No.6 batsman, Yuvi, Raina, or Tiwary. Who has better claim?

[India-KXIP fan]

One of the specialist spinners might have a bad day. That's when Yuvi will be very handy. 4 specialist batmen he's got this innings. Could have Cook too if he wasn't dropped. Might get a 5 fer still. Good form batting wise as well.

[ShebbySB]

Yuvraj should be in the 1st XI for the 1st test.Manoj should b in the 15 men squad ahead of Raina.

[BeautifulGame]

It seems Yuvi has sealed the test spot with his 5 fer. Hopefully he contributes decently with the bat. We will probably need big contribution from him with the bat considering the form Sachin Gambhir and Sehwag are in. The bigger issue is even if succeds in this series he will struggle big time in SA tour.So at best it's going to be a short term solution. Dot see the point Laxman retiring if the selectors are so short sighted.

[bajrang]

i will play manoj, dont see picking another left armer if ojha is in team.

[1983-2011]

whos going to be our no.3 and no.5? kohli and who else

[Crookbond]

Yep that match only. The pitch deteriorated terribly. It was nothing to don with their bowling we got most wkts.Infact someone like Uttappa would have been more effective on that day. Also we were still within distance of winning and had enough overs IIRC.But bad light stopped the match. P.S Kumble let Karthick have his 50 only because our next match was the Aus tour and we wanted Karthick to be in decent form going into such a big series.And also because we have already secured the series.

And Karthick did not play in the Australian series - did he?

[The Outsider]

Rahane finally scored some runs in FC cricket after a big gap. Hopefully, he can start scoring more consistently so that we don't continue with another round of circus after Yuvraj's inevitable failure.

[BeautifulGame]

And Karthick did not play in the Australian series - did he?

Well he didnt.But he was our back up wkt as well as opener (Sehwag aside) for that tour

[The Outsider]

Well he didnt.But he was our back up wkt as well as opener (Sehwag aside) for that tour

He did not even play as backup when Sehwag was finally played and Yuvraj dropped. To suggest that Kumble waited for someone who was the back of backup to get a 50 (not even a century) before declaring is quite a stretch. Kumble just did what most Indian captains do - eliminate any possibility of defeat even in the face of a miracle, Dhoni of course took it to another level when he asked NZ to chase 600+ runs.

[saneindian]

Rahane finally scored some runs in FC cricket after a big gap. Hopefully' date=' he can start scoring more consistently so that we don't continue with another round of circus after Yuvraj's inevitable failure.[/quote'] Did score some runs in the Irani Trophy a few weeks ago. But yes he has struggled for form especially post his IPL success. Spending a lot of time on bench with the national side and missing the domestic season hasnt really helped. Also you think he is competing with Yuvraj/Raina? I guess he is being looked at as an opener (has played as an opener for India A / India in various formats he has played so far). Not sure if he will still retain his spot as the reserve opener though. In a way good for him as it will let him play more Ranji matches and get his confidence back.

[The Outsider]

Did score some runs in the Irani Trophy a few weeks ago. But yes he has struggled for form especially post his IPL success. Spending a lot of time on bench with the national side and missing the domestic season hasnt really helped. Also you think he is competing with Yuvraj/Raina? I guess he is being looked at as an opener (has played as an opener for India A / India in various formats he has played so far). Not sure if he will still retain his spot as the reserve opener though. In a way good for him as it will let him play more Ranji matches and get his confidence back.

I would hope so, but knowing our stupid selection policies it's quite possible that he has been pigeon holed as an opener. I certainly don't agree with that viewpoint. It's far more important to play your best available batsmen than carry on a fetish about batting numbers. There is certainly a case to be made that not everyone from the middle order can become a successful opener, but the reverse should not be considered at all. There is no fundamental skill which a number 6 like Raina/Yuvraj would have and Rahane won't, in fact would negotiate the second new ball much better than them. I look at the number 6 spot as more of an apprenticeship before moving up the order when the place presents itself rather than some specialist spot. The likes of Ponting and Tendulkar started at number 6 before moving up.

[saneindian]

He did not even play as backup when Sehwag was finally played and Yuvraj dropped. To suggest that Kumble waited for someone who was the back of backup to get a 50 (not even a century) before declaring is quite a stretch. Kumble just did what most Indian captains do - eliminate any possibility of defeat even in the face of a miracle' date=' [b']Dhoni of course took it to another level when he asked NZ to chase 600+ runs.

Well we still had around 5 and a half sessions or around 160 overs to bowl out the Kiwis out of which we could get only 90 odd over with rain washing out most of day 5 when we needed just 2 more wickets. The decision was no doubt ludicrous and perhaps the first signs of Dhoni's defensive captaincy which unfolded itself perhaps an year after that 3rd test.

[The Outsider]

Well we still had around 5 and a half sessions or around 160 overs to bowl out the Kiwis out of which we could get only 90 odd over with rain washing out most of day 5 when we needed just 2 more wickets. The decision was no doubt ludicrous and perhaps the first signs of Dhoni's defensive captaincy which unfolded itself perhaps an year after that 3rd test.

Rain was forecast from much earlier. It was not some surprise rain - everyone knew it was going to rain including Dhoni who conceded as much in his post match comments but said some garbage like he was not sure it was going to rain so soon. 600 runs against NZ - can never stop LOLing at that!

