India v England, Second Test, Wankhede Stadium Mumbai

First topic message reminder :

So the 2nd test of the 4 match series between India and England is getting underway at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium from tomorrow. The hosts are leading the series after their win in the first test at Ahmedabad.
The track is expected to have assistance for spinners, but the possible bounce from the track and proximity to the sea might offer something for the seamers as well. The pitch was previously used in a Ranji match where Sachin Tendulkar and Ajinkya Rahane had scored hundreds.
The weather is expected to stay good.
Both sides have injury concerns going into the match. Fast bowler Umesh Yadav is unlikely to be risked as he's not fully recovered from the back problems that necessitated calling up Ashok Dinda as cover for the 2nd match in a row. However Dinda, who had covered for Ishant Sharma is unlikely to make it to the playing side, Ishant should be the prefered option. This will be Virender Sehwag's hundredth test. India probable side.
Virender Sehwag
Gautam Gambhir
Cheteshwar Pujara
Sachin Tendulkar
Virat Kohli
Yuvraj Singh
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Ravichandran Ashwin
Zaheer Khan
Ishant Sharma
Pragyan Ojha.
As for England Ian Bell is unavailable for selection as he's on paternity leave. Stuart Broad has some fitness concerns. Tim Bresnan had a shocker of a match last time round, continuing a prolonged form slump. Steven Finn continues to be unfit. Cricinfo seems to think that Eoin Morgan, and Jonny Bairstow is likely to make it to the side in place of Bell.
England probable
Alastair Cook
Nick Compton
Jonathan Trott
Kevin Pietersen
Eoin Morgan/Jonny Bairstow
Samit Patel
Matt Prior
Stuart Broad?
Graeme Swann
James Anderson
Monty Panesar.
In 2006 England won at Mumbai on the back of an all-round performance from captain Andrew Flintoff and good bowling performances from James Anderson and Shaun Udal. The last test at the venue produced a very exciting match that finished as a draw with the scores leveled.

What a day for England.

Surely we can't fail to level the series tomorrow.

Big round of applause to Swann, Panesar, Cook and KP. Well done lads.

From an Indian POV...tendulkar should be "retired" and replaced with Rahane.

Tendulkar just isn't picking the line of the ball off the hands of the bowler...and at this level even on slow pitches...adjust to the line off the pitch doesn't work.

What a difference a day makes!
Set up yesterday and went on with it and more today. You blitzed 'em alright!

Well done England.

(see, one Aussie bloke likes to see your lads do well on the SC)

Great day for England... fine performances all round.

I share KP Fan's concerns that something isn't right with Tendulkar. I personally don't believe in asking people to retire, nor do I feel that India should drop him at this stage. But the success of Pujara and Kohli means that his role as a senior man just doesn't seem needed: its almost like the team has moved on and he's been left behind.

I thought it was England that couldn't play spin?

There is no nation that I love to see beaten more than India, arrogant fans, arrogant board, arrogant pundits and arrogant has-beens in the team. India's batting today was a pathetic meek surrender, just like India always roll over when the going gets tough (England 4-0 India, Australia 4-0 India). Only Gambhir and Ojha have shown fight today.

Take nothing away from Monty, Swann, Cook or KP, they were all terrific today and pummelled India into the dirt. Not over yet, but we're more than halfway there. We don't want to chase more than 100, so let's roll them out early!

If not retired then dropped.

The game is not won yet, even 100 could be a very difficult ask on this pitch with the pressure of close in fielders. Hopefully we can roll them over quickly and have a target of only 70-80 runs otherwise it will be a very tense affair.

Linebreaker wrote:What a difference a day makes!
Set up yesterday and went on with it and more today. You blitzed 'em alright!

Well done England.

(see, one Aussie bloke likes to see your lads do well on the SC)

Building on Linebreaker's post, our performance and our position for each day has continued to be stronger.

Close of Day 1 - about level.
Close of Day 2 - in a good position.
Close of day 3 - in a clearly winning position.

Atherton referred to ''the genius of Pietersen'' and that is certainly correct. Praise as well to Cook, a rock of stability. Their partnership has been massively influential.

Lovely bowling from Panesar with more than decent support from Swann at the other end which should see an England win before lunch tomorrow. Assuming that goes to plan (and Harbhajan doesn't add to his 9 Test fifties and 2 Test tons), we'll have won with only 4 players having come to this party in a major way. We need those same players to continue to deliver in the last 2 Tests. If others join them, we'll be iin a very good position ....

