Test selection tomorrow; Mukund in contention

[Cricket Tragic]

The Indian selectors may induct young Tamil Nadu opener Abhinav Mukund in case Gautam Gambhir is ruled out for the Test series against West Indies as they meet in Chennai on Friday to select the squad. With Virender Sehwag already out of the side recuperating from a shoulder surgery, Gambhir's injury concerns have made it tough for the selectors to choose specialists who can negotiate the new ball. While horribly out-of-form Murali Vijay will get a look in as there aren't too many altenatives, Mukund who had scored 1211 runs this season from 12 first-class matches with five centuries is likely to make the cut. Mukund was kept as a cover during a Test match against Australia in Bangalore last year. While captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, senior pros Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman and Zaheer Khan are expected to be back, the No 6 slot is still up for grabs. Cheteshwar Pujara played in South Africa but he is nursing a knee injury. Yuvraj Singh in all likelihood will be rewarded for his good form in World Cup. However Virat Kohli and S Badrinath will also be fighting for that particular slot. The battle for the second wicketkeeper will also be an intense one as Parthiv Patel is favourite with his ability to play the new ball. Likely Squad (16): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Murali Vijay, Gautam Gambhir/Abhinav Mukund, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh/Suresh Raina, Parthiv Patel/Wriddhiman Saha (second wk), Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, S Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra, Badrinath/Virat Kohli.

[Sachin=GOD]

Mukund, Yuvi, Kohli and PaPa will be there IMO.

[Cricket Tragic]

When did Pujara get injured? It's a perfect chance to get Kohli on. I hope that they don't pick Yuvraj.

[Sachin=GOD]

When did Pujara get injured? It's a perfect chance to get Kohli on. I hope that they don't pick Yuvraj.

IPL. :wall: :wall: :wall: :wall: http://www.indiancricketfans.com/showthread.php?t=265925

[Sooda]

Cricinfo says he is fit...and nothing about Mukund! http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/516784.html India's selectors will meet on May 27 in Chennai to pick the squad for the four-Test series in West Indies in June and July. With shoulder injuries likely to rule out the regular openers, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, the primary talking point at the meeting will be their replacements. M Vijay and Parthiv Patel are favourites at the moment to be included in the 16-man squad, ESPNcricinfo has learnt. Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Zaheer Khan, who were all rested from the limited-overs leg of the West Indies tour, are likely to return for the Tests. Vijay has opened for India in Tests, filling in for the regular openers when required. He scored his maiden Test ton against Australia in Bangalore last year. Parthiv has played only one Test since October 2004, but was used as a make-shift ODI opener in South Africa. Yuvraj Singh has also improved his chances of making a Test comeback after his performances in the World Cup, where he scored 362 runs, took 15 wickets, and was the Player of the Tournament. He last played a Test in Sri Lanka in July 2010, after which he was dropped for the series against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Virat Kohli's recent form in limited-overs matches is also likely to attract the selectors' attention. In the previous 12 months Kohli has made 1107 runs in 31 ODIs with three centuries and seven fifties. In IPL 2011, he is only five runs behind his Bangalore team-mate, Chris Gayle, who is the tournament's top-scorer with 519 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara, who impressed with a half-century on Test debut against Australia and won a berth for the South Africa tour, is also likely to feature in the squad. Pujara sustained a knee injury during the IPL and missed a substantial part of Royal Challengers Bangalore's campaign, but is understood to have recovered now. Squad (likely): MS Dhoni (captain & wk), M Vijay, Parthiv Patel (wk), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Cheteswhar Pujara, Yuvraj Singh / Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli / S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel / Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav / Jaidev Unadkat , Pragyan Ojha

[Cricket Tragic]

Good news although I'd like Kohli in the 11. U-mad-kat? Got to be joking. :facepalm:

[Karan114]

If Rahane doesn't get selected for the Test squad with both Gambhir and Sehwag injured, he never will.

[Malcolm Merlyn]

I hope they give Yadav or Varun a chance. I think Mukund will be selected andmay open with a part time opener like Kohli or Badri.

