*Official* First Test at Lord's

[Woodster]

Haha. Surely not.

FWIW I actually think Yuvraj is a tiny bit under-rated in some circles. No doubt that he's massively over-rated by a lot of the general public who judge his Test credentials by how many sixes he can hit in a T20 over, but I think several factors have lead to him being slightly under-rated by those who I'd generally consider in the know. Firstly, the first that he's massively over-rated by idiot fanboys can cause people to overcompensate. Secondly, he's a bit of a dickhead, which makes people dislike him and subconsciously rate him lower. Thirdly, he's a waste of talent, which is again something I think we subconsciously rate players lower for - the same performance could be seen as a disappointment from one player and punching above their weight from another.

Most of all though, I think we all think India with their riches in batting and player upon player who dominates domestic cricket and averages 50+ could surely find someone better - if he played for Bangladesh we'd probably be putting him a pedestal. I do think Yuvraj is a decent player - borderline Test standard - who could be quite useful to quite a few countries right now, and might not disgrace himself if he plays in this series, but I definitely think India should be looking for someone a bit better by now. This goes triple for him as an opener - surely, if Mukund isn't the guy, then Rahane, Vijay, Pujara, Rohit, Badrinath, Kohli or someone else other than Yuvraj might be. And yes, I realise most of those middle order batsmen, but so is Yuvraj.

I agree with much of this. I think he is a decent player, but far from the complete player that maybe he thinks he is. I remember doing a piece on Andrew Symonds and Yuvraj Singh and their inability to transfer their one-day skills into the Test arena, citing reasons such as a distinct lack of know-how in building a Test innings and being generally unsure whether they should be hitting the ball or trying to be players they aren't.

A dangerous batsman on his day, but surely that's only likely to come from around the number six position at this moment in time.

 

[Cruxdude]

From where is this idea of Yuvraj opening coming from?

Dhoni insisted that the team will go into the match just as they had in recent times.

"I think we will stick to the cricket we know," he said, adding, "we will keep to our strengths.

"In the absence of Viru (Virender Sehwag), Gautam (Gambhir) and Abhinav (Mukund) will open the batting and they will be playing their normal game, without any pressure of being aggressive."

India well-prepared for 'significant' Test - Rediff Sports

Cricinfo mentioned it in the preview. Your link is reassuring though.

 

[Cevno]

Don't think there is much chance of Yuvraj opening unless for injuries and would be a stupid idea to open with him in English conditions AFAIC.

Mukund has played 2 good innings in the last 2 matches in the Windies in not so batting friendly conditions and has been selected for this tour.He may have slight technical problems right now(nothing major that he can't correct), but he is certainly one to back in the long run for me and to be persisted with. He has shown temperament and willingness to fight too and has a lot of talent to be a top class player in the future.

Dropping him for Yuvraj at this stage would be a stupid and bizzare move because Yuvraj has big technical flaws in the middle order, which will only get exaggerated as a opener if anything.Also it would stop the momentum and confidence of Mukund which he has gained from the West Indies tour, and not give him a chance to further establish himself as the third opener for India and one of the contenders to take over when the Older greats retire.

 

[Cevno]

my punt: pie chucker to open the batting. I actually don't think it would be as terrible as it sounds.

first, I don't think Mukund has what it takes to be a good international opener at the moment (from how he played in WI). for one, from his numerous inside edges, it seems he has a serious weakness against inswing, and i think he'll be seriously shown up by the english.

While Mukund may have some problems right now, Yuvraj as a opener will have many more.
He still hasn't been able to correct problems with his technique and mental attitude in tests despite being in the International stage for so long now.

so it wouldn't be a bad thing if, instead of mukund, yuvraj comes in and goes hard right from the first ball. worst case, out for a duck, but he contributes as a serious 5th bowling option (more of a threat than bhajji probably). best case, he gets lucky with the edges etc, gets his eye in, and catches england on the wrong foot.

Mukund would do better as a opener than him most times in most conditions,imo.

And in tests don't see him being anything else but a support 5th choice bowler who can get in a few overs here and there.
The only exception being when he is bowling to Kevin Pietersen ofcourse

 

[Burgey]

I take it the forecast is still inclement for day one?

Hoping for a bit of cloud, some juice in the wicket (unlikely) and England bowling, with Gambhir getting hit a lot before popping one to gully for a beautifully compiled 3(27).

 

[akilana]

Sachin Jr at Lords

 

[Bonnie Prince C]

And in tests don't see him being anything else but a support 5th choice bowler who can get in a few overs here and there.
The only exception being when he is bowling to Kevin Pietersen ofcourse

With Raina in the side they do not even really need his spin bowling either.

