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Rebuilding the test squad


zen

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Probably a series late but it is good to see the rebuilding "process" initiated for the test cricket commencing with the Test series vs. WI. Below is how our schedule looks for the next few series: 

 

2018

  • Tests vs WI (2)

 

2018-2019

  • Tests in Aus (4)
  • Test vs Zim (1)

 

2019 (World Test Championship

  • Tests in WI (2)
  • Tests vs SA (3)
  • Tests vs BD (2)

 

 

Based on the recent test squads, below are a few players identified till the end of 2019:

  • Openers: Rahul, Shaw and Mayank
  • Batsmen: Pujara, Kohli, Rahane and Vihari 
  • AR: Pandya
  • WKs: Pant and Saha 
  • Pace Bowlers: Bumrah, Shami, Ishant, Yadav, Bhuvi and Siraj 
  • Spinners: Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep. Chahal would be a backup based on talks about him coming in to the squad if Ashwin is injured

 

 

Opportunities:

  • Openers - All the openers have a great opportunity to seal the positions. Especially considering that 4 of the 6 tours are in Ind. Of the 2 overseas tours, only the Aus one is difficult. Special note to Rahul as he has to try and grab his chances. He should not worry too much about getting in to LOIs, but focus on tests., where he has been given the chance. If he fails, he would only have himself to blame 
  • Bumrah - Can seal his place as the premier all or most formats bowler for Ind
  • Siraj - Can seek to partner Bumrah in tests  

 

Last Chance / Last leg of their careers / Fitness concerns / Conditions dependent:

  • Rahane - Has been the weakest link in the batting in the last two years. If he fails in Aus, selectors should look for an able replacement. May be fast track someone like Gill or play one of Rahul or Mayank in the middle order 
  • Saha - Still the best WK in Ind. Age may not be on his side. Ind may eventually need to find another WK
  • Shami - He will need to stay fit to be considered in the long run. The tough tour to Aus could turn out to be his last one 
  • Ishant and Umesh -They have just entered in to their 30s 
  • Bhuvi - Not a great option if conditions do not favor swing 

 

Prospects:

  • Saini - I have not followed him much but from what I have read here he is a good prospect for tests so could get opportunities as slots in pace bowling open up (Shami/Ishant/Yadav/Bhuvi) 
  • Gill - as aforementioned 

 

Edited by zen
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to rebuild a test side it was important that kohli takes a rest for this one, we wud have gained nothing apart from his own records while playing

coz we need to prepare backup batsman to n this was an ideal chance to play both nair n vihari....now one will play or both might warm benches if we play 5 bowlers

 

We need to find answers in batting 

pujara - overseas still isnt gr8

rahane is struggling big time

 

so these players needed some game time n runs under their belt

 

Also it was important to build new pace battery lineup with shami n umesh being so inconsistent .....it was time to see if their are better options

Good siraj is picked, but saini is a huge miss .....saini bowling wud have been ideal in aus 

 

Both shud have played this series but one will play domestic now n other will warm the bench 

 

even though its a good squad , yet the aim doesnt look like to find some answers

 

Vijay shankar shud have also been tried here

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6 minutes ago, Ankit_sharma03 said:

to rebuild a test side it was important that kohli takes a rest for this one, we wud have gained nothing apart from his own records while playing

coz we need to prepare backup batsman to n this was an ideal chance to play both nair n vihari....now one will play or both might warm benches if we play 5 bowlers

 

We need to find answers in batting 

pujara - overseas still isnt gr8

rahane is struggling big time

 

so these players needed some game time n runs under their belt

 

Also it was important to build new pace battery lineup with shami n umesh being so inconsistent .....it was time to see if their are better options

Good siraj is picked, but saini is a huge miss .....saini bowling wud have been ideal in aus 

 

Both shud have played this series but one will play domestic now n other will warm the bench 

 

even though its a good squad , yet the aim doesnt look like to find some answers

 

Vijay shankar shud have also been tried here

We cannot be making too many wholesale changes. We are trying Shaw, Mayank, Vihari and Siraj. Have invested in Rahul and Pandya 

 

For Rahane, Aus is a make or break series (but I hope he gets dropped after WI tour), that will open up a slot in the middle. With majority of the next few series to be played at home, Pujara would be a force 

 

Edited by zen
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19 minutes ago, zen said:

We cannot be making too many wholesale changes. We are trying Shaw, Mayank, Vihari and Siraj. Have invested in Rahul and Pandya 

 

For Rahane, Aus is a make or break series (but I hope he gets dropped after WI tour), that will open up a slot in the middle. With majority of the next few series to be played at home, Pujara would be a force 

 

Why cnt we its WI series n we shud coz we need some answer

either make it now when its easy or ull be forced to through a player in a tough series 

 

N their wud be still many main players 

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3 hours ago, Ankit_sharma03 said:

Why cnt we its WI series n we shud coz we need some answer

either make it now when its easy or ull be forced to through a player in a tough series 

 

N their wud be still many main players 

Selectors have made enough changes at this point where it is difficult to even accommodate and give a decent run to all among Shaw, Mayank, Vihari, Siraj and Kuldeep in the 11 .... They have decided to continue with Thakur :lol: .... I would have liked to see someone like Saini and Siraj open the bowling for e.g. in this series .... However, the squad is selected and this discussion is about how to rebuild the side from this point on till the end of 2019 

Edited by zen
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