Scarface

GG got unlucky with Gill injury and no solid RHBs to counter Harmer (Maharaj was largely harmless) - could have won 1st test if Gill batted. But still made tactical mistake of playing ARs who weakened both batting and bowling. Apart from the obvious weak batting, we don't seem to find good wicket taking spinners too. Jaddu lost steam, Kuldeep struggles to control the game and Axar/Washi looked ineffective. Any exciting wrist/off spinners in Ranji?

Hayden n**e challenge - loading 20%

Stokes looks ready to shake the hands and run away lol

Those roasting Sai & Karun, see how the generational talent Bethell looked out of sorts in the last test - in home conditions and batting #6 with Root to guide him. Whomever we pick - Sai, Karun, Sarfraz, Easwaran - have to back them for couple of series and give them a proper shot. Can't expect ready-made talent to step in and churn out 400/500 runs in debut/comeback series.

Finishes the series with 754 - 20 short of the Indian record. Could have easily got 800+ with the start he had but still one of the ATG series performances to remember.

Small nitpick Kennington Oval in London (Oval or Kia Oval). Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Yeah Shardul/Sundar could have easily been used more and saved Bumrah

Theory of cause and effect - such Dads might be the reason for sons to be level-headed.

Great news, we managed to breakdown their pace attack with the bat-athon. Stokes captaincy >>> Pope Stokes batting >> Bethel (not proven in tests) Stokes bowling >> Overton Archer > Atkinson (coming back from injury) Advantage India and wish Bumrah was playing.

Clutch knock and never thought he had this high ceiling in T20s as batter - respect where due. But why 3 teams for such a successful and reverred captain? No stickability factor, coach(es) dont like him or something else? Surely should have stamped and made 1 franchise as his own by now.

They give RR 2008 vibes - don't rely on superstars and positive batting mixed with awareness (unlike SRH). Bowling looks a bit weak but can't argue with a top 2 result. Ponting is a shrewd coach despite his love for Aussie players.

Nehraji is good but comes up short in few areas. Don't understand his fascination with 4 phast bowlers. And none of these fast bowlers attempt yorkers during slog overs, got carted - not sure what his plan is. He puts SRK/Tewatia at #5/#6. There are no batsmen even in the bench and he doesn't play Sundar instead of Arshad. Sundar+SRK can be the 6th bowling option for 1 or 2 overs and Sundar could bat at #3 or 4.

“We will see at the end Just see at the end who wins it“ - Stephen Fleming in March. Looks like he spoke about winning wooden spoon

Pant is the no 5 nowadays, so Iyer at 6 could work against old ball+tired bowlers. Axar vs Jadeja? Kuldeep as attacking spinner?

Used to rate Fleming highly as a coach but he has been delusional this season with his statements. Gaikwad escaped else would have become fall guy. Now no excuses and 1st wooden spoon loading.

Tactically Gambhir has been poor and the results are showing. This was always bound to happen since Dravid seemed to do most of the heavy-lifting analysis for Rohit and it covered up the captaincy flaws. Otoh, Gambhir said in YT, he didn't like matchups/analysis and just seems to be obsessed with ARs. Probably white ball(Gambhir) and test teams can have separate coaches.

Don't get the hype to take Klassen with 23 cr - sure he is a beast against spin but guy chokes when team needs him most and rarely finishes games. Kavya went overboard imo.