[BeautifulGame]

He did not even play as backup when Sehwag was finally played and Yuvraj dropped. To suggest that Kumble waited for someone who was the back of backup to get a 50 (not even a century) before declaring is quite a stretch. Kumble just did what most Indian captains do - eliminate any possibility of defeat even in the face of a miracle' date= Dhoni of course took it to another level when he asked NZ to chase 600+ runs.

Obviously thats the main reason.But at one stage it became clear there is no chance of Pak victory but still he let Karthick bat so that he could get his fifty.We scored something like 10 runs in that 5 over period. As for opener Karthick opened in the previous test series against England.So its natural to think he is the backup opener.Also Sehwag wasnt even picked for the tour when squad when the tour was announced only included later.So clearly Karthick was the back up opener(not back up to backup) at the time of the test. Obviously they decided to pick Sehwag ahead of Karthick once in Australia.But certainly dont think that was the case during the course of this test match.Also if Gambhir (who sehwag replaced)was nt injured i am think Karhick would have replaced Yuvi considering his track record imo

[BeautifulGame]

I would hope so, but knowing our stupid selection policies it's quite possible that he has been pigeon holed as an opener. I certainly don't agree with that viewpoint. It's far more important to play your best available batsmen than carry on a fetish about batting numbers. There is certainly a case to be made that not everyone from the middle order can become a successful opener, but the reverse should not be considered at all. There is no fundamental skill which a number 6 like Raina/Yuvraj would have and Rahane won't, in fact would negotiate the second new ball much better than them. I look at the number 6 spot as more of an apprenticeship before moving up the order when the place presents itself rather than some specialist spot. The likes of Ponting and Tendulkar started at number 6 before moving up.

Our finest no.6 Laxman was a top order batsman as well. Also even Raina and Yuvi bat only at no.4 for their Ranji teams.So if Rahane (bats at no.3 for Mumbai)cant be considered for no.6 i dont know how can they be considered as no.6 batsmen.

[The Outsider]

As for opener Karthick opened in the previous test series against England.So its natural to think he is the backup opener.Also Sehwag wasnt even picked for the tour when squad when the tour was announced only included later.So clearly Karthick was the back up opener(not back up to backup) at the time of the test. Obviously they decided to pick Sehwag ahead of Karthick once in Australia.But certainly dont think that was the case during the course of this test match.Also if Gambhir (who sehwag replaced)was nt injured i am think Karhick would have replaced Yuvi considering his track record imo

No, Sehwag was not there in the initial 30 probables, but was always there in the actual squad which was selected. Sehwag did not replace anyone - he was always selected for the squad and not for the 30 probables. Gambhir did not even play in the tests, Yuvraj played the first two tests with Dravid moving up to open with Jaffer so that Yuvraj could play down the order. Once Yuvraj was dropped after failing miserably in the first two tests, Sehwag played in place of Yuvraj and opened with Dravid moving back to his number 3 spot.

[BeautifulGame]

No, Sehwag was not there in the initial 30 probables, but was always there in the actual squad which was selected. Sehwag did not replace anyone - he was always selected for the squad and not for the 30 probables. Gambhir did not even play in the tests, Yuvraj played the first two tests with Dravid moving up to open with Jaffer so that Yuvraj could play down the order. Once Yuvraj was dropped after failing miserably in the first two tests, Sehwag played in place of Yuvraj and opened with Dravid moving back to his number 3 spot.

Yes it was a probables list rather than squad but 24 man not 30.And Sehwag did replace Gambhir who was injured and in the initial list. http://www.espncricinfo.com/ausvind/content/story/325154.html From the article

Although he was not in the list of 24 probables Sehwag has got a recall after Gautam Gambhir was advised three weeks rest with a sore shoulder.

I never said Gambhir played the tests.What i meant was Karthick would have replaced Yuvi in the Australia tour if it was Gambhir rather than Sehwag , the alternative to Karthick.Afterall Karthick had a very good series as an opener in England series .

[achilles]

Its not surprising that Yuvraj seems to be getting the sympathy vote. However, I'd rather see Manoj Tiwary than the tried and tested failures like Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina.

[vvvslaxman]

Every option we have are not good or unknown. Only reason i would back Yuvi is because he is pretty good against England generally. He averages 50 and above against them in all formats.. Also when he clicks he can psychologically demoralize them. Tiwary is tempting. But i am still not sure he is ready. Raina a big no no. Only other option i would consider is dropping Gauti. One more time he gets caught in slips while trying to run down to third man or inside edge on to stumps i am going to be pissed off. Two out of form batsmen opening is not good.

[Crookbond]

Every option we have are not good or unknown. Only reason i would back Yuvi is because he is pretty good against England generally. He averages 50 and above against them in all formats.. Also when he clicks he can psychologically demoralize them. Tiwary is tempting. But i am still not sure he is ready. Raina a big no no. Only other option i would consider is dropping Gauti. One more time he gets caught in slips while trying to run down to third man or inside edge on to stumps i am going to be pissed off. Two out of form batsmen opening is not good.

Brace yourself, a storm is coming. :hehe: