England's tour of India (Nov '16/Feb '17)

[Velocity]

Do you reckon Gambhir's international career is now over?

Most likely. KL Rahul is the new star opener for India. I reckon GG's career is over which is quite sad, considering the effort needed to get into the team.

 

[Epic]

Parthiv is however, just a stop-gap solution. Its clear by his selection and having Pant on standby ignoring Samson that selectors are looking for left hand variety unless we have a solid right handed wkb which is obviously not the case. This should set alarm bells ringing a bit for Saha who is otherwise a very good batsman and a decent keeper having not done much at the test level. Also, I don't agree that Saha should be sent ahead of Ashwin at this point because he has been a walking wicket of late. Its really the runs that matters at the end of the day for the team. The one who is scoring should obviously bat ahead. If we really need to boost up Saha, a good way would be to promote him when India is in a commanding position in the second innings (batting) and quick runs are required. That will give him the confidence that the team believes in him. Coming back to Pant, the selectors obviously doesn't think he is ready as a WK at the moment which is right thinking. He's just 19 and its not that we don't have other options (Ojha, Patel, Saha) so its better for both Indian cricket and Pant to let him get some FC experience and improve his WK skills. That would make him a long term option for India.

Why does it matter if your stop-gap is a left handed batsman? There's only so many Test matches to go around and any chance we get to blood a few youngsters we should take, this is just pointless to me, whether he does well or not there's no way he usurps Saha.

 

[Fenil]

Why does it matter if your stop-gap is a left handed batsman? There's only so many Test matches to go around and any chance we get to blood a few youngsters we should take, this is just pointless to me, whether he does well or not there's no way he usurps Saha.

Yeah it shouldn't matter if its a RHB or LHB its just that with Ojha injured, DK not good enough anymore and Pant undercooked as a wk (at least it seems the way selectors are treating him at the moment), I guess Parthiv is the best bet for the job. Him being a LHB is just an added bonus for a predominantly RHB batting lineup. Also, I believe KL has given up gloves for good in FC cricket otherwise he could have been a good option. I know its tough to keep and then open in Test/FC cricket but still, just for interim period.

PS: Whatever happened to Sanju Samson.

 

[Epic]

Yeah it's a shame Rahul's given up keeping wicket, but atm we need him more as an opener and it's just near impossible to keep wickets and open. The highest I've seen a keeper bat and do a well enough job was Sanga at 4 and AB at 5 for the little while he did it, it's very taxing on the body. If Rahul is dropped as an opener it'd be worth a shot to drop him down the order and have him keep wicket.

On Sanju, I think he just hasn't put up the numbers in FC cricket, his numbers look quite mediocre, might be a bust like Chand.

 

[asprin]

On Sanju, I think he just hasn't put up the numbers in FC cricket, his numbers look quite mediocre, might be a bust like Chand.

I remember when he first burst onto the scene, there were chants of "the next Tendulkar". I guess that either put him under too much pressure or bloated his ego.

 

[AliB]

Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes return for third Test | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

Moeen Ali is to be promoted to No. 4 in the batting order and Jonny Bairstow to No. 5. Buttler will bat at No. 7. That means Moeen will have batted at every position in the top nine for England in Test cricket except at No. 3, which is where he bats for Worcestershire.

Don't know why but that is hilarious!

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

KL Rahul injured, Karun Nair makes debut. Parthiv might open it seems. It will really be interesting. So basically this is really tweaked up. Gambhir was back up opener, they select Parthiv. Now KL Rahul is out and we dont have Gambhir. We have two people in the lineup new now. Plus we lost the toss.

 

[zwarrior]

Rahul is injured ! Nair debut. One Karnataka player comes in for another ! Nair doesn't open the innings in Ranji. So, question is will nair open or will they force Pujara to open ? I guess Pujara is playing well in one down. So, Nair will likely open with Vijay. Gambhir should have stayed as back up opener..

EDIT-
Forgot about Parthiv patel. He will open surely. With Nair in the middle, middle order looks pretty solid to me.

 

[Epic]

I'm reading Parthiv will be opening... what's odd is both Dhawan and Gambhir were available but weren't brought in. Nair must really have the backing of Kohli and Kumble to make his debut in a situation like this.

 

[zwarrior]

espncricinfo tweets-

A good month in Test cricket for alumni of Shree Vidyanagar School Ahmedabad: Jeet Raval debuts Parthiv Patel recalled

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

It will really be interesting what happens here now that we are batting 2nd and 4th. We need to get England out for less then 300 and then put a lead. If we win that would be awesome. I think the only danger I see is in Hameed, Cook, & Root. Rest I think wont harm us much. From bowling perspective Batty's experience will really help England. I am really hoping he does not become Panesar of 2012 series

 

[Epic]

We've dropped Cook again, our slip catching is atrocious to the say the least.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

This is the perfect start England have. As I have said I am mighty impressed by Hameed, what character he has shown. Its not at all easy coming in and playing so well outside its own country

 

[zwarrior]

I miss Dravid, VVS, Sachin and their amazing reflexes in slip.[DOUBLEPOST=1480136000][/DOUBLEPOST]Now Ash drops a sitter. Cook has two life. He is gonna make us pay.

 

[Epic]

I would hate to be Shami right now.