The next generation of Indian batting prodigies!

[akshayxyz]

i think u need to google what "prodigies" means.

I would suggest you also do. I have never seen anyone using word prodigy for 23-25 year olds - especially for someone who has already performed in significant instances (for years) at the highest level in the field of said talent/skill.

[Number]

As of now I feel Pujara will be our next no. 3. But in case he comes at 4-5 , for Mukund there won't be any place in the side as Sehwag will play at least 3-4 years more after Dravid. In that case I'd like Mukund to bat at no. 3 . Experience of facing the new ball will help him there and then he can be shifted to opening slot.

[ganeshran]

If all goes to plan and these youngsters consistently do well, the middle order will be Pujara, Kohli, Rahane and Sharma after the big 3 retire.

[kubrickian]

I feel Manish Pandey wont make the cut at least at test level. Pujara still has a lot to prove but his domestic stats are impressive but they dont mean jack when it comes to playing in bouncy and seam conditions. He looked very shaky against Steyn and co but that's to be expected. It was his first series in SA. Kohli has weaknesses in technique against short ball but it would be interesting to see if he rectifies them. I think he has good temperament and he may become a big player for India in years to come. Rohit Sharma too has lots of potential. Its good that he has become more consistent in ODIs of late. It will be interesting to see if he transforms that form to test level if and when he gets the chance. Rahane had a good start in England but squandered whatever opportunities he got since then. He has to make the most of every chance because there's lots of competition for every spot. Among these lot, I think Mukund has a great future. He looked solid during some of his knocks in England against a very good bowling attack in testing conditions in his very first tour. Not easy for someone who spent most of his life playing on docile pitches against military medium bowling in Chennai to make the transition.

[ganeshran]

Mukund is an opener and we have two well set opening batsmen who are unlikely to retire/dropped anytime soon. However has bagged the backup opener's spot ahead of Vijay. The spots that are going to be available soon are in the middle order.

[panther]

i don't think any of these guys will be as good as the big 3

[PenPaperSports]

I think a few could be better than Dravid and Laxman - Nobody will be better than SRT though.

[Karan114]

i don't think any of these guys will be as good as the big 3

Indeed, but hopefully we can find some guys who can at least be decent at Test level. The likes of Raina (15 Tests), Vijay (12 Tests) and Yuvi (30+ Tests) failed to do so despite being given ample opportunity.

[PenPaperSports]

Agreed Karan114.

[G_B_]

Indeed' date=' but hopefully we can find some guys who can at least be decent at Test level. The likes of Raina (15 Tests), Vijay (12 Tests) and Yuvi (30+ Tests) failed to do so despite being given ample opportunity.[/quote'] I think if our top 7 average 40 with the bat home and away in every country we should be fine. ie they need to average 280 home and away in all countries. Ashwin at 8 seems to be competent with the bat. If he can maintain an average in the mid 20s plus the rest of the tail can improve their skills with the bat, we might have a handy tail. The best way india is going to replace the big three is to bat deep. So lets hope the likes of Praveen Kumar Ashwin ie people with some capabilities can average in the mid 20s.

[Karan114]

I think if our top 7 average 40 with the bat home and away in every country we should be fine. ie they need to average 280 home and away in all countries. Ashwin at 8 seems to be competent with the bat. If he can maintain an average in the mid 20s plus the rest of the tail can improve their skills with the bat, we might have a handy tail. The best way india is going to replace the big three is to bat deep. So lets hope the likes of Praveen Kumar Ashwin ie people with some capabilities can average in the mid 20s.

I'm not too worried about our younger batsmen scoring runs at home. Even the likes of Vijay and Yuvraj made good runs at home, and though its very early days, both Kohli and Pujara did well in their sole home Tests while struggling away (though in Pujara's case he didn't look as out of his depth as Kohli did in WI). But away from home, particularly away from Asia, I am concerned. Ironically Raina did quite well in WI (while failing at home) but its safe to say we won't be seeing him in Test colors for a while after what happened in England. Agree on Ashwin, I'm hoping he can average up to 30 with the bat in Tests. He has a good technique. Obviously it can't be at the expense of his bowling and he is just starting out at Test level. As for the rest, there isn't much batting ability unfortunately. Praveen can slog a few runs but the likes of Ojha, Ishant and Yadav are very limited players. Well, that's not counting Mithun who has some ability but hopefully we won't be relying on his bowling too much!

