India v Australia, Third Test, Chandigarh

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1st Test
Fri Feb 22 - Tue Feb 26
04:00 GMT | 09:30 local
12:00 WST | 14:30 CST | 15:00 EST
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

2nd Test
Sat Mar 2 - Wed Mar 6
04:00 GMT | 09:30 local
12:00 WST | 14:30 CST | 15:00 EST
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad

3rd Test
Thu Mar 14 - Mon Mar 18
04:00 GMT | 09:30 local
12:00 WST | 14:30 CST | 15:00 EST
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh

4th Test
Fri Mar 22 - Tue Mar 26
04:00 GMT | 09:30 local
12:00 WST | 14:30 CST | 15:00 EST
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi


India:
Shikhar Dhawan, Murli Vijay, Virender Sehwag, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, M S Dhoni (c),
Rabindra Jadeja, Bhubhneshwar Kumar, Ravi Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Ashoke Dinda

Australia:
Michael Clarke (c), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell,
Moises Henriques, Nathan Lyon, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird

I'm very happy to see Rahane in the side.

The supposed technical issues/ preference for 3-4 may be real. But you can't know until you've tried him and his stats suggest he is at the very least worth trying. I haven't seen every international innings he played, but he's looked classy often enough to suggest he won't be out of his depth.

Rahane often has looked classy, and he has shown a great appetite for big runs at the first class level. But at the international level, he has thrown away quite a few starts when he had the opportunity to make a statement and claim a place for himself in the test side. Someone like a Virat Kohli, who also had a pretty decent first class record, found his way to the test side through consistent ODI performances and Kohli never got a good run at the ODI side at the beginning of his career, he was often the frinch player who got a chance here and a chance there, but he took all those chances, forced his way into the ODI side, became one of India's best ODI players in recent times, and thus earned for himself a decent run at the beginning of his test career to really establish himself, a job he has done pretty well after a stuttering start.
However Rahane hasn't quite taken his chances at the ODI level, admittedly limited the opportunities were. The disappointing thing is that he has got a number of starts, but never really played a defining knock. Not every player starts his career with tons of runs and bagful of wickets, some of them take a bit of time to get used to the environment, and the really classy ones like Rahane should be given a fair run. That hasn't happened in his case, and the almost 2 years of bench warming wouldn't have done much to enhance his confidence, but he hasn't often helped his case when limited opportunities came his way. Hopefully he'll get the chance and he'll take it and will be ready to step into that middle order when Sachin eventually leaves.

Shelsey93 wrote:I'm very happy to see Rahane in the side.

The supposed technical issues/ preference for 3-4 may be real. But you can't know until you've tried him and his stats suggest he is at the very least worth trying. I haven't seen every international innings he played, but he's looked classy often enough to suggest he won't be out of his depth.

He has looked out of his depth as an ODI opener. Not an opener IMO. Worth trying in the middle order. And he himself prefers the middle order btw... The fact that he doesn't open for Mumbai even when their first choice opener is unavailable and that their wicketkeeper is preferred as an opener over Rahane is rather telling, I'd have thought. This changing of roles is confusing tbh...

If GG was initially picked and then replaced with a middle order batsman due to his sickness, what message does it send to rest of the openers in the country?

My thoughts on Raina as a Test player aside, a middle order batsman replacing an opener is a worrying admittance that we don't have openers.

So what is it gonna be now? Raina as a straight swap for Dhawan? Rahane to open after being told he's middle order bat all winter? Che to open with Rahane or Virat at 3?

https://twitter.com/gauravCNNIBN/status/314071331035574273

Well, as far as backup openers go, Punjab's youngster Jiwanjot Singh had a fine Ranji season. The other 2 contendersare Abhinav Mukund and Unmukth Chand. Don't really think any of them are quite ready for the step up to test cricket.
So fair enough with Raina, so long as he doesn't play.

One assumes this is the end Test-wise for Sehwag which is a great pity. Has there ever been anyone able to make such huge Test scores at such a VAST RATE ?
Totally ironic that his successor blazes a Sehwag-style trail in his very first Test innings, although amazingly encouraging for India.
If any aspiring Indian batsman is gonna make runs it's against this Australian attack, now minus Starc and with no decent slow bowling to speak of.

