India must take a call on Sehwag's spot - Dravid

[Lord]

A lot of people are talking about grooming a new opener. How would you groom a new opener for SA in Test matches at home? At EOD' date=' it would again come down to performance in overseas conditions. The 'groomed opener' should actually happen on away tours and home Test matches should be used as a feel for Test match cricket. We currently have very limited options - Gambhir who has technical flaws and skeptical of his improvement, Dhawan who I'm not sure would stand to the rigors of Test match cricket let alone ODIs and Rahane who is not an opener to start with and had his technique exposed in the most recent ODI series[b']. Given these options, Rahane seems to be the best bet but an opening batting of Gambhir/Rahane/Vijay (assuming no Sehwag) still doesn't cut it out in South Africa for me.

thats all should matter no,we gotta try our best bet.cant control beyond it.currently Rahane is a specialist waterboy

[carnish]

A lot of people are talking about grooming a new opener. How would you groom a new opener for SA in Test matches at home? At EOD' date=' it would again come down to performance in overseas conditions. The 'groomed opener' should actually happen on away tours and home Test matches should be used as a feel for Test match cricket. We currently have very limited options - Gambhir who has technical flaws and skeptical of his improvement, Dhawan who I'm not sure would stand to the rigors of Test match cricket let alone ODIs and Rahane who is not an opener to start with and had his technique exposed in the most recent ODI series. Given these options, Rahane seems to be the best bet but an opening batting of Gambhir/Rahane/Vijay (assuming no Sehwag) still doesn't cut it out in South Africa for me.[/quote'] Jaffer IIRC has played a test series in South Africa, Is in great form. If you cant groom someone young, isnt it justified to have him in the squad ?? I say pick him and give both Vijay and Gambhir a go. Those are the three openers I want to be in the touring side. I would also not want Rahane to go there and have Rohit in his place for the reserved middle order bat since Rohit I believe has some if not test experience of South Africa. And please, we all know by now Rahane will no open. The team doesnot want him too, else he would have been in Vijay's place this series.

[Crookbond]

thats all should matter no' date='we gotta try our best bet.cant control beyond it.currently Rahane is a specialist waterboy[/quote'] You missed the rest of the post - it can potentially destroy Rahane's career, I wouldn't like that. Wasim Jaffer is not an opener for Mumbau.

[carnish]

You missed the rest of the post - it can potentially destroy Rahane's career, I wouldn't like that. Wasim Jaffer is not an opener for Mumbau.

Did open for Mumbai when he scored that 100 in the Ranji finals. I dont know what you talking about, he has opened for most of his career.

[G_B_]

he is an opener in the ranjis (Jaffer) he now a days opens with Kaustubh Pawar or Tare or Rahane (at times when an extra bowler need accommodating)

[G_B_]

and on the issue of JAffer, he is nearly 36 years old. Looking at how Gambhir is performing, i would bring back Gambhir. When Vijay fails in the first test then bring in rahane

[carnish]

and on the issue of JAffer, he is nearly 36 years old. Looking at how Gambhir is performing, i would bring back Gambhir. When Vijay fails in the first test then bring in rahane

He maybe 36, but he can still perform for another 2-3 years. Atleast we cannot take players to experiment on an overseas tour, surely that would be crazy when we have a good choice in Jaffer.

[G_B_]

He maybe 36' date=' but he can still perform for another 2-3 years. Atleast we cannot take players to experiment on an overseas tour, surely that would be crazy when we have a good choice in Jaffer.[/quote'] He had his chance and averages 34 with the bat after 31 matches. Away from home v Aus, SA, England he averages 22 with the bat in 11 matches http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/29646.html?class=1;template=results;type=allround Wasim has always been in the runs in the ranjis. But he is just not good enough outside the sub in big test countries. A sort of older Murali Vijay

[carnish]

He had his chance and averages 34 with the bat after 31 matches. Away from home v Aus, SA, England he averages 22 with the bat in 11 matches http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/29646.html?class=1;template=results;type=allround Wasim has always been in the runs in the ranjis. But he is just not good enough outside the sub in big test countries. A sort of older Murali Vijay

I know his stats, I am just saying we dont have better players ready now. Atleast he has experience, maybe he might use that to improve his game away. I am actually for taking Gambhir but apart from him, there is no one I think is ready technically for that tour of South Africa as of now, even though he is not in form.

[G_B_]

I know his stats' date=' I am just saying we dont have better players ready now. Atleast he has experience, maybe he might use that to improve his game away. I am actually for taking Gambhir but apart from him, there is no one I think is ready technically for that tour of South Africa as of now, even though he is not in form.[/quote'] I will go for Mukund. He has improved a lot since his debut v England in 2011 Gambhir Mukund Pujara Sachin (or if retired Tiwary) Kohli Tiwary or Rahane Dhoni i will go for this.

[Pagalpanti]

Vijay should be persisted with, we all know his game went to dumps after IPL but if he can really get back to his old-self. He's a good back-foot player, I mean he was easily the best Indian bat in the first CLT20 even scored a century there IIRC. It was t20's yes but he still played well on bouncy tracks, so he can do well but he needs to be consistent.

[Crookbond]

WTF was I saying about Jaffer. :wall: I take that back.

[Vanarp22]

just a thought...how about giving Vijay a bowl?

[carnish]

WTF was I saying about Jaffer. :wall: I take that back.

Happens to all of us. No need to bang heads. Chill.

[FischerTal]

the thing is I dont feel dhawan is going to make any impact in SA. Prefer Mukund to him

Yes, Mukund batted very well in England, and he came back from away tour in NZ A. Right now, he is our best hope as opener

[FischerTal]

the thing is I dont feel dhawan is going to make any impact in SA. Prefer Mukund to him

I really dont see anybody in the horizon who can be a permanent replacement for Viru' date='all i see is temporary plugins who will not succeed overseas but we have no choice really.I am hoping we blood some young openers who have talent but haven't played a lot by keeping them in A tours instead of guys like Mukund,, vijay etc.[/quote'] Mukund is 23, he gave us a good start in England. Show him some support. He has been playing in so many away tours that as of now, he his the only young opener with even a bit of experience on how to play in foreign conditions.

[CG]

Good to see dravid clearing things out.He supported gambhir when he was lean trought and said he should not dropped.He said dhoni should be persisted ,Dropping lyon was a tactical blunder but nothing about ojha.Good on u dravid.Shewag should be dropped.

[vijay50]

Jaffer played in SA previously and did well in Cape town I believe along with Dinesh Karthik.I think Vijay and Jaffer along with Dhawan/Mukund should be the ones going to SA.

[Lord]

You missed the rest of the post - it can potentially destroy Rahane's career, I wouldn't like that.

being on the bench n permanent waterboy isnt helping his career either.If it doesnt work,we can always get him back to MO once SRT retires,hopefully we'll have a decent opener then if we need

[rkt.india]

India A tour to SA will be very important for India. Hope, selectors dont male any selection blunders.