Selections for ODI series against England || Senior batsmen under scanner as Pujara set for ODI call-up

[Tridibans_16]

Is Yadav still injured? I remember reading somewhere that he might even miss Aus series :facepalm: Only good bowler we have currently and he is injured. What a luck !

[Tridibans_16]

My team will be Rahane Pujara Kohli Yuvraj on 'flat tracks'/some decent bat who can face quality bowling on tough tracks Dhoni Raina Ashwin Bhuvaneshwar Shami Ahmed Ishant Sharma DInda/Pathan

Completely agree with this team. But moving forward (keeping 2015 in mind), I think this should be our best ODI squad (home and away) Rahane Chand Mukund Yuvraj Pujara Raina Kohli Dhoni Saha That one Gujarati keeper I forgot his name S.Ahmed B.Kumar/S.Singh U.Yadav V.Aaron I.Sharma R.Ashwin H.Singh

[Magneto]

Jalaj Saxena? really? Look at this: Take Jalaj Saxena for example, and he stands out not because of his below average cricketing pedigree but because unfortunately and perhaps unwittingly become the poster boy of nepotism this time around. If merit were the only consideration for some of these lesser-reported and lesser-analyzed selections, then Saxena had no business making it to the India ‘A’ team or even some of the representational sides he’s been a part of since the Narendra Hirwani assumed charge as one of India’s five national selectors. I’ll put out some numbers for you, and I leave it to you to assess and thereby conclude. In the last three seasons as a first-class cricketer for Madhya Pradesh, he averages 37.00 (2009-10), 41.50 (2010-11) and 20.66 (2011-12) respectively. And this, for a guy who in the early part of his career was an opening batsman for MP and slipped lower ever since - as low as number eight. He’s scored a lone 100 in this period (142 being that score) and in the 2011-12 season, his highest score was not more than 46. Let’s consider his bowling numbers (since I was told by an MP insider that Saxena has become more of a bowler these days) and see how he fares - 2009-10 (4 wickets at 61.50), 2010-11 (9 wickets at 38.33) and 2011-12 (14 wickets at 45.21). If these numbers are good enough to persuade the selectors into picking him for India A, it’s fair to say that Indian cricket either going through an acute talent deficit (when it probably is not) or that nepotism is irresistible, even when as a selector, your mandate is to pick nothing but the *best* representational teams. Just in case, someone comes up with a bizarre justification of Saxena’s credentials as a quality limited-overs prospect, here are some numbers. In the last three seasons, in List A games played in India, Saxena’s batting numbers include two fifties in 19 innings with a highest score of 79 and averages as follows. In the 2009-10 season, he scored 146 runs at 20.85, and followed it up with 126 runs at 31.50 in the next season and recently finished the 2011-12 season with 137 runs at 22.83 and a highest score of 40. As an off-spinner, this season is by far Saxena’s best - 13 wickets at 19.92, considering that in the past two seasons he’s picked 5 (2010-11 @ 30.40) and 4 (2009-10 @ 71.50) wickets respectively. If the logic of this selection is to be believed, Saxena is perhaps the third best off-spinner in the country with only Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of him. Saxena, over the years has made it to several representational sides with average, if not below average numbers. Saxena was picked first for the Rest of India squad and the Challenger Trophy squads immediately after Jagdale's elevation as Board secretary in September last year. His most recent selection to these squads coincided with the appointment of Sanjay Jagdale (a former selector from the Central Zone and not to forget Hirwani’s cricketing mentor) as the BCCI’s secretary and by virtue of that position, the convenor of the national selection panel. The other interesting bit about Jalaj Saxena’s selection is the fact that he plays for the Cricket Club of Indore, where believe it or not, Jagdale is a coach. Not just that, apart from Saxena, three other cricketers from Madhya Pradesh made the Challenger Squads. A former India cricketer (who represented MP in the Ranji Trophy) refused to comment over Saxena’s selection by simply saying, “You tell me, in 30-odd years many average cricketers have represented India or India A. You have to pose these questions to Kris Srikkanth and his selection committee.” http://cricket.yahoo.com/news/the-curious-case-of-jalaj-saxena-and-nepotism-in-indian-cricket.html

This came before Saxena went for the A-tour for WI and NZ. He is a much improved player right now. He was picked on potential for the A-tours and did deliver. He'll be another Jadeja-type player, better or worse.

[Magneto]

Is Yadav still injured? I remember reading somewhere that he might even miss Aus series :facepalm: Only good bowler we have currently and he is injured. What a luck !

Umesh is 'ordinary' in ODIs.

[Tridibans_16]

Umesh is 'ordinary' in ODIs.

