India's Upcoming Batsman - How do you rate them?

[JontyPanesar]

Rayudu / Rahane should be the next to get a go in the batting lineup, imo unless they want to go to someone new like Juneja or the forgotten Badrinath which is unlikely. Rahane being first in line.

Gambhir will probably end up going to South Africa as 3rd choice opener too.

Just hope they don't go back to Raina/Yuvraj again.

They'd be better off using Pujara as a backup opener to slot in Rahane if/when Vijay fails.

 

[Cevno]

I think people have memories of the 4-0 4-0 series in mind when they say that about Dhoni, where he seemed to have invented a unique and highly efficient way of getting the ball from bat to slip/gully as quickly as possible.

His past record in South Africa isn't that bad though. Averaging 31 in 5 tests.

Did decently last series too IIRC at some crucial junctures.


He can bat at 7 there if India go with 4 bowlers. I think that combination works best too, as Jadeja is neither here nor there in foreign conditions. Not sure he can play as much more than a Specialist bowler.

 

[Cevno]

They'd be better off using Pujara as a backup opener to slot in Rahane if/when Vijay fails.

Rahane/Another Middle order bat will probably play anyway, i think as i can't see Dhoni going with 5 bowlers in SA unless there is a flat wicket or a slow spinning track for some reason.

Gambhir has made some Ranji runs now, did well last tour in SA. Very likely he'll be back.

 

[Maximas]

Of all the dumped older Indian players Gambhir is probably the one I'd be least unhappy about returning

 

[Prince EWS]

I would straight up get Gambhir back in for Vijay. Even when Gambhir got dropped it very much felt like they'd dropped him due to extended poor form so he could get his game together away from international cricket, rather than dropping him because they thought he was finished (ala Zaheer, Sehwag and Harbhajan). Definitely one of India's best six batsmen IMO.

 

[Salamuddin]

Is Dhoni really that inadequate at no 7 outside the SC? Honestly, India are gonna need all their bowlers and all their batsmen, pick six batsmen, 4 bowlers and Dhoni to keep, specialists doing their job is what will win you matches IMO

Dhoni's poorness away from home is a bit exaggerated IMO. He averages 31 in SA which is respectable for a subcontinental wicketkeeper.
Having that said, I do agree that batting him higher than 7 would be folly.

India don't really have a batting allrounder - selectors don't seem that keen on Abhishek Nayar for some reason.

Given that, its pretty obvious their best side for SA is
Dhawan
Vijay
Puj
KOhli
Rohit
Rahane
Dhoni
Ashwin
Zak
Shami
Umesh

Don't quite get the BHuvnesh KUmar love. He's a decent option for ODIs/T20s but I just can't see him being a consistent wicket taking threat against good batting lineups in tests

 

[Maximas]

Nah, Bhuvi has done enough easily to at least get a go in SA, any bowler who can move the ball both ways can be a threat to any batsman, he has shown good control over his career as well. Not only this but he can hold a bat, so I think he must play tbh

 

[JontyPanesar]

They deliberately made flat pitches and played weaker bowlers during that tour. It is not indicative of anything.

Even flat SA pitches have pace and bounce. India struggled even on flat, fast, bouncy pitches in Australia and England during 0-8. The second test was clearly not on a road. Rahane and Saha's performances were impressive. And look at who SA had bowling...those guys are pretty good in domestic

 

[Shri]

I would straight up get Gambhir back in for Vijay. Even when Gambhir got dropped it very much felt like they'd dropped him due to extended poor form so he could get his game together away from international cricket, rather than dropping him because they thought he was finished (ala Zaheer, Sehwag and Harbhajan). Definitely one of India's best six batsmen IMO.

What about the 'batsmen getting a chance to fail' stance of yours when players who haven't done too much wrong are concerned?

 

[hendrix]

Opening is the big problem for India. Some have suggested moving Pujara up. I don't want to move him because his runs at 3 are also critical.
Have they got any old domestic play with decent technique who could grind out 25 (100) relatively consistently? Or do those guys not exist in India.
Probably bringing back Gambhir would be the right choice. Vijay doesn't stand a chance.

Dhawan
Gambhir
Pujara
Rahane
Kohli
Sharma
Dhoni
Bhuvi
Shami
Zak (must play if fit, IMO)
Ojha

 

[hendrix]

What about the 'batsmen getting a chance to fail' stance of yours when players who haven't done too much wrong are concerned?

that would be fine if that had been the selectors' policy all along but they dropped Ojha after he was the best player vs England and then brought him back even though Jadeja had done well.

They're doing horses for course. It's unfair but that's the way they're operating.

 

[Cruxdude]

Ya not too confident about Vijay as an opener. Hopefully Gambhir can get back in to some semblance of form and can compete with Vijay.

 

[JontyPanesar]

Opening is the big problem for India. Some have suggested moving Pujara up. I don't want to move him because his runs at 3 are also critical.
Have they got any old domestic play with decent technique who could grind out 25 (100) relatively consistently? Or do those guys not exist in India.
Probably bringing back Gambhir would be the right choice. Vijay doesn't stand a chance.

Dhawan
Gambhir
Pujara
Rahane
Kohli
Sharma
Dhoni
Bhuvi
Shami
Zak (must play if fit, IMO)
Ojha

Wasim Jaffer

 

[hendrix]

yeah, wouldn't be opposed to him coming back either. I quite liked him. Did a job, did it well.

 

[centurymaker]

whoever you play, steyn and co will not spare the openers at the bare minimum. It's matter of having someone who can at least see out some of the new ball period.

 

[Maximas]

Jaffer had a really good domestic season last year as well iirc, but he didn't impress me at all when I saw him in Aus in 2007/8, has he improved?

 

[Zinzan]

Rohit Sharma is the most impressive for mine. The guy has oozed class from the first time I saw him bat. Was gob-smacked to learn he only just made his Test debut in this latest series in spite of the strong competition for places. As impressive as Kohli is, Sharma to me looks a more complete batsman.

 

[harsh.ag]

I agree. Playing Jadeja in SA would not be a successful ploy. 6 bats, 3 pacers, and Ojha. If Jadeja is to be played, then play 3 pacers and Ashwin.

Without Jadeja: Dhawan | Vijay | Pujara | Kohli } Rohit | Rahane | Dhoni | Bhuvi | Shami | Ojha | Umesh/Zak
With Jadeja: Dhawan | Pujara | Kohli | Rohit | Rahane | Dhoni | Jadeja | Ashwin | Bhuvi | Shami | Umesh/Zak

 

[Zinzan]

Haha, Just noticed I'm the only one to have voted for Sharma 2 and 1/2 years ago Early days, but who knows how good his test record may end up.

 

[Jono]

He'll be a gun at the longer form.

Going to be so many photos of Kohli and Sharma fist pumping in the middle of the pitch for years to come.