***Official*** India in South Africa 2017/18

[Grumpy]

Is AB playing in the Tests?

 

[StephenZA]

Is AB playing in the Tests?

Yes. Back for SA... should probably play in Zim fixture, before the Indian tour starts.

 

[harsh.ag]

Thank god ABdV is coming back.

This is going to be a gun series. So pumped!

Hope Steyn takes a bagful. Hope ABdV scores a bagful. Hope Amla scores a bagful. Hope Rabada takes a bagful.

OF ****. THIS IS WAR!!! COME ON INDIA!!!!

 

[Bahseph]

Not based on recent results...

I'd back Markram in a LO game without question. Just think Duminy had more going for him as a Test bowler.

 

[StephenZA]

I'd back Markram in a LO game without question. Just think Duminy had more going for him as a Test bowler.

Being facetious... yes, Duminys talent is undeniable, he just never used it. And no I would never backing Markram as anything but a 6/7th choice desperation test bowler.

 

[StephenZA]

Thank god ABdV is coming back.

This is going to be a gun series. So pumped!

Hope Steyn takes a bagful. Hope ABdV scores a bagful. Hope Amla scores a bagful. Hope Rabada takes a bagful.

OF ****. THIS IS WAR!!! COME ON INDIA!!!!

If only it was starting a couple of weeks earlier and was at least 4 Tests long.... but, hey, at least we have a full series.

 

[Dendarii]

If Steyn is going to play, we need the fifth bowler. He has broken down too many times in the last few years, and while I don't think it's hurt his skill or striking ability, we need that cover especially since none of the top 6 bowl much except Markram(Think Elgar has back issues). And Duminy's off breaks > Markrams offbreaks.

AB to turn his arm over again? He does average under 30 in ODIs.

 

[Slifer]

I genuinely think this is indias best chance for their first win in rsa. I think series will be close india have come a long way and they do have that winning mentality/confidence which goes a long way.

 

[harsh.ag]

The most glorious thing that could happen in this series is Hardik gunning it, making ABdV his bunny, and scoring a half century en route to a historic series victory.

 

[srbhkshk]

I genuinely think this is indias best chance for their first win in rsa. I think series will be close india have come a long way and they do have that winning mentality/confidence which goes a long way.

SAs full strength side is filthy strong though, India will have to play out of their skins to even make a match of it here. I'd be more confident in England tbh.

 

[Daemon]

Yeah, after what Lakmal did to us I don't have much hope tbh.

 

[Slifer]

SAs full strength side is filthy strong though, India will have to play out of their skins to even make a match of it here. I'd be more confident in England tbh.

But that's the caveat, I doubt RSA will be at full strength. Philander is brittle and unreliable. Steyn up in the air.

 

[SeamUp]

But that's the caveat, I doubt RSA will be at full strength. Philander is brittle and unreliable. Steyn up in the air.

They've been bowling in our Ram Slam Comp.

Philander is looking trim as he can be & even getting the white ball to do things. Clearly after the chat with Faf he is not allowed too much hot dogs and beer.

Dale Steyn got better with each of his 3 games. Got into the high 140s effortlessly too. Now gone back to Cape Town to bowl in the nets and possibly prepare for more T20s or maybe play a 3-day game for Northerns.

 

[Bahseph]

Yeah I haven't seen Philander look that good in ages. Hopefully he is taking his fitness seriously now because he has a good few years left in him.

 

[harsh.ag]

I like his bowling, but it may not be the worst idea to drop Maharaj.

 

[Daemon]

Nah, definitely need a spinner in SA these days. He also bats abit, although not having scored too many runs since his debut is an issue.

 

[vcs]

Maharaj definitely deserves to keep his spot.

 

[harsh.ag]

Sure, but the opportunity cost may be Morkel and that's too high a price to pay atm.

 

[morgieb]

Sure, but the opportunity cost may be Morkel and that's too high a price to pay atm.

Would probably be Bavuma unless quotas were an issue.

 

[StephenZA]

Even taking quotas out of it... Gibsons choice is not clear yet. The top 6 for SA is pretty sorted, and we know Philander, Steyn, Rabada and probably Maharaj will play. That leaves 1 spot for 1 of Bavuma, Morkel, Morris... possible Pheklukwayo, but that would be a quota choice. So if Gibson back 4 bowlers, then Bavuma may stay but he has made it clear he likes 7 being an allrounder spot with a long batting line-up.