While it lasted, it was absolutely fabulous with Sehwag.
The 3 highest test scors for India are in his name, 319, 309 and 293. They all came at a breathtaking rate as well. A pretty unique batsman. He was rightly given a long rop in test cricket to find his form, but he hasn't been able to find his touch for more than 2 years. It will be great if Sehwag makes it back. But most people seem to think the Sehwag magic is over in test cricket.

Michael Clarke hasn't been able to participate in Australia's training today. The troubled back continues to give the Australian skipper mor discomfort, but the Australians are still hopeful that Clarke wil be able to play in the last test.

msp - guess Clarke with a bad back is more likely to make runs than anyone else. Pity he's not fully fit as they could do with his bowling as well. It's a chronic condition, it seems, and he has had/will have to live with it.

Will take a lot to keep Clarke out. He has been rated "doubtful" before and made it onto the field...This does sound more serious though , but perhaps this is just the Australian press being more pessimistic than usual

If he did miss , I fancy Haddin might just be the one to lead , though he might play just as a batsman. Don't think Watson would be M Arthur's first choice...

Bad luck about Dhawan's injury. After such a debut I am sure everyone would have liked to see him again...well perhaps not the Australian bowlers

Rahane presumably gets a game, not sure how they rejig the batting order ?

Australia has a lot of pride to play for , but I don't think they have the cattle...4-0 looks the way to bet.

Sehwag has looked below his best since the 2011 World Cup. That's 2 years now.

That's not so much a problem when selecting a team for home Tests, but even at his peak he struggled outside Asia. So I guess it makes sense to move away from him, particularly as he's not really a fighter.

If Rahane has to come in, I believe it will be at the top of the order. He has opened in ODIs earlier, and he was picked as a reserve batsman who play at any position by the Srikanth led selection Panel although the current panel doesn't exactly think on those basis. But for this one off test, I believe he'll be opening.
The other possibility is that Cheteshwar Pujara, who has doubled up as emergency opener in a couple of situations in tests, ones for Gambhir and in the last game for Dhawan could do the job, with Rahane or Raina coming in the middle order with Virat Kohli batting at 3. If Pujara opens, then its more likely that Raina will be in rather than Rahane. If that happens, that will be an absolutely atrocious call from the team management.
Don't think Raina's bowling will be much of a factor, as Ravindra Jadeja's presence gives the captain 5 specialist bowlers, and no parttimer was really required in the 3 test matches so far, although Sehwag, Kohli, Tendulkar or even Pujara could all bowl a couple of overs if needed.

Both Rahane and Raina could find a place in the playing side if the team choose to rest either Cheteshwar Pujara who had some fitnesss concerns with a knee problem, or Virat Kohli who has been playing non-stop across formats. If Pujara is rested, then I believe Kohli would come in at 3 with Rahane opening and Raina batting at 5, and if its Kohli who is rested, then Raina can take his place at 5 with Rahane at the top of the order.

I personally think Unmukt is someone who will rise up to the challenge. An international callup is what he needs to take his game to the highest level. I don't see how he's any less ready than Raina for Test cricket.

Raina had a better FC record at the time of his selection. Unmukt has just completed his first full first class season, and his first class average is yet to cross 40. Certainly one for the future, but I don't think he's one for the present. Perhaps one more season of first class cricket, a few big scores, he should be ready to go. He has been getting starts, but hasn't been able to convert many of those into big scores. You need your opener to carry on from a start and build big innings. Unmukt is a work in progress in that regard.

I see him as a bit of Tresco/Vaughan. Think he'll revel in the extra pressure of internationals. I really, really rate him. I'd pick him as the back up opener for Dhawan and Vijay.

