**Official** South Africa in India Thread

[Langeveldt]

I think Boje and Gibbs know full that if they don't go to India, they may never have to face any more of the flak eminating from the whole ugly scandal.. Id stay away, but they must have a bit of a guilty conscience (Well we know Gibbs has been involved anyway)

Anyway, I hope SA's batsmen fire on all cylinders, get some of that old fortress mentality going, and grind out some boring draws.. Thats the best I am hoping for.

 

[TendulkarFan]

With the continuing good work of Harbhajan and Kumble and return to form of Zaheer, I'd say India's bowling is in good hands. Irfan is an intelligent player who should adjust well upon his return in a support role to the spinners.

Clearly, the result of this series comes down to the Indian batsmen. If they play with aggressive intent, as Laxman and Tendulkar did at Mumbai, they should have no problems piling up big enough scores and creating enough pressure for the bowlers to exploit.

 

[honestbharani]

With the continuing good work of Harbhajan and Kumble and return to form of Zaheer, I'd say India's bowling is in good hands. Irfan is an intelligent player who should adjust well upon his return in a support role to the spinners.

Clearly, the result of this series comes down to the Indian batsmen. If they play with aggressive intent, as Laxman and Tendulkar did at Mumbai, they should have no problems piling up big enough scores and creating enough pressure for the bowlers to exploit.

I have to agree. I am afraid things look rather bleak for RSA in India.

 

[Arjun]

With the continuing good work of Harbhajan and Kumble and return to form of Zaheer, I'd say India's bowling is in good hands. Irfan is an intelligent player who should adjust well upon his return in a support role to the spinners.

Clearly, the result of this series comes down to the Indian batsmen. If they play with aggressive intent, as Laxman and Tendulkar did at Mumbai, they should have no problems piling up big enough scores and creating enough pressure for the bowlers to exploit.

Even the bottom five have to contribute. At least two of them (especially Karthik and Pathan) have to score more runs than they usually do. That all-rounder problem needs to be fixed if the Indians have to be a power in international cricket. Most importantly, they need openers who can score runs, and lots of runs.

The Indian team can try a new pace attack. Bhandari, Paul and Salvi definitely need a few chances.

 

[marc71178]

You can't fix a problem such as the lack of an all rounder just like that.

If the player doesn't exist, then there's no chance!

 

[garage flower]

Even the bottom five have to contribute. At least two of them (especially Karthik and Pathan) have to score more runs than they usually do. That all-rounder problem needs to be fixed if the Indians have to be a power in international cricket. Most importantly, they need openers who can score runs, and lots of runs.

The Indian team can try a new pace attack. Bhandari, Paul and Salvi definitely need a few chances.

If Pathan stays injury-free (after this injury!), India find a consistently effective new-ball partner for him and a test-class opener emerges from the pack, India will be more than a handful for anyone, anywhere.

 

[Arjun]

You can't fix a problem such as the lack of an all rounder just like that.

If the player doesn't exist, then there's no chance!

And who says? There are more all-rounders in India than there are wicketkeepers who can bat! Ramesh Powar is good enough for this Indian team, and so are Sanjay Bangar, JP Yadav, Sairaj Bahutule and Reetinder Sodhi. And what's wrong in trying? After all, you have tried Agarkar, and Dravid, for a long time, so why not try out someone more likely? Pathan is only 20- catch them young. And whether they like it or not, they have to try soemthing and stick to it. They cannot do without an all-rounder!

If Pathan stays injury-free (after this injury!), India find a consistently effective new-ball partner for him and a test-class opener emerges from the pack, India will be more than a handful for anyone, anywhere.

He's not a bowler who can win Test matches- he has an average of 43! He needs to go back to Baroda and consistently take wickets, and also score runs (in 50's and 100's too), till he returns to the Test team. Bhandari, Salvi and SS Paul are better bowlers to choose.

 

[Dar]

I don't like it when people say India need an allrounder, its nonsense especially in tests. Pathan has batted extremely well recently and he bats at number 8. Kumble and Harbhajan are adequate for 9 and 10. Its up to the top six to do the bulk of the scoring. As for the bowling, Tendulkar always chips in and Sehwag is decent as well. They are not labelled as "all rounders" but they do the job. No point have a bits and pieces player just cos he's called an all rounder (Bangar and Sodhi come to mind)

 

[Anil]

And who says? There are more all-rounders in India than there are wicketkeepers who can bat! Ramesh Powar is good enough for this Indian team, and so are Sanjay Bangar, JP Yadav, Sairaj Bahutule and Reetinder Sodhi. And what's wrong in trying? After all, you have tried Agarkar, and Dravid, for a long time, so why not try out someone more likely? Pathan is only 20- catch them young. And whether they like it or not, they have to try soemthing and stick to it. They cannot do without an all-rounder!

none of the players you mentioned are anything more than bits-and-pieces utlity players who might make a difference in one dayers on their day, but not really in tests and definitely not long-term. the fact is there is a paucity of quality all-rounders in india, so calling someone an all-rounder and giving him a slot in the test team just won't work. if the tail can contribute decently(as they have recently), they would be a much better bet than any pseudo all-rounder....

