Your XI for first test vs. RSA

[randomGuy]

Assuming everyone is available for selection. 

[sandeep]

1. Murali Vijay
2. KL Rahul
3. Che Pujara
4. V Kohli
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Rohit Sharma
7. W Saha
8. R Jadeja
9. Bhuvi
10. Ishant Sharma
11. M Shami
12. Hardik Pandya

I pick 6 bats for the 1st test because of a slight defensive mindset, want to reduce the chances of losing the 1st test over one bad session with the bat.  Yes, I know the 6th bat is Rohit, but I feel that he is the best batting option out of trio of Ashwin, Pandya.  

 

Jadeja edges Ashwin for the 1st test, because I know that SA are going to prepare a track where there will be hardly any grip for the spinners - kindof like they did against SL to nullify Herath. The difference is that Jadeja can be counted on to do better in a defensive holding role than Ashwin, in such conditions, and can also be called upon to bowl 1.5x his normal share of overs, so that we can go with a 4 man attack. 

 

 

[goose]

Haven't been following Indian cricket closely since Australia left these shores but Umesh Yadav has to be in there for me.

[Austin 3:!6]

Shikhar Dhawan

Murali Vijay

Cheteshwar Pujara

Virat Kohli (c)

Rohit Sharma

Hardik Pandya

Wriddhiman Saha (wk)

Ravi Ashwin

Umesh Yadav

Bhuv Kumar

Mohmammed Shami

 

 

Change it as required from 2nd test.

 

[maniac]

Agree with sandeep’s Team for the most part but on a bouncy surface Ashwin over Jadeja because Jadeja relies on variation where as the conventional offspiner can get good bounce like Lyon has been doing....so replace Jadeja with Ashwin....on a relatively flat surface or a green track Jadeja over Ashwin

Edited December 1, 2017 by maniac

[Laaloo]

Same as Sandeeps team but I would still play Ashwin over Jadeja.

[Forever Indian]

Same as Sandeep as well, but no Rohit for me. I will go with Vijay Shankar, which is no less a gamble than playing Rohit IMO.

[randomGuy]

I would have Pandya -  4th seamer and no less batsman than Rohit in SA. 

 

Rahul, Vijay as openers. Rahane is also retained. Ishant,  Bhuvi and Shami. But jadeja or Ashwin is a conundrum, I don't know which one to play. 

[Austin 3:!6]

Dont agree with Sandeep's team as we have to play 5 bowlers. Playing 7 batsman might ensure a draw but we are taking the win out of equation. That will be a defensive move.

 

1st test, we need to play players in form. Rahane and Rahul sits out with Dhawan & Rohit replacing them.

[Pollack]

1 hour ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

Shikhar Dhawan

Murali Vijay

Cheteshwar Pujara

Virat Kohli (c)

Rohit Sharma

Hardik Pandya

Wriddhiman Saha (wk)

Ravi Ashwin

Umesh Yadav

Bhuv Kumar

Mohmammed Shami

 

 

Change it as required from 2nd test.

 

No Rahane. Are you kidding. Of all places SA is the one which will suit Rahane the most. He will be the arse saver in this series. 

[Austin 3:!6]

Just now, Pollack said:

No Rahane. Are you kidding. Of all places SA is the one which will suit Rahane the most. He will be the arse saver in this series. 

Need to pick players on form, atleast in 1st test. Cant drop a player who just scored a century for a player who is struggling for sometime, unless ofcourse Rahane does something big in 3rd test vs SL.

[Pollack]

Shikhar Dhawan / Murli Vijay

K L Rahul

Chepu

Kohli

Rahane

Ashwin

Pandya 

W Saha

Bhubi

U Yadav

M Shami

[Austin 3:!6]

2 minutes ago, Pollack said:

Shikhar Dhawan / Murli Vijay

K L Rahul

Chepu

Kohli

Rahane

Ashwin

Pandya 

W Saha

Bhubi

U Yadav

M Shami

What has Rahul done to be a sure starter but Vijay/Dhawan dont?

[sandeep]

58 minutes ago, Forever Indian said:

Same as Sandeep as well, but no Rohit for me. I will go with Vijay Shankar, which is no less a gamble than playing Rohit IMO.

There's no way that we can go with Shankar ahead of Pandya at this point.  If you want a bit of bowling, then Pandya is the more 'proven' performer on both sides of the ball.  

[sandeep]

1 hour ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

Shikhar Dhawan

Murali Vijay

Cheteshwar Pujara

Virat Kohli (c)

Rohit Sharma

Hardik Pandya

Wriddhiman Saha (wk)

Ravi Ashwin

Umesh Yadav

Bhuv Kumar

Mohmammed Shami

 

 

Change it as required from 2nd test.

 

Benching Rahul and Rahane?   That's a bit bonkers IMHO.

[sandeep]

50 minutes ago, randomGuy said:

I would have Pandya -  4th seamer and no less batsman than Rohit in SA. 

 

Rahul, Vijay as openers. Rahane is also retained. Ishant,  Bhuvi and Shami. But jadeja or Ashwin is a conundrum, I don't know which one to play. 

Ash vs Jaddu is a proper toss-up.  But I'm leaning more and more towards Jadeja.  In a pinch, I can even be convinced to play both and bench Rohit, if the track isn't green and looks good for batting.  

[philcric]

M Vijay

K Rahul

C Pujara

* V Kohli

A Rahane

+ W Saha

R Ashwin

H Pandya

B Kumar

M Shami

U Yadav / I Sharma / J Bumrah

 

Enough batting. Enough bowling.

 

For lower middle order, I always look at the cumulative batting strength of 6-9 and not at individual players in isolation.

 

Bowling - IMO, 4th pace bowling option is highly desirable both in short term (the particular test) and in long term (the series). You need to give best chance for your 3 best pacers to be fresh and be able to bowl at full tilt at all times.

 

Pandya - I think he can do the job of the fifth bowler well. Bowl 12-15 overs per day and pick up a wicket. Not many here are able to see the intangible benefits of this. I'd also bat him at #8 and not #6. He's better suited to bat with the tail than Saha or Ashwin.

 

 

[ShebbySB]

My XI:

Vijay

Rahul

Pujara

Kohli (c)

Rahane

Saha (wk)

Hardik

Ashwin

BK

Shami

Ishant (I'd pick him over Umesh on current form)

This gives us batting till 9 and 5 bowling options.4 seamers and 1 spinner.Good variety in the

bowling with BK offering swing,Shami swing and pace and Ishant with his height will get extra

bounce.All can hit the seam and move it,all can use reverse swing well if they get it.Ashwin is

clearly the best spinner and I'd pick him over Jadeja.Hardik has decent qualities with the ball.

Can swing it with decent pace and got a good bouncer.He needs to keep it tight though.All

the seamers are atleast 135k+ with Shami and Ishant who can hit 145ks.BK and Pandya can

touch 140.Based on current form Ishant edges out Umesh who is looking poor to be honest.

Reserve players:- Dhawan,Rohit,Jadeja,Umesh,Bumrah+ 1 back up keeper.

 

 

[Khota]

Dhawan

Vijay

Pujara

Kohli

rahane

saha

Aswin

jadeja

Bhuvi

Umesh

Shami

[mancalledsting]

Vijay 

KL

Pujara

Kohli

Rahane

Pandya

Saha

Ashwin

Shami

Bhuvi

Ishant/Umesh (depending on performance in 3rd test)