Austin 3:!6 Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 The Indian batting line-up could be in store for a major shake-up at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) with the visitors looking likely to drop both Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan for the final Test. Both Pujara and Dhawan have looked out-of-sorts throughout the Australian summer. And there were enough signs on the eve of the match to suggest that the duo will miss out. Neither was seen playing a significant role during the team’s final practice session before the deferred New Year’s Test, which begins on Tuesday. While Pujara didn’t bat at all, Dhawan’s turn in the nets came towards the *** end of India’s training. That too he batted alongside the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami. Pujara cast a forlorn figure during the practice session on the eve of the Test. He spent most of his time standing at the back of the nets spinning a ball in his hands. Towards the end of the session, Virat Kohli walked across and had a word with him. Not long after, Pujara collected his gear, packed his bags and exited the scene. If Pujara and Dhawan do get benched, it will open the doors for Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina, who hasn’t represented the country in whites for over two years. The only certain change as of now is Wriddhiman Saha taking over the wicket-keeping gloves from the now-retired MS Dhoni in Virat Kohli’s first Test as official captain. With Dhawan gone, India will also have a new opening partnership at the SCG with KL Rahul partnering the in-form Murali Vijay at the top. This should give Rahul, an opener by trade, a chance to make up for the horrific Test debut at the MCG, where he fell in both innings to audacious swipes at the ball. In case the team management does decide to give Pujara a break, the real talking point though going into the Sydney Test will be who will walk in at No.3. The Saurashtra right-hander took over the crucial one-drop spot from Rahul Dravid in August 2012 and has since batted there in 38 out of 43 Test innings, averaging 48.38. He was pushed up to open in four of the other five innings while he batted at No.6 in the second innings at MCG. Pujara started the Test series Down Under in positive fashion with 73 in the first innings at Adelaide. But from then on he’s looked out of sorts, and despite making 43 on that disastrous morning for India at the Gabba, he’s averaged 33.50 in the series so far. Ironically, Rohit was similarly seen dawdling away on Sunday during the practice session without getting a bat in the nets. The entire top-brass of the team management from Kohli, Ravi Shastri and Duncan Fletcher to Dhoni had spent at least five minutes each in one-on-one sessions with the Mumbai batsman. But he was the first one into the nets on Monday, and he was in there for close to 45 minutes. Raina didn’t bat much either, except facing a few throw-downs from Sanjay Bangar and two dozen deliveries from the spinners. His role will be crucial if he’s indeed picked, as he is likely to then double-up as the second spinner on a SCG wicket that carries a dry look to it. Like Pujara, Dhawan too has one half-century to his name in the series. That was the 81 he scored in the second dig at the Gabba after being controversially struck on the forearm in the nets prior to the day’s play. Apart from that, he’s looked all at sea against Ryan Harris or thrown away the advantage of having seen off the new-ball. Twice he and Vijay have put up 50+ opening stands, but in five out of six occasions he has been dismissed first. Dhawan, who’s averaging 27.83 at this point in the series, had lost his place in England as well after the first three Tests. But this one could be a lengthier sabbatical if Rahul does manage to overcome the demons of MCG and makes an impression against an Australian attack sans Mitchell Johnson. Source: http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/india-vs-australia-4th-test-india-likely-to-drop-shikhar-dhawan-cheteshwar-pujara-for-sydney-test/99/
Austin 3:!6 Posted January 5, 2015 Author Posted January 5, 2015 Missing Kuptaan Cool already. Rat is too aggressive for my liking. Hope this dressing room spats don't affect our WC chances. It can very well be 2007 like WC again when every member of the team is unsure about their place. Kohli/Shatri = Dravid/Chappell ?? :nervous:
wanted_desi Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 I am already liking Kohli, not afraid to show seniors bench. If you aren't good enough, you are on bench.
coffee_rules Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 Pujara has faced 200 more balls Dhawan and looks better than the catch practice guy. No practice gives a clear mind sometimes before a test. Definitely tells Pujara he has to take it seriously now. Rahane at #3 is risky as he is doing a fantastic job with Kohli as #5. Stats in this series so far...