Michael Clarke, who has managed a troubled back throughout his career, is closer to missing a test match for the first time in his career due to the troubles with his back. Like yesterday, he failed to train today as well, and there is a serieous chance for him to miss the game.
Its Clarke, he has fought through the pain in the past, and we can't really say until it really happens, but Shane Watson is looking more and more likely to lead Australia in Delhi.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2013/content/current/story/626089.html

OK so the match is underway and we are done with the first hour, Australian skipper Shane Watson, who is standing in for regular skipper Michael Clarke who is missing his first test despite managing his troubled back throughout his career, won the toss and decided to bat. So no change of luck for Mahendra Singh Dhoni with the toss regardless of the change in the Australian leadership but he won't mind if the pattern of results also stay the same as in earlier matches.
Domestic first class run machine Ajinkya Rahane is making his much anticipated test debut at last after warming the bench for well over a year. He comes in for the injured Shikhar Dhawan.
As far Australia go, there are a number of changes. Watson comes back in for Clarke. Matthew Wade is back after injury to take back wicketkeeping duties from Brad Haddin. Moises Henriques gives way for Glenn Maxwell. James Pattinson is back in, and Mitchell Johnson gets his first game of the series, and Mitchell Starc and Xavier Doherty are out.
Australia have used 16 of the 18 players they brought in. Bird had gone back injured at the beginning of the series itself, Only Usman Khawaja hasn't got a game, despite the regular failings of the batting lineup. Reminds of India during 8-0 face.

Australia are 58-1 at the moment. Phil Hughes is batting on 37, Ed Cowan on 19. David Warner failed to open his account, and this time it was Ishant Sharma who produced an early wicket with the new ball, in his first over of the day, Warner playing a nothing shot and edging to Kohli at slip. Hughes, like he did in the last innings, took full use of the early pace attack at him, scoring 5 early boundaries before Ashwin came on. He has looked more comfortable against Ashwin since then. Cowan has tried to live as much as possible, and even when he got a couple of edges, they didn't carry to the fielders or went in the gap.

The pitch is developing cracks already, and both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma have got the ball to move off those. Those cracks should widen in due course. Facing up to the Indian spinners then won't be easy, and Mitchell Johnson should also enjoy it, provided he leaves his sprayer behind.

Australia 71-1. Hughes getting closer to a 50, not out on 45 at the moment, and he's getting the spinners away for runs. Seems the scratchy yet effective 2nd innings in the last match has done him some serious good.

Went away for a little while, and when I am back, Phil Hughes is gone, gone for 45, not to a spinner, but to Sharma who had him playing on. Ishant gets 2 in the innings, and he has done it for the 2nd consecutive test and that certainly is news!.

Australia go to lunch at 94-2. They have scored at close to 3.5, but have lost 2 wickets. Think an even session. Cowan has fought through the entire session, and Watson has already moved along to 16. Australia's middle order is less of a force without Clarke, but his absence could be the incentive the rest of the lineup need to play out of their skins. India should keep the pressure up, there are the developing cracks, the spinners will have to take full advantage.

Australia have lost Ed Cowan after lunch, bowled round leg by Ashwin, trying to sweep and missing. Cowan made 38, so that is yet another unconverted start. Skipper Watson is on 17, Steve Smith is on 3.

Smith's on the attack right away, launching Ojha for 6. Australia 115-3.

Jadeja strikes in his 2nd over to send the Australian captain packing. Australian captains are Jadeja's bunnies, doesn't matter Clarke or Watson. Jadeja has Watson stumped by Dhoni of a ball that dragged Watson out and then turned across him to facilitate an easy stumping for the Indian captain. Watson gone for 17, that is yet again, a start unconverted. Watson had looked relatively comfortable till that moment but there is no substantial score from him, the streak of poor form continues for Watson, he'll have to soon restart bowling to really justify his place in the team.

Further trouble for Australia, Ashwin comes back and gets Wade caught at bat-pad by Vijay for 2. Australia 117-5.

Looks like Wade was unlucky there, Seems Aleem Dar made a mistake there, no clear signs of an edge on that one. Last thing Australia wanted, there batsmen are struggling against the Indian bowling as such, and now a poor decision has done one of them in.
Maxwell has to show far greater application than he had shown in his first test. He was too impatient there and gave away his wicket far too easily.

Dhoni's bowling changes are also working well today. He brought back Ishant and he got Hughes, he brought Jadeja on an over after Ashwin took out Cowan and he obliged his skipper by getting Watson, then he brought Ashwin back on and he straight away took out Wade.

Maxwell's off the mark with a clean hit for 6, and he follows that up with another boundary next ball from Ojha. If he's to go down, he'll go down in a blaze.

Maxwell is not ready for test cricket, gifts his wicket with a reckless shot to be caught by Sharma in the deep. Australia 129-6.

