Ganguly, Brave or Fool

chinaman · #1 January 5, 2004, 02:29 AM

Giving Australia to chase 443 runs in 94 overs is bold nonetheless. Will he ever have to regret or become iconic in the history of captaincy is just a matter of one more day to wait for, but is sure thrilling enough to give some extra race to hearts of Indian fans.

Hasib · #2 January 5, 2004, 03:47 AM

He is a fool.

Navarene · #3 January 5, 2004, 05:10 AM

No, he is not. Realising that this old dark horse(Kumble) can be the monster in this bouncy uneven pitch on day 5, he threw the target of odd 400+ to australia's court. If Aussie try to be too smart to reach the target with their one day style batting in stipulated 90 overs, they will surely have their wickets tumble in regular basis. Or they can try hard to go for a draw, it's up to their choice. For ganguly, with a bravery in heart, it was pretty obvious that he would go for a win even with a bit of risk of setting a target of 400+ in 90 overs. This is the only golden chance to thrash the giants like Aussie to win an overseas series outside the subcontinent after long 18 years. Or do you think he should have been dumb enough to keep on batting on day 5 and transcend this golden chance of winning to a lame draw? No way!

chinaman · #4 January 5, 2004, 10:44 AM

Well, he could have declared at the stumps. Dravid could have completed his ton and not to mention the 470+ target for the Aussies.

Beamer · #5 January 5, 2004, 01:38 PM

The decision is right and not foolish at all. You should always try to win and the percentages of India losing are very low. Chasing 443 on the fifth day on a dying bouncy pitch is a mammoth task. India had to declare and go for win. Worse possible outcome for India is a draw barring a disaster. India have the upperhand and he must capitalize on it. Not forcing the follow-on was a good tactical move too.

As for Dravid, he was struck on the ear on 91 and had to leave the ground, hence the declaration before the century. Plus, you always want your opponent to bat beofre the end of playing session. Its not unusual to claim a wkt or two during the dying sessions of the day...

acker · #6 January 5, 2004, 05:27 PM

It would be a disgrace if the Australians did get the target , having only captured 9 wickets for the entire match.:duh:

fab · #7 January 5, 2004, 07:16 PM

not looking good for a grand showdown..

<^AUS_IND> And the drizzle has returned, so the players are leaving the field
and the covers are coming on
<^AUS_IND> Match State: Delay - Day 5 - Rain

fab · #8 January 5, 2004, 07:41 PM

6.6 Pathan to Langer, no run, back, forced down on the off side
6.5 Pathan to Langer, FOUR, back to a shortish delivery, helped away
through third man
6.4 Pathan to Langer, no run, fullish ball, played back down the track
6.3 Pathan to Langer, FOUR, back to a short ball, cut away in the air
just past the left hand of the diving fielder at point
6.2 Pathan to Langer, FOUR, back to a short ball, slapped away with a
cut through point
6.1 Pathan to Langer, no run, pushed to the off side

reinausagi · #9 January 5, 2004, 07:57 PM

Hats off to the celebrated 'prince of Kolkata.' depending on the result, he will either be hailed as a genius or, be vilified (burned in effigy in tollygunj.)

But, either way, this is the way test cricket DESERVES to be played. I hope Greg Chappel (of the infamous underarm bowling repute) was watching on channel 9.

James90 · #10 January 5, 2004, 08:21 PM

Hayden gone

Need long innings from Martyn and Waugh

rafiq · #11 January 6, 2004, 12:46 AM

It's been a while since I have tuned into a non-BD game! I was hoping australia would go for it although it would take a lot of courage to risk losing. with 200 needed from 25 overs and 6 wickets in hand, I thik waugh should go for it.

why not? it's his last dance

fab · #12 January 6, 2004, 02:02 AM

yeah, but only problem is that Australian tail enders are nothing to write home about.. it would be VERY risky.. perhaps if the whole series wasn't dependant on this one game he may have taken the risk.

Overall I don't think the Australians crumbled in their batting as 474 and 300+ can hardly be called a poor effort.

So what is the verdict? Are the current Australian bowlers crap, or is the Indian batting line up extraordinary?

Arnab · #13 January 6, 2004, 02:13 AM

[qquote]Are the current Australian bowlers crap, or is the Indian batting line up extraordinary? [/quote]

You're right. The current Australian bowlers are crap, or the Indian batting line up is extraordinary.

If you are familiar with discrete logic, you know what I am saying. Think "inclusive or"

fab · #14 January 6, 2004, 02:31 AM

Quote:

If you are familiar with discrete logic, you know what I am saying. Think "inclusive or"

Actually I meant xor, surely if it was inclusive or then we'd see many records broken (and a win!)?

Arnab · #15 January 6, 2004, 03:01 AM

Then it's a wrong proposition to begin with. The Australian bowlers were crap AND the Indian batsmen were extraordinary.

A lot of records (individual records, partnership records, team total records, etc.) WERE broken! India did register a win and managed to not lose the series!

rafiq · #16 January 6, 2004, 01:01 PM

India definitely came out on top and deservedly so. But India's bowling is also crap, except for a resurgent Kumble. Australia's bowling just looks tired and worn out, they will be back to speed with McGrath and Warne returning later this year.

fab · #17 January 6, 2004, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Then it's a wrong proposition to begin with. The Australian bowlers were crap AND the Indian batsmen were extraordinary.

If you read carefully what I said you'll see this is not what I meant at all. Personally, I think the Indian batsman were extraordinary..

Quote:

India did register a win and managed to not lose the series!

Good point. The fact that India did not lose a series away from home is in itself a huge record! Either way, it's nice to see Tendulkar is back in form.

Hasib · #18 January 6, 2004, 10:16 PM

He scored more runs in an innings than an entire year!!!