India Tour Of South Africa : India to play 2 T20s and 7 ODIs before Test Series

[Sandeep99]

Most of the ODI players will be in test series and we'll have time to acclimatize! Great news

[Crookbond]

I think this is a nice idea considering we are slow starters.

[Lord]

I think this is a nice idea considering we are slow starters.

Our only chance was to win LOIs there.now being slow starters we'd lose those too :((

[G_B_]

The BCCI must be commended for this schedule. Dont care too much about India in the T20s or the ODIs but the test series is crucial. There are enough warm up days for our boys before the first test. There should not be excuses in case we are thrashed. Time to put your hand up and admit you are not good enough

[JaFanatic]

@saffers - better go hide before the series starts :aggressive:

[Crookbond]

Our only chance was to win LOIs there.now being slow starters we'd lose those too :((

I don't think so - the start of the season crowded with LOIs means that we won't face the juicy pitches like we did the last time. It will be some time in the summer and that in general is good for Test matches. Also, we have some decent bowlers as well (currently). I am a bit positive but yes you can jinx. :--D

[rkt.india]

I don't think so - the start of the season crowded with LOIs means that we won't face the juicy pitches like we did the last time. It will be some time in the summer and that in general is good for Test matches. Also, we have some decent bowlers as well (currently). I am a bit positive but yes you can jinx. :--D

It does mean our players will get used to the conditions. but we need to make sure that our test bowlers like BK, Yadav don't get injured playing ODIs. We will have to bring new bowlers in ODIs.

[rkt.india]

Who would you rather have' date=' Ishant or Zak? :giggle:[/quote'] Zak of The Lords.:nervous:

[Sidhoni]

Hopefully no one picks up injuries during those LOis

[SLICKR392]

Zak of The Lords.:nervous:

This one thing scares me. :nervous:

[G_B_]

It does mean our players will get used to the conditions. but we need to make sure that our test bowlers like BK' date=' Yadav don't get injured playing ODIs. We will have to bring new bowlers in ODIs.[/quote'] they are still young. All three of them. Maybe you need to manage their load a little by say resting them for a match or two and bring in Vinay etc. But it should not be a problem for kids in their mid 20s. They are not too young or old. If Zaheer is to make a comeback (i personally think we should move on for him) then IMO we need to rest him for a bit

[G_B_]

This one thing scares me. :nervous:

I think even he has got the message. Based on his twitter feed IMO he seems to be working hard on his fitness along with Yuvi. Going for long distance cycling etc. He has probably realized that getting fit and firing for Mumbai in the ranjis is the sure shot step to being selected for India in SA

[Lord]

I think even he has got the message. Based on his twitter feed IMO he seems to be working hard on his fitness along with Yuvi. Going for long distance cycling etc. He has probably realized that getting fit and firing for Mumbai in the ranjis is the sure shot step to being selected for India in SA

still it'd be a big risk seeing his injury record.he needs to be 100 % fit with some FC games under his belt

[G_B_]

still it'd be a big risk seeing his injury record.he needs to be 100 % fit with some FC games under his belt

well, the tests start in December. Ranji season starts a few months before that. IMO he should have atleast 4-5 first class matches under his belt. Most of our cricketers will have good practice in the long form of the game before this series starts

[SLICKR392]

still it'd be a big risk seeing his injury record.he needs to be 100 % fit with some FC games under his belt

There are A tours and few Ranji games.

[diga]

So it's a farewell series for pujara :hmmm:

For all you know, it may be Dhoni's farewell to test captaincy... & T20 captaincy

[saneindian]

So before the end of the year, we would have played some 20+ more ODIs!!(5 in ZIm, 7 vs Aus and 7 vs SA). Would have loved to see at least 3 day tour games instead of 2 day ones to get the players back in the FC mould. Many of the test players may not have played a proper FC match since the Aus tests in April jeading into the 1st test vs SA. Would be interesting to see if BCCI can do something which they did in NZ tour in 2009 - asking the test squad specialists to appear for FC matches in their domestic cricket.

[Sooda]

How many two day tour games are there? Two at least I hope. Yes Ideally we should have had two 3 days matches prior to the tests. 5 ODIs is more than enough, veen that is too many .. three would have been fine... Id agree with playing BK and UY for about 4 of them and then playing Vinay and Irfan

[saneindian]

South AFrica will be coming home after a tour of UAE where they play Pak in 3 tests, 5 ODIs and a couple of t20s in Oct-Nov. By the time the India tests start, they too may have a few injury problems, especially if they decide to play Steyn, Morkel in India ODIs.

[carnish]

Great schedule apart from the 2 day practice games and the big gap in between 2nd and 3rd test considering we will be touring NZL next and needed some extra days to recuperate. Its nice to see small towns and grounds in new places other than the regular venues get games as this would mean some very flat tracks ... Good chance for India in the ODI series atleast. And for the tests, Durban is back on the calendar and we have a great chance to win this series as we won our last game in Joburg too in 2006. Both are lucky grounds for India. Only if we somehow play Philander well, we are sure to hand the Saffers their biggest humiliation ever.