• Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.

    You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

***Official*** India in South Africa 2021-22

Arachnodouche

International Captain
Five bowlers no longer a thing? In hindsight, that has been the decisive factor, if at times not a conspicuous one, in all of our overseas success. I can see Thakur slotting in there if Kohli has his intent itch in place. Be interesting to see how Dravid takes that, being a somewhat less gung-ho personality than Shastri.
 

Apex Predator

State Vice-Captain
I think he might play all the tests. With Mulder in the side they already have four seamers. So it's a question of how much more value a fifth seamer adds against having a spin option available.
Could be an option. I am assuming they will opt for Rabada Nortje & Olivier as top 3 frontline quicks. In case Mulder plays which also means Maharaj will be in playing XI. Ngidi misses out by that combo.
Maharaj will definitely playing on the boxing day test. It's straight shoot out between Olivier & Ngidi that way.
 

WpGuy

U19 Cricketer
I would go for a seamer friendly wicket starting 11, Elgar,Makram,Petersen,RVdd,Bavums,Kockie,Verenhyn, Mulder, Rabada,Oliver,Nortjie

we bat to 8 atleast with mulder and rabada at 9 can bat abit, kyle as extra batsmen at 7 like we did in smiths time when ab kept wicket, 4 fast bowlers and makram and elgar can throw some overs down if we need spin or tie a run rate down mulder good at that also.
 

Dendarii

International Debutant
makram and elgar can throw some overs down if we need spin
I don't like the argument that part-time spinners can be used should spin be needed. If spin is needed that means that the quicks aren't getting anything out of the wicket, so a specialist spinner is more likely to be able to produce something than someone who only turns his arm over every now and then. I'll accept a plan being to go with an all seam attack if it's thought that the wicket won't turn (although I would still lean towards playing a spinner just in case), but if spin is also part of that plan then it should really be the best spinner who plays.

kyle as extra batsmen at 7 like we did in smiths time when ab kept wicket
The team balance won't be the same as it was then because one of those batsmen was an allrounder. That doesn't mean that playing seven batsmen is necessarily the wrong thing to do, just that the sides wouldn't be comparable.
 
Last edited:

duffer

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Series win won't be easy. Although I think we have a good shot at Centurion as it may not be a green top like last time. Siraj Shami & Bumrah have to play.. Ash as sole spinner. 4 bowlers & 7 batters can do the job.

Mayank
KL
Pujara
Kohli
Vihari
Iyer
Pant
Ashwin
Siraj
Shami
Bumrah
I like it but we'll play 5 bowlers imo. Kohli always wants the extra option
 

Apex Predator

State Vice-Captain
I like it but we'll play 5 bowlers imo. Kohli always wants the extra option
Thing is we got Dravid in scheme of things as well & seems he holds a lot of power now than Kohli. It will be his call eventually. Kohli has played with 4 bowler strategy in Australia 2018. Without Jaddu or Sundar I think they will opt to beef up the batting. Tests in SA are unlikely to go into day 5. Fast scoring grounds with quick outfields & wickets fall in a heap. Vihari will roll his arm if required. Ashwin will bowl a lot in Centurion
 

OverratedSanity

Request Your Custom Title Now!
Ashwin vs QdK battle has the potential to be a decisive battle this series. Hopefully the rest of SA's lineup is bad enough that it becomes important.
 

duffer

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Thing is we got Dravid in scheme of things as well & seems he holds a lot of power now than Kohli. It will be his call eventually. Kohli has played with 4 bowler strategy in Australia 2018. Without Jaddu or Sundar I think they will opt to beef up the batting. Tests in SA are unlikely to go into day 5. Fast scoring grounds with quick outfields & wickets fall in a heap. Vihari will roll his arm if required. Ashwin will bowl a lot in Centurion
I think Lord is the 5th bowler who we'll rely on for runs here.
 

Apex Predator

State Vice-Captain
I think Lord is the 5th bowler who we'll rely on for runs here.
You think they'll drop Iyer or Vihari for Lord in an overseas test.. Especially with Jaddu gone. Lord will play in Joburg when Ashwin doesn't plays. All pace attack like last time in Joburg.
With Jaddu & Sundar gone all 5 bowler strategy is basically done as it leaves tail a lot lot longer.
It's basically Lord vs Ashwin. Ashwin will 100% play in Centurion of all places. He won't find a place on a pacy green mamba in Joburg. That's where lord comes in.
If Jaddu was there both Lord & Ash could have featured but right now it is unrealistic.
 

Xix2565

International Regular
We just played 5 bowlers in India, 3 of whom range from genuine allrounder to handy bats. I feel like Dravid is hardly one to shy away from playing both Lord and Ashwin if they feel like they need the extra bowler who can bat a bit and just give Vihari first crack over Iyer and Rahane, since Vihari's actually got game time in SA unlike Iyer who's untested or Rahane who's just **** now.
 

WpGuy

U19 Cricketer
Thankfully somebody is willing to say it.
If wicket is spicey he doesnt offer enough runs batting 8 these days and with no turn makram can do a holding job if need done our batting is so frail it is not dropping he still our number 1 spinner and on the coast he will definetly play. Tactics!
 

WpGuy

U19 Cricketer
QdK's going to miss at least one Test due to paternity leave.
Thats why have Kyle in at 7 so when quinny goes, you bring maharaj back in and kyle is already in can just move up to 6 and mulder 7 and maharaj comes in at 8 or 9 vs rabada
 

Top