We didn't learn anything from Murali Vijay fiasco

[Ultimate_Game]

Murali Vijay was brought into the T20 team based on his IPL performances when it was clear he was not a natural T20 player. He relied way too much on hoicks between mid wkt & widish long on to score runs and was found out at intl level. 2 years down the line we make the same mistake with Rahane when Rahane is more of a Tests specialist and one honestly can't see him go bonkers against intl attack. That's why Sehwag is so important to us as he kick-starts the innings for us and even a 15 ball 25 is way more useful. Hope selectors keep this in mind when they select the squad for T20 cup :pray: If selectors want to go for a replacement opener for Sehwag they should go with a naturally aggressive opener/player. Somebody like Mandeep or Uthappa so that if they score they do so quickly and not take 25 balls to score 21.

[BeautifulGame]

One game and already on the back of him:hysterical:

[Number]

One game and already on the back of him:hysterical:

AS CT says You are always as good as your last game on ICF.

[Number]

No offense but at times you are too much of Knee Jerk UG.

[Ultimate_Game]

One game and already on the back of him:hysterical:

Dude it's a T20 and you are playing 7 batsmen :facepalm: With 7 batsmen + Pathan surely opener's role is to hit out at the top, not take 25 balls to score 21.

[Ultimate_Game]

No offense but at times you are too much of Knee Jerk UG.

Perhaps but I can dig up the post from IPL days hoping selectors wouldn't make the same mistake they did with Murali Vijay, and that was right after Rahane scored that 100 in IPL. Looks like I was right. Here's the thread... http://indiancricketfans.com/showthread.php?t=281413

[Number]

Much before anyone noticed Rahane in the IPL, he played a T20 in England against them and looked pretty good. Got fifty in that game. So its not because of his 100 in IPL. He has been in the scheme of things for last 1 year. We just just play 6-7 T20s in 8-9 months so it can't change much.

[Sid]

Agree with the OP,he isnt a limited overs opener.Its not about this one-off T20,last years home ODI series vs Eng were enough evidence of that.

[Ultimate_Game]

Much before anyone noticed Rahane in the IPL' date=' he played a T20 in England against them and looked pretty good. Got fifty in that game. So its not because of his 100 in IPL. He has been in the scheme of things for last 1 year. We just just play 6-7 T20s in 8-9 months so it can't change much.[/quote'] We played Rahane in T20 in England coz the selectors didn't want to send players just for the T20. That's why even Dravid played those T20s as the odi squad played the T20s. But this time round the T20 is in SL so the expense can't be much to send in T20 specialists. Also, this is just before the T20 Cup and all the more reason to have your T20 players in. I sure hope selectors learn from earlier mistakes and have an aggressive opener in T20s, somebody goes from the word go. Doesn't matter if he falls early but if he stays in for say 25 balls he should be looking at a score of 35 or higher.

[skindia]

whats point of giving uthappa one chance as opener after 4 years if they are not giving him continuous matches like other openers:winky:

[BeautifulGame]

Looking at the way how srl batsmen struggled Rahane played a really sensible innings. Making sure we didn't lose too many wkts upfront despite some swing but at the same rotated very well in the power play to let Kohli dominate too

[Ultimate_Game]

Looking at the way how srl batsmen struggled Rahane played a really sensible innings. Making sure we didn't lose too many wkts upfront despite some swing but at the same rotated very well in the power play to let Kohli dominate too

But with Irfan at 8 we need to make the most of power-plays. We need an aggressive opener as other than Raina we don't have big hitters in the lineup.

[Yoda-esque]

In all fairness Murali was terrible in all formats

[Vilander]

No Murali Vijay is unique Murali Vijay in Chennai in IPL knockouts = Viv Richards Murali Vijay everwhere else = Chris Martin in batting.

[BeautifulGame]

But with Irfan at 8 we need to make the most of power-plays. We need an aggressive opener as other than Raina we don't have big hitters in the lineup.

Depends on the pitch. 50 odd for 1 was a great score on this pitch

[Ultimate_Game]

In all fairness Murali was terrible in all formats

Disagree. He was extremely good when he broke through and was patient waiting for the loose balls. After T20s he's no longer the same player. Doesn't play that straight and is not patient enough.

Depends on the pitch. 50 odd for 1 was a great score on this pitch

In hindsight yes but India's gameplan is to go with 7 batsmen + Pathan. Surely with that much batting power and with our strategy of batting the opponents out of the game, 21 off 25 balls is not good enough at the top.

[BeautifulGame]

In hindsight yes but India's gameplan is to go with 7 batsmen + Pathan. Surely with that much batting power and with our strategy of batting the opponents out of the game, 21 off 25 balls is not good enough at the top.

It's far better than being 20 for 3.Honestly if he had gone quickly who exactly we had in the team who counter swing but rotate strike at the same time too. And we failed to bat srl out of the game not because of Rahane but because we finished badly with the bat in death overs

[Number]

And we failed to bat srl out of the game not because of Rahane but because we finished badly with the bat in death overs

Last 5 overs just 35 runs. Should've been 60 when you have 7 wickets in hand. Bad day for MSD and Raina.

[JourneyMan]

I agree that Rahane is more suited to ODI and looks like a great test prospect. However, his performance wasn't actually bad today. He was giving the in-form batsman the strike and playing intelligently. It was a great partnership, especially when you consider that India didn't end up posting a very big total. PS: I wouldn't mind seeing Vijay get another chance at opening the innings. Dhawan is another guy who should be looked at.

[Ultimate_Game]

Last 5 overs just 35 runs. Should've been 60 when you have 7 wickets in hand. Bad day for MSD and Raina.

Look you can't bank on Malinga being taken to cleaners every match. At the start of innings during the power-plays, there are just 2 fielders outside the circle. We should be able to make the most of it.