Preparation for a challenging tour like SA

[saneindian]

SA tour starts 4 days after the NZ series ends!! Looks like we will have no practice match and very little time for acclamatisation before the test series starts in SA. The 5th ODI of NZ series ends on 10th December and the first test in SA starts from 16th December. Wonder when will the BCCI learn its lesson? No time for the team to settle down in SA before such an important and such a tough tour. We need to be in SA at least 10 days before the first test starts for us to have any realistic chance of doing well in the series, else we will 2-0 down before we get used to the conditions.

[Lord]

we'll lose the first match anyway.SL tour we had a practise game but still lost the first match.its almost they need to be shaken up

[Sachinism]

Whats new, lose the 1st test and then just face an uphill struggle thank you BCCI

[King]

That's tough tour itinerary. I guess India should produce good sporting wickets against NZ at home and that will serve two purposes, one a good balance act between bat and ball, two will also help not to be surprised at what will be in store in South Africa. Last time around India had such a fantastic opportunity to win the series, the last test match India scored over 400 plus runs and still lost because of go slow policy of Rahul/Sachin. Lost opportunity in South Africa still hurts.

[cowboysfan]

what a hectic schedule after september!!.i think we should play our B side exclusively against the kiwis in the odis,maybe we can squeeze in a practice match in SA that way.

[Sooda]

They never learn no. Cant the senior players have a say in matters like this, Im sure theyd want a tour match! Esp if weve got a few young players in there, whove never been to SA ...which is likely

[Karan114]

Man, I thought it was bad that the Australia Test series starts a few days after the Champions League (though if the IPL teams are kicked out of the tournament before the semi-finals again there will be slightly more time to prepare) but this is much worse as at least we are playing the Aussies at home.

[saneindian]

When was the last time we had a 4-5 day long preparatory camp before an important tour/series? Can't remember such a thing happening in recent memory.

[Jersey #10]

GOD will be fresh and running smooth so no worries guys

[Desi Cartman]

As far as rest is concerned, i think its a collective responsibility of players as well as the selectors. As long as players are assured of their contracts and there is a reasonable & open rotation policy , it should be acceptable to all parties As for not having even a week between tours is a crime, there is no explanation for it and BCCI should fix its ways else we will never win a test series in Aus & SAF as tours to these countries are just after the "main" cricket season in India ( which is around diwali ).

[jf1gp_1]

BCCI is trying to recover money wasted on CWG

[Gunner_Mania]

^ What money? BCCI didnt waste any money on CWG.

[Fontaine]

I would love to see RP Singh included in the squad to South Africa but it'll probably be Zaheer, Ishant and slap-shant.

[SachDan]

New Delhi: It seems that the cancellation of Team India's three-day break during the six-day gap between its games in the ongoing tri-series in Sri Lanka has not gone down too well with the players. According to local media reports the Indian cricket team has reacted sharply to the snub by sending a letter to the Board where they have expressed their displeasure about playing too much cricket. The Indian team have complained about playing too many unimportant matches and have asked the Board to re-schedule the itenary for the next few months. One suggestion given by the players is to change the home series against New Zealand later this year by making it a two-Test series instead of a three-match affair as planned earlier. The team instead wants to be in South Africa one week earlier than scheduled for the series that starts in December. Meanwhile members of the BCCI have denied receiving any such letter. The rotation policy has never really been followed by Indian cricket and Dhoni had not supported this concept during the Nagpur Test against South Africa earlier this year, but they may be forced to reconsider it if the team continues to play at this rate. The Indian cricket team was ordered to stay back in Dambulla after being annihilated by New Zealand by 200 runs in the first match of the tri-series competition, which also involves hosts Sri Lanka. http://cricketnext.in.com/news/team-india-tells-bcci-reduce-our-burden/49827-13.html

[Lord]

good intitiative by seniors.atleast we know they r doing something about it.lets hope BCCI heeds to thier advice

[Sooda]

They should hold a two week or so conditioning camp to prepare them for SA, short pitched bowling and all...

[kabira]

instead of practise games, have ODI series before the Test Series. It works for India.

[Manny_Pacquiao]

and people complain about india playing poorly the 1st test of every series. haha...what do u expect when these guys have no time to adapt after playing weeks of non-stop cricket

[achilles]

Thats a tough schedule. I think if Sachin, Rahul and VVS come out in the open and confront the board, it might help matters. They are highly regarded and I'm sure their opinions and reservations shall be held in the highest esteem by the BCCI.

[kabira]

SAcans will be smart. First test will be on bouncy track. So we have no chance to adjust. Its easier to adjust from high bounce wickets to lower bounce wickets, little difficult or should I say takes time to adjust other way around.