Australia's freefall continues, Mitchell Johnson the latest to join the party. He was bowled by Ashwin of a carom ball that Johnson never picked. Johnson didn't realize he was bowled, he was totally taken aback. Siddle's with Steve Smith. Australia at the moment, 142-7.

Come on Aus make a fight of this.

Australia's lower order has started the process of some gamely resistance after yet another top order disaster. Siddle has stayed with Smith for 13 overs so far. They haven't added too many runs, but at least their resistance has taken Australia up to tea. 153-7 at tea. They were 94-2 at lunch. So that's 59-5 in a session that has produced 39 overs.

msp83 wrote:Australia's lower order has started the process of some gamely resistance after yet another top order disaster. Siddle has stayed with Smith for 13 overs so far. They haven't added too many runs, but at least their resistance has taken Australia up to tea. 153-7 at tea. They were 94-2 at lunch. So that's 59-5 in a session that has produced 39 overs.

Ouch.

This is the worst Australian side in nearly 30 years (the 1985 side was worse, but not by much).

The Australian lower order is doing a fine job here. Siddle's been battling away since well before tea and he's still going strong. Pattinson too is putting up a significant fight here. India have been forced to opt for the new ball. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma haven't made an impact so far. Pattinson and Siddle have put on 27 so far. This is been a fine recovery from 136-7. 81 runs more added since Johnson's wicket for the loss of Steve Smith.

Now they are opening up against the 2nd new ball, Bhuvneshwar Kumar going away for a couple of boundaries and Sharma was also taken for a boundary in the last over. Siddle with his highest test score. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been struggling with his direction throughout the day.

Another 5 minutes to go for stumps. Have to say the last session has belonged to Australia. 77 for 1 so far. After all that struggle in the last session, India would have been expecting to bat during the latter half of the session at least. Ashwin's back with the new ball.

Might just well be the last over of the day. Jadeja it is.

Well done Pattinson and Siddle, they see things through for the day. Australia 231-8.

another shocking day for the aussies....will be intresting to see Watson's captaincy style when they are in the field.

Missed out on the first session of play today.
AAustralia eventually bowled out for 262. Siddle was bowled by Ashwin for 51, and Ojha got Pattinson for 30. Yet another 5 wicket for Ravichandran Ashwin.
In response, contrary to expectations, it is Cheteshwar Pujara and not Ajinkya Rahane who has opened the Indian innings with Murali Vijay. At lunch, Pujara is not out on 28, and Vijay is on 23. India are 59 without loss.

India 78 without loss. These 2, Vijay and Pujara, love batting together. Pujara was hit on the fingers not by the specialist in that field Mitchell Johnson, but by James Pattinson. He's getting some attention on that now, Shane Watson doesn't look best pleased.

Speaking of Johnson, he's back on after an expensive first spell.

Lyon strikes for Australia, he bowls Pujara with a superb ball. Pujara usually converts his 50s into a big one, but not today.
India 108-1.

After bowling Pujara with a good ball, Lyon got Virat Kohli LBW in his next over, trying to play across the line. Kohli went for 1. Sachin Tendulkar has been giving Murali Vijay company since then. India are 122-2 at the moment, Vijay on 54, Tendulkar on 3. The runs have dried up for India, and when Tendulkar struggles to keep the score moving, particularly at the start of his innings, it usually spells trouble for him and India.

Nathan Lyon has troubled Tendulkar throughout this innings. Johnson too has put in a superb spell as well. The pressure is very much on India.

India go to tea at 135-2. Tendulkar on 12, Vijay on 54. Good session for Australia, 76 runs, 2 wickets. The only thing against Australia in that session, a poor overrate. Just 24 overs in the session.

An absolutely unplayable delivery from Siddle has Murali Vijay gloving a catch to the wicketkeeper for 57. India in some trouble here, 148-3. What a testing time for Ajinkya Rahane to come into, to play his first test innings. Its a challenging situation, the Australians are bowling brilliantly, but a good showing here, will give a fine start to Rahane's test career.

Rahane first up, had to face an LBW appeal, he survived as the ball was going down the leg side, next ball took him on the helmet. Australia haven't bowled as well as this during any other passage of this series. Every ball, something or the other is happening, the batsmen are given no space whatsoever.