A bowler short?
Cricket
- Thread starter EdWeatherall
- Start date
Yeah Paine was really the only candidate last time. Smith and Warner were banned and it's very rare that a bowler gets it.
I actually thought Paine would be a better captain than he is, because he seems quite a thoughtful bloke. But his captaincy during the Headingley game was poor and it seems he lost the plot yesterday too. Plus his reviews are terrible, given that he's the wicketkeeper and can see everything.
The selectors must be thinking of giving his spot to Carey now.
Excellent effort by India to get a draw.
The only thing I've ever seen him contribute to is sledging or banter. He did this in the last tour and got slapped in the face for it. Plus, hes a rubbish wicket keeper and average batsman. He comes off as a charity pick because of the whole Cape Town debacle. We need to give the guy more shit for some of the annoying crap hes been saying.
4 bowlers at a bowling pitch like Gabba should be enough.
I can totally see the argument for going with three seamers, given that spinners tend not to do well at the Gabba.
But looking at it another way: is it worth dropping Jadeja, with everything he brings, in favour of your fifth or sixth choice seamer? Is a Thakur or Saini more likely to get wickets than Jadeja? They're certainly not going to bat or field as well as he does.
Jadejas out, I think. Broken thumb.
Ah yeah, shit, you're right. Yep, hard to see him getting picked then!
Mental resilience of this team is just too good. We had much better batting line up in ganguly era but we used to bundle out in pressure. This is different. We might still lose the Gabba test and lose the series but I have never seen an Indian team perform with this resoluteness and grit in an away series like Australia. 2007-08 performances were close but this goes one step ahead.
What I’m surprised is that we don’t have sufficient all rounders in the Jadeja, Pandya mode in the team/waiting in the wings. The amount of balance such players bring to the team is immense.
Plus it wouldn’t hurt to find some good left hand batsmen while we’re at it. Just Pant isn’t sufficient in the test set up. (I know Jadeja is lefty too but I’d like to see one in the top4)
Plus it wouldn’t hurt to find some good left hand batsmen while we’re at it. Just Pant isn’t sufficient in the test set up. (I know Jadeja is lefty too but I’d like to see one in the top4)
I don't think there's a leftie good enough to break the Pujara-Kohli-Rahane middle order.
There's Paddikal who's far too young and Nitish Rana who's not good enough for tests.
I'd be tempted to bring Hardik Pandya for the test. He was in great form in the ODIs and if he can bowl a few overs here and there it might make a difference
What’s all this about?
Typical case of "can dish it out but can't handle the returns".
Loved it how ashwin just triggered him. He could have even added I have more test centuries than you do.
I think Steve Smith is being unfairly targeted. He is always moving around and probably just did his normal batting habit. I don't think there is anything more in that. He was just figuring how to bowl to Pant and then probably went into his zone.
What a day of test cricket though. It's been a long time since I have watched every single over in a day. Last 40 overs, we scored hardly 50-60 runs but it was more entertaining than any IPL match could ever be. Take a bow Vihari, it's up there with the ABD innings. Ashwin has probably played Lyon better than any batsman out there. Pant and Pujara were terrific also.
What a day of test cricket though. It's been a long time since I have watched every single over in a day. Last 40 overs, we scored hardly 50-60 runs but it was more entertaining than any IPL match could ever be. Take a bow Vihari, it's up there with the ABD innings. Ashwin has probably played Lyon better than any batsman out there. Pant and Pujara were terrific also.
Amazing series so far against the best bowling attacking in the world at their own backyard. We have been better team on the balance IMO and I am certain if we had our best team available for all matches (with right selections), we would have won this series. As it is, I think Oz will take the Gabba match given the injuries we have and win it 2-1. Shame but absolutely amazing to see this team compete this hard. I saw some messages akin to this similar and yes, this team's character is 10 times more than the one which had the much celebrated Fab 4.
He simply has to be backed in all formats. If there is any player you give a longer rope to prove himself, it is him. Pant and Pandya in top form is critical for us to compete in ODI cricket given how critical now it is to double your score in last 15-20 overs. Test match wise, it is a very big statement to make but his ceiling is being the "Gilchrist" for India cricket team. All the talk of his poor keeping is overblown. Specialist keepers went out of fashion, two decades ago. Dhoni was not that great at keeping when he started out as well and definitely cemented his place via his batting prowess only.
I am optimistic we win this 2-1.
We need to load the batting up. We need to post a big total or we'll be chasing the game again. As good as this draw was, we were never realistically in this game. Australia could've easily posted a target of 475+.
