Preparation for a challenging tour like SA

[Andy]

Kirsten wanted early departure to SA India coach Gary Kirsten wanted the team to reach South Africa a week in advance to get acclimatised to the conditions well in advance.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday, said that no communication was sent from top players to the Cricket Board desiring to skip the ODI series against New Zealand but it turned out that it was Kirsten who mooted the idea of some senior players going to South Africa in advance. Kirsten, in a letter to BCCI secretary N Srinivasan a few months ago, had expressed his desire to prepare for the South Africa tour that immediately follows the home ODI and Test rubber against New Zealand by allowing the team to reach the rainbow nation a week in advance. According to Kirsten, the seven-eight players who play all forms of the game for the country needed rest and he, therefore, wanted the Test series against the Kiwis to be reduced from three to two which, however, has not happened as the rubber now involves three matches as originally planned. "I wanted to check with you if there had been any further developments on the proposed schedule sent to you by the team management for the Australian and New Zealand series. We also discussed the issues around the schedule before the IPL in Chennai, especially the importance of getting to South Africa early," Kirsten said in his earlier communication to BCCI. "I understand the commitments the BCCI has to honour with the FTP and television and I know it is a difficult process for you. I do, however, request your consideration of the proposed schedule for pure 'cricketing reasons' on the basis that it will give us the best chance of success, especially in this very demanding five months of cricket ahead. The extra week that could be created so we can get to South Africa earlier, I believe will be crucial to our chances of success. "That said I'm also of the opinion that we should play two tests against NZ and not three. My reason for this is that we are expecting too much from the seven or eight players that play all forms of the game. They play more cricket than any other cricketer in the world (especially if you include IPL as well) and we are regularly picking up 'overuse' injuries," Kirsten explained. BCCI sources have recently indicated that the Board will send the key Test players early to South Africa to prepare well for the tough series in a country where they had not done so well on previous visits. "We are planning to send the key Test players to South Africa early to prepare for the series. The conditions in South Africa are quite different and we want to give our players enough time to come to terms with the conditions," a BCCI source said a few days ago. On Saturday, Dhoni gave a new spin to the issue of top players wanting to skip the ODI series against the Kiwis in order to prepare for the tougher outing in South Africa, saying no communication has been sent from the players' side to the Cricket Board. "Not done (written to the Board) anything like that as of now. No confirmation has been sent from the players' side to the BCCI yet and nothing has been received from the BCCI either. This is what I have to say," said Dhoni at the mandatory press conference ahead of Sunday's third and the final ODI against Australia which is threatened by rains. He was replying to a query on reports quoting BCCI sources that some top players, including Dhoni, will not play the five-match ODI series against New Zealand after the three-Test rubber against the same opponents and, instead, jet off to South Africa to get more acclimatisation time for the Test rubber against the Proteas. India, the current world's number one Test side, have not won a Test rubber in South Africa. New Zealand are to play three Tests and five one-dayers in India from November 4 to December 10. India are later scheduled to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 International in South Africa beginning December 16.

SAUCE

[fineleg]

TV rights holder against Indian ODI players being sent early to South Africa I was reading the news that TV rights holder (is it Nimbus?? I forget?) was against the players like Tendulkar, Dhoni, Gambhir, Sehwag, Zaheer, Sreesanth et.al. to be sent early to SA. They want the players to take part in ODI series and they are asking BCCI to not send the players early and that it will not be India series as per contract otherwise. I dont find the link to the article, if any of you find the article or have info based on TV news pls. post here. To Nimbus or whoever else :finger: should be shown by BCCI.

[Sachinism]

Thats always a bloody issue. BCCI need to stop ripping off these networks. You can't blame them for being against high profile players being pulled out of the series. Who's gonna watch the matches? For all the money they pay, they deserve a full Indian team out there

[Feed]

What is needed to play in India, is not applicable in South Africa : Dhoni More... Raina needs a break: Dhoni - What is needed to play in India, is not applicable in South Africa, says Team India captain OUR CORRESPONDENT Ishant Sharma celebrates after dismissing the last New Zealand batsman, Chris Martin, on Tuesday. (AFP) Nagpur: Mahendra Singh Dhoni thinks Suresh Raina needs a break to return among runs. The Team India captain told at a press conference Tuesday that they had even contemplated resting him for the final Test against New Zealand. The following are excerpts: If he expected the game to end so early No, I thought it would be a bit late. We all knew that it was a turning track. There was something for the spinners. Since it was the fourth day, it meant that after a while even the fast bowlers would get the reverse swing going. What was important was to start well in the morning. That was one of the reasons why we declared late. We wanted the hard ball for the 10 overs in the evening… It really worked for us and the bowlers bowled really well. Whether there was any special planning this morning It is important to take wickets early in the morning as it creates a sense of panic in the dressing-room… You can then put more pressure on the opposition with your spinners. But you can say, it was one of those days, where everything fell into place. His views on Dravid and Ishant Sharma’s performance Well, of course, you want your bowlers to bowl well. Rahul, batting at No.3, gives us the stability with Viru and Gauti opening the innings. Viru, you know, plays aggressive cricket and gives us the momentum. And after that, it is the responsibility of Rahul and Sachin coming at No. 3 and 4 to give that stability based on which the lower-order can also contribute. It was great to see Rahul score. Of course, Ishant… He got injured and was out. We thought of continuing with Sreesanth in the first two games. Then Zaheer got injured, and he got his chance. He would have felt a bit of pressure about what will happen once Zaheer comes back. He bowled well and in the right spots, which is important. On Suresh Raina’s poor form He really needs a break because he has played as many series as I have... Plus, he played one more series in Zimbabwe. International cricket drains you... More than the physical, it is the mental part. Unfortunately, many of the senior players are missing for the coming ODI series, and he will have to continue. But, you know, he is at a point where he really needs a break from cricket. That 10-15 days break will definitely help him to get back into the groove. His thoughts on replacing Raina in the first Test against SA Well, if he doesn’t get a break in the ODI series, then we will have to. Because one of the options was to rest him in the last Test, so that he can play the ODIs. But as we thought that he would most likely be getting a break in the ODIs, we played him in the Test. Unfortunately, he is not getting a break in the ODIs. So, it is little tough on him. He is a part of the squad for the first two games, and, hopefully, the team does well and he gets an opportunity to rest for the last three ODIs. The reasons behind not resting Raina… I really don’t know what to say... I requested the Board for rest and luckily got it. It will help me to freshen up before the South Africa series. Physically, Raina is not struggling. And being the leading fielder in the side, you have to keep yourself active throughout the day. On India’s performance in the Test series I think we played 60 per cent of our potential, whatever the reasons… We have the potential to play much better. Whether the early start, from the second day onwards, helped the fast bowlers Don’t think so. Because there was not much for the fast bowlers… You had to bowl consistently and keep it in the right areas and be fresh for the second and the third spells, which were important. Once the new ball gets old, that reverse swing was crucial, and you had to be fresh for that. If he was happy with the Nagpur wicket We just wanted a wicket where there was something for the spinners. On a wicket where the fast bowlers can also get reverse swing. So, you can say, this was more of an Indian track. This is the kind of wicket you expect in the subcontinent. But, at times, the wickets do end up being flat. On New Zealand’s batting Most of the New Zealand batsmen did well in the series. When you come to India, being not from the subcontinent, what you fear is the turn and bounce that the spinners will get. It was not really there in the first two Tests. This was the only wicket, where there was something for the spinners. It wasn’t that fearsome track that we used to get earlier... But what really stood out was their fielding. His thoughts on leaving for SA early It will definitely be good because the conditions in South Africa are very different compared to the subcontinent. So, it’s always good to spend some time there, especially for batsmen, as the bounce is really different. What is needed to play in India, is not applicable in South Africa. The key to be successful in SA I think adapting to the conditions will be very crucial. Not to think too much ahead will be important... Utilising the break that we are getting now will be crucial. If the winning streak puts extra pressure It is already a part of history. As I always say, I don’t think too much ahead. What is important for me is the present. His take on the UDRS I still have the same views and I stick to it. If the umpires keep on continuing with the same kind of mistakes that go on… Maybe, it doesn’t have that much of an impact on wickets, which are doing something for the bowlers. But on flat tracks, where there is nothing for the fast bowlers and spinners, you know, it becomes difficult to get batsmen out. If more than two or three mistakes happen in one innings, then you end up bowling 40 or 50 overs more than what you should have. It is certainly a point of discussion… We should decide whether to take something, which is not proven to be 100 per cent accurate...

[fineleg]

His take on the UDRS I still have the same views and I stick to it. If the umpires keep on continuing with the same kind of mistakes that go on… Maybe, it doesn’t have that much of an impact on wickets, which are doing something for the bowlers. But on flat tracks, where there is nothing for the fast bowlers and spinners, you know, it becomes difficult to get batsmen out. If more than two or three mistakes happen in one innings, then you end up bowling 40 or 50 overs more than what you should have. It is certainly a point of discussion… We should decide whether to take something, which is not proven to be 100 per cent accurate...

Again the same thing :yayo: Why the hell does it need to be 100% accurate!??

[siddhu]

Again the same thing :yayo: Why the hell does it need to be 100% accurate!??

I agree. Pick the lesser of the two evils. some of the umpires are blind and deaf, and while some umpires are good, they still make mistakes. Simon Taufels two decision at the start of 4th day come to mind. Gave the decision in favor of the bowler in spite of the ball pitching outside leg and then missing a straight forward LBW decision (pitched in line, hit in line). Anyway, I think UDRS is lesser of the two evils, if you learn how to use it properly.

