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Joined January 2021
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It is phenomenal I just like having the extra assurance haha. Plus the amount times a Sam Curran or Pat Cummins had succeeded with the bat against India, it would be nice if they could do the same.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
I definitely don’t think India are playing NZ more than Aus in tests. Sice the start of 2014, India have played 4 tests in NZ and 12 tests in Australia. NZ usually can only ever unfortunately get the likes of Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka etc to tour, with recently England being an exception.
Nice to hear SA is back this year, would like to see Aus play there as well.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
Yeah Aus obviously stuffed up by not beating a bruised and battered Indian side. You could argue for that serious alone they definitely didn’t deserve the final.
Just a cynical point that they only just missed out. To be fair if Aus didn’t receive the deduction they’d only beat NZ on Runs per Wicket ratio, so it could’ve been harsh on either side.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
If it’s a draw then the teams actually share the title. Would that be better? 😁
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
Yeah it probably is a negative view point, but that’s just me haha.
Pant is in very good form so India might be happy with their top 7 already. You make a good point that India might feel limited with 2 spinners, we’ll see what happens.
I understand what you mean about it being the same cohort for India that lost 3 years ago, so it will be a big mental barrier to overcome, and there is that sense of ‘what’s different?’. I guess the players will just have to use that experience as lessons to move forward. I agree it’s the issues of batting fragility and bowlers closing the whole innings; you could say that’s why they lost in Adelaide.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
NZ’s success always seems to be underplayed. I’m not saying I agree, just that it happens.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
No of course not! 😁 It’s just the hype sadly isn’t as much for here many passive cricket fans, because Australia aren’t in the final.
Also I was saying despite the supposed flaws of the wtc format, there’s still going to be an amazing final.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
Didn’t mean to comment the same thing twice, the first one just didn’t upload straight away for me
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
It could be a risky tactic, but for the balance of their side India has to pick both of them. It might be a negative view point but I feel India need to have someone at number 8 still capable with the bat. The only pacer who can contribute in that sense is Thakur, and he may be in contention who knows. If it doesn’t spin too much I guess Jadeja won’t bowl too much and Ashwin will play a holding role so the quicks can rotate.
The 4-1 England series scoreline doesn’t reflect truly how closely fought it actually was. Sam Curran bailed England out a few times, India could’ve well won the series. From the 2-0 drubbing there are no positives to take and I agree it may seem if the batting conditions are tough, India might not have an answer.
However I’m basing a close contest on the fact that this current Indian team has shown so much grit and fight even in very dire circumstances. On paper they still have all the tools to succeed imo.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
Yeah I reckon India A performances are a much better tell than raw first class performance.
The three Test teams India could lineup
I’ve seen you mention that first point before, and I agree it’s a risky tactic, but for the balance of the side I feel India has to go with that combination. At number 8 they need someone who can still hold the bat, and other than Thakur, India don’t have a pacer to do so. It might be negative to highlight batting skill for bowlers but the tail always seems to be in play in India’s matches. If they realise conditions don’t suit spin, I guess Jadeja won’t bowl too much and the pacers will rotate around Ashwin.
As for the 4-1 from 2018, that scoreline it itself doesn’t reflect how closely contested the series was. Sam Curran had to save England a few times and India just had no one to support Kohli. From the 2-0 result there’s zero positives for India and I agree it almost seems clear if batting conditions will be tough, India have no answer.
However I’m banking more on the fact that India have shown so much grit and perseverance lately, and even in the most dire circumstances have staged comebacks. They still have the tools to succeed imo.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
Yes those were two brilliant wins for NZ, and India would still be hurting for sure. Personally I don’t have doubts about New Zealand, just reiterating some of the backlash I’ve seen.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
I mentioned India would want revenge for the demolition they endured last year to NZ but maybe could’ve stressed that series more, especially in terms of almost being a preview of the final.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
Yeah NZ are treated unfairly in terms of test scheduling. They rarely get to tour and it’s a crime they still usually play 2 match test series.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
I know you’ve stressed the importance of Ranji success, but what about Shardul Thakur. He has a great knack of getting wickets for India, even if he’s getting smashed and don’t forget his crucial sixty odd at the Gabba.
