Rohit Sharma named India's Test captain

Certain players being dropped; that was definitely needed. Maybe much earlier, maybe they deserved that extended run - its all up for debate. Anyway its a good refresh now. Regarding captaincy, I don't see any other captaincy material right now in the team. Some people say Rahul, some say Pant, some Bumrah, some Ashwin. According to me, none of them are on par with Rohit, not even close second to accept the role. There is a huge fight between Pant and Rahul among the fans on social media, but for me both are not ready. Between them, Pant is better but both are not ready. Ashwin is technically good but he overtries things that are not needed; maybe he is good as a senior player mentoring the juniors thats it. Waiting to see how new captains in IPL and domestic circuit fare. In the last 3-4 years, two players have been standout captains for me in the domestic circuit. One is Manish Pandey, other is Jaydev Unadkat. Both are showing some amazing team management and Manish's reading of the game and awareness is on the international standard. Such an irony that he is not even in the test scheme. He should have debuted a decade ago in tests, he would have been a readymade captain by now in the longest format. One of the most mismanaged careers in Indian cricket for me. His game is more suited to Tests and ODIs and he was selected as T20I player, that too never consistently. IPL is okay but he is not for T20Is. Let's see how the future unfolds.

Pant may be inconsistent but he is a match winner with bat.If he plays 10 games ,he will win you 3 or 4 matches with his bat.Pant makes meaningful runs.

of the 3 you've named. the only one IMO who is a chance is KL Rahul. Bumrah won't be considered, not because of injury, but workload. He like all fast bowlers these days needs to be carefully managed, which will likely mean being rested from time to time, especially as he gets older. I'm still not sold on Pant as either a keeper or as a batsman. Granted he's still young, but gee he blows hot and cold with his batting and he's got a fair way to go to be considered a good Test gloveman. He's also an excitable chap, which is perhaps not a great attribute for a Test skipper.

Ayurvedic diet is the oldest known eating regime. I'm doing it because of prostate issues which were compounded by the hospital giving me an E coli based UTI. Worst known pain to man. And l need a hip replacement too. ------- It's premised on the fact that all afflictions in the body are an inflammation of one sort or another. I eat protein once a week- fish on Sunday- that's it for proteins. I actually love it because it's bloody fantastic.

I had to google that . Looks interesting. I’ll keep it to myself though , I am addicted to Breyanis , sambals , rotis , samoosas and mutton or fish curry literally to die for :stoked: From our local Indian Butcher called Nagias we buy “Turbo” sausages ..I kid you not that’s what they call em . Keep a nice cool beer close by tho whilst eating .

Well yeah I was referring to the pro era actually . Prior to 1992 SA never ever played against India . But I think it’s pretty obvious that teams from the sub continent struggle on Aus and SA pitches and visa versa . It’s noticeable that homeground advantage counts for zero when SA plays Aus because Conditions are so similar . Actually New Zealand also have no experience of beating South Africa in SA . So clearly it’s a matter of conditions .

I eat an Ayurvedic diet. At least I'm back on it.

Nice response . Maybe I chose India as a bad example :laughing: Have by a zillion miles the Worlds highest incidences if gastrointestinal disorders . Guess there is a reason for that . But I am influenced by my wife a South African Indian . Trust me her food is unbelievably great . :thumbup:

In the old days it was food as well as pitches, etc. The origins of WSC partly lie in Chappelli’s assessment that whilst the the ACB were making a motza they were sending teams away to the Subcontinent on a miserly stipend, clearly substandard accommodation and inadequate food provisions. ——– So as Vic would say good batsman in a curt fashion, re Bradman, Ian would’ve viewed Don as a parsimonious boss in a similar fashion.

Aus has won four series in India, but only one since 1970. I’d say Indian pitches have got worse. And SA pitches have got more bowler friendly (bit like Aus this year). Wouldn’t have thought NZ pitches that hard to adjust to for SA players. But lack of practice matches crazy, as you say. Aus doing the same in Pakistan, which could be just as bad.

I don’t really want to harp on this but South Africa generally struggle in NZ conditions. There is a reason for that . The ball tends to really hold up off the pitch . That’s the total opposite of what happens in SA . Most of this team have never actually played in NZ and not scheduling a warm up match was just plain daft . Conditions favour swing and we are overloaded with seamers who rely on pace which is largely neutralized . It’s a learning curve for a very young inexperienced team . SA is not blessed with the player , coaching and financial resources of Aus . We go through rebuilding phases to develop great teams . At the moment at the bottom of the curve but going up . This will be pure gold in terms of experience. Same time I don’t want to take away from NZs superb performance. Thoroughly outplayed us . Good job . See you next time .

Yes,pant can be good tactical captain.KL Rahul can also be a good one. Don't count bumrah out at least for test cricket because of workload issue and injury.

and would you consider either to be genuine captaincy material?

Not that badly...in both innings. It was very weak. Smarts and heart were both lacking. Verreynne and Jansen, however, look like long termers.

But they are . How many series in history has Australia won in India . ? How many series in history has India won in Australia? India has never won in South Africa who in turn have only won once India . I’m afraid thats not because of the food . It’s unfamiliar pitch differences .

An international team should never be that subject to the vagaries of a pitch.

South Africa were up against it this Test . Not looking for excuses and actually predicted here a week ago that I expected that . Just not as comprehensively :shocked: . Half the team have never played in NZ . Pitch conditions very different to SA . Whereas Bangladesh arrived almost a month prior and got a warm up game , SA only been in NZ a bit more than a week . No warm up . That was crazy don’t know who is responsible . Team looked really flat . It’s no big deal though . Think it’ll be a bit different next match .

If anything dropping these 4 senior players make India stronger,just look at the record of newbie saurabh Kumar.You will understand what those means.

Well,pant and Rahul more or less cemented their spot whether you find it hard to believe it or not.

Yes, challenging "meaning/meaningless". Probably 'significant' might be better. Surely, however, the surprise results highlight significance even in those that we might find insignificant. For instance, how badly have SA done against NZ after beating India? Suddenly B'Desh is a significant player. Every game throws up something.