Hypothetically...

[ZodiaC]

If all of our Big three scores hundred for funz in the upcoming series back at home, would you still want them to retire? Personally I'd say (as much as it hurts me to say this) yes, it's about time we began rebuilding.

[bharat297]

Yes. Its not just a question of form anymore. The fact is (and I am one of the biggest Sachin Tendulkar fan out there), these guys have to realise that they are only not being asked to step down because of the great respect and appreciation India have for them. But not retiring now, is preventing someone else from having a potentially great career. The youngsters are primed and keen to establish themselves. They are just not being given a go.

[Needforspeed]

Yes. Enough of the Big 3. Time for change and rebuild the squad.

[asterix]

Looking at Pakistani young batsmen grinding it out to win a test match, I think it'll be good to atleast draft in few more young players in the team. For me, the opening batting and the tailend batting is huge concern. If you see the recent matches, the tail end batting really makes the difference (ofcourse you need good scores from the top order). I think the selectors should identify those bowlers (pace 7 spin) who are potentially good in both bowling and batting and give them more chance. The Opening slot in open for more stable batsman instead of a poker player and and a lottery player.. Bad opening stands has been one of the main reasons why the pressure was created on middle order stating with Dravid. Dravid has failed recently as #3 batsman mostly because he had to almost come as an opener because a the opening batsmen failed miserably. These same Poker player and Lottery player will make merry in home conditions. We need to get atleast one of them (depends who gets the captaincy , as per TOI rumours) and Abhi Mukund (still has some suspect technique of falling over) coming in. Pujara should come in for Dravid ASAP and Rohit Sharma for VVS (purely because of VVS's fitness issues). Need to have a good attacking pair of spinners getting ready for the home series. For all talk of Ashwin's deserving the place in the team, I still want him to work hard on his bowling and fielding. Need a orthodox leg spinner too in the wings. We need to look beyond Zaheer Khan now. We need a good set of pace bowlers who can bat as well. Lastly, need more proactive and intelligent coaches (including bowling and fielding coaches). I don't know what to say. There's something wrong there. Either players are not doing what's being instructed to them or the coaches themselves can't be bothered..

[bharat297]

The test side by the end of the year should be: 1. Ajinkya Rahane 2. Gautam Gambhir © 3. Virat Kohli 4. Rohit Sharma 5. Cheteshwar Pujara 6. Manoj Tiwary / Ravi Ashwin (if they wish to play an all-rounder) 7. Wriddhiman Saha 8. Zaheer Khan 9. Praveen Kumar 10. Pragyan Ojha 11. Umesh Yadav Ishant is still a good prospect but needs a season in county cricket, away from the pressure, to get a few more wicket taking deliveries in his arsenal.

[Pagalpanti]

With young team we might even draw/lose home series which we used to win with these maharathis but then just look at sides who've gone through rebuilding phase. after a while they get better. Australia were going through similar problems last year, Pakistan had a horrid year in 2010. Even after 2007 world cup we brought in youngsters who got better and now we have a formidable one day team even without Sachin. With statements coming from players it just feels they know they are indespensible. This 'Star' culture as Ian Chappell calls it should end.

[jairamesh]

If all of our Big three scores hundred for funz in the upcoming series back at home, would you still want them to retire? Personally I'd say (as much as it hurts me to say this) yes, it's about time we began rebuilding.

Well let's say, I hope they never get the opportunity again, how long are we going drag this on. I believe Test cricket should follow the World Cup cycle, hence after this year's WC, a 4 year plan for Tests (select who would still be expected to play for another 4 years) should have taken fruition by first either force retiring or axing Dravid, Bhajji, Gambhir and Laxman and then drafting in the relevant youngsters. Even though Yadav, Aaron, Ashwin were identified as potential Test players they were drafted in due to last minute panic stations after the England drubbing. Playing the likes Kohli, Rahane, Mukund, Rohit Sharma, Yadav, Aaron, Ashwin since the West Indies tour would have made a huge difference. We might have lost, but it couldn't have possibly been worse then what we have witnessed. It was just embarrassing watching not a scent of determination from the oldies, only Praveen Kumar, Kohli and Zaheer showed stomach for a fight in patches.

[Sachinism]

Don't know what they're looking to achieve by continuing to play

[asterix]

I think BCCI should sack the selectors (that's the least they could do), and the new selectors should be able to take some bold decision. Cheeka gang has doen enough for Indian cricket and we should now say 'thank you' and goodbye' to them..

[BERGKAMP]

Looking at Pakistani young batsmen grinding it out to win a test match, I think it'll be good to atleast draft in few more young players in the team.

