India in Australia, Tour Preview

A 4 test series, and then a 3 nation ODI tournament right before the World Cup involving England as well.
A jumbo squad announced by India. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the squad captain but won't be leading the side out for the first test as he's recovering from a thumb injury. Virat Kohli will be leading the side for the first test.
Wriddhiman Saha will be the first choice keeper for the first game and then will be the back-up for Dhoni. Naman Ojha will be Saha's back-up for the first game.
No Virender Sehwag or Gautam Gambhir thankfully. Its young Karnataka opener KL Rahul who is the reserve opener in the side along with regular openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan. Both Rohit Sharma and even more surprisingly, Suresh Raina have found themselves in the squad. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron constitute the seam attack. Along with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Railways leggy Karn Sharma also makes it to the squad to form the spin unit.
Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane form the middle order.
Can the Indian batting lineup regain basic self-worth? Will Bhuvneshwar Kumar be as effective in Australia as he was in England? Can Ishant and the rest of the seam bowling unit hold their own against the Australian batsman? Can Ashwin, Jadeja or Karn, whoever plays, at least contain the Australian batsmen and give the seamers any chance?
Will Australia look for a new opening combination? Who would bat 3 and 6 for them? Will Watson and the younger Marsh play in the same side? Will Ryan Harris return and will he be the same bowler? Will Mitchell Johnson allow any other Australian bowlers to have any say! in things??? Will it be 4-0 for Australia or will India be able to salvage something at least in one game?

19 players means a lot of fear and indecision...

and means conflict between captain...wanting his agenda lover-boys....Rohit & Raina...and selectors wanting players of merit

Tiwary and Jadhav would have been the meritorious ones even if the list had to be extended to 19

ditto jadeja...found out and akshar patel or that chinaman bowler from UP deserved to be ahead of him.

the only saviour could be a blow from Mudgal Panel leaving dhoni and srini down on the ground

Rahul and Karn are good selections.....Karn is a raw form of Warne....in bowling style and shape / size

Most of this team picks itself, surely (in Tests)?
Vijay
--
Pujará
Kohli
Rahane
Dhoni (to be fair, I thought he batted well in England at 6, and certainly justified his selection there)
---
B. Kumar
Sharma
Shami
---

Only three spots realistically up for grabs? What's the feeling in India?

Its not just you, even the likes of Rahul Dravid rates Karn. But I must say I am not too convinced. He does have a good FC average, but 66 wickets from 34 matches in Indian conditions? That too when he's not really an all-rounder as such, only a bowler who averages in the 20s with the bat? He did seem promising in whatever T-20 I have followed him play, but the lack of first class wickets is a concern for me. Don't forget he's not too young either.
As for Kuldeep Yadav, let him first play some FC cricket before playing tests. Don't think Akshar is a lot different to Jadeja with the ball. Keep it between stumps to stumps, not too much flight, make good use of the natural variation on the pitch....... I think I would even consider Jadeja ahead of Ashwin in Indian conditions, though overseas, they both need to go some way. Not too sure Karn, or Akshar for now, are the answers though.......

kingraf wrote:Most of this team picks itself, surely (in Tests)?
Vijay
--
Pujará
Kohli
Rahane
Dhoni (to be fair, I thought he batted well in England at 6, and certainly justified his selection there)
---
B. Kumar
Sharma
Shami
---

Only three spots realistically up for grabs? What's the feeling in India?

Not too sure of Shami in that list. He has regressed from the bowler who reverse swung the West Indies out, and in England, Varun Aaron had overtaken him. They both are facing some injury concerns, as is Ishant. Umesh Yadav has come back better after his injury layoff, and think I would prefer Yadav who didn't disgrace himself during the last Australian tour to be in the first choice 11. Wish Bhuvi will be as effective as he was in England, but not very hopeful on that front, don't think the ball swings much in Australia.......
Vijay, Dhawan? Pujara, Kohli, Rahane, Dhoni, Ashwin, Kumar, Aaron, Ishant, Yadav.
And for the first test, Saha in for Dhoni, and Rahul for one of the seamers. Don't think there is any point in wasting a spot for Rohit or Raina though Rahul is an opener....... And if he does well and Shikhar doesn't then the latter will have to go out when the skipper, the only hope of getting us to 200+ comes back in. Dhoni actually batted pretty well in England, with his technique and the relative lack of success away and all.......

Saha in for the 1st test then, with Dhoni out...

I agree Karn is the not the next Kumble but can it really get any worse than Jadeja and Ashwin overseas? Whats the harm in trying him out? Rahul over Dhawan hopefully.

Ashwin will play IMO.... i think he gets a lot of unfair stick, he's a more than useful all-round cricketer..

Now it will be Rohit Sharma in at 6 at least for the first 3 tests after his 264 in an ODI game against Sri Lanka's mediocre attack on a flat highway!.

i would have thought Rohit would have been there anyway....