RedFever Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 This report is clearly conflicting with the story on cricinfo, which states it will be a tossup between Raina and KL Rahul http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2014-15/content/story/816347.html India's return to the nets under new captain Virat Kohli has come with uncertainty around a few places in the side. If the training two days before the start of the SCG Test is any indicator, Suresh Raina is now a decent chance to play in Sydney, but despite a nervous debut capped by ordinary shots to get out, KL Rahul has not yet been sidelined. The only batsman of the squad who seemed sidelined was Rohit Sharma, who got a hit towards the end, along with the bowlers. The bowling combination is also far from certain; Ishant Sharma must be feeling the strain of three back-to-back Tests, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's fitness remains unclear. Newly retired MS Dhoni continued to be with the side, and bowled quite enthusiastically in the nets. Wriddhiman Saha's right thumb was heavily strapped, but he kept wicket and batted without much discomfort. All things being similar Saha will add to his three Test caps in two days' time, but in the unlikely scenario of his missing out, Dhoni will have to come out of retirement. That is a fanciful thought right now. In more realistic permutations, just like Rahul did before the MCG Test, Raina has become more active in the nets. He got a hit in the second batch of batsmen - along with Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara - before he bowled his fair share of offbreaks. If Raina does come in, one out of Shikhar Dhawan or Rahul might have to make way. Since his 98 in Wellington last year, Dhawan has gone past 50 only once in 13 innings. Dhawan, though, has been one of the better slip fielders, although Raina is the best India have. Pujara has struggled to put up a big score, but he is unlikely to be dropped, which means one of the three - Dhawan, Rahul and Raina - will have to sit out. Bowling scenarios are not as straightforward. Pitches this series have not aided quicks that much anyway, and Sydney has been going through a spell of dry heat to go along with its reputation for assisting spin. Even Australia have called up an extra spinner. If India do decide to play the extra spinner, do they go back to Karn Sharma, who had an ordinary debut, or hand out a third Test cap for the series, to Akshar Patel? Lack of a seam-bowling allrounder, though, should rule in favour of three quicks. Which is where Bhuvneshwar comes in. He bowled and batted in the nets, but he did the same in Melbourne too. It might come down to how his ankle is reacting to the workload in the nets, and whether India want to push him in a less-than-100% scenario so close to the World Cup. India's best bowler on the tour, Ishant - who has bowled 125 overs, more than any other fast bowler in the series and second only to Nathan Lyon's 146.5 - didn't have a bowl in the nets. He focussed on his strength and conditioning. There is no injury concern to report there. Not yet at least. Varun Aaron is back from India, having attended his grandfather's funeral at the turn of the year. He should replace Mohammed Shami, who has been wayward.
coffee_rules Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 They would probably play both Rahil and Raina and give Dhawan and a fast bowler a miss. Ishant (the vice captain) seems doubtful. So Umesh, Shami, Aaron, Ashwin and Raina could bowl. MV, KR, CP, VK, AR, SR, WS, RA, MS, UY, VA.
nevada Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 Dhawan is a walking wicket and you can bet on Pujara not making a big score anytime soon. So benching them seems reasonable. But where are the replacements? Rahul as the opener seems like a bigger risk than having Dhawan open. Maybe tailunt will come in as a makeshift opener. And then, who will replace Pujara? Raina for Pujara just doesn't seem right.
Lord Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 Would be pathetic if Pujara is dropped,that too for Rohit or Raina
Old guy Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 Would be pathetic if Pujara is dropped' date='that too for Rohit or Raina[/quote'] I am joining avkc if that happens
coffee_rules Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 I am joining avkc if that happens I want to be the presidente of the club, 'cause he just did that...WTF...man. This is worse than picking Karan over Ashwin
Old guy Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 I want to be the presidente of the club' date=' 'cause he just did that...WTF...man. This is worse than picking Karan over Ashwin[/quote'] Get in line I am gonna sticky the damn thread and change banner :giggle:
Austin 3:!6 Posted January 5, 2015 Author Posted January 5, 2015 Get in line I am gonna sticky the damn thread and change banner :giggle: No bashing our new Kuptaan
express bowling Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 Replacing Pujara with Rohit is a very strange decision. Infact, replacing anybody with Rohit in an overseas test match is a strange decision.
Sooda Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 It is an odd decision. Raina being in there is odder still. He has been given a long enough run in tests
vvvslaxman Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 I can accept Raina's inclusion as he is the best part time spinner available in the squad. He could be handy in Sydney. Rohit Sharma.. seriously? for Pujara.
vvvslaxman Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 Replacing Pujara with Rohit is a very strange decision. Infact, replacing anybody with Rohit in an overseas test match is a strange decision. True that :cantstop:
kosingh Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 Ok here I go with kohli bashing. Expect to see players dropped all the time, expect to see bowling changes if hit for a four or two. Rosiht sharma?
Gollum Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 We are seeing the conniving political side of Kohli here. Expect more groupism, infights, lack of unity under this brat.
Old guy Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 We are seeing the conniving political side of Kohli here. Expect more groupism' date=' infights, lack of unity under this brat.[/quote'] No just no let's not start this already . I feel this is simply because World Cup is near and both of them will play on it so maybe he wants continuity
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