+1 the youngsters may not have the experience of our oldies, but what they will have on their side is fearlessness, and no mental scars from the past 2 tours to affect their play.

[jairamesh]

I think BCCI should sack the selectors (that's the least they could do)' date=' and the new selectors should be able to take some bold decision. Cheeka gang has doen enough for Indian cricket and we should now say 'thank you' and goodbye' to them..[/quote'] First I think BCCI needs to be an independent body from any Government and political influence. Solve that and everything else will fall in to place.

[asterix]

First I think BCCI needs to be an independent body from any Government and political influence. Solve that and everything else will fall in to place.

I think that's asking for too much. Actually they are independent from Government but not from Politicians and Businessmen having some time to spare for cricket..

[jairamesh]

I think that's asking for too much. Actually they are independent from Government but not from Politicians and Businessmen having some time to spare for cricket..

Yes, theoretically speaking they are independent from the Government. But having current ruling government officials running BCCI is taking the mickey. PS: I don't mind non-government aligned businessmen running it.

[asterix]

Yes, theoretically speaking they are independent from the Government. But having current ruling government officials running BCCI is taking the mickey. PS: I don't mind non-government aligned businessmen running it.

You need some ruling governement officials in the ranks for safeguards against a hawkish Sports minister and anti-doping agencies (not that doping is an issue, but they are unnecessary irritants which makes our rockstars un-focussed)... You also need bit of buffer against regulating authorities, especially when cricket has now become a full time money making business..

[Desi Cartman]

whom do we play next in tests and when ?

[saneindian]

The problem with playing a completely young team is that after a couple of losses (which will be inevitable), there would be a clamor to get back the experienced guys in. Go back to the Chappel era, we were doing well, all of a sudden we lost a couple of ODIs in SA with Raina and Kaif failing badly, there were calls for including VVS, Dada and Kumble in the side. Unless the selectors and we the fans are ready to go through a period where we lose even at home while persisting with the younger batsmen we have chosen, the chances of all the three legends going out at the same time is minimal.

[Karan114]

The problem with playing a completely young team is that after a couple of losses (which will be inevitable), there would be a clamor to get back the experienced guys in. Go back to the Chappel era, we were doing well, all of a sudden we lost a couple of ODIs in SA with Raina and Kaif failing badly, there were calls for including VVS, Dada and Kumble in the side. Unless the selectors and we the fans are ready to go through a period where we lose even at home while persisting with the younger batsmen we have chosen, the chances of all the three legends going out at the same time is minimal.

We have already become a minnow in Tests away from home with Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman all playing. What difference does it make if we lose a home series or two if it means blooding some talented young batsmen? We can retain at most one of the big three for the next home season. Personally I would axe Dravid and Laxman immediately and phase out Tendulkar by this time next year.

[Hell Raiser]

We have to start giving youngsters a chance as soon as possible. Because we want our young players to get some experience of international matches, we don't want them to go to foreign tours with a experience of just 2-3 matches. Its a simple question where would everyone like to see young batsmen to debut?? Against the likes of Bracewell and Southee on home turf or against Steyn and morkel in south Africa??

[saneindian]

We have already become a minnow in Tests away from home with Dravid' date=' Tendulkar and Laxman all playing. [b']What difference does it make if we lose a home series or two if it means blooding some talented young batsmen? We can retain at most one of the big three for the next home season. Personally I would axe Dravid and Laxman immediately and phase out Tendulkar by this time next year.

Easier said than done. We tried to experiment with a young side led by Raina, lost to even Zimbabwe and the selectors never tried that formula again. Different format, but the reaction then told the story. Also, a lot will depend on the new test captain if the BCCI decides to sack MSD. If its Sehwag, don't think we will see a rookie team. However if Gambhir is made the captain, we may see a relatively young team play against NZ.

[BeautifulGame]

The problem with playing a completely young team is that after a couple of losses (which will be inevitable)' date= there would be a clamor to get back the experienced guys in. Go back to the Chappel era, we were doing well, all of a sudden we lost a couple of ODIs in SA with Raina and Kaif failing badly, there were calls for including VVS, Dada and Kumble in the side. Unless the selectors and we the fans are ready to go through a period where we lose even at home while persisting with the younger batsmen we have chosen, the chances of all the three legends going out at the same time is minimal.

Very true. As long as we (fans and media )are fickle with every result and look for short term we will never produce a great team in test cricket. Just look how many of these fans here now want a completely young team wanted to dump Kohli after the 2nd test.