But still considering our next set of matches from 2013-14 onwards are away from home (incl. the world cup), we need a bowler who can bowl 140+ consistently. Most of the top teams have one. Also, he is improving with every game. How many ODIs has he played? Hardly 15. With pitches as flat as pancake, I will take him anyday over Dinda/ Ishant just for his pace only. What is the logic of having 3 135k bowlers and all being ineffective? Atleast he brings a new parameter to the table.

[bharat297]

If they're bringing in Pujara, he should open I think. We need technique at the top of the order. I'd pick: Rahane, Pujara, Kohli, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Raina, Ashwin, I.Abdulla, I.Pathan, B.Kumar, Shami Ahmed

[Magneto]

But still considering our next set of matches from 2013-14 onwards are away from home (incl. the world cup), we need a bowler who can bowl 140+ consistently. Most of the top teams have one. Also, he is improving with every game. How many ODIs has he played? Hardly 15. With pitches as flat as pancake, I will take him anyday over Dinda/ Ishant just for his pace only. What is the logic of having 3 135k bowlers and all being ineffective? Atleast he brings a new parameter to the table.

The parameter he brings in is - short, wide and thrashed. Even Umesh's List-A average is 43.41 with a strike rate of 45. He has played 37 matches. Clearly shows he is out of depth in this format.

[Tridibans_16]

The parameter he brings in is - short, wide and thrashed. Even Umesh's List-A average is 43.41 with a strike rate of 45. He has played 37 matches. Clearly shows he is out of depth in this format.

I am not denying that. But you are looking at a specific issue. Look at the wider picture: Dinda: Short, wide, no wickets..... plenty of runs 135-140 k Ishant: Short, wide, half volleys, half trakkers.... unlucky, again 135k B.Kumar: Swing at the start. Full stop. Nothing else. Hardly 135k So with these resources, what alternative do we have? Shami Ahmed is untested yet. Zaheer is finished. Shreeshanth :facepalm: With all his drawbacks, Yadav is a quick learner as we have seen in tests. Even if he is expensive (which actually every bowler in India is), he can be our wicket taker. Only bowler who bowls 145k consistently. I still feel given a long run, he will be very successfull even on Indian pattas.

[Tridibans_16]

If they're bringing in Pujara, he should open I think. We need technique at the top of the order. I'd pick: Rahane, Pujara, Kohli, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Raina, Ashwin, I.Abdulla, I.Pathan, B.Kumar, Shami Ahmed

I don't think they will drop Gautam/ Viru both. Personally I would want them both dropped but somehow, knowing how things work here, one will be retained. I hope its Viru. Atleast if he clicks (I know once in a green moon), we will win. Gautam is just a gone case off late.

[Magneto]

I am not denying that. But you are looking at a specific issue. Look at the wider picture: Dinda: Short, wide, no wickets..... plenty of runs 135-140 k Ishant: Short, wide, half volleys, half trakkers.... unlucky, again 135k B.Kumar: Swing at the start. Full stop. Nothing else. Hardly 135k So with these resources, what alternative do we have? Shami Ahmed is untested yet. Zaheer is finished. Shreeshanth :facepalm: With all his drawbacks, Yadav is a quick learner as we have seen in tests. Even if he is expensive (which actually every bowler in India is), he can be our wicket taker. Only bowler who bowls 145k consistently. I still feel given a long run, he will be very successfull even on Indian pattas.

Better to groom a newbie who's showing potential in domestic cricket. Save his pace for Tests, as bowling 145+ each time is quite demanding anyway. He'll end up playing 35 ODIs a year, bowling rubbish, injuring himself and eventually losing his pace. India needs his force in Tests. That is, at least 40 days of Test cricket each year for Yadav. Rest he can use to play IPL and recuperate.

[Magneto]

I don't think they will drop Gautam/ Viru both. Personally I would want them both dropped but somehow' date=' knowing how things work here, one will be retained. I hope its Viru. Atleast if he clicks (I know once in a green moon), we will win. Gautam is just a gone case off late.[/quote'] Yes Viru clicks once and again continues to play another 20 ODIs without doing jack.

[saneindian]

Sehwag may have played his last ODI for sometime. Clear signs he isnt going to get picked for Eng ODIs.

[Number]

Cold weather, moist track , ball will move Gambhir has stage set for another failure.

[Tridibans_16]

Better to groom a newbie who's showing potential in domestic cricket. Save his pace for Tests, as bowling 145+ each time is quite demanding anyway. He'll end up playing 35 ODIs a year, bowling rubbish, injuring himself and eventually losing his pace. India needs his force in Tests. That is, at least 40 days of Test cricket each year for Yadav. Rest he can use to play IPL and recuperate.