[Sooda]

Cricinfos squad there is a bit strange. Itll be a two seamer-two paceman attack Im guessing for the most part, so 3 of each should be in the squad. Neither Jaidev or Umesh need feature. AndTheyre suggesting Parthiv will be specialist opener! That 4th seamer spot is a troublesome one. Personally Id want Munaf to go. Mithun did not have a great season last year, but should never have been jettisoned after touring SL. Picking Umesh/Unadkat to tour SA was a selectional farce. Id like Kohli in the squad at least, dont see who he will repalce in the middle order, Pujara should be given a long run. And Guessing Vijay/Mukund at the top, Vijay as he is the backup opener for a while and deserves a shot now, Mukund has been very good in FC cricket. Rahane should be in the 16 for sure.

[VRV Singh]

My domestic cricket knowledge is pretty much zip, but there has to be better than M Vijay out there. If Mukund is that then give him his chance. I would rather have PaPa opening too. Jeez man there shouldnt be any need to stick with mediocrity..

[Cricket Tragic]

I hope they give Yadav or Varun a chance. I think Mukund will be selected andmay open with a part time opener like Kohli or Badri.

Let's not ruin any more careers.

[Rusty]

Let's not ruin any more careers.

I agree. They should only be played in the middle order.

[Karan114]

Cricinfos squad there is a bit strange. Itll be a two seamer-two paceman attack Im guessing for the most part' date=' so 3 of each should be in the squad. Neither Jaidev or Umesh need feature. AndTheyre suggesting Parthiv will be specialist opener![/quote'] Yeah their squad is odd - they are also suggesting Munaf and Ishant are competing for a spot, but Ishant (rightly or wrongly) is considered a first choice Test squad player alongside Sree.

[cowboysfan]

you need to blood new fast bowlers in series like this although i am not sure unadkat or yadav will ever amount to anything.

[Cricket Tragic]

My squad: Openers: VJ (sadly), Mukund and Rahane Middle order: Dravid, SRT, Laxman, Pujara and Kohli Seamers: Zak, Sree, Karma and Munaf/some random seamer (NOT U-mad-kat) Spin: Dartby, Ashwin and Mishra Keepers: Dhoni and Dropthiv According to the CI report, there won't be a reserve opener but an extra middle order batsman. 5 is more than enough imo. I'd pick the 3rd opener.

[Rusty]

This is the perfect series to see what varun aaron is made of though. Would be a good experience for him. I would like to see Ishant and munaf rather than sree tbh.

[Karan114]

This is the perfect series to see what varun aaron is made of though. Would be a good experience for him. I would like to see Ishant and munaf rather than sree tbh.

Varun Aaron can't even take wickets in FC cricket - 25 at 38 from 11 games. And Sree took four wickets to help us win at Durban and a five-for in the first innings at Cape Town in our most recent series.

[Sooda]

Agree with that squad Cricket Tragic, just not sure about Ashwin as a test bowler and would go for Ojha maybe. Vijay may not seem test class, but having been backup for a while now deserves his shot. Cant argue with his FC record. And a TN opening duo cant be a bad thing :D

[Cricket Tragic]

Sree is pretty much a certainty for tests. He bowled well in SA and will have a huge role to play in England if he gets his head right. Just keep him away from limited overs cricket. Munaf has been bowling well since the SA tour. Do we keep him just for ODIs or take the risk of playing him in tests?

[Cricket Tragic]

Agree with that squad Cricket Tragic' date=' just not sure about Ashwin as a test bowler and would go for Ojha maybe. Vijay may not seem test class, but having been backup for a while now deserves his shot. Cant argue with his FC record. And a TN opening duo cant be a bad thing :D[/quote'] Yeah, fair point. VJ got that hundred in Bangalore against Australia and has been the reserve opener. I won't really complain if he is picked since it is expected. It's just that I don't rate him. I can't see him as a long-term option, especially overseas.