India A tour of South Africa, 2013

[Chandan]

http://goo.gl/OT3MwM Lessons from India A's tour of South Africa Nitin Chouhan, Cricketnext | Updated Aug 28, 2013 With India A's tour to South Africa coming to an end on Tuesday, the big question is: what exactly have India gained in the last three weeks? Barring their defeat in the second four-day game, the A side did a fairly good job, winning the tri-series that included Australia A and beating the hosts by an innings in the first four-day encounter. Should we see the defeat in the second unofficial Test at Pretoria too remorsefully? The loss has only done the work of separating the wheat from the chaff. Only two players - Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay - in the XI for the second match are expected to be selected in the touring party for the subsequent tour. While Pujara followed his 137 in the first match with a gritty fifty in the second, Vijay failed to make an impact in all three innings, following his 44 in the first match with four and nought in the second. Only time will tell whether this has put his Test slot under the scanner. The failure of the other batsmen - barring a fighting 86 from Ajinkya Rahane and a gutsy 77* by Wriddhiman Saha - is disappointing as some of them could have staked their claims and challenged Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina for the vacant spots. Rohit and Raina had already done their work, scoring 119 and 135 in the first game at Rustenburg, though it could have been much better had the team management not rested both for the second match. The conditions at Pretoria for the second match were much more challenging than at Rustenburg, and runs there could have given them more confidence. While Rohit made 198 runs in the tri-series and 119 in the first Test, Raina too got runs (172 in the tri-series and 135 at Pretoria) as well as wickets (seven) on the tour. Shikhar Dhawan although had an excellent tri-series where he scored a record 248, 85 and 62 in four matches, but could only make 11 in the first four-day game before being rested for the second. Giving him another go in the second game was of utmost importance as the ball nipped and seamed around and it would have provided him similar conditions that he would face in three months. But the team management went with giving-everyone-a-chance theory. Although it backfired, it would have at least made clear that a few players will take more time to bridge the gap when exposed to challenging conditions. Rahane did a decent job with the limited chances he got. Although he scored only 10 in the first match, he made amends by scoring 23 and 86 in the second. With scores of 70, 57, 32, 34 in the tri-series, one had expected Ambati Rayudu would make it count when he was included in the second four-day match. But 29 and 1 at Pretoria spoiled an otherwise good trip. Stuart Binny failed to justify his allrounder's tag. Barring his 4 for 55 against Australia A in the tri-series, his trip turned out to be rather miserable. He managed five wickets, including that four-for, and ten runs in six outings. It would be a difficult task for the selectors to pick the second specialist wicketkeeper for the South Africa tour as both Dinesh Karthik and Saha failed to impress with the bat as a whole. Both got just one fifty on the entire tour, though Karthik played seven innings compared to Saha's five. Saha was used as a specialist wicketkeeper in both four-day matches and claimed six catches and three stumpings. Among the bowlers, fast bowler Ishwar Pandey was the most impressive. After getting five wickets in two matches of the tri-series, the 24-year old took 11 in the four-day games. He will definitely be a frontrunner if India decide to pick five pacers for the ensuing tour. The same cannot be said about Jaydev Unadkat and Siddarth Kaul. In the tri-series, Unadkat got four wickets in three matches and Kaul went wicketless. Both got to play the first four-day match but didn't leave a mark, getting one and two wickets respectively. The left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem was impressive in both tri-series and four-day encounters. Although he was a tad expensive overall, Nadeem vindicated his selection by picking up wickets (nine in the tri-series and eight in the four-day matches). But with Ravindra Jadeja doing the job of second spinner for the Indian side effectively and his ability to bat lower down the order, it's hard to see Nadeem getting that place. Parvez Rasool did a decent job with the ball, picking up seven wickets in six outings, but more contributions with the bat might have helped him cause. The tour was touted as the dress rehearsal before the senior team's trip and after three weeks the selectors might have got a fair idea about whom to consider when it comes to picking the Test side. --------------------------------------------------- Separate Wheat from chaff? Vijay is certainly chaff if this tour is taken into account? But who do we replace him with? That is the biggest question. Gambhir is still failing in county, no idea how Sehwag will perform and others are not even worth considering. Other spots of batting and bowling in the test team are fine and have good options too.

