*Official* India Tour of England 2018

[weldone]

Team balance in test teams is overrated IMO; limited overs are a different story. Play top 6 batsmen, top 4 bowlers and a keeper. If any of them can do a bit in secondary discipline it's a bonus. Don't force the "balance".

Yes I think that's what he means. In fact, someone asked him during Lord's commentary if he considers Chris Woakes as an allrounder. He said yes because Woakes has done enough with the ball to deserve a slot in the team and his batting is quite good which is an added bonus i.e. he is a perfect bowling allrounder in these conditions. On the other hand, Pandya doesn't do much with the ball, and he has not done anything with the bat yet to impress Holding.

 

[ankitj]

Lol, kids. Its over. 5-0 incoming. Why are we talking about this lost cause?

I'm actually pretty fascinated by how much of a shitshow this can turn into. If Kohli aggravates his injury it could be hilarious.

I am looking forward to how Kohli sorts out his record in England, how Ashwin can salvage his reputation of being a home tiger, and how much more awesomeness English bowlers can serve (when your team is hopeless you just switch to being a admirer of the game).

 

[Gremlin]

Stokes confirmed as replacing Sam Curran in the starting Xi. Tough call on Sam but he'll be back I'm sure.

 

[fredfertang]

Stokes for Curran I see - that will cause some gnashing of teeth I have no doubt

 

[Starfighter]

England are looking decidedly right-arm fast-medium again.

 

[Moonsorrow999]

Nice on Curran. No doubt we will get some fake apology with Stokes squinting at a script soon.

 

[anaksr]

Was redirected through a news feed to Hardik Insta post. Boy, the load of shiite abuse he is getting for latest post is something. Never seen someone from cricket background hated this much in recent times.

 

[Jarquis]

Was always going to be a tough call. You've just got to hope that England were clear in their communication with SCurran and explained to him the circumstances under which he'd be picked in the future and what he needs to do between now and then..... which is presumably, to get pissed and batter two blokes in the middle of the street.

 

[S.Kennedy]

It has been very well received on social media, the Stokes for Curran thing.

 

[Shri]

In other news, Pandya cuts Dhoni's hair:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk8OSerhjYu/?taken-by=hardikpandya93

 

[Prince EWS]

Who bats at 8?

Verigoat, obvs.

 

[Bahseph]

Agree with the train of thought that players have to be given a role in the context of their team environment. In an ideal world where India's top 5 bat everywhere the way they do in India then Pandya playing as an allrounder and bowling 10 overs a day in English conditions is fine. And I'm sure that was the plan.

We didn't have high expectations of the Indian batting but for Kohli to shy away from his plan isn't in his make up. He backed his top 5 to do well and they have let him down. That's more of the problem than him picking Pandya tbh. Dropping him not because he hasn't taken as many wickets as a front line seamer when he has probably been the second best batsman on tour is a really harsh call. He doesn't look the business in all honesty but there's something there. A huge step up from a certain Mr.Binny

 

[Starfighter]

A huge step up from a certain Mr.Binny

Rubbish Binny?

 

[trundler]

India refuse to take a backward step, but is it prudent? - ESPNcricinfo

 

[CasMcG24]

So Stokes to return for the third test is this a good move from the ECB... ?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/45221068

 

[Deleted member 34141]

Go away!
Stupid stray cat

 

[Top_Cat]

Was always going to be a tough call. You've just got to hope that England were clear in their communication with SCurran and explained to him the circumstances under which he'd be picked in the future and what he needs to do between now and then..... which is presumably, to get pissed and batter two blokes in the middle of the street.

I’m sure they were but the bloke’s 20 and won a live Test for his country, played a key role in another and has a massive future. I doubt he’d be feeling anything other than a million bucks.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

I’m sure they were but the bloke’s 20 and won a live Test for his country, played a key role in another and has a massive future. I doubt he’d be feeling anything other than a million bucks.

Plus, he’s straight back in when the ECB ban Stokes for a year for bringing the game in to disrepute. Which is what I’d do, for the record.

 

[CasMcG24]

I’m sure they were but the bloke’s 20 and won a live Test for his country, played a key role in another and has a massive future. I doubt he’d be feeling anything other than a million bucks.

I do agree with you and bringing in Stokes is a good move to get him on par and in form for the away test series against the West indies. Curran is going to play a big part in the future so best not wear him out too soon.

 

[Top_Cat]

Stokes is the incumbent and rightly so and is also a gun so he’ll get a lot more flexibility. If he’s smart, he’ll also be doing a lot of bridge building with his side. Curran’s a prospect but Stokes, even without the fact he already has plenty of international experience, Stokes has the better all-wicket game with both bat and ball than Curran does. More lavishly gifted.

What I really like about Curran is what he seems to have between the ears so he’ll always be a competitor even if conditions are against him. I love how quickly he slotted into the bowling line-up and contributed straight away and when the match was up for grabs, played a smart knock. Strikes me as a bloke who brings others with him which makes every run and wicket feel doubly worse to the opposition and on his day he’ll wipe some teams out too with bat, ball or both. WIll make every team selection more difficult from now on, heck of a good problem for the selectors to have.