India v South Africa, 2nd Test, Kolkata, Feb 14-18

SG wrote:This is the WR for the most number of wides bowled by a bowler in a Test match.

After lunch, it was funny seeing the bowlers bowl absolutely wide to Sehwag on the off and to Sachin away from the on. It was hilarious seeing a spinner being called for wide.


Sehwag must be kicked for the way he got out. The minute he lashed out at Duminy's first ball, it was written all over his face that he had made up his mind to throw his wicket away when stumps was just a few overs away. The next ball it was done. Laxman was really lucky he got dropped off the last ball before stumps and hope Kallis regrets it. There should have been more fielders in slips and close positions towards stumps with 2 guys in. Smith missed a trick there surely. The Saffies were too defensive throughout and it's really Sehwag's fault for opening the door for them.

Seeing Badri bat against Steyn was unnerving. The guy had absolutely no clue how to negotiate pace and swing. He was as comfortable that over as a cat on a hot tin roof. Two beautiful deliveries that swung in taking an inside edge each absolutely worked him up. he was lucky he got the bat in the way but didn't look like he had any judgement or technique to deal with it. I thought this guy won't survive 2 overs here. He didn't survive 2 balls from that moment. Steyn clearly knew where he needed to bowl after those 2 consecutive inside edges. This bugger won't make it.

Vijay looks like a test player but isn't grabbing opportunity with both hands. Badri I am afraid is not upto it.

The One wrote:what a f*cking legend. the man just goes on and on and on

hopefully he goes on to bat for another day at least. india should hope that they dont have to bat again in this match

Is this Sachin's 4th 100 in 4 consecutive tests?

I still can't get over Badri looking like a twat in he middle, a fish out of water. A guy with so much domestic experience couldn't conceal his nervousness and wore the 'wtf am I doing here playing tests' look right up his sleeve to give Steyn more than a sniff. Guy can't even show off a cool composure even if he isn't feeling cool. Nervous noob sounds right for him.

Vijay looks like a test player but isn't grabbing opportunity with both hands. Badri I am afraid is not upto it.

Sums it up. That's why the Badri innings didn't exactly thrill me last test, from what I had seen of him previously I sort of expected what happened today. Time to bring in Pujara, I think.

Oh and Viru is a legend.

Harris is woeful. Seriously woeful. It's amazing that the bloke is an unquestionable shoo-in. May as well be Ashley Giles.

Better fight by the Bharatians this time.

Harris bowled 24 overs for his wicket. Duminy only bowled one over for his. There really ought to be a lesson there for Smith.

Harris is crap - a right arm Batty.

srt at the start of the year

His body broke down time and again between 1999 and 2005. He even thought of quitting cricket in 2005. He said, “I still remember my first net session after recovering from tennis elbow. I hit three drives with all the power I had and in all three instances, the ball was stopped a few metres away from me by boys as old as 11. I told my wife Anjali that’s it... I am quitting.”

thank god he didnt!

For many it was quite obvious even a few years ago that Badri did not have it in him to suceed at this level. It was only Srikanth who could not see it. It is not as if Badri is even a youngster.

On the test itself I reckon it is danger time for India now. There is so much time left and the lead is paltry. The SA pacers could crash through this morning and then it will all be on the second innings. That being the case SA will be favourites.

badri has looked out of his depth everytime he has faced a touring xi iirc. but he deserved a chance on the weight of domestic runs.

id get pandey or kohli in....when is our next test series anyway?

hopefully MS and VVS can stick around and eke out a significant lead. expect our bowlers to get pumelled 2nd dig.

p.s sehwag + tendulkar = LEGENDS

Ash wrote:p.s sehwag + tendulkar = LEG ENDS

agree their leg ends are uncommonly short...hence their less than diminutive stature

If the pitch is supposed to start acting up on the 4th and the 5th day then I'd rather we play out today as far as is possible and get SA to do the bulk of their batting tomorrow.

Having said that, with 5 wickets down and facing Steyn et al (who must now be fresh and have a new game plan), I'd be satisfied if we make it to lunch, happy if it's tea.

Sehwag is an AMAZING batsman!

Red wrote:India well on top after the saffers choked AGAIN in India. Four tons to date with some poor batting around them but SA will surely rue letting Sehwag off the hook twice with poor fielding by players in uncustomary positions.

I won't say Ind are well on top, at 331-2 they were but now they are NOT.

The first hour will be crucial for both sides.

Steyn against Laxman.


That'll be the key battle.

Cricinfo:

The weather in Kolkata is pretty gloomy as there have been light showers around the city. The light isn't so hot either.

If Mishra can produce half the runs like he did against B'desh in nearly similar circumstances in the first test against them I think we may still go past 400 runs in this innings.

Swinging conditions imminent.

SA would love these conditions especially Steyn.

BTW, SA coach has defended Harris's tactics,

Corrie van Zyl, the South African coach, accepted Gould's decision but said his spinner suffered only because the ball was not turning. "You can see it as a negative line and the umpire did think so, too, and obviously those were called wides," he said.

Steyn v Laxman


The battle is on.

VVS has to suffer from this in almost all his innings.

Bat with the tail and ensure India scores a respectable total.

Not justified for someone as good as him.

What batting by VVS against world's best bowler!!

3 4s in a row.