The three Test teams India could lineup
I was referring just the WTC, in which NZ were the only team to win all their home games and their best away result was 1-1 vs struggling Sri Lanka.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final
A reason they want to play both is because Jadeja taking the spot of a 6th batter doesn’t ruin anything. He is very capable as a batsman, and add more than a regular batter with his brilliant fielding and bowling. That still leaves 4 bowler spots. Ashwin has proven to be a staple even overseas in recent times so it will be hard to not play him.
A four man pace attack would be a good option but I don’t think it is viable mainly because those four you mentioned can’t bat. Yes I know, bowlers shouldn’t be judged on their batting ability but having basically four number 11s is a problem for me and hence Ashwin fixes it a little. The only pacer that can bat is Thakur, but his bowling is not close to those others. Ideally in English conditions Bhuvi Kumar would play but he’s not in the squad
England batting spells disaster as Black Caps win series
There’s been talk around that the players, more specifically the batsmen, England were missing could change the fortunes for them going into the India series but I don’t think it’s that straightforward.
Jos Buttler has never been too consistent in his test career, averaging 30 or below in 6 of his last 8 test series. However, when he was on song against Pakistan last year it was pivotal for England’s winning of the series.
Ben Stokes is a vital cog for England obviously, but he has an interesting record against India. India is the team he’s played the most tests against, 15, yet averages 26.71 against them.
As for Jonny Bairstow, I think it’s pretty clear he shouldn’t be considered right now, certainly not at number 3 where he’s played recently.
I’m very interesting to the see how the assessment of England’s batting changes during the India series, and it will definitely reflect their mindset going into the Ashes.
England batting spells disaster as Black Caps win series
Yeah I thought the grit that Renshaw, Maxi and Handscomb showed overseas, especially in India was great and they were probably dumped a bit soon. Arguably too hard for them to make comebacks to the side now though. Cartwright is an intersting case, got thrust into the Aus team out of nowhere now is behind many in the pecking order at WA.
The greatest two-Test affairs
I’m not the biggest expert on WI cricket but I’ll do my best haha.
For sure I reckon the attitudes of the old stars may impact the new young talent. Just look at Jofra Archer, he chose England over WI because he wanted to play test cricket more often. In saying this, I still think Jason Holder has done a solid job in his tenure as test captain with the options he’s had and as I mentioned the tour of Bangladesh should give them more confidence. Maybe if their best current players continue to play bilateral series the board can generate more revenue and hence pay increases. I also think a big board like Cricket Australia should organise more series with the WI, to help them financially. It’s been a long time since we’ve played them.
This years t20 WC is the first one in over 5 years, so hopefully there will be some decent build up and teams will plan properly. But yeah there is another one next year, so maybe the WI can have a go this year with their old guard and then reasses next year if necessary. The WI may certainly feel more passionate towards it because they are the reigning champs of course and their bilateral series performances have declined significantly, (now ranked number 10).
The last question I’m not fully sure. The WI seem like a pretty tight group, so I’m sure to an extent Pollard will be trying to encourage his mates to step up in time for the WC. Another thing that impacts selection, I forgot to mention in the article, recently WI, like many other teams, have a strong emphasise on fitness to make the team. This is why the likes of Hetmyer, Cottrell, Roston Chase didn’t make the squads for SL. This could also impact veterans coming back into the side.
The search is on for Caribbean flair
Yeah fair enough. I know theres a lot of complicated issues with the WI board, so it does make sense they prefer t20 leagues. Like I mentioned I do still believe they are still very good players, but what be nice if they were consistent in bilateral series as well. I think it’s about time the WI are invited to play here in Australia as well.
The search is on for Caribbean flair
On paper yeah they could be favourites, they just need consistency
The search is on for Caribbean flair
Away from home India have often played a 6th batsman, in the form of Hanuma Vihari. However considering how good Jadeja’s form has been in the last few years with the bat, India may sick to having him at number 6/7. I’d say he’s a proper genuine allrounder now.
Predicting India's line-up for the first Test against England
Pandya’s only real problem is consistency, he’s got all the necessary tools to succeed with the bat in test matches. If anything he’s a batting allrounder.
Can England spin to victory over imperious India?
Very impressive, but that was still before the WTC.
India versus NZ is a fitting World Test Championship final