Your Best Indian Test XI against SA

[ravishingravi]

I would go with this one. Dhawan Rahane ( No confidence in Vijay ) Che Tendulkar ( wouldn't want him anywhere near Indian team, but seems we are stuck ) Rohit / Sehwag ( Yes thats right. I think his days as opener might be over but he can be of some use lower down the order to counter punch. We can try it for one series ) Kohli Dhoni Jadeja Ashwin / Ojha Umesh Bhuvanesh Shami Ahmed / Ishant Bear in mind, I don't expect Indian team to set the world on fire against SA. But I do wish that our younger players get tougher by playing in these conditions against the best team in the world. It will augur well for our future.

[SLICKR392]

I don't see Rahane opening even though he gets picked in playing XI.

[surajmal]

Dhawan Vijay Pujara Sachin Kohli Rahane Dhoni Ashwin Bhuv Kumar Umesh Healthy Zaheer/Shami

[FischerTal]

Dhawan Vijay/gambhir Che Tendulkar Kohli Rahane/karthik/sehwag Dhoni Ashwin Bhuvi Umesh Ishant/Fit Zaheer/shami

[vvvslaxman]

There is no way they are going to disturb the opening combination based on IPL, warm up match performances of Vijay. Old Gambhir >>> New Gambhir.. So i would not include him even in my second line up. If Vijay struggles my first choice would be Karthik who did well as an opener in SA and England. He is timing the ball very well.

[Pagalpanti]

Dhawan ...Opener2 Pujara Sachin Kohli ...Pace A/R or extra Batsman (doubt it will be Jaddu, don't think we'll be playing 2 spinners in SA) MS Ashwin ...Pacer/2nd spinner Yadav Bhuv I guess these will be the starters for sure. Bowling well given SA conditions it should be 3 pacers. No more tests, so I'm pretty sure it'll be Ishant with guys like Shami/Dinda as cover. While I think the upcoming A-tour will have no effect on our batting line up, there are chances for bowlers to put their names up for selection. Pretty sure this selection panel will be following the A-series closely.

[cowboysfan]

vijay dhawan pujara kohli rohit rahane dhoni ashwin bhuvi umesh lambu.

[div]

Vijay is probably better test player than Dhawan,more time against phaast bowlers. Dhawan Vijay Pujara Kohli Rohit Jadeja Dhoni Ashwin Bhuv Kumar Umesh Zaheer/Shami

[rkt.india]

Vijay Dhawan D Karthik SRT Pujara Kohli Dhoni Ashwin BK Shami Yadav

[Sidhoni]

Dhawan Vijay Pujara Kohli Rahane Dhoni Ashwin Jadeja/Shami BK Zak Yadav

[Lord]

Vijay Dhawan Pujara SRT Kohli Karthik Dhoni Ashwin BK Yadav Shami

[philcric]

I doubt India will go with 5 bowlers in SA. So, I assume 4 bowlers including only 1 spinner. I'd seriously consider Ojha/Jadeja for the spinner's spot because SA's best batsmen are RHB (Amla, Kallis, DeVilliers). If the pitch looks most suitable for the pacers only, I'd definitely pick Jadeja to strengthen batting. Dhawan Vijay / Karthik Pujara Tendulkar Kohli Rahane / Rohit Jadeja *+ Dhoni B Kumar U Yadav S Ahmed / Ishant / Zak Yes Dhoni at 8. Tail unlikely to survive for long against Steyn/Morkel/Philander. I'd want Dhoni go for broke. Not playing himself in, but go for it from the first ball he faces. I feel it's a better strategy for him in places like SA where his spoon technique doesn't work.

[ShebbySB]

Dhawan Vijay Pujara Sachin(shd retire & Rohit comes in) Kohli Karthik Dhoni Ashwin/Jadeja BK Umesh Shami Reserves:-Gambhir,Rohit,Rahane,Ishant,Aaron.

[adi B]

Dhawan Vijay(defense is solid,technique has improved,deserves a chance) Pujara Sachin(stuck with him) Kohli rahane Dhoni Ashwin BK Umesh Shami/zak if the pitch is bit abrasive like in cape town,sir would replace rahane

[Sooda]

Vijay Dhawan D Karthik SRT Pujara Kohli Dhoni Ashwin BK Shami Yadav

Good side :two_thumbs_up: I'd take DK over Rahane and Shami over Ishant... Rohit, Rahane, Ishant, Ojha .. rest of the squad I guess..

[Sidhoni]

Vijay Dhawan D Karthik SRT Pujara Kohli Dhoni Ashwin BK Shami Yadav

Pujara at 5?

[rkt.india]

Pujara at 5?

Yeah. In SA, it does not matter how good a batsman you are, you are bound to struggle against new ball if you are facing likes of Steyn, Philander, and Morkel. I want our best batsmen at 4, 5, 6 rather than top 3. Karthik has experience of SA too.

[Gunner]

We should go in with five bowlers with an aggressive mindset to take 20 wickets and win the match instead of the conservative approach that Dhoni is known for. My bowling attack: Yadav Zaheer (only if fully fit - has to prove his match fitness. His experience will be invaluable to this young and inexperienced attack) Bhuvan Shami / Kaul / Pankaj / Ishwar (whoever performs on the A tour) Jadeja On dry surfaces, Ashwin should come in for the 4th seamer.

[Pagalpanti]

Yeah. In SA' date=' it does not matter how good a batsman you are, you are bound to struggle against new ball if you are facing likes of Steyn, Philander, and Morkel. I want our best batsmen at 4, 5, 6 rather than top 3. Karthik has experience of SA too.[/quote'] Smith, Amla and Kallis have been SA's best test bats in recent years and they all bat at top 4. So I don't think it works that way. Pujara batted at no.5/6 during last tour, didn't help him then. If he's good enough he'll do well at 3 as well.

[rkt.india]

Smith, Amla and Kallis have been SA's best test bats in recent years and they all bat at top 4. So I don't think it works that way. Pujara batted at no.5/6 during last tour, didn't help him then. If he's good enough he'll do well at 3 as well.

They did not have to face Steyn, Philander, Morkel or a fast bowling unit anywhere close to them. Did they?