India's squad for Bangladesh Tour confirmed Post #45

[Gollum]

Not a great decision but not the worst. -No good domestic spinners -Ashwin, Jadeja lack any penetration overseas, Bhaji at least did well in recent SA, NZ and WI tours he went on. -Most of next few years will be at home, Bhaji has a solid record at home and better away than other 2 -Still has few years left, max til 2018, next big away tour in SA where he has good record. Where Ashwin struggled to get 1 wicket. -BD have 6 left handers and he will turn ball away I wouldn't have picked Bhaji personally, but out of all the oldies this selection still made the most sense compared with Zak, GG, Viru. In his prime he was a great player. First 60ish tests. But like athlete's in any sport once the prime goes it goes, I think it probably has for Harbhajan. If he fails in next few games that should be that.

-In domestic cricket there may be no outstanding spinners but at least 10 spinners who outbowled Bhajji in the last 2 domestic seasons. Before you talk about the nature of the pitches in our domestic scene these days I would like to point out that spinners from all states are facing this problem (except TN who rolled out the traditional Indian pitches this season) - He is a chickenheart. Chickened out of Nagpur 2004, faked an injury in Lord's test 2011 after going for 0-200, underbowled himself for MI (when captain) when opponents were in hitting mode, underbowled in Ranji matches on difficult pitches to protect his readings. With an attitude like his he should be the last name to be discussed when talking about our national team. - He is an Indian version of Ahmed Shehzad. Ever checked his twitter timeline. Always taking potshots at his colleagues, manipulating stats to show he is as good as Warne & Murali,never having the decency to appreciate Ashwin,Ojha,Jadeja when they were bowling well, retweeting/favoriting tweets by fanboys which are downright embarrassing. His indirect digs at Dhoni,Ashwin,Ojha,etc aren't the stuff you expect from an experienced player like him. - He is the worst bowler to take 400 wickets in test history. No amount of sugar coating will hide this indisputable fact. 101 tests, 413 wickets@avg=32.37 is embarrassing . He has played 69 off those 101 tests in Asia and 13 in WI,Zimbabwe. 19 matches in Eng,Aus,RSA,NZ spread over 14 years has kept his average at 32 odd. Else his real worth as a spinner is a bowling average of 37/38 minimum. http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/29264.html?class=1;template=results;type=allround He averages 73.22 in Aus 49.78 in Eng 24.19 in NZ :hatsoff: credit where due 34 in RSA He was atrocious in Aus and Eng but quite good in NZ(albeit the 2009 NZ team was one of the weakest batting line ups they had ever assembled and the pitches were SC like) In RSA he did nothing of worth in the 2001 series,didn't play in 2006 and was brilliant in the 2010-11 series. This is where comparing his overseas exploits with Ashwin,Jadeja isn't fair. Both these youngsters were on their 1st overseas assignments and even Kumble,Bhajji didn't do anything of note in their 1st overseas tours. We need to be patient with them,especially Ashwin who showed significant improvements as we saw in Eng and Aus. especially in Aus he outbowled Lyon in the last 3 tests. So let us cut our youngsters some slack, I am very sure they will step up their games the next time they tour these countries because of added experience. You say Ashwin,Jadeja lack penetration overseas, what about Bhajjin when he was of their age? - Didn't count WI because the pitches there are very kind on spinners and pretty sure Ashwin and co will blow them away in 2016 (if we tour) -Bhajji has a good record at home but was very ordinary against Aus in 2013 on raging turners. He was thoroughly outbowled by the other 2 that series. In fact even in home tests he was going through what looked like terminal decline before the selectors stamped their feet and dropped him. Ever since then he had done nothing in domestic scene to prove that he is an improved bowler. - He is almost 35 years old, no point in sticking with him. Better give the youngsters chances if need be. We need to look at the future and stop being caught in the webs of nostalgia. Bhajji was a great servant for Indian cricket but he is done. In 2018 when we tour RSA he will be 37/38 years old while Ashwin,Jadeja will be in their prime. TBH I see Ashwin as a future Indian great ending with a career like that of Kumble as far as bowling is concerned. He may end up as our 2nd greatest all rounder of all time and don't see anyone touching his spot for the next 7-8 years unless team politics takes centre stage. We just need to find him a young support spinner and all our energies should be focussed on trying to find Robin to Ashwin's Batman. Bhajji isn't the solution.

[MK55]

Good that the selectors are persisting with Ishant, Umesh and Aaron for tests.Has the potential to form a formidable attack in the future. IMO Shami should stay away from tests. BK has a role in certain conditions. But my first choice for tests will always be Ishant, Umesh and Aaron. Could have experimented a bit more for the ODIs. I guess the selectors are reluctant to drop Binny as he hadn't played any games in the WC. Dropping on IPL performances could have been difficult. Iyer was the only possible contender. The others had started well but havent shown any consistency.

