India tour of Australia, Nov 21 - Jan 18

[meninblue]

Would English test not be in your evening after work? I'd imagine tests.in the Carribbean are middle of the night in india

Sessions as per IST:

WI test session 1 : 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Excellent prime time viewership
WI test session 2 : 10:15 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. - Most part of this session is watchable
WI test session 3: 12:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. - Very Bad timing apart from those who are singles.


England test session 1 : 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Missed sessions
England test session 2: 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Some part of this session is lost as most Indian viewers are travelling back home. Usually majority of day shifts end at 6 or 6:30 p.m. from work. Very few have 5:30 p.m. as end of the day.
England test session 3: 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - Excellent prime time viewership


These two are thus the best test series to view imo.

With HotStar getting broadcast rights for all Indian matches, Ranji, IPL the viewership will increase during breaks or if they are commuting by local transport. Subscription cost is just 299 Rs. per year as this is the first year of broadcast deal. It's unbelievable pricing for an years cricket across so many matches. I think three Ranji matches of major teams were covered in 4th round of this Ranji season which happened last week. They also have wonderful highlights of domestic and international cricket of Indian matches. It's an amazing value product for Indian consumers. Like it a lot.

[bigfluffylemon]

The batting weakness is why I'm calling this 50/50 ...

I have a similar view. Big questions on both line ups to score runs, both attacks capable of taking wickets. I weirdly fancy India to really compete. Although the England tour makes me think that is a bit insane.

I agree with this. My point earlier was that some of the Aussie press seems to be writing off the Australian team already, however that is overly simplistic. Asian sides face a massive uphill struggle to win in Australia. Strong India + weak Australia is not the foregone conclusion some in Australia would seem to have us believe, given home advantage.

[bigfluffylemon]

Kohli wins the toss (at last). Unsurprisingly, India bat. Verdict on the wicket is that it should be good for batting, but the Adelaide forecast is hot and dry (it is Adelaide, so no surprises really), so it may take turn later in the game.

Sharma in, Vihari out.

Harris gets his debut for Australia.

[backfootpunch]

Well this is probably the best chance India will ever have of winning a series in Australia

Without Smith and Warner this has to be one of if not the worst Australian batting line ups ever

Though the aussie bowling does look strong

Shocked to see rohit get another chance

The Indian ramps in tests?

[backfootpunch]

Fancy kohli to score bucketloads in this series on what will likely be very very flat tracks

The Australian pitches have been the worst cricket wickets on the planet the last 5 or so years

[meninblue]

India opt to bat. Rohit Sharma playing. Starc has 3 slips and gully.

[backfootpunch]

First session will be vital for India

There is a little in the wicket right now but it'll flatten out later in the day

Big job for the openers

[ddb]

We ain't gonna do well

[backfootpunch]

Rahul knicks a half volley

He looked uncertain every ball he faced

Starc and hazlewood right on the money to start as you'd expect

[Arthur Crabtree]

Early wicket.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Openers had a hard time of it in England and another bad start for Rahul.

[meninblue]

Jos strikes. Rahul gone trying to drive through covers.. His bad patch overseas continues. Caught at third slip by Finch for 2 runs.

India 4/1

[bigfluffylemon]

Ouch. Shaw is being missed already (although I assume he'd be in for Vijay rather than Rahul if he were fit?).

The Indian openers have had a pretty torrid time this year.

[meninblue]

That was 148.7 kph by Starc.

[meninblue]

No problem if openers flop. Talent will come and save the team with Test double like he scores ODI double.