Not if they were to have gone in with 5 batsmen, Dhoni and an all-rounder.......

msp83 wrote:Now it will be Rohit Sharma in at 6 at least for the first 3 tests after his 264 in an ODI game against Sri Lanka's mediocre attack on a flat highway!.

he has a double hundred and a 100 in his first 2 tests

and 2 doubles hundreds in ODIs
and the highest ODI score....by a mile

you must grant him...the biggest FTB in the history of the game.

this double hundred doesn't matter.....if Dhoni captains....he will juggle the one open middle order slot between Rohit and Raina regrdless of these scores

and the Indian test score in this series is a foregone

Raina won't be there...certainly not in test cricket!!

KP_fan wrote:

msp83 wrote:Now it will be Rohit Sharma in at 6 at least for the first 3 tests after his 264 in an ODI game against Sri Lanka's mediocre attack on a flat highway!.

he has a double hundred and a 100 in his first 2 tests

and 2 doubles hundreds in ODIs
and the highest ODI score....by a mile

you must grant him...the biggest FTB in the history of the game.

this double hundred doesn't matter.....if Dhoni captains....he will juggle the one open middle order slot between Rohit and Raina regrdless of these scores

and the Indian test score in this series is a foregone

No double-hundred in test, the FTB has a highest of 177 in the longer format.

Don't see India's batsmen living with the hostile Australian fast bowlers TBH.

Johnson, Harris, Hazlewood, Starc, Cummins etc they could pick any of those plus a handful of others,

I see another 4-0 drubbing.

Indian bowlers all of them did well.....against CAXI....we dunno the quality of the opponent...nevertheless there were no unnecessary prolonged delays from the CA lower order
In the past lower orders of club sides have hung around.

The difference in my view is Kohli as a captain is more purposeful and proactive when handling bowlers and field placements

Some very sad news.

Phil Hughes was struck on the chest? and head by Sean Abbott in the Shield match (he was batting for SA v NSW) at the SCG this afternoon.
Reports saying he was knocked unconscious and collapsed to the ground. He was wearing a helmet.

He remains in a critical condition in intensive care after being taken to St Vincent's Hospital.

The match has been suspended.

Poor guy... I just hope he is OK.

Horrific news about Phil Hughes. It sounds touch and go from everything I've read, so here's hoping he pulls through! Thoughts are with him, his family and Sean Abbott.

It's horrifying to hear......I pray he comes out safe.
It's surprising...the severity of the injury even with the helmet

He has had the operation and now they will just have to wait to see how he goes.
Apparently the next 24-48 hours will be critical.

Absolutely horrific incident.

Really terrible news, here's hoping Phil pulls through

It seems he was struck on the back of his head, just below the helmet. Very unlucky and easy to imagine what a terrible injury that could cause.

Really hoping he pulls through and we are treated to more of his exciting brand of cricket for many years to come

Hard to imagine he'll be the same even if the injuries heal. Tough break.

Phil Hughes has passed away.

Extremely sad news. rip fella.

So sad.

I don't see how the first test can be played in time.
Cricket appears so inconsequential to all right now

Apologies to msp83 for losing the topic on this thread.

Sorry mate. Before today I didn't think we would be facing this tragic turn of events and I didn't want to create a new thread on the unfortunate tragedy which occurred on Tuesday. I was quietly hoping things would turn out OK.

I have now created a separate condolence thread in the International section.

Pending decision on whether the first Test is cancelled or delayed, I really hope Dave Warner can give his great mate a fitting tribute with a  n emotional century.

I believe it will be played, but the NSW players won't be invovled...i've heard..

Probably for the best. Two weeks is certainly a small turnaround in terms or coming to terms with what must be a traumatic incident, but hopefully, they come good. The show, unfortunately must go on, and we can't sit and wallow too long. It's not what Hughes would have wanted, judging by the comments and opinion pieces of the man. It's a real pity something like this happened, but life unfortunately is not a vacuum, and more importantly, there are people who's livelihoods depend on the cricketing summer. No surprise the players don't want to play. They've just seen their mate die, it was natural that they'd be not too focus on cricket. I hope they too get some specific counselling, as once the shock and pain of losing a great mate has subsided, I'd rate a few are going to have to look at reality that their all mere mortals, and this could happen to them. Hopefully they all get back into the game

Well the focus is back on cricket...Indians started their 2 day game against CAXI....Aaron continues to be the pick of seam bowlers.
Harris , Johnson etal have also been talking about the focus shift back to cricket now that the funeral has provided a "sense of closure"

It's going to be interesting to see how the Australians bowl this summer. Johnson basically perfected the "Up or down" strategy, where a bowler bowls either at the head or the Stumps. None of this top of fifth stump into slips garbage (although, that is generally what happens at the end).

How willing to put it in the ribs will they be this summer? I'm also excited to see Kohli caption a Test team. Along with Pujara, he's my favourite batter in the world after Clarke and Warner, and Younus. Seems more like a Michael Clarke type leader, lead from the front with the bat, and look to make something happen in the field.

India will still lose 4-0 though.

Dhawan once again showing he is nowhere near test class.

well dhawan scored runs in SA and NZ.
he will get first two tests.

my line-up and order would be:


1) Dhawan
2) Vijay
3) Pujara
4) Rahane
5) Kohli
6) Ojha
7) Bhuvi
8) Karn
9) Yadav
10)Ishant
11) Aaron

Dhawan ahead of Rahul in tests is a disgrace. Like Raina, he is a ODI batsman.