Panesar has always been a wicket taker. Just consistency and control let him down. Makes him not playing in the first test look a bit silly.

Anyway, assuming England knock them over in the morning and go to 1-1, its looks a great series in prospect. England look to have the better spinners, but its a matter of whether our batsmen can fire.

All I can say is wow....Cook and Pietersen truly two of the English greats.

Monty and Swann, take a bow, that is awesome spin bowling.

Let's just hope for a good morning tomorrow to wrap India up and then knock off the runs. However, you just know we will be set a nasty little target of 120 and make incredibly hard work in reaching it haha.

Couldn't have asked for any more today, that was awesome.

Wonderful, wonderful cricket from Cook, KP and Monty. Let's finish it off tomorrow. We may as well play Mprgan or Root instead of Broad in the 3rd test. Waste of space.

Monty 10 wicket in the hame, phenonmenal

DJB in fairness to broad he hasnt bowled in 2nd innings because spin has ran through them

If England manage to win the game sometime tomorrow it will be interesting to see if Doni is still quite so keen for the authorities to prepare pitches offering bounce and spin right from the offset.

LivinginItaly wrote:If England manage to win the game sometime tomorrow it will be interesting to see if Doni is still quite so keen for the authorities to prepare pitches offering bounce and spin right from the offset.

He has no other option.

India has been done in by KP's Brilliance...and their own confidence that Eng will some-how roll over...no matter what.

If instead of the "Brilliant" 186......KP had done only a "good" 80 odd...India would still have fancied themselves...on by 140odd by now.

However there are no iffffsss and buttttss

1) India have to make England sweat tomorrow......get a lead of aboput 80 to 100.....and get them 7 or 8 down before letting them win....to get some morale advantage out of the game.

2) and quickly reset their expectation...that this England team will not just roll over to a 4-0..... at the sight of a spinning wicket...hard work needs to be done to win the series from here.

3) It is still good to get a spinning track like this for it nullified the toss largely..and T2 / T3 should be well fought contests...especially if England get rid of their passenger Broad and India of Tendulkar.

Shelsey93 wrote:Great day for England... fine performances all round.

I share KP Fan's concerns that something isn't right with Tendulkar. I personally don't believe in asking people to retire, nor do I feel that India should drop him at this stage. But the success of Pujara and Kohli means that his role as a senior man just doesn't seem needed: its almost like the team has moved on and he's been left behind.

Some parallels with Ramps, (albeit at county level). Was only a very few years since Ramps averaged, astonishingly, over 100 two season in a row in the county championship. But then he had several lengthy injuries, and was already past 40. He kept on going in a desperate attempt to recapture something like his old form. But it was pretty obvious the chances were low and his career petered out mid season after a succession of low scores. Quite simply he missed several opportunities to retire at a time more of his own choosing, when he could have gone out on a high. Just hope that Tendulkar, and Ponting for that matter, make sensible decisions about retirement when they can go out with max dignity....

CF wrote:Monty 10 wicket in the hame, phenonmenal

DJB in fairness to broad he hasnt bowled in 2nd innings because spin has ran through them

No, I understand that, but if he is going to be so inneffective on these pitches, and he is not contributing with the bat, then he is of no value to the team.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/20484501

Kevin Pietersen backs Alastair Cook to be the best English batsman ever.

Another very good day for England, helped by inept Indian bowling and baffling captaincy from MS Dhoni (why delay the 2nd new ball? He was basically captaining by "wishful thinking" at times...). I thought he did a good job on a flat pitch in the first test by not letting England get away when Prior and Cook were together, but on a non-flat pitch the in-out field just allowed England to score with ease. Very poor.

Take nothing away from Cook and especially Pietersen though, awesome displays from both batsmen.

Then Monty and Swann showed that they are better spinners than their Indian counterparts. Sure, a few injudicious shots helped, but Shewag, Tendulkar, Pujara and Dhoni all fell to very good pieces of bowling.

I see Broad is getting his usual stick. To be honest I thought he bowled as well as Anderson on day 1, even if his figures don't reflect it. A while ago DJ was saying we may as well pick 5 bowlers because the 6th batsman wasn't contributing, and now we should pick 7 batsmen + Prior. I am reminded that people change their tune very quickly.

