***Official*** India in South Africa

[adharcric]

Sehwag over Laxman in the middle-order? Tough call. I won't say anything about the Ganguly exclusion as he hasn't done anything meaningful enough yet with the bat. That would've been my pace attack a month ago, but Zaheer has come out firing.

Quite frankly, Pathan should not be in the team as a bowler. Just look at yesterday's play - he bowled only four overs. In essence, he's playing as a batsman who can bowl a bit in tests right now, especially since he's not opening the bowling. It's tough to drop Pathan after he keeps producing defiant knocks with the bat, but there is plenty of trouble if we don't drop him. Compounded with the way he's being treated as a bowler, Pathan is simply not good enough to be in a four-man attack at the moment.

a) drop Ganguly
b) make Dravid open
c) drop Pathan

Take your pick.

 

[silentstriker]

Sehwag over Laxman in the middle-order? Tough call. I won't say anything about the Ganguly exclusion as he hasn't done anything meaningful enough yet with the bat. That would've been my pace attack a month ago, but Zaheer has come out firing.

Quite frankly, Pathan should not be in the team as a bowler. Just look at yesterday's play - he bowled only four overs. In essence, he's playing as a batsman who can bowl a bit in tests right now, especially since he's not opening the bowling. It's tough to drop Pathan after he keeps producing defiant knocks with the bat, but there is plenty of trouble if we don't drop him. Compounded with the way he's being treated as a bowler, Pathan is simply not good enough to be in a four-man attack at the moment.

a) drop Ganguly
b) make Dravid open
c) drop Pathan

Take your pick.

Yea, but he is in a five man attack. And Munaf Patel is hurt, right? So slot in Z. Khan for Munaf Patel.

1. Jaffer
2. Chopra
3. Dravid
4. Tendulkar
5. Sehwag
6. Dhoni
7. Pathan
8. Kumble
9. Sreesanth
10. VRV Singh
11. Zaheer Khan

Add Laxman in there instead of Pathan (and shuffle the order slightly) if you're not going to give him the new ball. He's useless without it. Its like England using Harmison at first change - it just won't work.

 

[adharcric]

As for Chopra and Gambhir, at least one of them should be in the squad at all times. IMO they are the two best close-in fielders who can bat in India right now. Jaffer is ordinary in the field and if he isn't going to bat like an opener (ie leave balls outside off), there's no use in having him in the team.

 

[adharcric]

Let's assume they won't give Pathan the new ball because it's quite likely they won't with Zaheer, Sreesanth and VRV all in the side. Then, do you drop Pathan?

Actually, let's stop being so ideal and look at the composition for the first test. That means no Chopra, probably no Munaf and Sehwag will open. Who makes the XI?

 

[silentstriker]

As for Chopra and Gambhir, at least one of them should be in the squad at all times. IMO they are the two best close-in fielders who can bat in India right now. Jaffer is ordinary in the field and if he isn't going to bat like an opener (ie leave balls outside off), there's no use in having him in the team.

I don't have a problem with keeping Chopra or Gambhir in reserve, but IMO a man averaging 44 in his last five tests has done little to warrant being dropped at the moment. If he continues to be stupid and goes for balls and gets out, then I'll agree with you.

 

[silentstriker]

Let's assume they won't give Pathan the new ball because it's quite likely they won't with Zaheer, Sreesanth and VRV all in the side. Then, do you drop Pathan?

Yes, you do. Unless he sets the world on fire tomorrow when bowling.

Actually, let's stop being so ideal and look at the composition for the first test. That means no Chopra, probably no Munaf and Sehwag will open. Who makes the XI?

In that case:

1. Sehwag
2. Jaffer
3. Dravid
4. Tendulkar
5. Laxman
6. Ganguly
7. Dhoni
8. Kumble
9. Sreesanth
10. VRV
11. Zaheer

 

[adharcric]

I don't have a problem with keeping Chopra or Gambhir in reserve, but IMO a man averaging 44 in his last five tests has done little to warrant being dropped at the moment. If he continues to be stupid and goes for balls and gets out, then I'll agree with you.

Agreed. I'll admit I overreacted after observing the way he's been dismissed so far on this tour. He was brought in as a test opener, not a one-day or first-class opener. He should get the first test I guess.

 

[adharcric]

1. Sehwag
2. Jaffer
3. Dravid
4. Tendulkar
5. Laxman
6. Ganguly
7. Dhoni
8. Kumble
9. Sreesanth
10. VRV
11. Zaheer

Ditto.

 

[Jono]

Would rather Indian batsmen had scored in the 2nd innings and lost the match I reckon. Even if they go on to win from here, there's still some massive concerns.

