***Official*** England in India

[GingerFurball]

Maybe not overnight, but I don't think declaring behind would be the worst move in the world.

It could conceivably take India a session to eke out a 30 run lead, which IMO suits England more than India. If I was Dhoni and either the pitch started playing funny buggers or the score was crawling along at 1-2 rpo, I wouldn't hesitate in declaring behind.

[Jono]

I don't think they'll bat a session for 30 runs. I'm sure Ashwin will farm the strike and try and hit boundaries today.

Chawla's wicket could be a blessing in that sense.

[Johnners]

Originally Posted by Spark

hmm, to an extent - but big game players score heavily at the start of a series. not the end.

johnners to confirm.

c'd.

[GingerFurball]

Originally Posted by Jono

I don't think they'll bat a session for 30 runs.

I don't either. I said a 30 run lead, which requires India to score 60 runs

Going by the way this match has gone, scoring 60 runs could easily take the best part of a session.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

I don't either. I said a 30 run lead, which requires India to score 60 runs

Doh!

[Viscount Tom]

Originally Posted by grecian

nah, he's not the best batsman in the England team, and pales before the likes of Kallis and Clarke

Pfff got nothing on Trego though amrite?

[Black_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Spark

Lol at the idea of KP being the best batsman in the world

at the idea of Clarke being the best batsman in the world

[Black_Warrior]

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

India should declare overnight.

Discuss.

I would have considered it if Ashwin wasn't there..but with Ashwin there..I would never sacrifice runs..if Ashwin gets out early, I would declare straight away..but if there is an opportunity to take a lead, take it!

[Spark]

Yep, because when Clarke scores a few hundreds against India it's meaningless, but when KP does it automatically makes him the best batsman in the world (despite the fact that Cook did it twice more).

Not to mention that I think Amla is the best batsman in the world, not Clarke. But hey, don't let those simple things get in the way of those blinkers of yours

[Black_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Spark

Yep, because when Clarke scores a few hundreds against India it's meaningless, but when KP does it automatically makes him the best batsman in the world (despite the fact that Cook did it twice more).

Not to mention that I think Amla is the best batsman in the world, not Clarke. But hey, don't let those simple things get in the way of those blinkers of yours

Yeah and KP has never scored hundreds against anyone other than India...let alone Warne Murali, Akhtar, McGrath..because cricket only started in 2011..we will only talk about 2011 onwards and anyone who has achieved anything prior to that or failed prior to that doesn't count!

[Spark]

You said that this series "proves" KP is the best batsman in the world. So either he was already the best batsman in the world (which is ridiculous in itself when you consider that Sanga and Kallis exist) or that his innings at Kolkata makes him the best batsman in the world (which is also ridiculous for obvious reasons).

Take your pick.

But of course, you did neither and made a completely irrelevant straw man instead.

[Black_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Spark

You said that this series "proves" KP is the best batsman in the world. So either he was already the best batsman in the world (which is ridiculous in itself when you consider that Sanga and Kallis exist) or that his innings at Kolkata makes him the best batsman in the world (which is also ridiculous for obvious reasons).

Take your pick.

Well for me KP has been the best since 2005 when I first saw him..its just that he didn't have the records and achievements to back that up.. with every year as he is accomplishing different things, he is establishing that point! Prior to the indian series, the dumbos would say Pietersen has not scored in India, Pietersen cannot play left arm spin..so now the dumbos wouldn't be able to resort to that!! That's what I meant by establishing that he is the best!

I have the same assessment of Kohli.. Kohli in my eyes is right up there, among the best but obviously for him to establish himself as the best, he has to achieve much more and I want him to do that..like scoring more Test centuries as he plays more Test cricket!

As for Kallis and Sanga,.I never said Kallis and Sanga are rubbish.. Kallis and Sanga are among the best batsmen today too..if you ask me my personal preference, I think Pietersen is slightly better than both but as of now, his career accomplishments aren't enough to make that argument, especially not against Kallis..so I won't..but if you say currently, yes I think he is the best..like you think currently Amla is the best..but career wise Kallis and Sanga have achieved more!

[benchmark00]

Trollers gonna troll.

[Cevno]

Ojha got a promotion ahead of Ishant. Interesting.

Ganguly saying that both umpires told him that the wicket is getting better for batting as the match goes on.

[Spark]

So a **** pitch is becoming even ****tier?