[Sooda]

^Opening with Pujara is an option, and Rohit can play maybe at no 3? Resting Dhawan and Rohit from the second match was a very silly move. If anything they could/should have played fewer List A matches.

[saneindian]

I don't know why Vijay's place is being questioned repeatedly by everyone. Has it ever happened that a guy scoring 430 run@61 in a home series (that too on his comeback) doesn't find a place in the very next test tour of his team? Still remember most of us had written off the Dhawan-Vijay combination during the Aus series, but they did not disappoint at all. Who knows what might happen in SA. He may fail in SA, but has earned himself a run in the test squad for at least 2 tests.

[Sooda]

^Youre right really.

[Cevno]

Good that Rahane finally got his groove back in the final innings. And Vijay deserves a chance in SA, but likely to fail tbh.

[Crookbond]

Har samasya ka solution hai Gambhir. Time to call Gambhir. :)

:phehehe:

[SLICKR392]

Yes' date=' agree. Unfortnately for his fans, it's hard to shell out any of his positives of late since he hasn't scored much, but again I will continue to back him. Warrior Gambhir[/quote'] Cricketics is a wonderful poster. :hatsoff:

[cowboysfan]

Yes' date=' agree. Unfortnately for his fans, it's hard to shell out any of his positives of late since he hasn't scored much, but again I will continue to back him. Warrior Gambhir[/quote'] are yaar,are you checking out his progress in england? this guy has lost it.

[jusarrived]

I would not open with Rohit at any cost . if we are playing him , it should be in the middle order . Vijay might struggle , but has earned his spot in the tests team . Rahane is the next best baat , who should be drafted into the test team . A similar case to Rohit . will do better in longer formats .

[Texan]

1. Dinesh Karthik cannot be selected as a specialist batsman.... or as a back-up keeper. 2. Murali Vijay is as unpredictable as weather forecasts in India 3. There are plenty of other pace bowling options beyond Ishant Sharma. 4. Rahane deserves to be given a longer rope in the team. 5. Rohit Sharma must play Test cricket.

[jj_28]

1. Dinesh Karthik cannot be selected as a specialist batsman.... or as a back-up keeper. 2. Murali Vijay is as unpredictable as weather forecasts in India 3. There are plenty of other pace bowling options beyond Ishant Sharma. 4. Rahane deserves to be given a longer rope in the team. 5. Rohit Sharma must play Test cricket.

1. agree 2. Vijay will go on tour and I am pretty sure he will struggle more than most 3. Their really aren't, Pandey looks good but even he doesnt think he's ready to step up just yet 4. & 5. Agree

[Chandan]

I don't know why Vijay's place is being questioned repeatedly by everyone. Has it ever happened that a guy scoring 430 run@61 in a home series (that too on his comeback) doesn't find a place in the very next test tour of his team? Still remember most of us had written off the Dhawan-Vijay combination during the Aus series, but they did not disappoint at all. Who knows what might happen in SA. He may fail in SA, but has earned himself a run in the test squad for at least 2 tests.