Dhawan has 3 40+ scores in 17 test inns. 2 in 14 overseas. Too much of a lottery for an opener. He has neither the technique nor the temperament to handle testing conditions in Test cricket.

look at those numbers .....in SA, NZ and Eng
they show many starts and those two innings in NZ of 98 and 115 against a decent Kiwi seam attack...shows he can convert.

Not that we are overflowing with opening talent...those numbers + his super show in Champions Trophy earns him 4 more test inning ( means atleast 2 or possibly 3 tests)....in my view atleast.
The bigger problem is Raina and Rohit in the squad......Rayadu or Tiwary would be far more deserving

13 37 27 2 0 48.14 2 caught 1 v South Africa Johannesburg 18 Dec 2013 Test # 2108
15 32 21 1 0 71.42 1 caught 3 v South Africa Johannesburg 18 Dec 2013 Test # 2108
29 64 49 4 0 59.18 1 caught 1 v South Africa Durban 26 Dec 2013 Test # 2111
19 120 87 2 0 21.83 1 caught 3 v South Africa Durban 26 Dec 2013 Test # 2111
0 1 3 0 0 0.00 1 caught 2 v New Zealand Auckland 6 Feb 2014 Test # 2118
115 322 211 12 1 54.50 2 caught 4 v New Zealand Auckland 6 Feb 2014 Test # 2118
98 189 127 14 1 77.16 1 caught 2 v New Zealand Wellington 14 Feb 2014 Test # 2120

12 30 24 0 0 50.00 2 caught 1 v England Nottingham 9 Jul 2014 Test # 2128
29 52 29 6 0 100.00 2 caught 3 v England Nottingham 9 Jul 2014 Test # 2128
7 13 11 1 0 63.63 2 caught 1 v England Lord's 17 Jul 2014 Test # 2130
31 64 45 4 0 68.88 2 caught 3 v England Lord's 17 Jul 2014 Test # 2130
6 29 17 1 0 35.29 2 caught 2 v England Southampton 27 Jul 2014 Test # 2132
37 124 85 6 0 43.52 2 caught 4 v England Southampton 27 Jul 2014 Test # 2132

cant believe Raina ever makes a test squad....he will never ever consistently score runs in test match cricket..

Rahul is technically much better than Dhawan. Dhawan has 2 40+ scores in 14 inns overseas. Not exactly a great conversion rate.

freemo wrote:cant believe Raina ever makes a test squad....he will never ever consistently score runs in test match cricket..

he is called "Bhabhi" in cricketing circles......and Dhoni is called "Bhai"
The "special Relation" is the primary cause of the innumerable and out of way chances that Raina gets

ShankyCricket wrote:Rahul is technically much better than Dhawan. Dhawan has 2 40+ scores in 14 inns overseas. Not exactly a great conversion rate.

KL Rahul's technique is not tested at international level.
I am not saying that he will fail.......we won't know until he plays.....and I wish he will come good...but there is a big gulf between playing stock 120-125kph Ranji bowling on flat domestic pitches vs. Johnson / Harris/Siddle on Australian bouncy pitches.
technique, temperament and reflexes all 3 are required to succeed at this level.

we also do not have an embarrassing riches of opener.....Rahul's chance will come eventually and that could be as early as the 3rd test of this series.

But Dhawan's 2 good innings in NZ and  a solid CT in Eng warrant him 4 more innings.....he has temperament and reflex ( eye) to handle the pace.....the other option Rahul is unproven and it's better to do a full and final settlement of Dhawan by giving him a few more innings now...rather thamn play Rahul and if he fails get back to Dhawan again

Is it bhabhi or Behna? Behna rhymes with Raina too

Fair enough about Dhawan. I don't think he has a cat in a hell's chance of succeeding in tests in Australia but the "full and final settlement" thing makes sense. But I won't give him another 4 inns. Only 2 esp since the 1st test is at Adelaide, by far the flattest pitch in Australia. If he fails in both inns there (he also failed in both the warm up inns at Adelaide) then picking him on a bouncy surface at the Gabba makes little sense.

ShankyCricket wrote:Fair enough about Dhawan. I don't think he has a cat in a hell's chance of succeeding in tests in Australia but the "full and final settlement" thing makes sense. But I won't give him another 4 inns. Only 2 esp since the 1st test is at Adelaide, by far the flattest pitch in Australia. If he fails in both inns there (he also failed in both the warm up inns at Adelaide) then picking him on a bouncy surface at the Gabba makes little sense.

whether he gets 2 innings or 4 will depend on how he fails...
if he looks clueless, is ruffled by pace and bounce and falls in single digits...he won't get the 2nd test.

if he gets behind the line, leaves well outside off..... gets a start into 20s also.....he will get another test

Fair enough.

Bhuvnehusar a doubt, didn't bowl in training today, struggling with an ankle injury..

freemo wrote:Bhuvnehusar a doubt, didn't bowl in training today, struggling with an ankle injury..

that would be a blessing in disguise...I don't think his style will suit the aussie pitches
although it weakens the batting