[Feed]

Raina to be rested, leave early for SA More... Raina to be rested, leave early for SA suraj Posted: Sun Nov 28 2010, Guwahati: Suresh Raina’s wish for a break might finally come true with the selectors likely to rest him after the first two matches of the ODI series against New Zealand. Raina, according to BCCI sources, is also likely to leave early for South Africa on December 8, along with Gary Kirsten, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh. They will go in the second phase after Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Cheteshwar Pujara and Jaydev Unadkat, who will depart two days earlier. The team will train at Kirsten’s academy in Cape Town before moving to Johannesburg for the first Test. In absence of Kirsten, bowling coach Eric Simmons will do the coaching duties against New Zealand. The Indian coach feels that the players have a lot of work still to do on the specifics of technique as they don’t have a warm up game before the first Test in South Africa. Details: Gary Kirsten, India's coach, will accompany the players who are to leave early for South Africa so they can acclimatise for the upcoming tour. Eric Simons, India's bowling coach, will take over the coaching duties for the final two one-dayers against New Zealand as Kirsten heads home. "He [Kirsten] will leave early along with first bunch 8-10 players," a BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo. Among the players departing are captain MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Cheteshwar Pujara and Jaydev Unadkat. It is also likely that Suresh Raina will be rested for the final two one-day games of the New Zealand series, and will join the players who are departing early, after Dhoni publicly expressed concern about his workload during the third Test against New Zealand. Seven of the players will leave on December 6, while Dhoni and Harbhajan will join them two days later, along with Kirsten. Raina is likely to leave on the same flight as those three. The players will initially train at Kirsten' cricket academy in Cape Town before moving to Johannesburg to join the rest of the squad, which will arrive in South Africa on December 12, two days after the New Zealand ODI series ends. The three-Test series begins at Centurion on December 16. The Indian board had recently granted permission for some of the players to leave a week in advance, after Kirsten made a request for them to do so. The coach felt that in the absence of India not playing any warm-up matches before the first Test, it was imperative players be sent early to get used to the conditions. Kirsten had sent in his request earlier this year, stressing to the board that the players needed time to acclimatise and also adjust to the pitch conditions in South Africa. However, the board took months to consider the request, mostly because of any potential objections the broadcaster might raise about devaluing the New Zealand ODI series, before giving permission earlier this month. "We have a lot of work still to do on the specifics of technique prior to the Test series. The players will need time to adjust their techniques to get comfortable with the conditions," Kirsten said. "The BCCI has approved the early departure of some our players to South Africa to have sufficient time to prepare properly for a very important series."

[Sachin=GOD]

Common sense prevails:two_thumbs_up:

[saneindian]

Good move, it will be fantastic to have a practice match as well if it can be arranged before the 1st test. Also, why not ask the three pacers Ishant, Sreesanth and Umesh Yadav to accompany the group? Or are they going to be named in the ODI team for the last 3 ODIs vs NZ?

[kabira]

yes look like pacers willl be there for all 5 ODIs, which is not a bad thing, they need mileage under their belt, especiallly Ishant.

[jusarrived]

Dhoni :hatsoff:

[Sid]

Dhoni :hatsoff:

:hmmm:

[Sachin=GOD]

:hmmm:

:hmmm::hmmm:

[jusarrived]

:hmmm:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-new-zealand-2010/content/current/story/488601.html :winky:

[ravishingravi]

Not very hopeful for Raina in SA.

[Ranjha]

dhoni babbu...what will he do in tests in SA? lmao

[Sooda]

Kirsten had sent in his request earlier this year, stressing to the board that the players needed time to acclimatise and also adjust to the pitch conditions in South Africa. However, the board took months to consider the request, mostly because of any potential objections the broadcaster might raise about devaluing the New Zealand ODI series, before giving permission earlier this month. Sigh Yeah SaneI it is surprising that the pacemen arent there, surely theyre not playing in the OID. At least Ishant, in fact Sree should be sent too after the 1st 3 ODIs. The whole prep for what is a very important tour for us has been bit of a mare. Shambolic scheduling. We need at least one warm up match as you say but not going to happen.

[Ram]

You have to pity Raina. He's probably the most over-worked player in the whole Indian team in the recent months, but still had to play in this series only because the other seniors had the luxury of opting out and he, being the junior player, did not have the same level of clout. Guys like Sachin, Sehwag, Bhajji and Zak essentially get to pick and choose which games they play and which ones they miss. In simple terms, they're are their own selectors (obviously, you cannot begrudge this luxury of theirs because they have earned their right to be treated this way, with their performances over the years..). Unfortunately, guys like Raina have to just grin and bear it.

[Lord]

he just needs a rest,doesnt need to play any more matches in the series.looks overworked.rest him till 8th n then fly him to SA.

[pensionplan]

You have to pity Raina. He's probably the most over-worked player in the whole Indian team in the recent months, but still had to play in this series only because the other seniors had the luxury of opting out and he, being the junior player, did not have the same level of clout. Guys like Sachin, Sehwag, Bhajji and Zak essentially get to pick and choose which games they play and which ones they miss. In simple terms, they're are their own selectors (obviously, you cannot begrudge this luxury of theirs because they have earned their right to be treated this way, with their performances over the years..). Unfortunately, guys like Raina have to just grin and bear it.

Bhajji earned the right to pick and choose games (Scratching head). Based on what? Ojha in Tests and Ashwin in ODI's are better spinners than this dude at the moment. And that is not saying much. Is it.