Oz tour of India, Feb 9 - March 22

[bigfluffylemon]

Australia wont get a bigger chance to win a game in India then right now.

Yep. Like I said earlier, it seems as though batting is a lottery and you almost might just roll a die for the match outcome.

So far, Australia have had more luck, but as has been said, if India can knock Australia over for 200-230 and scrape to 200 themselves, they might have a defensible lead.

I've seen several India fans in other places saying they almost hope India loses to give the BCCI some comeuppance for this abomination of a wicket...

[bigfluffylemon]

Australia wont get a bigger chance to win a game in India then right now.

absolutely

I think even a draw guarantees them a test champ final at the Oval... presumably against India

Draw? No chance

[alfie]

Australia wont get a bigger chance to win a game in India then right now.

absolutely

I think even a draw guarantees them a test champ final at the Oval... presumably against India

Draw? No chance

Would need a hell of a lot of rain

[GarlicJam]

Aus losing 6 for 11 has made the draw even less of a chance.

Lead of 88. Aus will need early wickets.

[alfie]

Action plus , eh ? Handscomb and Green did a good job first hour , I thought. But that tail folded up like the Isle of Man

Handy lead still. If India can make 200 this time they may be favourites - but 200 will take some doing on this .

[alfie]

13 without loss to lunch. It has been suggested there is less turn for the spinners today but I suspect a lot of that was down to the softer ball : think the Australian spinners will get plenty of assistance this afternoon so the next two hours are vital.

Some comment from the Aussie studio team that Green was hard done by . I don't really agree - sure the ball tracking revealed that it was an extremely marginal thing , the ball only just kissing top of leg peg : but looking on live I thought it looked a very good shout and would have been rather surprised had it not been given. So did the Aussie commentator at the time ... Of course umpires call meant he would have been safe had India had to initiate a review but that is the element of fortune in this drs business. India couldn't have appealed anyway as they had carelessly burned all their reviews yesterday ! Think both teams need to be mindful of not wasting reviews going forward as there are likely to be a lot of close calls on this pitch...

Umesh used reverse very well to the tail. Smith should keep that in mind later and not neglect Starc.

[alfie]

Gill didn't stay long...charge swing and miss...was not smart batting. Lot of hype around him to replace Rahul but that effort doesn't boost his status.

This is where India need Pujara to drop anchor. He is trying to do so. 23/1...

[mikesiva]

India 197 all out

Khawaja 60

Jadeja 4-78
Umesh 3-12
Ashwin 3-44

[bigfluffylemon]

How many do India need? 100 run lead could easily be enough

[alfie]

How many do India need? 100 run lead could easily be enough

Could be . Still means they'd need another 140 from here - which might be difficult ! I think 130 would certainly give them a good chance.

Lot on the two elder statesmen here I think. If they can build a real platform , the all rounders might be able to cash in against an older ball. But if one of these gets out soon I'm not sure how well the later batting will fare.

[sussexpob]

That Jadeja wicket feels like the one that wins the match. 10 behind, 6 left.... need another at least 110 to make any sort of contest, im not betting much on that happening at all

[sussexpob]

India into the lead

[bigfluffylemon]

5 down, 25 lead.

Still in the balance.

[sussexpob]

Lyon gets the last batter, and this feels dead as a do do....

30/6 essentially.

[bigfluffylemon]

I dunno, Ashwin can bat and Pujara is still there.

Australia are in a good position but even another 40 runs could make the chase interesting.