***Official*** India in Pakistan

[Mecnun]

Kamran Akmal rates Dhoni as the second best keepr-batter behind Gilchrist.. Reverse psychology or genuine statement from a fellow wicky.. Not sure of the reliability of the source though..

 

[Sanz]

Kamran Akmal rates Dhoni as the second best keepr-batter behind Gilchrist....

Is modesty his middle name ?

 

[pug]

Reverse psychology or genuine statement from a fellow wicky..

For his sake I hope reverse psychology.

 

[honestbharani]

I would actually rate Akmal easily higher than Dhoni, definitely in tests, at least.

 

[pug]

With Dhoni, Pathan, Agarkar - it isnt as bad a situation as it was in the past. An extra bowler gives a bigger chance to take 20 wickets..

But you brought up a relevent point regarding - would Agarkar be a certainty to play.

If he does play, the 5 bowler option looks more solid to me - specially since in recent tests the guys like Dhoni, Pathan have shown grit to rescue the team when we see the scenario of the majority of the top 5 failing. India repeatedly played with the composition in the 90s even after Kapil retiring.

It has to be kept in mind also that Kumble will not find wickets as suited to him as they are in India and an extra bowler could do the Indians a world of good.

But will they have enough faith in their top 5 plus Dhoni plus Pathan? I think they should but its unlikely they will.

Then if the team decides to go with 5 bowlers, should Agarkar still be in? I suppose he adds to the batting potential, but the other bowlers might prove more effective bowlers. But then again you can always use ganguly as a bowler (lets be optimistic/hypothetical). Suddenly, I'm not sure if thats such a bad idea.. I guess he'll have to play a match at least, after all the drama. I guess doing this in the first match would give a good indication as to what the team really needs. If he performs, good for him. If he doesn't the neccessary change can be made.

 

[Sudeep]

But if you expect him to transform instantly into an Indian Andrew Flintoff, forget it. The team doesn't need him to do that.

This is what I have in mind. Pick one all-rounder who bowls seam/swing, then Irfan, then the next best seamer/pacer, then you can safely pick both Kumble and Harbhajan, even away from India. This contender (let's call him the Indian Justin Kemp) will score enough runs alongwith Irfan, to make up for the sixth batsman. Moreover, he can also bowl enough overs of steady medium/MF pace to support Irfan and his partner, who can attack freely. You then have batting till eight, and five bowling options.

One may brand this Indian Kemp a bits-and-pieces player, but there are three contenders who have been bowling well as strikers (not stock bowlers) for their Ranji sides, and two of them are also key batsmen in their teams. Why not try it out? You don't have to drop Tendulkar, Dravid, Kumble or Harbhajan to get one of them in.

Justin Kemp doesn't get a regular chance in Tests. He hasn't done enough to, or maybe to put it better we haven't seen enough of him, be spoken off as someone whose type of player we need.

 

[Pratters]

Dravid speaks on his opening in the first inning and sending Pathan in in the second in the 2nd test between Sri Lanka and India which caused a fair bit of debate during the time.

Dravid rejects the suggestion that it was about making a statement or setting an example. "It was a tactical decision. Losing Veeru opened up the situation. I knew there would be a bit in the wicket in the morning. I didn't want to expose the middle order and since I do bat at No. 3 and play the new ball quite often, I thought I would be the best equipped to handle it." In the second innings, with quick runs the need of the hour, Irfan Pathan was sent in and the delightfully well-rounded stripling responded with a decisive 93. Dravid did not displace the strokeful VVS Laxman from the No. 3 slot he had occupied in the first innings.

 

[Arjun]

Justin Kemp doesn't get a regular chance in Tests. He hasn't done enough to, or maybe to put it better we haven't seen enough of him, be spoken off as someone whose type of player we need.

The Proteas have hardly played Test matches since Justin Kemp started hitting the England bowlers all around South Africa in that ODI series which announced his entry into the big league. Besides, that was just a name. Pakistan have Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi, the Kiwis have Scott Styris and Jacob Oram, and Australia have Symonds. All of them do a job for their team well enough.

 

[Sudeep]

The Proteas have hardly played Test matches since Justin Kemp started hitting the England bowlers all around South Africa in that ODI series which announced his entry into the big league. Besides, that was just a name. Pakistan have Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi, the Kiwis have Scott Styris and Jacob Oram, and Australia have Symonds. All of them do a job for their team well enough.

Jacques Kallis is obviously a better name which you could have used.

