A few silver-ish linings in the dark clouds of Bangalore . .

[Zainub]

Agreed in every possible respect.

Just a question on Parthiv Patel though - I'm wondering , there is talk about promoting him to bat at 1 or 2, but surely this can't be a permenant option?You cannot expect the young man to be not intimidated by the likes of Dizzy and Pigeon bowling at him with a brand new cherry in their hands. I know he did a good job against us when he had to face Shoaib and Sami but in more than a few ways McGrath and Gillespie will be a different proposition altogether - not to forget the Aussie fielders are much more vocal than ours. He will have a hard time I don't doubt it. And this can't be a permanent option? Can you see Parthiv opening the innings say 2 years down the line, do you think Parthiv opening vs. Aus in Aus at a fast bouncy track with success, vs. England in England against Harmison and Hoggard , vs. South Africa in South Africa against Pollock and Ntitni - Parthiv Patel is talented lad, with lots of grit, but he is not an opener that you cannot experiment with at the highest levels and expect results at a consistent basis. That is unfair on him.

I also think Yuvraj Singh should not be asked to opening the innings, he is tentative outside his off stump, and twice he has been dismissed caught behind in the test match playing at deliveries he should have left alone. I have a hunch Yuvraj may be dropped in favor of Kaif for the next test match, though that is a decision one feels that might only be made on the morning of the test match, perhaps dependent on whethar Tendulkar passes the fitness test or not.

[Nikhil]

Tendulkar is certainly not fit. So, Kaif is likely to play IMO. Now, opening the batting with Parthiv is a tricky, if not stupid move. If he becomes a sitting duck for the Aussie opening pair, India will lose the match and that will mean curtains on the series.

I think the opening pair should be persisted with and Yuvraj should go in favour of Kaif. Also, Agarkar should come in for Zaheer. These are the only changes, which I would recommend.

[fair_&_balance]

Suggest whatever you guys can but knowing the strong minded Ganguly is I would be suprised if anything will change except for Sachin's comeback. Any major changes will probably happen in 3rd test.He is going to stick with same eleven.

Talking for Agarkar we are reading too much into Agarkar's success in Australia.Australian wicket suit his style of bolwing.he has been success in both his tours there. But his success cannot be attributed to Australian's inability to play him.Rather it was due to those wickets.On Indian wicket Agarakr will always struggle and will be hit all over the park. In that case I dont wana see Indian bowl with only three bowlers.

[Shaka]

Agree about Agarkar, he is not the answer. If the pitch has more bounce this time maybe Zaheer will exploit it better. The key to India's chances are the batsmen putting some runs on the board to give the spinners something to work with.