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The recently concluded India vs Australia series will go down as one of the best of all the time, with the classic tale of…
With a cracker of a game at Sydney, we have a mouth-watering series decider waiting for us at the Gabba. There is everything to…
After the aberration that was day three of the first Test at Adelaide Oval, what turned out to be a shambolic performance by team…
As team India set to lock horns with the baggy greens for what is billed to be the most exciting contest for the year…
There has been a lot of talk about India's middle order conundrum. With many questioning Rishabh Pant's absence from the 15-man squad, Dinesh Karthik…
While Team India came short of addressing their dismal overseas Test performances yet again - them being ‘competitive’ notwithstanding - it’s time to look…
The recently concluded ODI series between India and Australia saw a record-crunching number of runs scored, which saw the bowling and nature of pitches…
Hi Mark, Rohit isn’t available until the third test actually. He misses out the first two tests. So you need a replacement for Kohli before. Gill/Rahul seems to be the one for that slot. Besides I don’t think Rohit would be played in the middle order again !
Team India's selection conundrum for Adelaide Test
Hi Dave,
Agreed Rohit has a poor test record overseas. But he still remains India’s prolific batsman. If you see, this is almost a second wind for Rohit, as now he is playing as an opener and there is more certainity regarding his place in the XI. Earlier he used to get a match, 2 match max in overseas before he was dropped for better balance of the team. Besides being injured very often. So he hasn’t got a real opportunity and consistency to express himself overseas till now. And after a dream start as an opener in tests at home, this was supposed to be a litmus test for him to find where he is currently in test cricket. But unfortunate, how things have shaped up for him.
With Regards to Saha, I have immense respect for him and personally would like to see him in the XI. He also showed great promise with the bat in the IPL surprising many. So he’s no mug with the bat either. But Pant is slightly better batsman and can play those explosive innings or counter attacking cameos that can shift the pressure towards the opponent. Yes I’m aware of the circumstances in which Pant scored his century, while Saha scored a half century when the chips were down. But I think the management would go with the more aggressive option as the ball doesn’t do a lot for someone behind the stumps. So the gap between Pant and Saha as a keeper diminishes. Besides Pant being a Southpaw brings variety to the line up, specially considering the threat of Lyon around.
Team India's selection conundrum for Adelaide Test
Hi, I think KL Rahul in the recent past has become a big name in the Indian dressing room. He’s someone if you are having him in your squad you are more likely to play him in the XI. He’s also someone when he’s in groove reminds you of Virat, with some superb stroke making ability and grace on his side. Also has the tempo to take on the bowlers. This is the reason that he was rewarded with a selection in the test team post his IPL show, although he had a very poor recent test record. As he is someone the management and many others still think very highly off.
Vihari’s slot is secured. Its a toss up between Gill & Rahul for opener slot and I explained my reason why I would go with Rahul as an opener. Though I’m confident & hoping both of them will find a place from the 2nd test onwards.
Team India's selection conundrum for Adelaide Test
Hi Paul, thanks for your read.
I’d request you to also read my article India’s middle order conundrum, the link to which is already attached in this article. In that I have expressed that India’s concern is not when they are 200/2 but when they 20/2 or 20/3. Yes top 3 are going to fetch you the most runs and are world class for sure, but what about the day when they have collective failure? We saw that on the big ocassion on CT final. You don’t want to believe that the match is over now. That’s why a dependable and solid no. 4 is also needed ! You see the likes of England, Australia they have guys like Eoin Morgan, Steve Smith at 4! So you can’t undermine the role of no. 4..! Glad that Rahul has fired, have always pinned for him at no. 4..
Have India found the right combination for the World Cup?
Hi, I would like you to correct you slightly, that pant was going head to head with Karthik and not Dhoni. And I have written in the article that I was thrilled to see the likes of Karthik being selected. So I’m not a Pant fan to raise this debate again n again!
However, what made me relook was the recent Pak Vs eng series. Pakistan is not a primarily batting dominant side and to see them score the likes of 340 with consistency was surprising.. which also made one realize that you also need power hitters in your 11 who can raise the score from a par to match winning score in this world cup. So I said like England & Pakistan, India could have also done some last minute changes, even though I’m a bigger Karthik fan than Pant. Thanks for your read though
Have India found the right combination for the World Cup?
I don’t agree with the views expressed. I’m not a big fan of people being selected on the basis of age. It’s always to do with performance and fitness.
You called the middle order selection disappointing ( jadhav, Karthik, rayadu). India already has too many players vying for too few slots and you want to throw pant in it too? We already have Dhoni and Karthik as wicketkeeper batsmen. I don’t see how can pant fit in too. His time shall come soon though but I think post 2019 wc.
Those middle order batsmen you mentioned were never dropped in first place. Rayadu couldn’t pass yo yo test in England, jadhav was injured, and Karthik has always featured in the squad lately.
And you expressed youngsters should be tried since you don’t consider the other participating teams worthy opponents. Bangladesh have shredded that image long ago. Afghanistan are giving teams a run for their money. Hong Kong almost embarrassed India. Please do not disrespect any opponent. They are not there just to add to the numbers!
And md siraj actually impressed everyone with his t20 outing in IPL. So he was rightly called for t20 national squad.
On another note, yes there’s some consistency lacking in team selection. They try a new bowler evey series at the cost of someone they just tried or someone being shown the cold shoulder.
India's Asia Cup squad shows some poor planning
Hi Paul.
With Regards to Rohit, BCCI has really created an unnecessary fiasco the way they have handled the entire episode. I don’t think there is an intention of not playing Rohit and yet taking him to the tour. His playing chances i think would depend on the scoreline. If India wins the 2nd test, and yet India drops one of the openers to accommodate Rohit at the top, it would create unnecessary controversy, specially given that he would be coming off without much game time.
By playing with more freedom I don’t mean throwing caution to the wind, rather playing with less baggage that comes with the expectations. Its like dropping a weight from your back and walking.
You can hope for Pant to play and drop some catches and you can come out very disappointed, and more so when he smashes Lyon for fun.
With regards to not giving them much of a chance, well this is not my opinion. I still back my team to do well. This is but a popular opinion with many experts calling for a 4-0 whitewash for the Indian team. And this is due to the fact that Australia this time are playing full strength, India on the other hand are without their star batsman and couple of other big names.
Team India's selection conundrum for Adelaide Test