Thats why I included Aaron as well. You see, one point hardly comes up is that players that are not picked for ODIs are actually not resting. Your point for keeping him for tests would have hold true if he had better fitness and no IPL/ other cricket. Often we find people get injured in domestic cricket/ T20 leagues and are out of tests as well. Yadav should only play ODIs and Tets. No T20s. for him. If you look around, like batsmen, many good bowlers actually play ODIs as well. They may not be world beaters in that format (Steyn) but it helps them improve their overall skillset (slower deliveries, yorkers, etc.). Obv. not comparing the two but my point is he needs to be picked for ODIs as well. If not for useless bilateral series, but afor important tournaments and series (like v Pak). Keep in mind 2015 WC as well. We need a pace bowler in Aus. And umesh can't just simply walk in an ODI side just for the WC.

[Tridibans_16]

Yes Viru clicks once and again continues to play another 20 ODIs without doing jack.

I know and I am not defending him. But isn't oit the case with Gambhir, Rohit, Yuvraj as well? In fact, sad to say this, even Kohli hasn't done anything after that test match century.

[Magneto]

Thats why I included Aaron as well. You see, one point hardly comes up is that players that are not picked for ODIs are actually not resting. Your point for keeping him for tests would have hold true if he had better fitness and no IPL/ other cricket. Often we find people get injured in domestic cricket/ T20 leagues and are out of tests as well. Yadav should only play ODIs and Tets. No T20s. for him. If you look around, like batsmen, many good bowlers actually play ODIs as well. They may not be world beaters in that format (Steyn) but it helps them improve their overall skillset (slower deliveries, yorkers, etc.). Obv. not comparing the two but my point is he needs to be picked for ODIs as well. If not for useless bilateral series, but afor important tournaments and series (like v Pak). Keep in mind 2015 WC as well. We need a pace bowler in Aus. And umesh can't just simply walk in an ODI side just for the WC.

Would have rooted for him to play a few ODIs had he been any good. These bilateral series and all are rubbish, and no one cares for them eventually. By playing the same player in all formats, we don't create backups as well. If he is free when India is playing ODIs, he can play some domestics and try out new things, learn some variations and try to be a more complete bowler. Work on his game, basically.

[Magneto]

I know and I am not defending him. But isn't oit the case with Gambhir' date=' Rohit, Yuvraj as well? In fact, sad to say this, even Kohli hasn't done anything after that test match century.[/quote'] Don't provoke me on Kohli now, or I will start quoting his scores again for his last 15 games. :--D Yuvraj does not look as hopeless and out-of-touch as Viru. At least won us a T20 in between. Gambo and Rohit are both useless and should be kicked out naturally.

[Tridibans_16]

Don't provoke me on Kohli now, or I will start quoting his scores again for his last 15 games. :--D Yuvraj does not look as hopeless and out-of-touch as Viru. At least won us a T20 in between. Gambo and Rohit are both useless and should be kicked out naturally.

Bhai mre I am a bigger fan of Kohli than you but :giggle: what I was saying was that most of our batsman (including KOHLI) have failed in recent times. Infact, I would say he even failed in the test series as he had no impact on the series outcome whatsoever. In general, I would want these 4 to be kicked out for good : Gambhir, Sehwag, Rohit and Sharma (don't get decieved by his 3fer in the last match). But we all know, even if they are dropped, very soon they will make a comeback. Also, I don't think Jaddu fits in away from home. Even at home, I would prefer Pathan over him as we already have Tiwary/ Yuvi/ Raina/ Ashwin as slow bowlers.

[Magneto]

Bhai mre I am a bigger fan of Kohli than you but :giggle: what I was saying was that most of our batsman (including KOHLI) have failed in recent times. Infact, I would say he even failed in the test series as he had no impact on the series outcome whatsoever. In general, I would want these 4 to be kicked out for good : Gambhir, Sehwag, Rohit and Sharma (don't get decieved by his 3fer in the last match). But we all know, even if they are dropped, very soon they will make a comeback. Also, I don't think Jaddu fits in away from home. Even at home, I would prefer Pathan over him as we already have Tiwary/ Yuvi/ Raina/ Ashwin as slow bowlers.

Don't call me a Chokohli or Jinxed Rahane fan. :whack: Both are useless. As I said that, Rahane goes as usual :giggle: (he still has only 2 50+ scores after 20 matches). Despite being unlucky, Ishant has better work ethic than most Indian players.

[Tridibans_16]

Don't call me a Chokohli or Jinxed Rahane fan. :whack: Both are useless. As I said that, Rahane goes as usual :giggle: (he still has only 2 50+ scores after 20 matches). Despite being unlucky, Ishant has better work ethic than most Indian players.

Now now.... don't go overboard. Kohli is the best bat in this team. period. prove me otherwise..... I am talking about past year and a half. We won atleast something thanka to this guy.