Blogs Is There Any Way India Can Win The Third Test?
April 12th, 2008 by prashantTo my eyes, this pitch looks like a minefield. India currently has a lead of 23 runs which realistically is all they would be able to put together. I can not imagine SS and IS sticking around too long to make any substantial difference. South Africa should not have much difficulty wiping that deficit without losing too many wickets (if any).
So, the most probable scenario is that SA will put up a sizable second innings total setting India a big enough total to chase. Looking at the present condition of the pitch and the South African attacks’ power, it would be very difficult for India to bat 4th and that too while chasing a large enough total.
So the most probable scenario is South Africa winning this test and the series very comfortably. The only scenario that I can see for India to pull off a victory here is to repeat their performance at Johannesburg in 2006. India would need to bowl out SA very very cheaply. Any total of 200+ to chase on this pitch in the 4th innings would be extremely difficult. Then again stranger things have happened 
Go India!!
April 13th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Don’t worry Prashant. Justice will prevail. India will win or rather they should win. The second test was only an abberation. India is a vastly superior side to the Proteas.
April 13th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Prashant… The Indian Team made every statement in your blog completely wrong… except the last one….”Stranger things have happened…”
Isn’t this the very reason why we all love Cricket… and especially Test Cricket?
April 13th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Yes, the Indian team (especially the last pair) did prove the first para of my blog wrong, but they did exactly what I had said would be a scenario for an Indian win, bowl SA out cheaply. India would have been in trouble if it was chasing anything over 150+.
So 100% marks to the Indian team for prolonging their innings long enough to take a lead that made South Africans think about it and get pressured to lose 3 wickets before wiping it out and then finishing the job by bowling them out for 121.
All in all a very satisfying series leveling win
April 13th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
And, if India had won the first match, which we should have won after the incredible innings by Sehwag, we could have won the series as well.