Day 2: The match poised in an even situation!!

@ram_cv (16513)
India
February 23, 2013 5:31am CST
After Aussies massed up 380 in the first innings, India was in a bit of a trouble at 12-2, but the master still conducts the shows at Chennai and his innings again stood up as he led the fightback. He found willing partners in two youngsters who are on the other side of their careers in Pujara and Kohli. Pujara was dismissed to a surprisingly naive delivery against the run of play, but Kohli is still there with the maestro. India finish the day at 182/3 which puts the match on a very even keel at the end of the second day. For Australia, Pattison was the pick of the bowler bowling all three Indian batsmen to get out today. But Clarke used him just for 6 overs in the whole day which was a bit baffling to see. Tomorrow morning's session holds the key for the match. I am hoping for the maestro's century in the morning. Cheers! Ram
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5 responses
@abhi_bangal (5533)
• Ahmednagar, India
23 Feb 13
You said that exactly right. The match has been evenly poised. That is because of three batsmen - Pujara, Tendulkar and Kohli. I think, Tendulkar and Kohli batted really well to see off the remaining bowling. If even one more wicket would have gone, it would have been difficult for India to recover. That would have been for two reasons. The loss of one more wicket meant that India would have been four down and moreover, the runs would also have dried up. The attacking batting of Kohli made sure that India avoided the follow on and kept the pressure off Tendulkar as well.
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@ram_cv (16513)
• India
24 Feb 13
Yes, both batsmen have been positive. In fact, even Pujara was pretty positive and that has put the pressure back on the Aussies. Their spinner Lyon looks ineffective so far. Let's wait and watch how things transpire today. Cheers! Ram
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
24 Feb 13
Everything about Pujara indicates that Rahul would be proud to have him as his successor. He is methodical and very patient exactly in the Dravid mould. What's more his personality is similar in that he is quiet and goes about his work in a workman-like style. So he has all the makings of the next great wall of India. Cheers! Ram
• Ahmednagar, India
24 Feb 13
I agree what you said about Pujara. Yes, he does look a lot confident when batting and that always reminds me of Rahul Dravid. I don't know why, but I see shades of the Wall in Pujara. But I was very surprised the way Pujara was bowled by Pattinson. It looked too childish for me.
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@kundanraj (660)
• India
23 Feb 13
I don't think this match is in balance mode right now. India is lagging little bit until the do good in 3rd day. If India did played good better in the first sessionm they may surpass the total they have been given by australia. Though match is not much resultive as far as i can think about it. I belive this macth is more probably a draw.
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@ram_cv (16513)
• India
24 Feb 13
I think Kundan then you have not been following matches at Madras for long. The Madras pitches offer a good batting surface for the first three days and then starts to crumble making batting difficult on days 4 and 5. So you will start to see a lot more wickets falling starting from Tea on Day 3. I think there will definitely be a result in this match. Cheers! Ram
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
24 Feb 13
Dhoni and Kohli have ensured that India takes the lead. Currently India lead by 78 runs with two more wickets in the kitty. I think if they extend it beyond 100 then India would be in driver's seat in this match. Cheers! Ram
• Ahmednagar, India
24 Feb 13
I totally agree with you Ram. This Test match is definitely going to have a result. The only thing I am concerned about, as a fan, is that the result should come India's way
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• India
23 Feb 13
As salt is responsible for holding all the spices together, Sachin played the same role today. He was looking confidence which was clearly absent in the last series but still the match is evenly poise with still Aussies have a little edge. Tomorrow Clarke and Lyon may bowl in tandem and that could test Indian batsman. Clarke is looking quite rusty and India should not allow Clarke to get to his rhythm. Tomorrow is going to be fascinating.
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@ram_cv (16513)
• India
24 Feb 13
I think the first ball summed up his confidence. Here was a bowler bowling at the 140s-150s and he had taken two wickets and was apparently breathing fire. Sachin walks in a drives one for four, then again, then has a waft and then dispatches another to the boundary. What is all the fuss about. :) Cheers! Ram
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
23 Feb 13
Thanks a ton for sharing this discussion. Yes u are absolutely right,i feel that it would be too early to comment on the match as either side have reached a situation who can take away the match from here on. But very honestly i felt extremely good to see Sachin among the runs who was very well supported by the youngsters on the other side. What say?
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@ram_cv (16513)
• India
24 Feb 13
Yes, it was the master conducting the master class to the two new inductees in the middle. Pujara and Kohli might have been really savoring the moment!! Cheers! Ram
• India
23 Feb 13
Yes Indian team was in a bit of bother when their opening pair failed again but then Sachin came to rescue. He was positive in his approach right from the start. Murali Vijay wasted another great opportunity to prove himself. But Pujara and Kohli looks solid and comfortable in their batting. Clarke used Pattinson in short and effective spells today. It will be interesting to see whether this tactic will work tomorrow. I hope Sachin will make some big score tomorrow to prove his critics wrong. This master is under immense pressure from past few series.
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@ram_cv (16513)
• India
24 Feb 13
I was impressed with Pujara once more. But I was shocked at the manner of his dismissal. It just seemed an abject lapse of concentration!! Cheers! Ram