Brilliant: Same XI for 2nd TEST

[fineleg]

http://inhome.rediff.com/cricket/2007/dec/30rajput.htm Hitting the nail on the head, assistant coach of the Indian team Lalchand Rajput said the failure of the famed batting line-up in the first Test against Australia was the result of a defensive mindset rather than any technical flaw. India suffered a huge 337-run defeat to Australia on Saturday after the visitors were all out for less than 200 runs in both the innings of the match and Rajput said the players lacked in self-belief. "They do not have any technical problem. It's the one in the mind. They need to apply and believe in themselves. Self-belief is very important and it can help you survive in any field," Rajput said. Rajput denied that Rahul Dravid's failure in this game would prompt any knee-jerk reaction. He said the former captain could still be asked to open the innings in the second Test. "Dravid opening the innings was a team management's decision. When we come overseas we see what is best for the team. "Dravid too does not have any technical problem. It's more in the mind and I am sure he will comeback strongly. I do not think there is any need for drastic changes. We will show some aggression on the ground and more intensity." Rajput said the management believed in the ability of the batsmen as well as the tremendous record they have in all conditions. "This is a side which has done very well in West Indies [Images], England [Images] and India. I am sure our players will come back. "When we start a Test, I think we have to be in a frame of mind where we are positive. The start was very crucial which we never got. It put a lot of pressure on the rest," he said. Rajput asserted that the team would bounce back in the second Test in Sydney, starting on January 2. "There are two strategies in cricket -- one to be defensive and the other to be offensive. In the first Test we were a bit defensive. We do have a strategy and we will come back," Rajput said.

[fineleg]

Rajput denied that Rahul Dravid's failure in this game would prompt any knee-jerk reaction. He said the former captain could still be asked to open the innings in the second Test.

------------------ WHY is RD still being considered for opening!?

[living]

they're just putting masala on the bakra ...

[jf1gp_1]

its been over 15yrs since we have had an opening pair which have lasted more than a year. Yet as soon as we find an opening pair which was doing well for us what do we do, not only do we break it but it seems one half of that opening pair will not even get a game. Its for a reason they say stick with the winning combination. kartick and jaffer should open and please dont fall for that bhaji trap again. Please talk about kaif i say kaif should learn from bhaji

[jf1gp_1]

------------------ WHY is RD still being considered for opening!?

because we enjoy losing to Aus.

[Guest HariSampath]

Lalchand Rajput is talking some cr@p...there shouldn't be knee jerk reactions, but a 300+ run defeat cetainly means making some value based changes..laloo is actually trying to state platitudes and cliches..like "need positive approach"..."just mindset" etc. Just vague generalities are not enough. We need specific solutions to specific batting/bowling issues. If there was nothing wrong with Rahul Dravid's technique, why didn't he use it to score faster. The facts are technique is a means to stay not out AND to score runs. If wicket was slow then alternative means to get runs should be devised, like playing with soft hands to large gaps, getting more singles and twos etc. Dravid with all his experience couldn't do it. The way he was edging to slips and also playing back to a full length ball from Symmonds was a matter of technique. Also not picking line and being lbw to Clark ( RD has been out a few times recently this way)..was also a matter of technique. And to say RD will open again is plain nonsense...RD should NOT open ..period. Similarily batters' ability to pick Hogg. Except for a couple of sixes and boundaries by Sachin/SG, no one , including Ganguly could pick Hogg successfully. This again is a serious issue having everything to do with technique. Time lal rajput is sent home...and fast.

[Parth]

Yuvraj out, Sehwag opens with Jaffer and Dravid at 3 sorted.

[Rajan]

Similarily batters' ability to pick Hogg. Except for a couple of sixes and boundaries by Sachin/SG, no one , including Ganguly could pick Hogg successfully. This again is a serious issue having everything to do with technique. Time lal rajput is sent home...and fast.

Did SRT pick Hogg?

[Guest HariSampath]

^...SRT picked Hogg in a limited way at least...much better than other batters, maybe not enough, but by comparision better

[kumble_rocks]

^...SRT picked Hogg in a limited way at least...much better than other batters' date=' maybe not enough, but by comparision better[/quote'] What rubbish ! Laxman was playing Hogg very well. He did pick the flipper very well. It was the usual suspect Yuvraj and surprisingly Ganguly who could not read the flipper .

[Rajan]

SRT and Ganguly picked Hogg well in the later part of the one day series in india. That probably helped them. Yuvi too did well with a hundred in hyderabad.so, given another chance he may play him well. the lower order batsmen would find it difficult in Sydney.

[Guest HariSampath]

What rubbish ! Laxman was playing Hogg very well. He did pick the flipper very well. It was the usual suspect Yuvraj and surprisingly Ganguly who could not read the flipper .

well...the honest truth is, as anyone who saw it on tv will admit unbiasedly....the only one to read Hogg consistntly correctly was.....surprise surprise....Anil Kumble...

[Rajiv]

Brilliant: Same XI for 2nd TEST ..not sure if its posted already, juts saw on TV Same Team and YES, Rahul Dravid will open again, I hope he opens a lot this time

[Yuvraj4Captaincy]

Hmm it was obvious...Yuvraj singh will be given another chance for sure

[Yuvraj4Captaincy]

Yuvraj out' date=' Sehwag opens with Jaffer and Dravid at 3 sorted.[/quote'] lol.....sehwag:haha:

[Guest Hiten.]

..not sure if its posted already, juts saw on TV Same Team and YES, Rahul Dravid will open again, I hope he opens a lot this time

classic ! :hysterical:

[guju24]

yes another easy win for AUSIES....excellent :haha::cantstop::hysterical:

[Desi Cartman]

:omg: are they nuts !

[fineleg]

Aus surely will finish us in 3.5 days again if same 11 cmon kumble, dont do this!

[Cricketics]

if they wanna play same team then atleast they have to change the batting order.. two slow openers shouldn't be there on top.. may be bring Yuvi up and make him open instead of dravid..