 

[Arjun]

i'm not sure agarkar is the seamer we want to help us take 20 wickets, even though he may be a better option with the bat than rp singh. let's see how it goes. what playing XI india opts for will be really interesting ... gambhir or jaffer, ganguly or yuvraj or a 5th bowler, agarkar or rp singh or zaheer khan, harbhajan or kumble (if only one spinner) ???

This should be the bowling plan

• Irfan- new ball, used in short spells of five overs each, and use swing to good effect
• Zaheer- Bowl longer spells, attack the batsman with power play and also use a little seam movement
• RP Singh- Hold on to a line and length. Pace is a bonus. May be used in shorter spells.
• Kumble- You know what he can do
• Harbhajan- Do the usual thing, and make the batsmen play. Both spinners can bowl in tandem for a long spell, but not too long.

 

[Arjun]

Rather than attacking him, why done you come up with the allrounders who can bowl like Imran Khan and Bat like Sunil Gavaskar ? All you have mentioned is the names of JP Yadav and Joginder Sharma who are not international class either with the ball or with the bat.

If you read my ideas before poking fun at them, you would know what I'm hinting at. The Indian team doesn't need someone who can bat like Gavaskar (NO WAY!!!!) and bowl like Imran, but just someone who can support the strike seamers and also score enough runs (in combination with Irfan) to support the top five batsmen. JP Yadav and Joginder are good enough for that, and they're as good as any seamer playing for India, and there is more value added to their selection by the runs they score. They may not be world class according to you (not everyone can be an Andrew Flintoff) but they still provide value addition, which can't be said about any of the specialist bowlers or batsmen.

 

[Arjun]

Jacques Kallis is obviously a better name which you could have used.

Not these days. He desn't bowl too much, and he's a sheet-anchor player who lasts very long out there. That may work for SA, but the Indian team needs a more dynamic player. Abdul Razzaq, perhaps? Or Brian McMillan?

 

[GladiatrsInBlue]

Kamran Akmal rates Dhoni as the second best keepr-batter behind Gilchrist.. Reverse psychology or genuine statement from a fellow wicky.. Not sure of the reliability of the source though..

I completely agree with KA

 

[marc71178]

Not these days. He desn't bowl too much, and he's a sheet-anchor player who lasts very long out there. That may work for SA, but the Indian team needs a more dynamic player. Abdul Razzaq, perhaps? Or Brian McMillan?

With batsmen who can score as quickly as Sehwag, Laxman, Tendulkar and Dhoni, why the extra hitter?

 

[adharcric]

If you read my ideas before poking fun at them, you would know what I'm hinting at. The Indian team doesn't need someone who can bat like Gavaskar (NO WAY!!!!) and bowl like Imran, but just someone who can support the strike seamers and also score enough runs (in combination with Irfan) to support the top five batsmen. JP Yadav and Joginder are good enough for that, and they're as good as any seamer playing for India, and there is more value added to their selection by the runs they score. They may not be world class according to you (not everyone can be an Andrew Flintoff) but they still provide value addition, which can't be said about any of the specialist bowlers or batsmen.

I know JP Yadav and Joginder Sharma are pretty solid on the domestic circuit, but saying they're as dangerous as Pathan or RP Singh is a bit too much. Sharma's still to be tested on the international circuit, but JP Yadav didnt look very threatening with his military-pace deliveries (I know Pathan is not express, but there is more pace and swing there). We should definitely give them both more opportunities as they are value additions, but you're taking this a little too far for someone like JP Yadav.

The guy you're arguing with is on the other extreme ... you certainly have a point but don't expect a revolution to occur so quickly, the fact that Yadav was selected and VRV Singh and Chawla are under the spotlight is good progress for what is usually a trashy selection panel.

 

[Sudeep]

Not these days. He desn't bowl too much, and he's a sheet-anchor player who lasts very long out there. That may work for SA, but the Indian team needs a more dynamic player. Abdul Razzaq, perhaps? Or Brian McMillan?

Why not Andrew Flintoff then?

 

[nightprowler10]

I would actually rate Akmal easily higher than Dhoni, definitely in tests, at least.

Keeping wise, Akmal is definitely better from what I've seen. Batting wise, Dhoni is probably a bit better but Akmal is improving.

