I agree personally I don't think there is much between the two sides at all but England after Lords have played to their strengths and got a bit of confidence back whereas India never learn their lesson.

Until we find a frontline fast seamer who is capable of bowling quick and picking up wickets regularly India will never be a force in test cricket - ever. Varun Aaron has to improve his lines because he could be that man.

The first change India should make is to move Ashwin up the order, has looked one of the most accomplished batsman on both sides. I personally think Jadeja isn't good enough, as you say India need to drop him and then decide whether they will play a specialist bowler or batsman not some mediocre player who is supposedly an all rounder but can't bat or bowl particularly well.

2017 India have another 5 test series, bully boys again, Sri Lanka only got 2 tests, we wanted another test to see the great Sangakarra, who almost has 12,000 runs with an average of 59.12! Don't deserve 5 games, only Australia and South Africa do.

As for Kohli, he needs to decide whether he has the real hunger to play long term international test cricket. If so he needs to go abroad and get some practice at county level against the seaming swinging bowling you see here, South Africa and Australia. He has looked inept this series.

Other than that I don't think there is too much wrong with the side. Vijay and Pujara are class batsman and will improve.

Ashwin is a better cricketer than Jadeja in all departments. What has been the logic in playing Jadeja?

Wetherby you don't half talk rubbish - India don't "deserve" to play a 5 match series against England despite it being 2-1 in the series but England "deserve" to play 5 against the Aussies after being trashed 5-0 only a while ago. Short memories I suppose. The ECB are loving this series against India as guess what - they're getting paid well from all concerned when India come to town.

Neo the problem is Dhoni going defensive all the time: he didn't think himself, Jadeja, Ashwin and Kumar was good enough at the Ageas Bowl so opted for another batsman in Rohit Sharma. It's pretty much a shambles from top to bottom. The funny thing is when this team play limited over cricket they turn from little cats into a full grown tiger.

Anyone know how this series is being covered in India? Are they that interested or are the one dayers the main event for them?

I just get the feeling test cricket isn't that important to India.

It happens like that , when ya get thrashed all the time..

Ashwin could conceivably play ahead of any of these Indian batsmen this series, Rahane excepted (just)... the decision to leave him out till test 4 is bizarre to say the least.

comment by englandwhoelse (U16825)
posted 2 minutes ago
It happens like that , when ya get thrashed all the time..
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Thoughts on Cooky in this game englandwhoelse?

Had another very good game and you love to criticise him, havent heard much today.

Star cricket is the broadcaster I believe and there is definitely massive interest. Hopefully they get destroyed in the media tomorrow and I wouldn't be surprised if they get booed on their way back especially if they lose the final test. It has got to a point now where many traditionalists are fed up of India's captain in Test cricket and their results over the last few years because I definitely am.

You have to remember this is a side who has lost Sehwag, Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Zaheer and Harbhajan in the space of a few years - players who formed the core of our success in test cricket over the years. But the excuses are now wearing thin and for me Dhoni has to go.

No i personally dont think SL can win against Eng if they played in similar conditions. Remember SL only won on pitches that were really slow much like the subcontinent ones. Yes lords and Headingley were very slow and so was TB. And thats why at first place Lords was the greenest pitch ever to cover the slowness of the wickets. So people trying to justify SL deserve 5 tests doesnt make much sense.


Incase India did play 2 tests, then India would have won the series. Which is what SL did. I think subcontinent teams in general are quite poor. Pakistan have the set of bowlers to do really well, but their batsman can let them down, SL has an alright bowling attack and their batting can be competitive, and India just dont have a batting line up and bowling attact to succeed in these conditions.

This is the bitter truth about India, and unless we change dhoni who has never really cared about the technical side of the game we will never do well. His WK is really poor, field placements including slip placements and rotating them every over only defies logic, and we all by now know how he handles his bowlers. Im not sure how if i was playing in this team I would have any confidence of bowling to my strength as dhoni seems to always demotives the bowlers with the way he handles them.

He said in PC that he is happy with the progress of the team and he is happy that the team would have extra 2 days rest shows how much he cares for the team. On the other hand we had Cook, pleading to say he wants to be part of making sure England win.

comment by Everywhere you go always take Lamela with you. Mopo's #1 fan. (U7905)
posted 10 minutes ago
Anyone know how this series is being covered in India? Are they that interested or are the one dayers the main event for them?

I just get the feeling test cricket isn't that important to India.
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Is this really what it's like in India?

Because honestly all I care mainly about are the test matches, the one day games are just there in addition to beef the tour up and make it more worthwhile.

Apart from the one day tournaments I'm not bothered by the one day series in between.

Neo, I think England won despite Cook. I just don't think hes a great captain.
But if we continue to win.thats great But .I will slate, those who I think deserve it.
We will see how great Cook is next summer if hes still incharge..
Clarke will come with all his antics and mind games.
If cook makes us win back the ashes. Then I will put him down has a half decent captain.
Right not am still unconvinced.

I wouldn't be surprised if they get booed on their way back especially if they lose the final test.
_______________________

Kav,

We all know that the asian teams place more importance on ODI cricket than test... If India win the T20s and ODIS the majority of Indian fans will forget the test series....

Is it really the ashes yet again next summer?

Absolutely sick of the site of the Aussies, we play them far too often these days. Isn't it time we face SA again?

England play 7 tests matches each summer. The reason Sri-lanka only got 2.. is because of the money men and giving india 5 tests..

comment by Neo Liverpool (U9135)
posted 2 minutes ago
Is it really the ashes yet again next summer?

Absolutely sick of the site of the Aussies, we play them far too often these days. Isn't it time we face SA again?
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The last ashes were brought forward because of the world cup. This next one is a 'bonus' one then the normal schedule returns.

Ah right I see

India owned...

ODI cricket is a load of rubbish in my book. I personally feel if you want entertaining cricket watch T20 where the bat usually beats ball and you see sixes galore. In ODI cricket it just drags on but it doesn't have the entertainment of T20 nor the tactical side of test cricket. I love the world cup like anyone and was very happy as we are world champions but ODI cricket doesn't really excite me.

Also I don't think I will ever forget that embarrassing 2011 test series but I don't even remember the ODI series in 2011. Not every Asian supporter prefers ODI. Test and T20 for me - in that order.

Nah Kav I dont think India losing will make a big difference to star sports. They dont give a damn about test performances. Or thats the feeling I have got cause even after 8-0 losses, other than the seniors retiring we have seen nothing from any management, whether BCCI or star sports.

This is India's Results since 2011,
Eng
Test - Lost 4-0
ODIS- Lost 3-0
Aus
Test - Lost 4-0
Triangular series - dint reach the finals( came 3rd)

Eng at home
Tests Lost 2-1

SA -
Tests - Lost 1-0(could have been 2-0 if SA chased that 460+ down)
ODIS- Lost all matches

NZ -
Tests - 1-0
ODIS - Lost 4-0

ALso lost pak at home in ODIS

And we lost in Asia cup I think twice in this period.

The only positives we have had is we beat WI a few times in home, and we beat Aus 4-0 and the champions trophy(home like conditions as Eng were preparing slow wickets for Aus)

There is no way any captain with that record would survive in any country.

What happened in the last one day series?

Honestly can't remember. Assume India won though.

Ignoring our capitulation in the Champions trophy final of course.

I like ODI's to be honest. Test matches are the main event, but you can get some good ODI's and the 5 match series are usually pretty good.

The world cup is just a horrible format. Needs to be like the champions trophy. That was great last year.