*Official* - Road to India in South Africa - 2010-11

[Jono]

YES!

So good

 

[Jono]

"The process has started already. Except MS Dhoni, no senior player is there in the present ODI team (for the Australia series). Despite that our team performed really well yesterday. I hope this will work because this is one way the team management is working out a plan towards the World Cup,"

Love that Waterboy isn't seen as senior anymore

 

[shankar]

It's ludicrous that we were planning to play the test series without a single practice game! Even now it's not clear if this 'acclimitisation' involves a practice match.

 

[G.I.Joe]

wunderbar!

 

[Shri]

With Kirsten as coach, India will benefit and play better in SA this time I hope.

 

[Avada Kedavra]

Ind should play this side for NZ ODIs.

1.Vijay
2.Karthik(wk)
3.Kohli
4.Rohit Sharma
5.Tiwary
6.Yuvraj
7.Ashwin
8.Praveen
9.Ishant
10.Ojha
11.Nehra

that team would be perfect for 2 reasons-

1.No one from that side is likely to make the test team to SA.

2.It is still a team that you would back to challenge NZ.We really can't lose to a side that got w.washed by B'desh!

SA series win is a dream.It would be comparable to a Wc win,arguably even bigger.Everyone has to click-we can't afford to carry Raina,Dhoni and Gautam in addition to having an out of form Dravid.The bowlers should do ok as Sa will likely prepare greentops as always.

 

[vcs]

5 ODIs against NZ seems a bit of overkill. I agree that Dhoni should also go to SA early, but he probably won't. Raina will probably play the ODIs as well.

 

[Shri]

Can waterboy handle it if Kohli is made captain for the series? Would be lolworthy.

 

[Jono]

I reckon there is a good chance that Dhoni will miss a lot of those ODIs.

 

[vcs]

It's ludicrous that we were planning to play the test series without a single practice game! Even now it's not clear if this 'acclimitisation' involves a practice match.

This is also a concern. Takes away the option of finalizing certain slots based on how players go in practice matches in SA. I was thinking it would be good to have some competition for the last batting slot between Raina and Pujara. Same for the third seamer.

 

[Avada Kedavra]

This is also a concern. Takes away the option of finalizing certain slots based on how players go in practice matches in SA. I was thinking it would be good to have some competition for the last batting slot between Raina and Pujara. Same for the third seamer.

Gotta be Raina-much more experienced at intl level than Pujara.
The 3 seamers will be Zaheer,Sree and Ish.Do we have another choice?Nehra and Pk are odi material.Who else?

 

[vcs]

Gotta be Raina-much more experienced at intl level than Pujara.
The 3 seamers will be Zaheer,Sree and Ish.Do we have another choice?Nehra and Pk are odi material.Who else?

Well, Raina has only 3 more Tests experience. It would be a brave call obviously, and harsh on Raina, but if the team management feels Pujara would be more secure against genuine pace and short-pitched bowling, it would be nice to have a practice game to test the theory.

I agree there are very few options available in the bowling department. Probably Munaf. What happens in case of an injury? Two spinners?

 

[Avada Kedavra]

Well, Raina has only 3 more Tests experience. It would be a brave call obviously, and harsh on Raina, but if the team management feels Pujara would be more secure against genuine pace and short-pitched bowling, it would be nice to have a practice game to test the theory.

I agree there are very few options available in the bowling department. Probably Munaf. What happens in case of an injury? Two spinners?

I meant intl experience in general.Raina has played Steyn and co,even if not in SA which makes him more likely to succeed than Pujari imo.

As for your second point,ya I reckon we'll go with 2 spinners in case of an injury unless Munaf is also in the squad.

As strong as our side looks on paper,there are a few concerns:Raina,Gautam and Dhoni untested in Sa conditions.Lax is nursing a bad back and Sehwag alarmingly just had his first poor series of the year.I really hope that was just an aberration and not the start of a lean patch.Which only leaves a certain SRT.

As for the bowling,Zaheer-Sree-Ish-Harbi should be fine(no injuries Insha'Allah).

 

[taipan1]

As strong as our side looks on paper,there are a few concerns:Raina,Gautam and Dhoni untested in Sa conditions.

Really? Dhoni toured SA in 2006/7

 

[Jono]

Yeah Dhoni's not untested in SA conditions. He's just not ideal for SA conditions.

He's a better batsman now than he was in 2006 (where he cost us the 2nd test with his irresponsible strokeplay), but he'll still struggle you'd think.

 

[Avada Kedavra]

Ok Dhoni is not untested in Sa conditions,just unproven.

 

[taipan1]

Ok Dhoni is not untested in Sa conditions,just unproven.

So if he fails in this series he will still be unproven?

 

[Avada Kedavra]

Yes?

 

[Furball]

I meant intl experience in general.Raina has played Steyn and co,even if not in SA which makes him more likely to succeed than Pujari imo..

What kind of logic is that?

 

[Avada Kedavra]

What kind of logic is that?

2 relatively new batsmen,both have had impressive starts to their careers.Who is the better batsman?Chances are you would pick the one who has more international experience and who has experience playing Steyn and co,is it not?