 

[nehrafan]

Pak's plans vs India will backfire

On its emotional peak, a mountainous series between cut-throat rivals India and Pakistan promises cricket on a higher pitch. It is a steep climb for players from both countries. And somehow, every time, they manage to scale it. Never has this slugfest been a let down. Rather, the contest has grown in magnitude over the years, especially since the two sides broke a long hiatus in 2004. Six games since, the scoreline reads 3-2 in India's favour, with only one game drawn. This year, both sides are more than eager to improve on this tantalisingly balanced tally. Here are a few reasons why we think India will succeed.
Much noise has been made about Pakistan's rejuvenated pace attack. The revival of Shoaib Akhtar as a no-tantrum, still very fast, bowler who doesn't break down is being sighted as India's doom. Umar Gul, who is back after a two-year injury forced break, and Mohammed Sami, it is hoped, will make it worse for India. Is there any truth in these claims? No. Team India has transformed rapidly over time. The new generation of players are better players of fast bowling. In fact, the likes of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni like the ball coming onto the bat at a brisk pace. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have never had any problems against the pacers. Whoever suggested the idea of packing the Pakistani side with pacers has sealed the hosts' fate in the series.

Pakistan it seems are making all the wrong efforts to floor India with pace. They are even planning to build fast pitches with bite for their fast bowlers. It is hoped that the cold conditions prevalent at this time of the year in Pakistan will help Shoaib and Co. This strategy can easily backfireIn conditions helpful for seam bowling, India posses a fearsome arsenal as well. The setting mentioned above will make swing more lethal than sheer pace. Irfan Pathan will enjoy such an environment. So will Zaheer Khan, who is also genuinely fast, and Ajit Agarkar Another reason why this idea will hurt Pakistan more is the lack of technically correct batsmen in their lineup

Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is being billed as Pakistan's trump card. According to Pakistani masterminds, India's spin-twins will find it hard to bowl with the Kookaburra balls that have a flatter seam. The cold conditions and tracks offering less help to spinner will completely negate India's advantage in the spin department, while Kaneria's experience in such conditions at home will give him an edge. It seems whoever thought of that didn't consider the vast experience of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. The Indian spin duo has bowled around the world with Kookaburra balls and has had tremendous success. They have bowled for English counties where the cold conditions are usually worse than they will be in Pakistan.Hard tracks with bounce will play into the hands of Kumble, who is really a hybrid between a spinner and medium-pacer

Then there is the small matter of form. India and Pakistan are both fresh from series victories over Sri Lanka and England respectively. On paper, both achieved wins on home soil with the same margins 2-0. But the way these victories were achieved makes India the favourites. While Pakistan had to play out of their skins to beat England, India thumped Sri Lanka with blatant disrespect and little effort. India are still left with a lot of headroom to lift their game to the demands of this series, but Pakistan will find it hard to make much of an improvement.

A crucial component in India's dominant victories over Sri Lanka was Irfan Pathan. He will again be the man to watch out for in Pakistan. Not only with the ball, but bat as well. Pathan's recent performances with the willow have propped him up to fifth place in the ICC all-rounder rankings. With Abdul Razzaq doubtful due to injury, Pathan could make a huge impact for India. Former Pakistani great Wasim Akram has dismissed the threat by saying that Pathan has regressed over the past two years, but there is no denying the fact that Pakistan need to watch out for India's wonder kid

This series is also being viewed as the battle of two high-profile coaches. India's Australian mastermind Greg Chappell will be up against a worthy opponent in Pakistan's South African coach Bob Woolmer. Chappell's experience as a batsman, especially on wickets full of bounce, during his playing days will come in handy if Pakistan implement their plans of laying green tracksOn the other hand, Pakistan hasn't produced any genuine swing bowlers since Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram. So, their batsmen are all at sea in swinging conditons. Although coach Woolmer played international cricket for England, his command over swing bowling is suspect. With a flair for the unusual, Chappell might surprise Woolmer enough to knockout Pakistan

The stage is set. Whatever is talked will be forgotten come January 13. What will matter is how both teams perform on the field, who exploits the conditions better and who keeps the pressure under check. While being the home side usually is an advantage, it can prove to be a burden in such a big series. India have seen it in 2005, now its Pakistan's turn. All that is said will increase the weight of expectations and Pakistan have been known to crack under circumstances such as these. India are certainly poised to increase their lead

 

[nehrafan]

The article was taken from Indiatimes. It has been correctly mentioned in the article about Pak lack of quality swing bowlers & technically correct batsmen. AS such the move by Pak think tank to develop pacer friendly pitches is going to backfire (Just like last time in 2004) and Pak will end up losing to India on pacer friendly wkts

 

[nehrafan]

My Indian team,

Sehwag
Jaffer
Dravid
Tend
Laxman
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Pathan
Khan
RPS
KUmble

Pak

Butt
Akmal
Younis
Inzi
Yousuf
Asim
Afridi
Akhtar
Naveed
Gul
Danish