Do we need a tour match now ?

[Ram]

Was wondering the utility of having this tour match with Sri Lanka now. I mean, its not that we needed to get used to these conditions. We have been here for a nearly 4 weeks now. Whats the point in having this match between the second and third test ? The players need as much as rest as possible. A 3 day match will take a lot of you, maybe leaving some players exhausted too. Yea , you could say that we could use the tour match for getting players into form , like openers etc. If anything , Sreesanth should have played in this match , to get some rhythm. Even he isnt playing. Wonder what the players make out of such ridiculous scheduling.

[omf52]

so we can try useless things like giving dhoni a bowl..

[yoda]

of course we don't. that's why it is there.

[Donny]

It would be suicidal not to get some game time for Gambhir, Bose, Yuvi, Powar and Sharma. Although I don't wish it on you, accidents happen. Illnesses can occur. You saw what happened in Ireland. Would you be happy taking, say, Bose and Gambhir into the vital third Test, with none or little game time, if Karthik and RP got sick ? Hypothetical, yes, but a possible scenario. Anyway, mm. We are talking pro cricketers here. Why do any of them 'need' a rest ? Many spent a lot of time relaxing on the balcony during both Tests.

[King Tendulkar]

I think its essential to have tour game. Fringe players need games. They need to be ready to go if needed. Also we are playing well so every smart alec says we dont need the game. However, if we were playing cr#p and batters in shocking form we would be desperate for this game.

[Ram]

It is not Yuvraj or Powar or Bose that i am worried about. They would looking forward to this test ,to further this case. I am more concerned about Rahul Dravid , Anil Kumble, Dhoni. I for one believe we play too much cricket. Many cricketers , including Dravid and KP have said so too. Rest is a good thing for players. And you have made a VERY fair point about getting subs ready in case one of the regulars were injured. But i dont think that was the intention of this match. It was accommodated just to satisfy the whims of the boards involved.

[Ram]

Dsr , when was the last time you saw the Indian team playing a tour match , IN BETWEEN the tests ?

[Rajiv]

You go all the way to home of cricket, play some..more time to enjoy

[King]

A tour game in the middle of the test series in a 5 test series like Ashes is good to keep the fringe players in touch. It also helps some of the bowlers to rest a bit. Already India has had two tour games prior to the start of the series and I do not see any reason to play another 4 days of aimless cricket.

[Cricketics]

yes its needed.. but its all crap when tv audience doesn't get to watch such games.... it really sucks..

[Parth]

There are two possible tanks of thoughts: 1) You could be optamistic and say some of our players can get into form and more match practice. 2) You could be pesamistic and say that it could get people injured or tired.

[fineleg]

The tour match was worth it if only for RD scoring a well made 60+ He needed some time in the middle and has got it. Hope he can make this count in Test 3.

[gator]

mars man... show me how much time dravid spent in the middle.... he aint even a bowler for pete's sakes... no question of getting rest.... these guys got a loooot of rest after being the seond team to get kicked out of the WC....

[Ram]

Gats , Does that mean you would have not supported this match had Rahul been in good form and scoring a lot of runs in the middle ? We have been doing a lot of travelling and playing in the last 35 days. A tour match in the middle of the test series doesnt make sense to me.

[gator]

Gats , Does that mean you would have not supported this match had Rahul been in good form and scoring a lot of runs in the middle ? We have been doing a lot of travelling and playing in the last 35 days. A tour match in the middle of the test series doesnt make sense to me.

i dont wat u mean by doing a lot of travelling.... england and scotland together is the probably the size of pennsylvania or a lil larger.... and we have jus played 2 test matches with good rain breaks thrown in ..... the opposition has not crossed 300 even once, so not much standing in the sun for days together.... i dont know why u r making excuses for em...

[Ram]

Gats , tell me this. When was the last time you saw an Indian team playing a tour match IN BETWEEN the tests ?

[Chandan]

Dsr , when was the last time you saw the Indian team playing a tour match , IN BETWEEN the tests ?

In Australia, after the 2nd test.

[gator]

Gats ' date=' tell me this. When was the last time you saw an Indian team playing a tour match IN BETWEEN the tests ?[/quote'] i have definitely seen... inspite of the tour match, they have 10 days gap.... the players themselves are complaining about the looong gap... i think, it was Dravid...

[Ram]

i have definitely seen... inspite of the tour match' date=' they have 10 days gap.... the players themselves are complaining about the looong gap... i think, it was Dravid...[/quote'] There shouldnt have been such a long gap in the first place and there shouldnt be tour matches in between.

[Ram]

In Australia' date=' after the 2nd test.[/quote'] In 2004 ?