 

[Sanz]

He's not a bowler who can win Test matches- he has an average of 43! He needs to go back to Baroda and consistently take wickets, and also score runs (in 50's and 100's too), till he returns to the Test team. Bhandari, Salvi and SS Paul are better bowlers to choose.

So Arjun, Are you suggesting that (If Fit) Pathan should not be selected for Indian Team and instead we should select Salvi, SS Paul and Bhandari ??

And Pathan should consistently take wickets in Baroda, while these guys get the beating of their lifetime.

 

[garage flower]

He's not a bowler who can win Test matches- he has an average of 43! He needs to go back to Baroda and consistently take wickets, and also score runs (in 50's and 100's too), till he returns to the Test team. Bhandari, Salvi and SS Paul are better bowlers to choose.

I think he has the potential to become a match-winning bowler. Not a great average yet, but it's very early days and he's played most of his test cricket on unhelpful tracks against Australia.

 

[marc71178]

And who says? There are more all-rounders in India than there are wicketkeepers who can bat! Ramesh Powar is good enough for this Indian team, and so are Sanjay Bangar, JP Yadav, Sairaj Bahutule and Reetinder Sodhi. And what's wrong in trying?

Just because someone can perform at domestic level, it doesn't make them an all rounder.

Incidentally - their career records:
Bangar - 5025 runs @ 36.94, 119 wickets @ 40.42 - that's not an all rounder.
Yadav - 5620 runs @ 40.72. 142 wickets @ 27.69 - better figures than Bangar, but I note he averages about 18 overs per FC game - hardly the load of an all rounder.
Bahutale - 4254 runs @ 31.98, 476 wickets @ 25.36 - he does at least bowl a lot, and his batting is useful enough. However then one looks at his International record...
Sodhi - 2800 runs @ 41.17, 79 wickets @ 29.11 - again he has the right numbers in the game, but his ODI's to date don't suggest he's worth persevering.

So of the 4 you named, 3 have had a reasonable go for India, and not been successes, Yadav has only had 2 games, but doesn't bowl anywhere near enough to be an all-rounder - he's Marmite.

 

[bryce]

i think reetinder sodhi will get back into the indian team sometime along the line but it is probaly too early at the moment.

 

[honestbharani]

I think Steve Waugh mentioned something about how he does not want any all-rounders in his side. I remember Australia really took off once they got rid of the Brendon Julian's and the Shane Lee's. Steve Waugh always mentioned the word "Specialist". He said he only trusted them to do the job and he did help take Australia to the top of the tree, so he should know.

 

[Dar]

Yeah, the Aussies always go in with only four bowlers and part timers fill in. If you have someone like Flintoff available its an exception but otherwise there is no need for "all rounders" for tests like i said in my earlier post

 

[SJS]

i think reetinder sodhi will get back into the indian team sometime along the line but it is probaly too early at the moment.

Reetinder Sodhi will never again play for India !

 

[Bapu Rao Swami]

My first comment - I shall be surprised if India doesn't win this series, I will be extremely disppointed if Dada's (ganguly) men disappoint us here.

Best of luck India, South Africa is lacking team confidence, India must cash in and insure a win. Kallis and the SA opening pair will be our biggest nemesis I sense.

 

[JustTool]

India is a bunch of over rated and overhyped cricketers, mostly with marginal technique against genuine fast bowling; and Indian bowlers lack the extra bite.

They are inconsistent. They are very good at making money though - look at the way Ganguly and Tendulkar use every opportunity to promote their restaurants and other businesses. I think these guys really milk the Indian followers and make far more money than they deserve. Ganguly was 'sick' for the last Test but was out shooting commercials (while you and I were paying to watch his 'boys' play) immediately baceme fit for the domestic Test as he didn;t want to not play in this star-studded one-of Pakistan One-Dayer. That would not have been good for his commercial interests

One good innings in every 1-12 bats seems to do the tirck. For Ganguly and his cronies it's more like 1 in 40. Look at how miserable the performance of our fast bowlers (Nehra, in particular) is at the domestic level but no one seems to care. On the other hand, Kartik and the wk Dinesh Kaarthick get a raw deal because they are not part of the Ganguly cheerleading fan club.

Look at he the farce with the opening slot - all so Ganguly and gang can keep their places, unthreatened, in the middle order. Truly it's not a meritocracy. The only real professionals in this whole bunch are Kumble, Dravid and Pathan - early days for him though. I hope India lose to SA, and there is a good chance they might, in order to bring about much needed changes.

 

[Bapu Rao Swami]

Ganguly suspended for two Tests

By A Correspondent

Mumbai, November 14, 2004


Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has been suspended for two Test matches by the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Clive Lloyd for slow over rate during the India-Pakistan ODI in Kolkata on November 13.

Ganguly will now miss the two-Test series against South Africa and Rahul Dravid will now lead the Indian team in his absence.

This is a major blow for Ganguly who also missed the Mumbai Test against Australia which India won.

 

[maxpower]

healthy just in time for suspension. I guess Ganguly is trying to broaden his group of ppl who hate him even more