Even selectors are not convinced: http://goo.gl/iD39Z 30 Aug 2013Hindustan Times (Delhi) Khurram Habib sportsdesk@hindustantimes.com India’s opening gambit suddenly looking shaky Just when it looked India will be up to speed during their tour to South Africa starting at the year end with young guns coming to the fore, the national selectors are facing a problem right at the top of the batting order. The India ‘A’ management’s decision to rest Shikhar Dhawan for the second unofficial Test in South Africa - which the visitors lost heavily a couple of days ago -- has left some members of the selection panel surprised. “It was very strange that the team think-tank suddenly decided to rest him from that game, when there is no cricket for the next one month. The South Africa ‘A’ tour was a preparatory tour. Some selectors are far from amused,” said a source close to the panel. Also rested were Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina, both of whom had played important roles in India ‘A’ winning the first unofficial Test by an innings. And despite talk of young India batsmen shining, the selectors don’t seem to be entirely convinced. The failure of opener Murali Vijay (made just 48 runs @16 in two games) in South Africa and the lack of any significant contribution by Gautam Gambhir, who joined English county Essex to find his touch, have given them a headache. Dhawan, although brilliant in limited-overs cricket, hasn’t batted enough in duration games since making his sparkling Test debut in Mohali in March. Although Vijay looks a certainty for the South Africa Test series thanks to his performance in the home series against Australia, sources suggest that the selectors will not hesitate to look at the opening role afresh. The India ‘A’ team management’s decision to rest key batsmen has left many baffled. Former India spinner, Maninder Singh, said, “Why did they need to rest Dhawan and push Pujara up from one-down when he is settled at No 3?” There are indications that India may take a third opener in the form of Gambhir but his performance hasn’t helped matters. And that may provide a chance to Virender Sehwag. Gambhir, before leaving to play for Essex, had hoped that playing in English conditions will help give him confidence. Sehwag too has got down to practice in Chennai. A source said he could be drafted in and asked to bat in the middle-order and the selectors may drop the idea of taking a third opener.

[saneindian]

The report does say

Although Vijay looks a certainty for the South Africa Test series thanks to his performance in the home series against Australia, sources suggest that the selectors will not hesitate to look at the opening role afresh.

Essentially saying he will start in the 1st test and selectors will reassess other options after that. Not very different from what I am saying. Also, each time Vijay fails during the FC matches before SA tour, expect the PR boys of Gauti and Sehwag to be overworking.

[Chandan]

The report does say Essentially saying he will start in the 1st test and selectors will reassess other options after that. Not very different from what I am saying. Also, each time Vijay fails during the FC matches before SA tour, expect the PR boys of Gauti and Sehwag to be overworking.

Doesn't matter what the PR boys of GG and Viru say, if their bats don't speak up, everything/everyone will be silenced! Read this: http://goo.gl/JPngJT India A manager says coach Duncan Fletcher told selectors to look ahead Shamik Chakrabarty : Kolkata, Fri Aug 30 2013, 10:27 hrs The team manager on India's recent A tour of South Africa, Subit Ganguly, has said that the national coach Duncan Fletcher has seen enough to make him believe that the current India regulars along with the members on the A tour would form the crux of the side in the immediate future. "Don't look back. Stick to the youth policy and it will augur well for Indian cricket," is what Fletcher is said to have told the selectors. With the coach advicing the powers that be to focus on Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Ishwar Pandey, the likes of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan, all trying to make a comeback. could be left in the cold. Mighty impressed "Fletcher joined the team midway into the tour and was very impressed with what he saw. He told Vikram Rathour, the selector who accompanied the team, that it would be advisable to build for the future. Dhawan, Pujara, Sharma and Raina are top talents and it's time to invest in them. There are Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane as well. They now know the conditions and the experience they have gained from this series will put them in good stead when India will tour South Africa in the winter," Ganguly told The Indian Express. "Fletcher also said it would be important to give the youngsters a longer run so that they can play without looking over their shoulders. He believes Indian cricket will be safe at least for the next three years if these young players are persisted with," Ganguly added. As far as pace bowling is concerned, Pandey impressed Fletcher "with his ability to swing the new ball and reverse the old one". The advice for Shami Ahmed is to "work harder". Spinner Parvez Rasool too was told by Fletcher to put in extra hours in the nets. He also credited Pujara for creating a very good atmosphere in the dressing room. Not everyone happy A section of the BCCI, however, was unhappy with the team management's decision to rest five players in the second unofficial Test, which allowed the hosts to square the series. "It was Rathour that convinced Fletcher to rotate the squad. He said we had nothing to lose, having won the triangular limited-overs series and the first Test. His argument was that it was more important to give every player a fair opportunity to help them get a feel of the conditions. "It was logical and the coach accepted it. I must make it clear that there was no discontent. But for Pujara's unfortunate dismissal (run out), we wouldn't have lost the Test," Ganguly asserted.