 

[silentstriker]

Would rather Indian batsmen had scored in the 2nd innings and lost the match I reckon. Even if they go on to win from here, there's still some massive concerns.

TBH, even if they had scored, I'd still have massive concerns. Morkel is excellent but overall I fear Pollock and Ntini a lot more.

 

[Jono]

Yeah well clearly there were already concerns. But at least them scoring would have been something. Really would have liked VVS to at least go on and get a 50 under his belt.

I doubt the pitches will be this bowler friendly (going on what i've read it must be said about this one though) in the Tests, but still Ntini and Pollock will be hell for this out of form and struggling Indian team. Someone needs to lift.

 

[adharcric]

Would rather Indian batsmen had scored in the 2nd innings and lost the match I reckon. Even if they go on to win from here, there's still some massive concerns.

Definitely. Still, a win is a win and it gives you confidence.

 

[silentstriker]

Yeah well clearly there were already concerns. But at least them scoring would have been something. Really would have liked VVS to at least go on and get a 50 under his belt.

I doubt the pitches will be this bowler friendly (going on what i've read it must be said about this one though) in the Tests, but still Ntini and Pollock will be hell for this out of form and struggling Indian team. Someone needs to lift.

Sadly, I take a look at the lineup and the youngest man is Sehwag. The rest are 30+. And all are experienced, so we know what they can do and how their form is (not very good). Badrinath, or Badrinath, where art thou?

Definitely. Still, a win is a win and it gives you confidence.

That 20/20 was also a win, against a lot of backups. We got drubbed by arguably the worst margin the day after.

 

[adharcric]

Sadly, I take a look at the lineup and the youngest man is Sehwag. The rest are 30+. And all are experienced, so we know what they can do and how their form is (not very good). Badrinath, or Badrinath, where art thou?

I wouldn't say Laxman and Ganguly are necessarily out of form. Neither is Dravid, but he can lift himself out of form any day. Sehwag, Jaffer and Tendulkar are the main worries.

Badrinath may have been a good option but there is a valid argument against pitting a youngster on debut against Ntini, Pollock and Nel.

 

[Nishant]

Yeah well clearly there were already concerns. But at least them scoring would have been something. Really would have liked VVS to at least go on and get a 50 under his belt.

I doubt the pitches will be this bowler friendly (going on what i've read it must be said about this one though) in the Tests, but still Ntini and Pollock will be hell for this out of form and struggling Indian team. Someone needs to lift.

Thats true! Would've wanted VVS to go on and score a better one today! Pathan on for a big score? Or will he just fall tomm anyway? Doesnt really matter IMO as the indian batting has just failed!

Also, y do some of u want VRV Singh in the side! He's crap, TBH!! I guess ur looking to replace Munaf......but i still think india should go in with 2 spinners. VRV got some wickets today, but doesnt he always do that in the warm up games and then fail anyway??

 

[adharcric]

That 20/20 was also a win, against a lot of backups. We got drubbed by arguably the worst margin the day after.

Very true, but 20/20 is a totally different story. Forget not being real cricket, that's just fake cricket. This won't mean that much but at least it is somewhat similar to test cricket.

We really need someone to fire. Tendulkar, it's about time.

 

[silentstriker]

I wouldn't say Laxman and Ganguly are necessarily out of form. Neither is Dravid, but he can lift himself out of form any day. Sehwag, Jaffer and Tendulkar are the main worries.

Badrinath may have been a good option but there is a valid argument against pitting a youngster on debut against Ntini, Pollock and Nel.

Eh, thats when you throw people in IMO. Panesar debuted in India, so did Cook and responded with a century on debut. You have to make them understand that their career won't end on one innings but that this is a great opportunity to prove yourself.

 

[Nishant]

Badrinath may have been a good option but there is a valid argument against pitting a youngster on debut against Ntini, Pollock and Nel.

Thats true....id try him against WI and SL in january and feb...... in india, where its safe!!

 

[PhoenixFire]

This might sound a bit naive and simple, but with somebody so talented and masterful as Tendulkar, and with his technique, you shouldn't really ever worry about him. I mean he's not missing 75mph (or McGrath pace) straight ones through lack of time, is he? He's his own man, I wouldn't worry.

 

[silentstriker]

This might sound a bit naive and simple, but with somebody so talented and masterful as Tendulkar, and with his technique, you shouldn't really ever worry about him. I mean he's not missing 75mph (or McGrath pace) straight ones through lack of time, is he? He's his own man, I wouldn't worry.

At some point, he has to put it together and deliver. He's been out of form for a bit now, and he has to show that he can still do it at the highest level. Its possible the fact of 17 years of international cricket are wearing on him and its time for him to go.