Rahul Dravid - What would you do? Is he still one of India's 6 best batsman?

[ramkumar_gr]

Raina played the short ball well in his debut innings (which was an important one for India) where both Malinga and Fernando peppered him IIRC. Has looked very dodgy recently, though.

Raina is useless. One hoick over midwicket doesn't make you a test player. He is nowhere near the class of the fab4 + Sehwag. He should go down as one of the very fortunate players to get a chance in the strong strong Indian batting line up. Not sure how he is keeping out Badrinath, Rahane and Pujara from the XI.

 

[jeevan]

To be honest, dropping Dravid ranks as one of the most stupid decisions out there.

You don't drop your bread and butter player, even if he's not quite the guy he used to be. Who do you want batting for you at 10/3? Rahul Dravid or any other indian batsman?

He's bankable, he still has the best technique in the team and is still more likely to keep out top class bowling than anyone else.

If the 3rd or 4th innings of a match, I'd take Laxman, especially in 2010. But other than that nitpick, agree with your main theme.

p.s. Actually at 10/3 the likelihood is a lot that Laxman comes out to join Dravid. Those would be the two for it.

 

[vcs]

Raina is useless. One hoick over midwicket doesn't make you a test player. He is nowhere near the class of the fab4 + Sehwag. He should go down as one of the very fortunate players to get a chance in the strong strong Indian batting line up. Not sure how he is keeping out Badrinath, Rahane and Pujara from the XI.

He has done a lot more than "one hoick over midwicket". I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if any of the other names you've mentioned turned out to be in the same class as Tendulkar, Dravid, Sehwag and Laxman.... there's a reason they're considered great batsmen.

 

[Dissector]

At least give Raina a chance to fail before asking him to be dropped and to be replaced by the devil.

Um Raina has been a huge failure in this series averaging just 6.5 against a weak NZ attack and it's not as if he has a long run of success to bank on. I have a sneaking feeling that the selectors will latch onto to his wickets as a reason to keep him. Complete BS of course; we already have a very good part-time spinner in Sehwag and we can't afford a passgenger in the middle order. Pujara looks like he has the mettle to cope with difficult batting conditions and the SA tour would be a huge learning experience for him. I would replace Raina with him for the first test.

 

[ramkumar_gr]

He has done a lot more than "one hoick over midwicket". I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if any of the other names you've mentioned turned out to be in the same class as Tendulkar, Dravid, Sehwag and Laxman.... there's a reason they're considered great batsmen.

May be another hoick over extra cover. From what i have seen he doesn't look test class at all. It is simple. Just compare a defensive stroke from Ganguly vs a defensive stroke from Raina and see who convinces you.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah even I'm coming around to dropping Raina for Pujara. Don't think the selectors will do it though.

Raina is a terrific ODI player, and no doubt he will smash some runs against NZ in the ODIs and the selectors will justify him going to SA on the back of that.

Yep, this. Dropping Raina now would be pretty harsh, but I do think Pujara's probably a better batsman (especially in South Africa). A lot will come down to how Raina plays in the ODIs.. rightly or wrongly.

 

[vcs]

I really wish there was a warmup game in SA, because ideally I'd want to play both Raina and Pujara in that one and make the call based on that...

 

[Prince EWS]

I really wish there was a warmup game in SA, because ideally I'd want to play both Raina and Pujara in that one and make the call based on that...

Haha wait, you're going from playing in the subcontinent to playing in South Africa, in a huge series, without a warmup? Wow.

 

[vcs]

Haha wait, you're going from playing in the subcontinent to playing in South Africa, in a huge series, without a warmup? Wow.

Yeah, good old BCCI... bunch of ****ing morons. Did the exact same thing before touring Australia in 2007-08 and cost us a chance of getting something there IMO.

 

[Shri]

Um Raina has been a huge failure in this series averaging just 6.5 against a weak NZ attack and it's not as if he has a long run of success to bank on. I have a sneaking feeling that the selectors will latch onto to his wickets as a reason to keep him. Complete BS of course; we already have a very good part-time spinner in Sehwag and we can't afford a passgenger in the middle order. Pujara looks like he has the mettle to cope with difficult batting conditions and the SA tour would be a huge learning experience for him. I would replace Raina with him for the first test.

Agree with your point and I am not saying Raina being persisted with for his part time bowling is a good move but re your point about Sehwag, he has shoulder niggles now and again these days and with the WC around the corner, shouldn't bowl him and possibly aggravate the problem.

 

[Prince EWS]

Not bowling someone in a Test series between the best two teams in the world because of a one day tournament is so dire.

 

[Shri]

Not bowling someone in a Test series between the best two teams in the world because of a one day tournament is so dire.

Need his batting in all matches more than his bowling in test matches.

 

[Prince EWS]

Need his batting in all matches more than his bowling in test matches.

Bowling in Tests > batting in ODIs IMO.

 

[vcs]

Not bowling him as a part-timer is absolutely the correct thing to do though, if there is the slightest chance of aggravating his injury and affecting his batting. Doesn't matter what they ultimately have in mind.

 

[Shri]

Bowling in Tests > batting in ODIs IMO.

Gtfo, is it Ema posting?

 

[morgieb]

Yeah, good old BCCI... bunch of ****ing morons. Did the exact same thing before touring Australia in 2007-08 and cost us a chance of getting something there IMO.

You actually did, not your fault that it rained out.

 

[smash84]

Haha wait, you're going from playing in the subcontinent to playing in South Africa, in a huge series, without a warmup? Wow.

What???? Is this true????

 

[centurymaker]

What???? Is this true????

Yep, they will lose the 1st test for sure haha

 

[Jono]

New Zealand in India 2010-11: 'Raina needs a break from cricket' - Dhoni | Cricket News | India v New Zealand | ESPN Cricinfo

Lol @ "rested" for Centurion test, and the fact he was almost rested in the third test vs. NZ because he has to play the ODIs. Joke.

Could be a blessing in disguise though if he misses the first test.

 

[vcs]

You actually did, not your fault that it rained out.

Hmm, I was unaware of that. Remember there was plenty of criticism that India were undercooked in the first Test of a series, as usual. I stand corrected.

New Zealand in India 2010-11: 'Raina needs a break from cricket' - Dhoni | Cricket News | India v New Zealand | ESPN Cricinfo

Lol @ "rested" for Centurion test, and the fact he was almost rested in the third test vs. NZ because he has to play the ODIs. Joke.

Could be a blessing in disguise though if he misses the first test.

Haha, so true. Here's hoping Pujara plays well and cements his spot for the next two Tests.