I hope Pant is fit enough to keep - and I'd replace both Jadeja and Vihari with batsmen. The batting order is a bit hard to figure out. Saha does not contribute runs. Pant needs to significantly imrpove as a keeper but you just got to stick it out and hope it works - it is less important in Brisbane.
Bumrah, Saini, Siraj, Ashwin can take 20 wickets.
Fun reading the last 5-6 pages, for Vihari to cop the amount of abuse he did from everyone to play a match saving innings. 
Agree that the importance of keeping is overblown, but disagree that Pant's keeping is not important. He shells way too many - even when there aren't nicks. Yes he's a batsman-keeper but even those need to be good enough to specialize as keepers.
Aussies have some amazing fast bowlers but when you consider that India have Bumrah along with Aswin and Jadeja, I think you have to say the attacks are quite evenly matched.
On Gabba, agreed on loading up the batting especially if Jadeja is out. Only chance of us winning there is if Bumrah goes berserk and posts career best figures. Their batting has some form now and with Ashwin unlikely to be as potent, I think we can struggle on bowling front.
For this match, we had a chance when we got them out for 338. We bundled the first innings really badly especially given the start openers gave us. After that Jadeja who took 4 wickets in first innings being gone was a huge blow.
It is a shame Rahul went and got himself injured. This would have been a fantastic match for him
Nah the trio of Cummins, Starc (at home at least) and Hazelwood is just too good for anyone to compare against at this point. Our bowling is good and have proven themselves now in Eng and Oz but Oz is still the best. Their openers' fiasco really has screwed up their batting badly this summer.
Aggarwal, Shaw and Pant would be a ridiculously fun middle order to watch
Vihari out of the series due to hamstring. I'm convinced Saha comes back in the next match.
Great stuff by India! Australia being Australia with their behavior, so they better had make sure they won. Instead they screwed up, missed their chances to wrap up the match. And the slating probably only made the Indians more resilient.
Shit pitch mind, there was absolutely no assistance for the bowlers the final 2 days. The first 2 pitches were much better.
Shit pitch mind, there was absolutely no assistance for the bowlers the final 2 days. The first 2 pitches were much better.
Just start doing the rain dance and singing Raag Malhar!
Can someone explain to me what the implications are for the WTC finals? What happens now if india lose 2-1 or the next one is a draw? What margin do india need to beat England by?
https://t.co/KTsZp3M0hv
Class article. Monga is something else.
Tim Paine is a cnut and mediocre cnut.
Class article. Monga is something else.
Tim Paine is a cnut and mediocre cnut.
3-0
Our team for England matches will be this imo
Gill
Rohit
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Pant
Pandya
Ashwin
Kuldeep(Jadeja unfit for first two matches)
Bumrah
Umesh/Ishant
Gill
Rohit
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Pant
Pandya
Ashwin
Kuldeep(Jadeja unfit for first two matches)
Bumrah
Umesh/Ishant
I honestly dont know. Especially without seeing what he is doing with the rest of his body. But its just a guard, dont think it would affect a batsman as he will be retaking the guard again before the start of the play. I mean what is there to gain by doing something like this intentionally.
Ashwin’s fitness is a concern to play 8 tests in 3 months.
It is strange that in Ranji it is not clear who the next two spinners are. Ashwin, Jadeja have held the spot for a long time. Hope Kuldeep finds his form — do not see anyone of that quality outside this 3.
Yeah it's a concern. Somehow our pace bowling depth is better than spin reserve. I'm guessing they'll go for someone like Rahul Chahar or Chahal as fourth spinner.
Well deserved save for the Indian team! Incredible resolve.
Could have even won it without the injuries.
Could have even won it without the injuries.
Great article. Didn't know Ashwin had a back problem as well. Incredible stuff. Yes, the pitch helped but with both the batsmen injured, Jadeja with a broken finger and three number 11s to follow, against the best attack on the planet, I think they did great.
Was a fantastic read.
Interesting to see what team India picks for the next match, not that we have much to select. But my preferred line up will be
Aggarwal
Gill/rohit
Pujara
Rahane
Gill/rohit
Pant
Saha(wk)
Ashwin (hopefully he is fit)
Bumrah
Saini
Siraj
I wouldn't want to tinker with openers but I am not sure with aggarwal in middle order. I would love to see Gill in middle order and see how it works.
Aggarwal
Gill/rohit
Pujara
Rahane
Gill/rohit
Pant
Saha(wk)
Ashwin (hopefully he is fit)
Bumrah
Saini
Siraj
I wouldn't want to tinker with openers but I am not sure with aggarwal in middle order. I would love to see Gill in middle order and see how it works.