***Official*** India in South Africa

[silentstriker]

Sehwag should play his natural game to a limited extent. In other words, he needs to work out a few kinks in his natural game. Specifically, he needs to learn how to deal with the ball on off-stump or in the corridor of uncertainty, because that's what quality bowlers will give you. You don't go for a wild square cut on those deliveries when the new cherry is swinging just because it's your natural game and it works in the subcontinent.

Yup.

 

[Salamuddin]

I still think India can win the Cape Town test, but as I've said before It all hinges on thier batsmen.....

Munaf Patel will definitely strengthen the attack --- he is the most accurate Indian bolwer after Kumble and the Saffies will find it harder to get runs off him than VRV.

It could come down to the toss though.... neither side is confident chasing runs (india's batting is over the hill/poor under pressure and South Africa's really ain't that good)......

 

[Turbinator]

Sehwag should play his natural game to a limited extent. In other words, he needs to work out a few kinks in his natural game. Specifically, he needs to learn how to deal with the ball on off-stump or in the corridor of uncertainty, because that's what quality bowlers will give you. You don't go for a wild square cut on those deliveries when the new cherry is swinging just because it's your natural game and it works in the subcontinent.

Exactly, that's why he should be put down the order.

Anyways, we've discussed enough on that. When is the next Test, Tuesday right?

EDIT: Yeah checked it is on the second, wow, this one came pretty fast. Only a two day break.

 

[adharcric]

Tomorrow night.

 

[Prince EWS]

Thats the problem. He doesn't have the technique. And at this stage in his career, its too late to learn a whole new technique. So he has to go back to domestic cricket and focus on getting his confidence back...and maybe learning how to leave balls better and how not to HIT THE ****ING BALLS AWAY FROM YOUR ****ING BODY!

That is exactly right.

Batsmen with good techniques that don't place an over-reliance on form or timing can get out of form slumps reasonably quickly. But a batsman like Sehwag who has an unconventional technique with a few obvious flaws can just continue in a downward spiral of bad form if he isn't dropped.

 

[marc71178]

Agree with you there completely, but Sehwag IMO is good enough atm to focus on his batting only and still bowl great offspin.

If his bowling continues to improve the way it has done in the last 24 hours on here, he'll be replacing Murali as number 1 spinner by the end of January.

 

[Dravid]

Or we could just give him one last chance and put him down the order.

Turb, as much as you want him to play, it's 99% certain he's being dropped for Gambir.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Or we could just give him one last chance and put him down the order.

Who opens the batting? The only person Gambhir should be coming in for is Sehwag. Heck, even Ganguly has shown some spunk in this series.

And what qualifies as the one last chance that he's deserving of? It's such a ridiculous term, because it really implies a neverending cycle, considering that it's purely subjective.

 

[Dravid]

Who opens the batting? The only person Gambhir should be coming in for is Sehwag. Heck, even Ganguly has shown some spunk in this series.

And what qualifies as the one last chance that he's deserving of? It's such a ridiculous term, because it really implies a neverending cycle, considering that it's purely subjective.

He wanted Dhoni to open when we have an opener who has deserved a spot in the side waiting on the sidelines.

 

[Jono]

Cannot wait till the test starts tomorrow. Its going to be pretty damn exciting, because I think, as most have said as well, SA are still under pressure to win the series, and India will see it as a tragedy if they lose the series going 1-0 up. They did it against WI, but people compare this loss to the 2005 Pak series and 2006 Eng series both at home, however at least India they drew those two.

It'll also be interesting to see what time of pitch is served up, whether it'll help the spinners as some have suggested.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

He wanted Dhoni to open when we have an opener who has deserved a spot in the side waiting on the sidelines.

And because unlike Sehwag, Dhoni hasn't been throwing away his wicket lately?

 

[Dravid]

And because unlike Sehwag, Dhoni hasn't been throwing away his wicket lately?

Yup he has, but Dhoni has still been scoring runs every now and then. I don't agree with him opening.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Yup he has, but Dhoni has still been scoring runs every now and then. I don't agree with him opening.

I expect he would be exposed against the new ball, given the way he plays. And between that and gifting his wicket, he wouldn't prosper very much.

 

[Dravid]

I expect he would be exposed against the new ball, given the way he plays. And between that and gifting his wicket, he wouldn't prosper very much.

Btw, Dhoni has changed his game big time. Have you seen him on this tour? Apart from that one shot he got out on, he was playing really smart and according to the situation.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Btw, Dhoni has changed his game big time. Have you seen him on this tour? Apart from that one shot he got out on, he was playing really smart and according to the situation.

I doubt he's changed his basic technique though, which is really the bit I'd be concerned about when considering the new ball.

 

[Dravid]

I doubt he's changed his basic technique though, which is really the bit I'd be concerned about when considering the new ball.

His technique, not that much, his style, his aggressiveness...yes. Much more sensible batsman than he was a year ago.

 

[Jono]

Eh, even if Dhoni could bat against the new ball, why have him keep for possibly 90-odd overs on a hot day, and then go in to open the batting? He's already got a finger injury, let's not kill the man before the WC.

 

[adharcric]

I doubt he's changed his basic technique though, which is really the bit I'd be concerned about when considering the new ball.

Not so much changed, revealed rather. I didn't know he could come so far out on the front foot and play defense for extended periods of time like he did on Day 5 at Durban.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

If you're going to open with Dhoni, you might as well go with Dravid instead. India have wasted too many keepers at the top of the order and the only purpose Dhoni would serve would be to protect Dravid and Tendulkar from the new ball. Not that I want to see Dravid open. Straight swap for me: Gambhir for Sehwag.

 

[adharcric]

If you're going to open with Dhoni, you might as well go with Dravid instead. India have wasted too many keepers at the top of the order and the only purpose Dhoni would serve would be to protect Dravid and Tendulkar from the new ball. Not that I want to see Dravid open. Straight swap for me: Gambhir for Sehwag.

Pretty much. Cricinfo's preview is disheartening though ...