[sensible-indian]

-In domestic cricket there may be no outstanding spinners but at least 10 spinners who outbowled Bhajji in the last 2 domestic seasons. Before you talk about the nature of the pitches in our domestic scene these days I would like to point out that spinners from all states are facing this problem (except TN who rolled out the traditional Indian pitches this season) - He is a chickenheart. Chickened out of Nagpur 2004, faked an injury in Lord's test 2011 after going for 0-200, underbowled himself for MI (when captain) when opponents were in hitting mode, underbowled in Ranji matches on difficult pitches to protect his readings. With an attitude like his he should be the last name to be discussed when talking about our national team. - He is an Indian version of Ahmed Shehzad. Ever checked his twitter timeline. Always taking potshots at his colleagues, manipulating stats to show he is as good as Warne & Murali,never having the decency to appreciate Ashwin,Ojha,Jadeja when they were bowling well, retweeting/favoriting tweets by fanboys which are downright embarrassing. His indirect digs at Dhoni,Ashwin,Ojha,etc aren't the stuff you expect from an experienced player like him. - He is the worst bowler to take 400 wickets in test history. No amount of sugar coating will hide this indisputable fact. 101 tests, 413 wickets@avg=32.37 is embarrassing . He has played 69 off those 101 tests in Asia and 13 in WI,Zimbabwe. 19 matches in Eng,Aus,RSA,NZ spread over 14 years has kept his average at 32 odd. Else his real worth as a spinner is a bowling average of 37/38 minimum. http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/29264.html?class=1;template=results;type=allround He averages 73.22 in Aus 49.78 in Eng 24.19 in NZ :hatsoff: credit where due 34 in RSA He was atrocious in Aus and Eng but quite good in NZ(albeit the 2009 NZ team was one of the weakest batting line ups they had ever assembled and the pitches were SC like) In RSA he did nothing of worth in the 2001 series,didn't play in 2006 and was brilliant in the 2010-11 series. This is where comparing his overseas exploits with Ashwin,Jadeja isn't fair. Both these youngsters were on their 1st overseas assignments and even Kumble,Bhajji didn't do anything of note in their 1st overseas tours. We need to be patient with them,especially Ashwin who showed significant improvements as we saw in Eng and Aus. especially in Aus he outbowled Lyon in the last 3 tests. So let us cut our youngsters some slack, I am very sure they will step up their games the next time they tour these countries because of added experience. You say Ashwin,Jadeja lack penetration overseas, what about Bhajjin when he was of their age? - Didn't count WI because the pitches there are very kind on spinners and pretty sure Ashwin and co will blow them away in 2016 (if we tour) -Bhajji has a good record at home but was very ordinary against Aus in 2013 on raging turners. He was thoroughly outbowled by the other 2 that series. In fact even in home tests he was going through what looked like terminal decline before the selectors stamped their feet and dropped him. Ever since then he had done nothing in domestic scene to prove that he is an improved bowler. - He is almost 35 years old, no point in sticking with him. Better give the youngsters chances if need be. We need to look at the future and stop being caught in the webs of nostalgia. Bhajji was a great servant for Indian cricket but he is done. In 2018 when we tour RSA he will be 37/38 years old while Ashwin,Jadeja will be in their prime. TBH I see Ashwin as a future Indian great ending with a career like that of Kumble as far as bowling is concerned. He may end up as our 2nd greatest all rounder of all time and don't see anyone touching his spot for the next 7-8 years unless team politics takes centre stage. We just need to find him a young support spinner and all our energies should be focussed on trying to find Robin to Ashwin's Batman. Bhajji isn't the solution.

