11 years since we played a home test match without Kumble or Bhajji

[saneindian]

..and if you limit it to the top test sides, since Kumble's home debut (in 1993 vs Eng), we have never played a home test with neither Kumble nor Bhajji in the side! In between we played a couple of tests vs Zimbabwe in 2000 with Murali Kartik, Sarandeep and Joshi as the spinners. Truly the start of a new era in our history. Hopefully Ashwin, Ojha and co will grab the opportunity and one of them will become the lead spinner for us for the next 8-10 years.

[deathmonger]

..and if you limit it to the top test sides, since Kumble's home debut (in 1993 vs Eng), we have never played a home test with neither Kumble nor Bhajji in the side! In between we played a couple of tests vs Zimbabwe in 2000 with Murali Kartik, Sarandeep and Joshi as the spinners. Truly the start of a new era in our history. Hopefully Ashwin, Ojha and co will grab the opportunity and one of them will become the lead spinner for us for the next 8-10 years.

high hopes on ashwin. hope he performs.

[gaurav92]

Ojha will hold the key here, I am sure the left armer will try and cement his place in the side.

[cowboysfan]

Ita an end of an era,i am grateful for those two.

[Karan114]

Truly the start of a new era in our history. Hopefully Ashwin' date=' Ojha and co will grab the opportunity and one of them will become the lead spinner for us for the next 8-10 years.[/quote'] Yep, and can't ask for a better opportunity than playing the WI batting line-up at home.

[ganeshran]

I am not too sold on Ashwin as a test spinner. Lets see how Ojha does.

[saneindian]

I am not too sold on Ashwin as a test spinner. Lets see how Ojha does.

The last time I saw him bowl in a first class match was during last year's Irani Trophy and based on that performance, can safely say he isn't going to be disappointing. Bowled with a lot of flight and got lot of turn and bounce like a classical off spinner, no carrom ball, varied his pace and flight brilliantly. IIRC even the Neo commentators were surprised to see him bowl so well and said he has improved his bowling in the longer format and worked hard. So lets not lose hope :)

[deathmonger]

Ita an end of an era' date='i am grateful for those two.[/quote'] 1-2 yrs later even the big 3 will retire. But I'll always be thankful to this team for taking us away from the days of the 90s and the match-fixing saga. :hatsoff:

[Sooda]

Whats Ojhas fitness like, Ive heard is crap and he is a bit tubby nowadays

[Sachin=GOD]

Ita an end of an era' date='i am grateful for those two.[/quote'] So you've already written off Bhajji ?

[Sid]

I am not too sold on Ashwin as a test spinner. Lets see how Ojha does.

He wont bowl any worse than the great offspinner with 400 wickets.

[carnish]

ojha... :nervous: ashwin :two_thumbs_up:

[Cricket Tragic]

Can't get carried away given the conditions and the opposition but an excellent start.

[gakgupta]

i will back aswin in shorter format but i still think bhajji has lot to offer in longer format......but first he has to get into form.....he could be handy with the bat too (bhajji).....time will only tell...

[pensionplan]

Whats Ojhas fitness like' date=' Ive heard is crap and he is a bit tubby nowadays[/quote']Beter than the pathetic Kaif who cannot put bat on ball on anything that is bowled over 100kmph.