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Kumar's avatar

Because they take into history of the pitches and the scores that have happened historically. Like dude, there have been matches played on pitches since a long time.

If you want to quibble with the South Africa series, then you should ensure that the bowlers grow up by at least 6-7 inches. The worst bowler in the series, Wian Mulder got more movement on 3rd day due to higher release point. That was the only drawback. Otherwise, India created as many false shots or more than South Africa and were unlucky.

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Sahil Mital's avatar

Regarding the false shots, one also creates their own luck, how many catches fell short, when we have shorter bowlers couldn't they bring up the slips a bit! They had at least 4-5 catches go down like that

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Sahil Mital's avatar

if historical scores at a ground were all that's needed then u wouldnt need to go out and see the pitch at the toss would u! Do you think mcg has played the same from ashes 2017-18 to this time? Pitches change all the time, that's why they evaluate how much grass is on the pitch, how cloudy the conditions are particularly in England, with Jimmy Anderson bowling on bowling conditions at headingley at the toss to select to bat is throwing ur batsmen to the lions.

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Kumar's avatar

Anderson takes wickets because he's a great bowler. He doesn't wickets because of clouds! Like he did well in Sri Lanka and India in 2021 where there were hardly cloudy conditions. And Duke's ball with it's pronounced seam gives bowlers more help.

Like if India had bowled first and given up lets say around 250+ and got all out for similar score at Headingley, would we be arguing here about how it was a stupid decision to bowl?

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Sahil Mital's avatar

Yes Anderson is a great bowler that gets more assistance when there's clouds and grass, are we really debating that those conditions make him more potent? Why give the dukes ball with Anderson the most help by asking them to bowl first under cloudy conditions in a green headingley!

Yes india bowling first could've given 250 but that would mean they wouldn't have exploited the conditions enuf, but even if that was the case the odds would be less of us getting out for 80-odd when batting, yes it could've happened but we wouldn't have said it was a bad decision because it was a decision taking into account the conditions and the strengths and weaknesses of the team! It's about giving ur team the best chance of success

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Kumar's avatar

Lol we are circle jerking. For the last time, hindsight is 20/20. Foresight is never 20/20. Its all could've, should've, would've. Nothing is concrete and we are just debating on conjecture. Anyways, nice talking to you. Have a great day!

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Sahil Mital's avatar

I agree on hindsight but I felt those opinions at the toss itself when hearing about the conditions/knowing about our recent batting form and team composition, not after seeing the scorecard after. Cheers.

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