Both became fat after establishing themselves imo .That may well be the case but then again you've got Rohit Sharma as skipper and Pant as first choice WK
Exactly. We blooded Green and Pucovski in the last border Gavaskar trophy. Pick them when you can. I think this situation is particularly frustrating since sarfaraz and sky both play for Mumbai and sarfaraz's FC record is far better."Not wanting to blood a guy in such a big series" is such a weak excuse not to pick someone. Either you think they're the next best or you don't; citing that just betrays that you don't think they're actually that good.
If anything, Pucovski's selection and everything subsequent to that proves the exact opposite of the point you are trying to make. In no sense is he better for playing that one Test. Although that being said, I am not sure there is any circumstances whatsoever anymore in which he can become the player many thought he could be, very much looks as if his issues are sadly insurmountable.Exactly. We blooded Green and Pucovski in the last border Gavaskar trophy. Pick them when you can. I think this situation is particularly frustrating since sarfaraz and sky both play for Mumbai and sarfaraz's FC record is far better.
Yeah definitely plays a part. It's double standards though with Rohit and Ashwin in the side, as well as Thakur until recently. Pant looks and probably is slightly overweight but he's pretty athletic and doesn't seem to have any fitness issues.I don't know enough about Indian selection culture to say anything with confidence, which is literally the only reason why I'm not saying I'm absolutely convinced that his appearance is a major factor in his non-selection. As in, his... roundness... is a bit of a throwback in today's highly athletic era.
Lucky break for Aus if so.
I think its the opposite. He was fine till recently when he clearly has gone full Vadapav.as well as Thakur until recently.
I should've worded it better - when I said until recently I meant because he's been dropped from TestsI think its the opposite. He was fine till recently when he clearly has gone full Vadapav.
Also he generally bats 5 and 6. Usually selectors expect batsmen in contention for tests to bat top 4. Runs down the order in FC are just a lot less valuable. Still deserves the chance but some asterisks next to him as you say.He was always a talented batsman and like I said, if Pujara had continued his dud form, he would have been in this side. As of now, I see no reason why the pecking order has to change.
Reminder that SKY was part of our test squad and most likely gonna make his debut in the Oval test in 2021. I do think there is a difference between T20 success and ODI/test success - the amount of times SKY gets out to slip shows this. But Sarfraz is not some kind of slam dunk that you guys seem to think he is. At least, there is reasonable grounds to pick SKY ahead of him.
Rahul isn't a Test keeper and the Indian team already knows that considering they have used Bharat as a substitute for Saha keeping in a Test before. This is getting out of hand.IMO Team has already been decided
Gill
Rohit
Pujara
Kohli
Iyer
Rahul ( WKT)
Jadeja (if fit otherwise Kuldeep)
Ashwin
Axar
Siraj
Shami
Two left armer spinners don't make a sense... With the kind of form Kuldeep is in... We need him. He is no mug with the bat either.IMO Team has already been decided
Gill
Rohit
Pujara
Kohli
Iyer
Rahul ( WKT)
Jadeja (if fit otherwise Kuldeep)
Ashwin
Axar
Siraj
Shami
I would like Kishan to get a game too but pretty sure Bharat will start the series. Below team will start the series.Team that should play
KL
Rohit
Gill/Pujara
Kohli
Iyer
Kishan (wk)
Jadeja
Ashwin
Kuldeep
Siraj
Shami
I think we need aggression with the bat against Cummins & co. Need gun stroke makes vs Lyon & Agar (especially him)
TM has to take a call on future Gill or Pujara( who has lost that cutting edge on Turners like we saw in Dhaka test.
Hmm in that light it makes more sense; here in Australia in particular there's a strong school of thought that says that no one that bats below 5 in FC cricket should ever be considered for a specialist batting order spot in Tests, regardless of numbers.Also he generally bats 5 and 6. Usually selectors expect batsmen in contention for tests to bat top 4. Runs down the order in FC are just a lot less valuable. Still deserves the chance but some asterisks next to him as you say.
That is the main issue hindering Sarfaraz's selection too. But I am surprised that he has not identified this and started batting up the order for Mumbai.Hmm in that light it makes more sense; here in Australia in particular there's a strong school of thought that says that no one that bats below 5 in FC cricket should ever be considered for a specialist batting order spot in Tests, regardless of numbers.
I mean how does he get up the order though? Mumbai have jaiswal and shaw opening and rahane at 4, and none of those guys are getting picked for the national team atm so there always around. Iyer also bat's 3 half the games. Sarfaraz could move up to 3 when Iyer's gone I guess?That is the main issue hindering Sarfaraz's selection too. But I am surprised that he has not identified this and started batting up the order for Mumbai.