 

[Bonnie Prince C]

Sachin Jr at Lords

They showed video footage of him batting on Sky Sport News earlier. Seems to have got his father's talent.

 

[Cevno]

With Raina in the side they do not even really need his spin bowling either.

TBF,he is a better bowler than Raina.

But yeah, Raina can fill in the few extra overs that may be required.

 

[smash84]

Don't be stupid... at least quadruple.

am here dear

ugh......It wasn't by mistake that I didn't mention your name

The idea of Yuvraj opening the batting must surely have Jimmy Anderson licking his lips! I would expect Yuvraj's technique to be seriously exposed against the moving ball. I understand they may want to get him in the XI somehow, and with Raina's current form, it's unlikely be in the number six position, but to throw him up the order as opener in England is a recipe for disaster imo.

This

I take it the forecast is still inclement for day one?

Hoping for a bit of cloud, some juice in the wicket (unlikely) and England bowling, with Gambhir getting hit a lot before popping one to gully for a beautifully compiled 3(27).

 

[centurymaker]

my punt: pie chucker to open the batting. I actually don't think it would be as terrible as it sounds.

first, I don't think Mukund has what it takes to be a good international opener at the moment (from how he played in WI). for one, from his numerous inside edges, it seems he has a serious weakness against inswing, and i think he'll be seriously shown up by the english.

so it wouldn't be a bad thing if, instead of mukund, yuvraj comes in and goes hard right from the first ball. worst case, out for a duck, but he contributes as a serious 5th bowling option (more of a threat than bhajji probably). best case, he gets lucky with the edges etc, gets his eye in, and catches england on the wrong foot.

no chance of yuvraj opening, mate

 

[G.I.Joe]

No doubt that he's massively over-rated by a lot of the general public who judge his Test credentials by how many sixes he can hit in a T20 over

No, thats a strawman argument used exclusively by those who think he's over-rated. People who want him to play generally want him to play because they think he's better than the likes of Vijay, Mukund, Parthiv etc, not because he happened to hit six sixes in an over once. PEWS, you're better than that.

 

[Vroomfondel]

no chance of yuvraj opening, mate

yeah, probably not. but ostensibly stupider **** has been done before like sending a middle order kotla-bred FTB to open the innings -- that turned out all right (not that i'm saying yuvraj is a patch on sehwag).

 

[GIMH]

No, thats a strawman argument used exclusively by those who think he's over-rated. People who want him to play generally want him to play because they think he's better than the likes of Vijay, Mukund, Parthiv etc, not because he happened to hit six sixes in an over once. PEWS, you're better than that.

I think by general public, he's referring to casuals who wouldn't come near a cricket forum but have an opinion if it's discussed in work/the pub etc.

Now I don't live in India (shock revelation of the day) but I know people with that sort of opinion in England.

Finally, PEWS is not better than anything. Wash your mouth out.

 

[Bun]

Given the popularity of the game, it's inevitable there will be bogan "chug-me-along" fans who'll go drooling on him for his T20 skills, but majority of the crowd here is aware of distinct differences between formats and respect that.

 

[Spark]

I would say his exploits in the WC would have more bearing amongst the casuals than hitting six sixes a few years ago. Not that either is particularly important in this context IMO.

 

[Prince EWS]

I think by general public, he's referring to casuals who wouldn't come near a cricket forum but have an opinion if it's discussed in work/the pub etc.

Now I don't live in India (shock revelation of the day) but I know people with that sort of opinion in England.

Yeah, exactly. I'm not talking about anyone on CW with that comment. I'm talking about the sort of people who post on YouTube, or are casual followers of the game. That's not to say that everyone who thinks he should play fits into that category, ftr - merely that there's a segment of society who thinks he's gun because of something like that. I was hardly talking him down too much in that post anyway - I said I considered him slightly under-rated by those in the know.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I would say his exploits in the WC would have more bearing amongst the casuals than hitting six sixes a few years ago. Not that either is particularly important in this context IMO.

I suspect amongst casual England followers he's best known as the fat bloke who gets KP out a lot.

 

[vcs]

TBF to Yuvraj, his best Test knock came against England, and he has a good record against them in all formats. Still shouldn't be anywhere near the Test side right now.

 

[GIMH]

I suspect amongst casual England followers he's best known as the fat bloke who gets KP out a lot.

I wonder if that's why they are desperate to squeeze him in (if the reports are true).