Great post. Didn't know about Bhajji's twitter thingy. When talking about Ashwin's overseas performance, people have to take into context the fact that Ashwin was dropped when India played in 2 of the biggest spin tracks outside Asia (Durban and Adelaide). The moment Jaddu took a 6fer in Durban, I knew we were screwed. Media went all crazy about how Jaddu is the answer to outside Asia bowling and yada yada. :haha: In alien conditions, every bowler gets that one track where they make up their average and produce an impactful performance for the series but Ashwin got dropped for both the tracks where he could have had an impact. I agree that Joberg was a screw up on Ashwin's side (should have picked up atleast a wicket or two - his own coach criticized him) but that track never helps spinners historically. Reg recent Aus tour - Many a times in the whole of Australia tour, Ashwin would bowl at 2 rpo when the other end we would be leaking runs at 6+ rpo. He would bowl his 8-10 over spells (his final overs would get ineffective due to tiredness and no pressure from the other end). Then he would take a break and by the time he would come again...the batsmen would be totally set and in an hyper aggressive mode and cart him around too. Still did better than Lyon in the 3 tests he played getting virtually no support from the other end. Also picked up a 4fer (out of 6 wickets before Aus made a quick declaration) when he got the Sydney turner in the 2nd innings. Ashwin lost the plot totally during England home tour 2012 (couldn't even get line and length right) but he has come a long way from that. That series (avg of 50+) is why Ashwin averages 24 at home. Or else, its 19. But he has to prove himself against teams that play spin well (SL, SA). Those 2 series should tell us where Ashwin really stands as a spinner. Watching him these days, I think Ashwin is really onto something. In the first few tests in Australia this year, he had accuracy but didn't have the guile but later on even that developed as the WC started. Right now he consistently gets good flight, dip and turn. So let's see.

[Gollum]

Great post. Didn't know about Bhajji's twitter thingy. When talking about Ashwin's overseas performance, people have to take into context the fact that Ashwin was dropped when India played in 2 of the biggest spin tracks outside Asia (Durban and Adelaide). The moment Jaddu took a 6fer in Durban, I knew we were screwed. Media went all crazy about how Jaddu is the answer to outside Asia bowling and yada yada. :haha: In alien conditions, every bowler gets that one track where they make up their average and produce an impactful performance for the series but Ashwin got dropped for both the tracks where he could have had an impact. I agree that Joberg was a screw up on Ashwin's side (should have picked up atleast a wicket or two - his own coach criticized him) but that track never helps spinners historically. Reg recent Aus tour - Many a times in the whole of Australia tour, Ashwin would bowl at 2 rpo when the other end we would be leaking runs at 6+ rpo. He would bowl his 8-10 over spells (his final overs would get ineffective due to tiredness and no pressure from the other end). Then he would take a break and by the time he would come again...the batsmen would be totally set and in an hyper aggressive mode and cart him around too. Still did better than Lyon in the 3 tests he played getting virtually no support from the other end. Also picked up a 4fer (out of 6 wickets before Aus made a quick declaration) when he got the Sydney turner in the 2nd innings. Ashwin lost the plot totally during England home tour 2012 (couldn't even get line and length right) but he has come a long way from that. That series (avg of 50+) is why Ashwin averages 24 at home. Or else, its 19. But he has to prove himself against teams that play spin well (SL, SA). Those 2 series should tell us where Ashwin really stands as a spinner. Watching him these days, I think Ashwin is really onto something. In the first few tests in Australia this year, he had accuracy but didn't have the guile but later on even that developed as the WC started. Right now he consistently gets good flight, dip and turn. So let's see.

Great points as always from you.

[Cricketics]

They have opted for Bhajji because there are 6 lefties in Bangla line up. Sandeep Patil has mentioned that as stated in cricinfo's article. I think it's a good calculation when picking up the squad and not a bad idea to try Bhajji here. http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-v-india-2015/content/story/878707.html

[Gollum]

Just hope Bhajji fails miserably and we get to see this young team play freely for the next 5 years, without the cloud of seniors hanging over their heads.

[moniker]

Just hope Bhajji fails miserably and we get to see this young team play freely for the next 5 years' date=' without the cloud of seniors hanging over their heads.[/quote'] :facepalm: Why would you "hope" for somebody to fail? Why not hope that he does well and also gels with the young team?

[Cricketics]

:facepalm: Why would you "hope" for somebody to fail? Why not hope that he does well and also gels with the young team?

Hard to believe people would want someone to fail, especially when player happens to be from his own country. Also, regarding gelling, bhajji is one of those characters, who will be well liked by all. He will actualy improve the atmosphere if any thing. Most of the players will be excited to see him as part of the team.

[Gollum]

:facepalm: Why would you "hope" for somebody to fail? Why not hope that he does well and also gels with the young team?

For the greater good. This young team should be untouched by seniors from here on in.

[HippoSucks]

Just hope Bhajji fails miserably and we get to see this young team play freely for the next 5 years' date=' without the cloud of seniors hanging over their heads.[/quote'] Why would you want Harbhajan to fail so other players slowly develop into world class spinners and perform internationally? If Harbhajan still has it in him to perform well then why not give him a chance? Why would we discriminate against him just because of his seniority and experience?

[HippoSucks]

For the greater good. This young team should be untouched by seniors from here on in.

