India Vs. Australia - The second test

[fair_&_balance]

Check out highlights of first day play at http://foxsports.news.com.au/

[Zainub]

Totaly agree on Yuvraj Singh - his only place in the test side for me is in the middle order, I don't think he is a test opener.

[Nikhil]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

Totaly agree on Yuvraj Singh - his only place in the test side for me is in the middle order, I don't think he is a test opener.

I do not think he's a test player. May be I'm a bit annoyed, since he has replaced Akash Chopra, who has been treated very unfairly. Still, his flamboyance is not something India needs at the moment.

[fair_&_balance]

So far very mature batting by Kaif and Patel. India 322/6 ..A lead of 90 runs.

[Nikhil]

A very good session for India. They are looking good in the match now. A lead of 128 and three wickets still in hands.

Patel looked like a batsman (wish his wicket keeping was only as good) and Kaif is looking solid too. Kumble is providing the usual support. They have played really well to keep the pacers at bay. Ganguly and Laxman order should take some notice of this.

Let's see how it goes from here on. Aussies need some really quick wickets. If these two can bat for a little longer, Aussies will be a frustrated lot and that will help India while bowling.

[Nikhil]

A first inning's lead of 141. Kaif came to bat despite cramps, but ran like a fool, when he had a runner and got himself out. Anyways, it was a brave gesture.

I will not write Aussies out of the match yet, but it's a handy lead.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Nikhil

I do not think he's a test player. May be I'm a bit annoyed, since he has replaced Akash Chopra, who has been treated very unfairly. Still, his flamboyance is not something India needs at the moment.

Nikhil, agree, Chopra is a specialist opener who has no replacement in the Indian team and so should not be dropped so soon. Yuvraj on the other hand, can be replaced by Kaif, and vice versa. They are both not natural Test players but can work hard and get some runs as Kaif has just demonstrated... how did he get run out though?

[Maranello]

Gilchrist coming in at 1 down.... let's see if it works out...Not sure what the reason for demoting Katich is, since he is one of the better players of spin in the team!

[Shaka]

The one thing that Australia have going for them is that India will have to bat last so if the Aussies can score something like 350 there will be some pressure chasing around even 200 for an out of form Indian batting line up...although I would still expoect them to do it.

[Nikhil]

Boy! That was tense day of test cricket. Aussies lead by *nine* and have six wickets in hand.

Kumble has been the saviour for India. The wicket of Gilchrist should probably swing the match in India's favour.

Patel is proving out to be worse than I imagined. This lad does not know how to keep. He bats with gumption and application, but his wicket keeping is a downer.

All in all, a very tense day coming up tomorrow. If India can get a couple of quick wickets early they will be in the driving seat for sure. Aussies have not played quality spin convincingly, apart from one glorious partneship between Clarke and Gilchrist. Let's see how they play tomorrow on a wearing pitch.

IMO, the pitch is still not bad. Kaif and Patel proved it in the morning. It may bouce a little more unevenly, but still it's not an unplayable pitch.