Having said that, if Finn is back for the next test I would pick him ahead of Broad. The extra pace will give England added bite.

Finally, I thought Patel looked a bit all over the place with the bat against the spinners today. Footwork very indecisive. Bairstow, poor shot to get out notwithstanding looked more assured.

Assuming England don't mess this up tomorrow (which is still possible) India have some solutions of their own to find. How to get Cook out being priority number 1...

KP_fan wrote:

LivinginItaly wrote:If England manage to win the game sometime tomorrow it will be interesting to see if Doni is still quite so keen for the authorities to prepare pitches offering bounce and spin right from the offset.

India has been done in by KP's Brilliance...and their own confidence that Eng will some-how roll over...no matter what.

If instead of the "Brilliant" 186......KP had done only a "good" 80 odd...India would still have fancied themselves...on by 140odd by now.

And Cook's brilliance, and Monty's brilliance, and Swanny's brilliance.

Duty281 wrote:

KP_fan wrote:

LivinginItaly wrote:If England manage to win the game sometime tomorrow it will be interesting to see if Doni is still quite so keen for the authorities to prepare pitches offering bounce and spin right from the offset.

India has been done in by KP's Brilliance...and their own confidence that Eng will some-how roll over...no matter what.

If instead of the "Brilliant" 186......KP had done only a "good" 80 odd...India would still have fancied themselves...on by 140odd by now.

And Cook's brilliance, and Monty's brilliance, and Swanny's brilliance.

You're trying to reason with what can't be reasoned with...

Of course it is entirely possible that had Pietersen been out for 80, Bairstow, Patel, Prior would all have scored the runs to compensate, and possibly England would have had a bigger lead (see, two people can play the hypothetical game). Selfish KP again, putting his needs in front of those of the team...

Monty couldn't wait to get out and bowl at them could he...half expected him to declare. Seems to be a lot of positivity in him now that got sucked out shenanigans he was made to bowl defensively on dead pitches. Still the king of the optimistic appeal though

I think Monty is much improved (or at least back to his best) since the move to Sussex.

In the very early part of his career he picked up a lot of wickets, probably leading to unrealistic expectation levels on somebody who is pretty much an orthodox left-arm spinner, and was at that stage still very inexperienced for a spinner, even at domestic level.

I'm not totally convinced his actual bowling is any different, but I think he understands it a bit more: early on I got the impression that he bowled the same way to every batsman, in contrast to Swann who immediately on coming into the team showed a capacity to work batsmen out.

Realistically, he remains number two spinner. An on-form Swann is still better at working people out than an on-form Monty, and you feel that some batsman can still get after him (i.e. Mahela in Galle). However, he's a valuable part of any touring party and I'm certainly pleased that he actually got selected (when the squad was announced there was a rumour he'd been given the elbow).

He remains the second best spinner in England by a country mile, so it would have been a huge mistake to overlook him. After recent performances, you might even hear one or two begin to suggest he's the main man!

In unhelpful slow bowling conditions, Swann is the one I would prefer. As Shelsey suggests, he tends to read the batsmen better and is prepared to mix it up more than Panesar who remains more orthodox. However, where the conditions suit both, Panesar is making a strong case to be the number one.

As for tomorrow and at risk of placing a massive jinx, it will do Compton the world of good if he can still be at the crease when the winnings runs are scored ....

All out 142 57 to win.

Lovely polished bowling by Panesar and Swann in the morning. Even time for Dar to make a howler of a decision - hope he's not umpiring in the third Test. 57 for England to level the series.

Two dud decisions by the umpires within a few minutes of each other....

Compton not hanging around! Wants to finish it in about 5 overs....

21 - 0 off three overs

Compton pressing his claims to be in the One-Day side

69 overs to get 15 runs - should do it comfortably! Compton with a flat 6...

There it is! England win by 10 wickets, a famous victory. We've totally outbatted and outbowled India in this Test despite losing the toss and not batting first. 1-1, 2 to play, this series could be a cracker.

Well done England.
Congrats duty, the corporal & Co.!

The win sets up a mouth watering finish with 2 Tests to go in the series.

Very impressed with that. Picking Monty made a huge difference as did the higher order batsmen applying themselves. Good to see them make a fight of this series now.