Instead of waiting for younger spinners to develop, why not use our current spinners? Do other teams get rid of their performing players every few years randomly just to develop younger players? Young players are just that, young. They have a long career ahead and we can start playing them later. There are other ways to help them grow into world class cricketers then immediately putting them in the international scene at the expense of performing seniors.

[Gollum]

Hard to believe people would want someone to fail, especially when player happens to be from his own country. Also, regarding gelling, bhajji is one of those characters, who will be well liked by all. He will actualy improve the atmosphere if any thing. Most of the players will be excited to see him as part of the team.

Would you not want players like Ishant,Binny,Rayudu,Dhawan etc to fail in the BD ODI series? I would because they aren't the solution to our future. Would rather they are dropped permanently instead of them making merry against minnows and holding spots in the team for the next 100 ODIs. Let them make money in IPL. LOL he is liked by Sachin, Dada, Yuvraj, Zaheer etc. Ask Dravid, VVS, Dhoni, Ashwin, Ojha about him. Have you by any chance checked his twitter timeline?

[Gollum]

Why would you want Harbhajan to fail so other players slowly develop into world class spinners and perform internationally? If Harbhajan still has it in him to perform well then why not give him a chance? Why would we discriminate against him just because of his seniority and experience? Instead of waiting for younger spinners to develop, why not use our current spinners? Do other teams get rid of their performing players every few years randomly just to develop younger players? Young players are just that, young. They have a long career ahead and we can start playing them later. There are other ways to help them grow into world class cricketers then immediately putting them in the international scene at the expense of performing seniors.

Harbhajan has done nothing, absolutely nothing to warrant test selection. He has been abysmal in Ranji, the 3rd best spinner even in Punjab team. Add to the fact that he underbowled himself in the 2013 edition on many occasions when his team was under the pump, the typical cowardly attitude that he has had throughout his test career. There are many younger players who are better than him atm. Why stop at Bhajji, let us bring Viru,Yuvi,Gambo,Zak,etc also into the team, they have done no worse than this guy in domestic circuit.

[HippoSucks]

Harbhajan has done nothing, absolutely nothing to warrant test selection. He has been abysmal in Ranji, the 3rd best spinner even in Punjab team. Add to the fact that he underbowled himself in the 2013 edition on many occasions when his team was under the pump, the typical cowardly attitude that he has had throughout his test career. There are many younger players who are better than him atm. Why stop at Bhajji, let us bring Viru,Yuvi,Gambo,Zak,etc also into the team, they have done no worse than this guy in domestic circuit.

I agree that he has been underperforming. But if he does manage to do well, why would we wish for him not to do well just so we can get younger, underdeveloped players in the squad?

[Gollum]

I agree that he has been underperforming. But if he does manage to do well' date=' why would we wish for him not to do well just so we can get younger, underdeveloped players in the squad?[/quote'] Because his selection in the 1st place itself is wrong. We all know that the recent power change in BCCI(Bindra is Srini's enemy no 1) is the main reason he has been brought back. He has deprived a better performing youngster a chance this time and that makes me angry. I don't want sifarish based selections, I want selection based on merit. Unfortunately in this country selection is never on merit, only on the basis of seniority, recommendation, equation with superiors, caste, gender etc and that is our biggest impediment to achieve great things.

[Cricketics]

. LOL he is liked by Sachin, Dada, Yuvraj, Zaheer etc. Ask Dravid, VVS, Dhoni, Ashwin, Ojha about him. Have you by any chance checked his twitter timeline?

What has twitter got to to with it? Also few replies on twitter does not indigate anything.

[Bigg Brother]

Agreed about Twitter.. We have nothing to do wth his Twitter till his performance speaks. But in the Bhajji's case both the odds are against him. His performance was abysmal in ranji. But selectors had not any option for second spinner..Ojha is finished. We should more worry about Karn Sharma rather than Bhajji..He is not even a test material..Mishra should have been given a chance.

[BeautifulGame]

