***Official*** India in South Africa

[Pratters]

Courtney Walsh played almost half the number of matches that Sachin did. The effect of 500 is different of say 300 odd. But I didn't say I'm disagreeing with you.

The thing is, not that many matches were played in earlier eras. Neither have so many greats started off as early as 15-16. If we want to have both the above criterias, it is a very small sample size. So Courtney Walsh among bowlers and Inzamam and Brian Lara are the closest examples I can come up with. After we get 10-15 players as good as Tendulkar in a 25 year period who started off at the age of 15-16 can we say for certain regarding either side of the argument. That is very unlikely to happen if not impossible. So it cannot be said based on past experiences of players because he has played so much from such an early age, he will definitely not be that good.

 

[Dravid]

Like I said, I didn't disagree with you, I was just pointing something out lol

 

[Turbinator]

Exactly, good post. We don't have better batsman than Sachin. Apart from Dravid, I don't think I would trust anyone else to step up to the situation than Sachin. The rest are more inconsistent than him(apart Yuvraj, who has been great this year) He still shows he can score runs. Maybe not with the avg of the high 50s, but still in the high 40s, which is enough to keep a batsman in the team.

Nah, he hasn't had good Test year. You're mistakening his ODI form for his Test form.

 

[Dravid]

Nah, he hasn't had good Test year. You're mistakening his ODI form for his Test form.

Have you watched him this series. I admit he had a bad year, but this series is nothing like his year. He is still showing he can get high scores. He was looking really good in Jo Burg and was headed for a huge inning, and if I remember correctly he played on to get out. Played another great knock of 60 odd in Durban, but that was his fault he got out, but he still showed signs of scoring huge knocks

 

[Turbinator]

Have you watched him this series. I admit he had a bad year, but this series is nothing like his year. He is still showing he can get high scores. He was looking really good in Jo Burg and was headed for a huge inning, and if I remember correctly he played on to get out. Played another great knock of 60 odd in Durban, but that was his fault he got out, but he still showed signs of scoring huge knocks

I was talking about Yuvraj, not Tendulkar.

 

[silentstriker]

Yuvraj and Kaif are not test standard players, in my opinion.

 

[Turbinator]

No honestly, injustice has been done to Kaif. This year he hasn't played many Test matches but had a great knock against England in the first Test. And also had great knocks of 148* and 46* against the WI.

He IMO, if given a regular run can be a handy Test player.

His average in the WI series has been 56.50.

Just because, like the other batsmen, he failed against RSA in ODIs they didn't pick him for the Tests. But in reality his style of play is more suited for Tests.

 

[Turbinator]

Also, as far as Kaif's ODI form goes, he hasn't been as prolific as Yuvraj. However, an average of 51.25 in the WI series is quite good. He hasn't been able to convert his half centuries into centuries and isn't a great striker of the ball. But he does score and score good.

My final verdict is that he should be in India's WC plans and should be given a regular run in Tests.

 

[silentstriker]

*SHRUG*, can't be any worse.

 

[aussie]

What are the chances of Sehwag being dropped for the Capetown test?

 

[Turbinator]

Nah, they're not gonna' drop him.

 

[Dravid]

I'm rioting if he isn't drop, seriously

 

[PhoenixFire]

It's his attitude if not anything else. He doesn't seem to care that he's ****, that's nearly as bad as actually being ****.

 

[Dravid]

Should I burn posters or paint a donkey with Sehwags name and take it around Delhi?

 

[Turbinator]

Just give him a chance down the order, please I beg the Indian management. Just don't expose him to the new ball. It might just work. Also, as mentioned and proven in my posts above, please give Kaif a chance as well in the next Test series.

 

[silentstriker]

What are the chances of Sehwag being dropped for the Capetown test?

80% IMO. A telling factor was when Dravid finally refused to back him. Look for Gambhir and Jaffer to open in Cape Town.

 

[Turbinator]

Well, Gambhir is almost a 100 percent for the third Test. But who does he replace, Jaffer or Sehwag. Should be Sehwag if Sehwag is forced to open and not put down the order, but I don't know if Jaffer has done anything special, and Sehwag might just live on reputation.

 

[Dravid]

Sehwag shouldn't play again until he gets some domestic cricket. Period.

 

[Turbinator]

Please just one more chance, please...

 

[Dravid]

Please just one more chance, please...

Tell him to grow some hair first and become a man.