[FischerTal]

But for Pujara's unfortunate dismissal (run out), we wouldn't have lost the Test," Ganguly asserted.

:proud:

[King Tendulkar]

I don't know why Vijay's place is being questioned repeatedly by everyone. Has it ever happened that a guy scoring 430 run@61 in a home series (that too on his comeback) doesn't find a place in the very next test tour of his team? Still remember most of us had written off the Dhawan-Vijay combination during the Aus series, but they did not disappoint at all. Who knows what might happen in SA. He may fail in SA, but has earned himself a run in the test squad for at least 2 tests.

Agree

[Chandan]

http://goo.gl/VXPygL Fletcher’s tips helped Saha A STAFF REPORTER Calcutta: Wriddhiman Saha’s wicket-keeping skills have never been questioned. It was his batting where he needed improvement. But in the last couple of seasons, Wriddhi has evolved as a much better batsman. Not only in the domestic circuit, the player from Bengal is also doing it right internationally. Representing India A, his dogged performances in South Africa recently have proved that. The runs were scored in the presence of national selector Vikram Rathod, so it’s obvious that Wriddhi is now on a much better platform to vie for a place in the national team. But the man himself is least bothered about such things. “I’m not too concerned about whether this innings provided me with a stronger platform or not… Rather, my long stay at the crease in difficult circumstances pleased me more,” he said while recollecting his unbeaten 77 in the second four-day match in Pretoria. “When I went into bat, we were already five down for just 18 runs. From thereon, (Ajinkya) Rahane and myself stitched a 160-run partnership in conditions not very conducive to batting. Their bowlers, Beuran Hendricks and Kyle Abbott, were getting a fair amount of reverse swing, which made our task further difficult. Inputs from Duncan Fletcher, who was present till the second day of the contest in Pretoria, also came in handy. “He doesn’t want us to tinker with our style of play. All he advises on is playing according to the demands of the situation.” --------------------------------------------------- Really liking the attitude of these new guys, Pandey, Saha...Hope all or most of the guys get this tough attitude and a hunger to improve their game all the time to perform under pressure and in trying circumstances/conditions!

[fineleg]

Doesn't matter what the PR boys of GG and Viru say, if their bats don't speak up, everything/everyone will be silenced! Read this: http://goo.gl/JPngJT India A manager says coach Duncan Fletcher told selectors to look ahead Shamik With the coach advicing the powers that be to focus on Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Ishwar Pandey, the likes of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan, all trying to make a comeback. could be left in the cold. asserted.

Hope yuvi and zk are not written off too soon Yuvi -odis Zk -tests only

[rkt.india]

Hope yuvi and zk are not written off too soon Yuvi -odis Zk -tests only

How many fast bowlers played test cricket beyond the age of 35, especially with an injury record like Zak. We should start looking beyond him now. He at best can play ODIs or T20s. I doubt he can bowl 20 overs a day with intensity. I guess he should aim to be fit for WC 2015 by giving up test cricket. That will be better for us.

[Fontaine]

How many fast bowlers played test cricket beyond the age of 35' date=' especially with an injury record like Zak. We should start looking beyond him now. He at best can play ODIs or T20s. I doubt he can bowl 20 overs a day with intensity. I guess he should aim to be fit for WC 2015 by giving up test cricket. That will be better for us.[/quote'] Chris Martin is the only one who comes to mind that played past 35 and was still a decent seamer.