Crashing down to reality - 3rd Test squad vs Pak, 2007-08

[The Outsider]

The overdose of cricket has caught up with India's supply of fast bowlers. Sreesanth and RP Singh, now Zaheer and Munaf all pivotal cogs in India's test match success over the past couple of the years are out and we are left staring at a blank cupboard where Irfan "minnow basher" Pathan, VRV "pansy" Singh, and Ishant "up and down" Sharma are in the test squad for the final and crucial test at Bangalore. It's embarrassing to see the likes of VRV and Ishant bowling anywhere let alone in a test match. Please, get some top notch physios to keep our bowlers in shape and rotate them around so we don't have to see such embarrassments in the future.

Squad for 3rd Test against Pakistan Squad: Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Anil Kumble (capt), Harbhajan Singh, VRV Singh, Murali Kartik, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma.

We are left hoping our batsmen will be able to salvage a draw or Pakistan will have a brain zap to ensure a series win.

[kumble_rocks]

I am not worried for this match. They are gonna play three spinners anyway for Bangalore test which favors spin and probably Ganguly will be asked to open the bowling with Pathan. Fast bowlers breaking down is a common ailment every team is suffering from. I don' t know how a top notch physio would help lazy bones like Munaf to get into shape .

[Cricketics]

Bat first score 650+ and secure the series.. send pakiz back home with nothing.. thats the way to do it kumble, i hope u win this toss and bat first.. i reckon the bowling line up would be kumble bajji karthik Pathan - the lone seamer

[Chandan]

I'd have given chance to a completely newcomer. At least there could have been some surprise factor! We had been nbanging on and on for rotating the seamers since England ODI series. But BCCI is least interested in cricket anyway!

[Cricketics]

which new comer chandan????

[Chandan]

which new comer chandan????

Pankaj Singh.

[coffee_rules]

It is 2005 all over again. India will play for a draw and lose the test. 1-1 series happening again. Fineleg.

[Ram]

VRV Singh ? What has he done all the while ?

[The Outsider]

To make things worse, the last time we won a test in Bangalore was a good 12 years back against a lowly NZ. In fact, the only time we have won a test against quality opposition at Bangalore was against England in 1975.

[coffee_rules]

Make that 1977

[Dirty_South]

The weather is pathetic in Bangalore ! Dark and gloomy...!

[Ram]

I dont see us losing again, its impossible. But Zak has to be unfit, there is no other way they could have rested him for the series decider.

[Prudent]

The Squad: (Third test) Anil Kumble (captain), MS Dhoni (vice-captain), Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, VRV Singh, Murali Kartik, Yuvraj Singh. http://www.cricketnext.com/news/injury-scares-force-a-pace-makeover/28180-13.html

[ludhianvi]

Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma and VRV Singh for 3rd Test Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma and VRV Singh have been drafted into the Indian squad for the third Test against Pakistan to bolster a bowling attack that will be without Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel and RP Singh, all ruled out through injury. The final Test of the series, which India currently leads 1-0, starts in Bangalore on December 8. The injuries have also forced a delay in the selection of the squad to tour Australia; it will take place on December 12, after the Bangalore Test. Instead, the selectors picked a list of 24, including 13 bowlers, three wicketkeepers and eight batsmen. Anil Kumble retains the captaincy for the tour. The immediate concern is the Bangalore Test, where India's bowling attack will be in a similar position to Pakistan's at Kolkata. Zaheer is struggling with an injury to his right heel, RP Singh with a side strain and Munaf's movement has been restricted by a mild back strain. While Zaheer and Munaf picked up injuries during the Kolkata Test, RP Singh didn't take part in any of the matches; they've been rested as a "precautionary measure" to enable them to recover in time for the Australia tour. The meeting - attended by Dilip Vengsarkar, the chairman of selectors, who had threatened stay away - was convened by Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the board, who also announced the squad. "Because of injuries to many fast bowlers, the selectors would like to defer the announcement of the final 16 for the Australia tour," Shah said. "The squad will be picked on December 12 in Bangalore. They have selected 24 probables and we will see the fitness report before picking the final squad." The long-list of 24 probables has room for Aakash Chopra and Piyush Chawla, but none for Virender Sehwag and Sreesanth, the latter out of action with a shoulder injury. Parthiv Patel is the third wicketkeeper in the list and may have a strong case if Dinesh Karthik's poor run continues in the Bangalore Test. Pankaj Singh, the rookie fast bowler from Rajasthan, Ranadeb Bose and Ajit Agarkar, currently nursing a shoulder niggle, were also part of the list. Chetan Chauhan, the former Indian opener who is currently chairman of selectors in the Delhi District Cricket Association, will be the administrative manager for the Test leg of the Australia tour. MV Sridhar, the former Hyderabad captain who is now a vice-president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, has been named assistant manager. Squad for 3rd Test against Pakistan Squad: Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Anil Kumble (capt), Harbhajan Singh, VRV Singh, Murali Kartik, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma. 24 probables for Australia tour Anil Kumble, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Sourav Ganguly, RP Singh, Munaf Patel, Zaheer Khan, VRV Singh, Pankaj Singh, Ishant Sharma, Murali Kartik, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Aakash Chopra, Gautam Gambhir, Ranadeb Bose, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Parthiv Patel. ------------------------------------ Now that's a complete change in the pace attack for the 3rd test

[Predator_05]

Ishant Sharma has taken 27 wickets @ 23 this season. No other seamer has taken more wickets this season. Pathan has 11 @ 24. We have plenty of people on here who attach a lot of value to performances in FC cricket and constantly talk about how the top performers deserve to rewarded with caps - they should be delighted with these selections.

[Chandan]

I dont see us losing again, its impossible. But Zak has to be unfit, there is no other way they could have rested him for the series decider.

He has heel injury.

[gopsy]

No bench strength in the bowling department. imagine if we were to tour Australia with this bowling line up ? :pray:

[Chandan]

Ishant Sharma has taken 27 wickets @ 23 this season. No other seamer has taken more wickets this season. Pathan has 11 @ 24. We have plenty of people on here who attach a lot of value to performances in FC cricket and constantly talk about how the top performers deserve to rewarded with caps - they should be delighted with these selections.

Sharma has 17 @25 odd in Ranji matches. This means he must have taken 10 wickets vs SA A and Mumbai in Irani trophy. That is a very good show.

[zubinpepsi]

Sharma has 17 @25 odd in Ranji matches. This means he must have taken 10 wickets vs SA A and Mumbai in Irani trophy. That is a very good show.

yeah very good.. he had also similar figures b4 getting selected for England... but he turned out to b another useless trundler in the making......:two_thumbs_up:

[DesiChap]

I am hoping to see the following team for 3rd test: Wasim Jaffer,Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Anil Kumble (capt), Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma. The only way Yuvraj plays is if RD opens but in the interest of the Aus series GG has to open with WJ