Oohhh sweet not just a win but we out won there first win..

10 wicket win ya..

and Compton will be delighted with that 30 NO- that will have doubled his average

A very impressive win. Had to work so didn't see any of today's action but the cricinfo commentary was fine as it proved rather a walk in the park after yesterday's heroics.
Actually fancied an England win since late on day two but I didn't think it would be by quite such a margin...well played indeed.

KP bats better when he has something to prove , does he not ? Almost worth the occasional crisis to fire him up
Cook is establishing a fine record as skipper - four hundreds in four games.
Best I've seen Monty bowl , though he won't get a pitch as tailor-made for his style every week...and the good thing was that this time he and Swann seemed to operate much better as a pair. Will be a big plus for subcontinental Tests if they are able to do this on a more regular basis...
Compton is gaining confidence , and doing his part , and I was happy enough with the Patel contribution. Not sure either will be long term players , but we can take that a series at a time.
Trott is having a rough...trot...but he is too good a player to keep failing. Not a lot of work for Jimmy - who I thought bowled pretty well , and Broad is not back to his best by a long way but did at least get his speed back up a bit.

I'm a lot happier than after the first match. I did predict 2-1 for England , and there is a lot more to do to get that , but at least I don't feel like a totally loony optimist any more

Alfie your no LOON!!!

Can we refer to this test in futire as the "KP Fan memorial test", both in honour of the genius of KP and in rememberance of the pooing India took

ermm id go with the test that brought MONTY back to life

KP's innings was the difference really, when you look at the scorecards both Cook and Pujara scored excellent battling patient hundreds but without KP's incredible knock we could well have lost that match. So, so glad they sorted out the issues ans brought him back.

kps was certainly the type of match winning innings england need..

he deserves 100% credit for that- however most of us arnt surprsied by this performace- i expect it from him!

BUT Monty has gone up in my expectaitions massively- an amazing performance from him- and in all probability the one thing that will make me remember the game!

And Cook in all fairness is becoming the rock that is just as important as the match winner pieterson- remember you cant win a game without the platform!

Offcourse swanny deserves credit as well- he may not have had the same strike as monty- but he kept it so tight. But then we should expect that from him as well, so a pat on the back for doing his job- but to be honest we all know how good he is!!


Now should we say that KPs performance was legendary under the circumstances- well no it wasnt- Because he thrives under the spot light, he has done this before! strange creature is KP- and I am one of his biggest fans. But i expect alot out of him, he is that good- that we can and should expect!

The one thing i love about KP is the fact that since the issues he has done everything asked of him- The partnership and communication between cook and KP made me feel warm inside- We seem to all have forgiven and forgotten..

It might have been a mess before but to turn it round is credit to everyone in the england team and board!!

One of England's best wins - certainly one of the best away from home. KP - not for the first time - played a match winning innings. Those who don't want him in the side because of his behaviour/influence can obviously have their say.
What should NEVER be said is that he is not worth his place in the team as occasionally he gets out to a silly shot. The guy has hit more than 7,000 Test runs, no England player has more Test 100s than him and few have played innings such as he has - three this year already.
We used to go down this road with Gower, and before him, Graveney - that somehow a flair people was not worth his place in the team. It's the bad players that are not worth their places, not the good ones.

Alastair Cook says Kevin Pietersen was the difference between the sides in England's 10-wicket win over India.

KP say's Cook is the star and the team and dressing room spirit is fantastic and his fellow team mates are brilliant.

Do they think we are silly? Or does this have to be said to move on.

I think it will all be patched up. The team are (on the whole) mature enough to realise that they have to forgive KP and get on with it like nothing ever happened. Meanwhile, if KP's sensible he'll realise he should be going out of his way to mix with and support the rest of the group.

Nothing breeds team spirit like success. Show me a successful team and I'll, normally, show you a happy dressing room. Anyone who has played at any level will recognise that.

So if Eng had won in the UAE and SL and the first Test against SA, do you think that the KP furore over the IPL would never have happened in the way that it did?

Well, it wasn't really over the IPL.

Who knows? My guess is that KP would have acted as KP does anyway.

yeah i think there would have still been an issue with KP- but then i dont think this is about KP being KP, i think its pretty natural to want 6 million quid when offered!!! if other england players were offered that you gotta think many others would do the same.