***Official*** England in India 2016/17

[honestbharani]

This is a depressing squad we have put out. Best XI from the choices available:

G Gambhir
M Vijay
C Pujara
V Kohli
A Rahane
R Ashwin
W Saha
R Jadeja
A Mishra
M Shami
I Sharma

Actually not that bad but feels weird somehow.

Its actually the best test side we can get right now. Its just that the reserves happen to be Karun Nair, Umesh Yadav, Jayant Yadav and Hardik Pandya.

 

[harsh.ag]

Not sure between Ishant and Umesh tbh. Ishant more likely to screw up, so you would want him from the pov of getting Bhuvi back in asap.

 

[Daemon]

If we go 4 bowlers and just the two spinners then Ishant is a must

 

[Bahseph]

Do India desperately need a seam bowling all rounder with Ashwin in the Team? I don't get Pandya's selection at all. Ashwin is certainly going to bat at 6/7 and Saha and Jadeja at 8 & 9 is more than useful.

Surely you don't pick him and bat him above these three? And you can't pick him and bat him at 10 cos you would be better off with a proper seamer. At least Binny being selected was understandable as they hadn't fully got behind Ashwin the batsman by then.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Do India desperately need a seam bowling all rounder with Ashwin in the Team? I don't get Pandya's selection at all. Ashwin is certainly going to bat at 6/7 and Saha and Jadeja at 8 & 9 is more than useful.

Surely you don't pick him and bat him above these three? And you can't pick him and bat him at 10 cos you would be better off with a proper seamer. At least Binny being selected was understandable as they hadn't fully got behind Ashwin the batsman by then.

I think it's more about getting a fast bowling all rounder settled in the team before the overseas season begins. Ashwin + fast bowling AR would be hax for us overseas in theory.

Problem is, I don't think hardik is that good.

 

[Bahseph]

I think it's more about getting a fast bowling all rounder settled in the team before the overseas season begins. Ashwin + fast bowling AR would be hax for us overseas in theory.

Problem is, I don't think hardik is that good.

I dont know much about Indian FC cricket so this may sound like a stupid question to proper Indian fans, but how far off is Kumar in terms of being passed as a bowling all rounder for this team? Is his batting that far below Binny and Pandya?

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

I'm pretty sure Bhuvi has recovered from his injury. Maybe they don't want to rush him back? Atleast that's what I hope.

Basically India then treating the first test as warm up then. Nothing wrong absolutely.

 

[Furball]

I think it's more about getting a fast bowling all rounder settled in the team before the overseas season begins. Ashwin + fast bowling AR would be hax for us overseas in theory.

Problem is, I don't think hardik is that good.

Surely you'd want Ashwin to improve his batting so he could bat 6 overseas; you only need 4 bowlers at home so you could just stack the batting by sticking Ashwin at 7 or 8. Having Ashwin at 6 overseas allows you the luxury of 5 bowlers.

 

[cnerd123]

Yea I think the WI tests showed us that when India want to play 5 bowlers they will bat Ashwin at 6, and guys like Jadeja, Bhuvi and Mishra will be batting at 8/9, which means enough batting cover + 5 bowlers.

I think Hardik is just there for the work experince. Bat and bowl in the nets under India's coaching staff, come on as a sub fielder now and then, carry the drinks, get a taste of what Test are like. He is clearly someone they are grooming for the long term, and does have quite a bit going for him. I'd be surprised if he actually played.

 

[Daemon]

Surely you'd want Ashwin to improve his batting so he could bat 6 overseas; you only need 4 bowlers at home so you could just stack the batting by sticking Ashwin at 7 or 8. Having Ashwin at 6 overseas allows you the luxury of 5 bowlers.

Yeah if Ashwin and Saha keep showing improvement like they've been doing, this would be ideal. If we then pick both Bhuvi and Jadeja that's even more batting depth.

I really fail to see this need for an AR when we've got quite a few serviceable bowling ARs already.

 

[anil1405]

India v England: Gary Ballance lacks confidence, says Michael Vaughan - BBC Sport

Nice way to instill confidence in your players before a big tour.

Vaughan/BBC lacks sense of timing.

 

[Burgey]

Can't wait for Ishant to bounce out England

Lol that was seriously the cricketing equivalent of that YouTube video where the Downs kid kept nailing down three pointers in a high school game.

 

[Burgey]

Its actually the best test side we can get right now. Its just that the reserves happen to be Karun Nair, Umesh Yadav, Jayant Yadav and Hardik Pandya.

Can't believe any true cricket fan could want their team to leave out Nostrils.

 

[Jono]

This squad sucks. **** this team

 

[Daemon]

This squad sucks. **** this team

Yep. Thoughts on India's squad?

 

[Daemon]

ECB's social media staff seem to have moved on from the Ali love to Hameed now.

 

[cnerd123]

Yea I've noticed this. I don't quite get why they're featuring heavily unless they're trying to pander to Indian fans and feel he's a better look than Moeen.

 

[weldone]

I thought Moeen has Pakistani origin.

 

[Daemon]

Nah Moeen was already fan favourite when they were hyping him.

Hameed's just a new goofy looking talented kid who they rate highly. Don't think there's any race angle to this.

 

[cnerd123]

Nah Moeen was already fan favourite when they were hyping him.

Hameed's just a new goofy looking talented kid who they rate highly. Don't think there's any race angle to this.

Might be, but why hasn't there been more Duckett love?