New Zealand in India - 2010

Exactly, the spinner didn't know how to make use of the bounce and turn available. All Bhajji and Ojha have to do is take a look at Vettori. His bowling has been fantastic this series. Giving no room even for the likes of Sehwag with pinpoint accuracy and good variation of bounce and pace.

Yes true, India played as if they just wanted to get this series over with. Also Dhoni was very very defensive in this test match. It looked like, he is waiting for the Kiwis to push for a win. But shouldn't that be the other way, the top ranking team or the home team has the responsibility/pressure to push for a win.

Vettori's change of his pace from 77-99 KPH with that sort of accuracy is not something you see quite often.  Vettori's change of pace and accuracy is immaculate.  Even Sehwag couldn't damage him!

Originally posted by mystery It wont be a bad idea if Vettori opens the bowling specially against Sehwag.

So true. Vettori's never really been a big turner of the ball so bowling with the new ball shouldn't be a big problem. As it is, he's bowling 75% of the overs for NZ, might as well open.

Looks like the next test might have a delayed start. Indian batsmen will look to improve their strike rates and bowling while both teams are desperate for a win.

Edited by DRAVID FAN - 19 November 2010 at 3:46pm

The Indian bowlers and Dhoni, Gambhir, Raina under pressure for this game. People are unhappy that only 4 bowlers are playing for India but without Zaheer, 4 or 5, it's gonna make no difference.

NZ will be more confident in this match and will hope to carry that forward. If they bowl like the last game and set similar, tight fields backed up by their fantastic fielding, even Tendulkar and Dravid will have to work hard for their runs like last time.

Win toss: Probably bowl first because of overcast conditions. NZ got tight lines while for India Sreesanth has got a brilliant seam position but his and Sharma's consistency might give NZ batsmen some looseners just as the pressure if being built.

They have the air time sold - cricket or no cricket - why would it matter to the BCCI. Why bother drying the field Sam, it is no IPL match.

and Hopkins goes, 82/6, surely there will be better WKB than Hopkins in NZL, if there aren't then the standard I must say is very low! ... as I speak McCullum comes on to bat.

yes Mystery, he did bowl pretty well today but the track had something in it early on, it has to be said that this was perhaps a bad decision by Vettori, there was rain over the last few days obviously there was some moisture in the track and may be this was a bowl first pitch. However, they are saying that batting last here will be very difficult.

True. Wet outfield has always been a big problem in Indian pitches. I can't believe I waited until over midnight for it to start.

I think Nehra's being given rest as he's going to be in the World Cup squad. Not a bad idea, he should be back for the remaining matches.

India have bowled really well in this game and that is good to see... bowling NZL out for 193 gives them a great chance now to win this series and at 196/2 India looks well set for perhaps an innings win, although I think NZL will do slightly better in their 2nd innings.

Excellent performance by Ishant Sharma, just when everyone thought he is done!

 They will never play with 5 bowlers for a simple fact that they can't  afford it,ruins the combination unless you have a genuine allrounder.

India's strength lies in their batting, they wont compromise it by adding one more average bowler to their average bowling attack and rightly so.One should always play on his strength.

there will be three seamers in SAfrican conditions so no dilemma between Sree or Ishant .

harbhajan will be the spinner with Suresh Raina and Sachin giving him support if Sehwag doesn't recover from his shoulder injury which is prohibiting him from bowling.

India 356-5 with both Laxman and Raina failing. Dravid's still there on 87* with Dhoni on 23 in quick time. Dhoni hasn't starred for some time and with the pressure off maybe he'll take this match away from NZ completely.  

Dravid reaches yet another ton. Played well throughout. Struggle a bit in the late 80s and 90s because of some tight line and nervousness but he is looking more free now. Dhoni is looking aggressive and has kept the score board ticking nicely. The lead has almost reached 200 now.

Vettori has been bowling a tight line so far but isn't probing enough and the NZ seamers should be bowling a bit more full on such a slow surface.

zuhair_abbasi - I think Raina might get 1-2 chances more then Pujara should come in. Rather than wait for the top order to retire, let Pujara replace someone like Raina instead.

Edited by DRAVID FAN - 22 November 2010 at 5:59am

India have played like a true world no. 1 team in this game, so so dominant, NZL have found no answers really... may be they were charged up after two surprising draws. Only one result possible now and that is India winning, I can't see any team batting out 2 days, forget about NZL!!!