Australia in India 2008

[Harv]

Agree - he is one awkward bowler to face.

A class act though on and off the pitch so all the best to him.

He just gets those balls to skid on, love to see the amount of LBW's he has. The batter has no chance when he gets it in the right spot and gets no bounce.

[tsb]

I bet a lot of batsmen are glad to see the back of Kumble. His replacement has big big shoes to fill.

Mishra may have taken a fair few on debut but how many times has that happened and then the bowler faded into obscurity?

[Sarb]

Chawla will be good. Bhajji and Mishra to boot. Plenty of potential replacements no doubt

[tsb]

Bhaji is not a replacement, he's an offie and been part of the team for this decade. Chawla and Mishra will really have to step up to the plate now, spin is India's strength especially at home.

[Sarb]

Bhaji is not a replacement, he's an offie and been part of the team for this decade. Chawla and Mishra will really have to step up to the plate now, spin is India's strength especially at home.

Never meant a replacement. Meant we've got a good spin attack regardless with some good players coming through as potential replacements. Bhajji will now be the main man in terms of spin for me in the team.

And I know who Bhajji is. I've been following Indian Cricket for years mate.

[tsb]

And I know who Bhajji is. I've been following Indian Cricket for years mate.

I was implying that he has plenty of experience, unlike the new guys.

[Parm]

really is the start of a new era for us. About time these kids got a run out

[tsb]

Sarb, here's that offie I was telling you about. Apparently hes playing in the next test...

Harbhajan raring to go

A toe injury forced Harbhajan Singh out of the Delhi Test and denied him the opportunity of bowling in tandem with Anil Kumble for one last time, but the offspinner is now "100% fit" and ready to bear the responsibility of being India's premier slow bowler.

Winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is the biggest stake for India in Nagpur, but apart from the wider picture, there are other sub-plots - the most significant being Sourav Ganguly's final Test and VVS Laxman's 100th. And Harbhajan has his own milestone to look forward to. He's on the cusp of becoming only the third Indian bower to take 300 Test wickets, after finishing the Mohali Test on 299.

"I would have liked to get the 300th in Mohali [his home ground] but unfortunately I couldn't. Hopefully I'll get it here in Nagpur. If I bowl well, hopefully, I'll end up with 500," he said.

For the majority of those 299 wickets, Harbhajan had Kumble to back him up at the other end, giving away nothing. He's bowled with other spinners as well but Kumble's absence in those phases, unlike the one which is beginning, has been temporary.

"Obviously Anil bhai's retired and his will be very very big shoes to fill. To fill the gap left by a great player is very difficult. But we've got Amit Mishra and some other young bowlers. It's a good chance for them to get in the team. They are good enough. They have played lot of domestic cricket and done well. I'm sure in time they will perform for the country as well."

Mishra made his debut in Mohali and picked up a five-for but had a poor game in Delhi, where he took only one wicket.

Harbhajan also said that despite the emotion-laden circumstances under which the fourth Test will be played, India will not be content with protecting their 1-0 lead.

"It's very simple to be focused. You just have to focus on cricket. That's it. If people are retiring that's their decision. We're 1-0 up and want to finish the series 2-0. Hopefully Sourav will have a very good match here and gets lots of runs. It'll be great for the team and great for him."

Ganguly was one of two players - Zaheer being the other - who didn't practice at the old Vidharba Cricket Association on Tuesday because practice facilities aren't complete at the new Test venue.

"Zaheer did a lot of bowling in the last three Tests and Sourav is feeling fatigued with the traveling. They are both fit but are taking it easy today," said Harbhajan.

The practice sessions on Wednesday - the eve of the match - are also scheduled at the old stadium, which means the new one, situated on the outskirts of the city, will be new territory for both teams when the Test begins. Harbhajan hasn't even been there yet but didn't think it was an issue at all.

"We aren't worried too much about how the wicket will play, how it won't play, what will happen, what won't happen. We're looking forward to playing some good cricket and finishing the series 2-0," he said.

[Sarb]

Come on Bhajji

[Skillz]

Forgot about this thread.

Firstly well done and congrats for a brilliant career Anil

Secondly, Tendulker is all class. Muchos respect for him

[Jayesh87]

Sachin scores his 40th test century

India 1st Innings
311 for 5 (87.0 overs)

Really important for Ganguly and MS to have a decent partnership tomorrow and to get as many runs as possible and hopefully bat the aussies out the game/series.

Who is Murali Vijay btw? Never heard of him before!

[Sarb]

Murali Vijay from Tamil, making his Test Debut in place of Gauti. Did well I think. Disappointing that Tendulkar went before stumps to be honest. It's an average score at the moment for me. Need to bat a while tomorrow. Don't think Dhoni will be playing for a draw...the guy plays to win

On another note, should Ponting not be due a ban now. I'm sure captains get banned for persistently slow over rates!? And I think it's four Tests in a row now

[Harv]

Murali Vijay from Tamil, making his Test Debut in place of Gauti. Did well I think. Disappointing that Tendulkar went before stumps to be honest. It's an average score at the moment for me. Need to bat a while tomorrow. Don't think Dhoni will be playing for a draw...the guy plays to win

On another note, should Ponting not be due a ban now. I'm sure captains get banned for persistently slow over rates!? And I think it's four Tests in a row now

You say some dumb things, but thats right up there with the dumbest. If they are slow you fine the team, not ban the captain

[DeeGame]

[Parm]

You say some dumb things, but thats right up there with the dumbest. If they are slow you fine the team, not ban the captain

you do bite at the smallest bit of bait dont you!

Sachin-another notch on his record.