***Official*** 4th Test @ The Oval, London - 2nd-6th September

[Burgey]

Really is 2014 all over again isn't it

Apparently not

 

[GIMH]

Apparently not

Well, you’re still a ****, so there’s that

 

[Burgey]

Well, you’re still a ****, so there’s that

Special subject: the bleeding obvious.

Just because some things don’t change doesn’t mean it’s 2014 again ffs.

 

[Shady Slim]

today wasn’t an indictment on root btw, yadav is just too powerful

 

[Arachnodouche]

It's cruel to pick on Pant with Rahane, Kohli and Pujara stinking it out for so long, but if he has a similar knock in the second innings then I'd consider dropping him for the fifth test. It's harsh but he has looked very bad this tour and that innings today was dire.

I dunno,,,could Rahul keep and open in the same test? Maybe consider Vihari or Yadav to replace him ? Get the other opener to partner Rohit and have Rahul at 6? Not great alternatives either sadly.

Be a bit premature to drop Pant. If this series goes down to the wire, like it looks it will, I'd still put good money on him playing a blinder and winning it for India. He was bound to be shown up in a 5 Test series, but most of his sins will be forgiven if he plays that one crucial knock when it matters. And let's not forget how we've had next to no chance of criticizing his keeping for a while now. Rahul is not an acceptable alternative keeping-wise in English conditions.

 

[Burgey]

today wasn’t an indictment on root btw, yadav is just too powerful

The nostrils are strong in that one.

 

[slippy888]

If India can set 250 target they will win test match

 

[GIMH]

If India can set 250 target they will win test match

How do you know?

 

[Teja.]

It's cruel to pick on Pant with Rahane, Kohli and Pujara stinking it out for so long, but if he has a similar knock in the second innings then I'd consider dropping him for the fifth test. It's harsh but he has looked very bad this tour and that innings today was dire.

I dunno,,,could Rahul keep and open in the same test? Maybe consider Vihari or Yadav to replace him ? Get the other opener to partner Rohit and have Rahul at 6? Not great alternatives either sadly.

Pant can’t be dropped because he doesn’t have a replacement that would not overcomplicate the team balance badly for a single test considering that he’s a lock to play the next 10 games or so after that test.

 

[Chrish]

On what basis Rahane gets picked up again and again? Can we not just try Shaw in the middle order? I mean how much worse can he possibly do?

 

[morgieb]

India doing well with the ‘surprise’ selections. Thakur with a counter-attacking 50 to give India something to bowl at, Yadav with the main wicket. England maybe still ahead but desperately need someone to stand up.

 

[Arachnodouche]

On what basis Rahane gets picked up again and again? Can we not just try Shaw in the middle order? I mean how much worse can he possibly do?

Shaw, Gill will come in sooner than later. I almost wish Rahane had the awareness to step down of his own volition though; unrealistic, I know, to expect a professional sportsman to admit he's cooked, but as vice-captain he also owes some accountability to the team for his non-performance. At this point, the team is carrying him for the sake of camaraderie and loyalty, and while those are are admirable enough reasons in their own right, it's costing us serious leverage in virtually every Test he plays.

 

[Anil]

Putting aside Kohli, do we not have any promising upcoming talents who can replace Pujara and Rahane? Sad state of affairs…

 

[Frost]

Pant is a waste of talent. He's got the shots no doubt, but I don't see him being in the side in a years time unless he changes his shot selection.

 

[Burner]

Pant can’t be dropped because he doesn’t have a replacement that would not overcomplicate the team balance badly for a single test considering that he’s a lock to play the next 10 games or so after that test.

I wouldn't drop Pant even so tbh. He's done some incredible things in the short career he's had and you've just got to accept the bad with the good. Of course there an extent to which the rope can be extended but imo he's a long way away from dropping territory.

 

[silentstriker]

Pant is a waste of talent. He's got the shots no doubt, but I don't see him being in the side in a years time unless he changes his shot selection.

Dhoni had zero centuries outside of Asia, and six total in 90 matches. Pant already has three in 24 matches. I think Pant will do well outside of England/NZ/SA. I don't think India need or expect him to be a big scorer everywhere. The primary batsmen tho - they need to score.

 

[Frost]

I wouldn't drop Pant even so tbh. He's done some incredible things in the short career he's had and you've just got to accept the bad with the good. Of course there an extent to which the rope can be extended but imo he's a long way away from dropping territory.

I don't follow his career but I would hardly call the runs he scored against Aus as a justication for the shots he played, he could of almost won them the wtc, he could of rescued his side in this series a few times. It's fine to be aggressive but you need a brain as well. Or maybe he's low on form idk. He certainly not untouchable.

 

[Frost]

Dhoni had zero centuries outside of Asia, and six total in 90 matches. Pant already has three in 24 matches. I think Pant will do well outside of England/NZ/SA. I don't think India need or expect him to be a big scorer everywhere. The primary batsmen tho - they need to score.

Yea I get that. If that's the role he plays, then fine he's going to extremely frustrating to watch.
He's very loose. Cdg is a good comparison in terms of batting.

 

[anil1405]

Pant is the sort of bloke who you'd want be dropped from the team if he doesn't perform well in 2 or 3 consecutive series because of the way he gets out. But ironically he has been India's best batsman over the last year or so prior to landing in UK.

He is the sort of bloke who divides fans. There is hardly any middle ground with him. You either love him for his attacking mindset or hate him for looking ugly with his dismissals.

While admittedly he has been frustrating this series, if anyone has to be dropped from the team he'd not be first on that list right now.

 

[Flem274*]

India should salvage this with Root out tbh. England should be shot out for 150 with him gone against a world class attack.

India starting with a lead could also chill them out a bit and give them some confidence to set a total.

Yea I get that. If that's the role he plays, then fine he's going to extremely frustrating to watch.
He's very loose. Cdg is a good comparison in terms of batting.

despite being quite different batsmen they sure try hard to win the 'dumbest batsman in test cricket' award.