-In domestic cricket there may be no outstanding spinners but at least 10 spinners who outbowled Bhajji in the last 2 domestic seasons. Before you talk about the nature of the pitches in our domestic scene these days I would like to point out that spinners from all states are facing this problem (except TN who rolled out the traditional Indian pitches this season) - He is a chickenheart. Chickened out of Nagpur 2004, faked an injury in Lord's test 2011 after going for 0-200, underbowled himself for MI (when captain) when opponents were in hitting mode, underbowled in Ranji matches on difficult pitches to protect his readings. With an attitude like his he should be the last name to be discussed when talking about our national team. - He is an Indian version of Ahmed Shehzad. Ever checked his twitter timeline. Always taking potshots at his colleagues, manipulating stats to show he is as good as Warne & Murali,never having the decency to appreciate Ashwin,Ojha,Jadeja when they were bowling well, retweeting/favoriting tweets by fanboys which are downright embarrassing. His indirect digs at Dhoni,Ashwin,Ojha,etc aren't the stuff you expect from an experienced player like him. - He is the worst bowler to take 400 wickets in test history. No amount of sugar coating will hide this indisputable fact. 101 tests, 413 wickets@avg=32.37 is embarrassing . He has played 69 off those 101 tests in Asia and 13 in WI,Zimbabwe. 19 matches in Eng,Aus,RSA,NZ spread over 14 years has kept his average at 32 odd. Else his real worth as a spinner is a bowling average of 37/38 minimum. http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/29264.html?class=1;template=results;type=allround He averages 73.22 in Aus 49.78 in Eng 24.19 in NZ :hatsoff: credit where due 34 in RSA He was atrocious in Aus and Eng but quite good in NZ(albeit the 2009 NZ team was one of the weakest batting line ups they had ever assembled and the pitches were SC like) In RSA he did nothing of worth in the 2001 series,didn't play in 2006 and was brilliant in the 2010-11 series. This is where comparing his overseas exploits with Ashwin,Jadeja isn't fair. Both these youngsters were on their 1st overseas assignments and even Kumble,Bhajji didn't do anything of note in their 1st overseas tours. We need to be patient with them,especially Ashwin who showed significant improvements as we saw in Eng and Aus. especially in Aus he outbowled Lyon in the last 3 tests. So let us cut our youngsters some slack, I am very sure they will step up their games the next time they tour these countries because of added experience. You say Ashwin,Jadeja lack penetration overseas, what about Bhajjin when he was of their age? - Didn't count WI because the pitches there are very kind on spinners and pretty sure Ashwin and co will blow them away in 2016 (if we tour) -Bhajji has a good record at home but was very ordinary against Aus in 2013 on raging turners. He was thoroughly outbowled by the other 2 that series. In fact even in home tests he was going through what looked like terminal decline before the selectors stamped their feet and dropped him. Ever since then he had done nothing in domestic scene to prove that he is an improved bowler. - He is almost 35 years old, no point in sticking with him. Better give the youngsters chances if need be. We need to look at the future and stop being caught in the webs of nostalgia. Bhajji was a great servant for Indian cricket but he is done. In 2018 when we tour RSA he will be 37/38 years old while Ashwin,Jadeja will be in their prime. TBH I see Ashwin as a future Indian great ending with a career like that of Kumble as far as bowling is concerned. He may end up as our 2nd greatest all rounder of all time and don't see anyone touching his spot for the next 7-8 years unless team politics takes centre stage. We just need to find him a young support spinner and all our energies should be focussed on trying to find Robin to Ashwin's Batman. Bhajji isn't the solution.

Excellent post but I am sure people will ignore this completely . So far the only justifications have been he has done well in IPL.Seriously :facepalm: Yuvi has out bowled Bhajji is Ranji this season . Bhajji will pick up some wkts against Bangladesh and will be selected for Sri Lanka series were he will be slaughtered by Sanga and co and we will lose another series .And these people clamouring for Bhajji will slam Kohli for it

[BeautifulGame]

Not a great decision but not the worst. -No good domestic spinners -Ashwin, Jadeja lack any penetration overseas, Bhaji at least did well in recent SA, NZ and WI tours he went on. -Most of next few years will be at home, Bhaji has a solid record at home and better away than other 2 -Still has few years left, max til 2018, next big away tour in SA where he has good record. Where Ashwin struggled to get 1 wicket. -BD have 6 left handers and he will turn ball away I wouldn't have picked Bhaji personally, but out of all the oldies this selection still made the most sense compared with Zak, GG, Viru. In his prime he was a great player. First 60ish tests. But like athlete's in any sport once the prime goes it goes, I think it probably has for Harbhajan. If he fails in next few games that should be that.

Really? If the criteria is an off spinner because Bangladesh have left handers then why not select Rangarajan who has consistently done well across season in Ranji trophy ? What has Bhajji done in last two seasons to get select ahead of him or any other decent spinner in Ranji for that matter ? Bhajji was bowling absolute filth in test cricket when he was dropped in square turners .What has he done to get selected again ?Plz don't tell IPL lol

[Deleted_User_1]

Really? If the criteria is an off spinner because Bangladesh have left handers then why not select Rangarajan who has consistently done well across season in Ranji trophy ? What has Bhajji done in last two seasons to get select ahead of him or any other decent spinner in Ranji for that matter ? Bhajji was bowling absolute filth in test cricket when he was dropped in square turners .What has he done to get selected again ?Plz don't tell IPL lol

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