yeah... This is definitely not a 'dull' pitch. It has some good life in it.

In all this, forgot to mention that Ojha has had a very good start to his test career. He has bowled very well and has combined well with Bhajji (who has started bowling well since Kanpur where Ojha joined him). Ojha has 7 wickets in 3 innings now. He is definitely expected to add a lot more to that when SL's 2nd innings come (on a turning pitch).

 

[TumTum]

Tap boundaries are just stupid

For a similar shot I will struggle to even find a single.

 

[sohum]

What if the retirements of the seniors leaves a big hole in the middle order that becomes hard to fill? Laxman and Sehwag are similar in the sense that both have flaw in their techniques but they are so stylish to watch (Laxman has so much patience whereas Sehwag can quickly rush to a substantial score before one starts knowing it).

A large part of Sehwag's runs are scored at the beginning of his innings. He relies on the hard new ball and since he goes hard at it, it goes quick to the boundary. Pushing him down the middle order wouldn't allow him to do that. Additionally, Sehwag coming in at around 20/2 wouldn't be the same as Sehwag opening. He would have to change his natural game. Right now, Sehwag goes into bat at 0/0 and he doesn't really have to alter his game unless India is in a whole.

 

[SaiSrini]

Really enjoying Vijay's knock here. Technically very solid player! Very good for being an opener. He just needs a 50 or a 100 to make people take him more seriously

Sehwag hits a SIX! This is terrific batting from India. Its just so entertaining to watch with Sehwag blasting and Vijay showing class

Edit: Superb SIX from Vijay off Muralitharan to reach his maiden international 50! Man, this boy is really good and dare I say, he is destined for bigger things.

 

[sohum]

Vijay brings up his first Test 50 with a massive six off Murali.

I'm hoping to hang around till Sehwag gets a hundred, if he does so...

 

[yashwanth kumar]

Superb partnership b/t Vijay & Sehwag congrats both for there 50's