[G_B_]

I'm not too worried about our younger batsmen scoring runs at home. Even the likes of Vijay and Yuvraj made good runs at home, and though its very early days, both Kohli and Pujara did well in their sole home Tests while struggling away (though in Pujara's case he didn't look as out of his depth as Kohli did in WI). But away from home, particularly away from Asia, I am concerned. Ironically Raina did quite well in WI (while failing at home) but its safe to say we won't be seeing him in Test colors for a while after what happened in England. Agree on Ashwin, I'm hoping he can average up to 30 with the bat in Tests. He has a good technique. Obviously it can't be at the expense of his bowling and he is just starting out at Test level. As for the rest, there isn't much batting ability unfortunately. Praveen can slog a few runs but the likes of Ojha, Ishant and Yadav are very limited players. Well, that's not counting Mithun who has some ability but hopefully we won't be relying on his bowling too much!

Kumar has a technique which can be developed. I do believe Fletcher specialises in improving the batting of the tail. A 20+ average (maybe not away from the sub) can certainly be achieved. Ojha Umesh and Ishant aside, I think the likes of Mithun Vinay Aaron do have decent scores in the domestics. As does Irfan Pathan. Basically if batsman 8 and 9 average in the 20s i think its safe to conclude india do bat deep. As far as our new batsman go, hmm I think India has gone about the 6th spot the wrong way. We have tried to plant ODI stars into Test roles. Raina and Yuvraj dont have good first class records. Yuvi for eg averages 44 in the ranjis as does Raina. This is when there is a whole host of 50 plus batsman. Pujara was unlucky with injuries. Kohli is just starting out. I dont want to judge him same for Mukund. Must be hard to start out on a sinking ship. We need to take the example of Gambhir to heart. I think before Dhoni really backed him his average against non minnows was not good. But he repaid the faith. Maybe the young bats will perform when they know that there is somebody backing them to seal the spot. There is talent and we need to take a leap of faith. Maybe our next series v Lanka its time to throw them in the deep end. Have Pujara Kohli and Sharma replace Dravid Sachin and Laxman. The way i see it SL, are not exactly the best bowling unit.

[Karan114]

Agree on Raina/Yuvraj and their FC records. The good thing is the selectors have finally gotten the right batsmen in the mix. Right now the competition between Sharma and Kohli for the no.6 spot is fierce and hopefully whichever one is picked for Boxing Day has a good series.

[PenPaperSports]

You all raise some great points - Good discussion!

[PenPaperSports]

Also, does Chester hold some sort of school record? I'm sure I read it somewhere once...

[PenPaperSports]

Kohli has 8 ODI tons already - He may well go on to break some records this kid!

[Cricket Tragic]

Kumar has a technique which can be developed. I do believe Fletcher specialises in improving the batting of the tail. A 20+ average (maybe not away from the sub) can certainly be achieved. Ojha Umesh and Ishant aside, I think the likes of Mithun Vinay Aaron do have decent scores in the domestics. As does Irfan Pathan. Basically if batsman 8 and 9 average in the 20s i think its safe to conclude india do bat deep. As far as our new batsman go, hmm I think India has gone about the 6th spot the wrong way. We have tried to plant ODI stars into Test roles. Raina and Yuvraj dont have good first class records. Yuvi for eg averages 44 in the ranjis as does Raina. This is when there is a whole host of 50 plus batsman. Pujara was unlucky with injuries. Kohli is just starting out. I dont want to judge him same for Mukund. Must be hard to start out on a sinking ship. We need to take the example of Gambhir to heart. I think before Dhoni really backed him his average against non minnows was not good. But he repaid the faith. Maybe the young bats will perform when they know that there is somebody backing them to seal the spot. There is talent and we need to take a leap of faith. Maybe our next series v Lanka its time to throw them in the deep end. Have Pujara Kohli and Sharma replace Dravid Sachin and Laxman. The way i see it SL, are not exactly the best bowling unit.

Agree with that.

[PenPaperSports]

Certainly the SL series is an opportunity to try a few out... Surely?

[carnish]

Certainly the SL series is an opportunity to try a few out... Surely?

seeing that RD is competing with punter for 2nd highest runs... he cant afford to be rested, Lax needs a few to 10000 so he wont want to miss out... and sach would still be looking for his 100th 100 :giggle: ... so even he will play... so no.. sri lanka series will see the same lineup :p

[G_B_]

Certainly the SL series is an opportunity to try a few out... Surely?

i am sure they willl