India tour of Australia Nov'20-Jan'21

[Bevab]

Pretty much. The guy has a thousand runs in 10 tests and he did very well on the last tour. I think the main thing is that cricket is not so simple. Rohit, even if he is Rohit cannot just romp up and start making hundreds. He has not played in A WHILE. I don't think a change is warranted but if these guys are hell bent then it should be KL because he's been in the thick of it. He has been in Australia a lot longer. But there is no way any change is needed bar Umesh. Let a group of people just play. There is nothing I wanted more than KL to play and make a mark but if everyone starts chopping and changing for their own reasons then where is the consistency? But hey, what the hell do I know?

I am DEAD certain Jinks won't make any changes if it is left to him. But, I doubt there is in the Rohit context.

I actually expect Vihari to be the scapegoat for Rohit and Gill moving down if it comes to that. All of this inconsistency is very reminiscient of those tours 2-3 years ago where we went nearly 30+ games without an unchanged XI.

 

[asprin]

Couldn't have been any more happier after being proven wrong. Kudos to India for the way they played this match.

Siraj and Jadeja thoroughly justified their inclusions. This should help shift the momentum in our favour slightly.

A bit concerning is the multiple fate of injuries and with Umesh also suffering one midway through the Test, it's imperative that we do not have any more such occurrences. If Umesh misses the 3rd Test, then Saini would be an apt like-for-like replacement.

Siraj had a fantastic debut, so let's hope he doesn't falter after impressing one and all.

I would still stick with Agarwal and have a certainty for all the 4 Tests. Gill had a great debut too but I'm sure he would have liked to have more runs under his belt. Promising start for him as well.

Ashwin has been a revelation in this series. Has added the extra tooth to the bowling. Bumrah, as usual, has been dependable.

The real worry though is the lack of runs from the last 4 batsmen. Once the 6th wicket is down, opponents know that they can bundle out the team within the next 15-20 runs. This is worrisome as having those 60-70 runs from the tailenders can often turn out to be match winning. This is one area the team needs to focus asap.

Coming to Australia, I think this is the first instance of Sir Smith having back to back failures in the same Test against India. Goes to show the level of dominance he had over our bowlers. Warner is doubtful for the 3rd Test as well so massive pressure on the openers.

FWlW, Wade has done a respectable job in an unfamiliar position. He has had starts so it would be very tricky to decide who makes way for Warner should he become available for selection.

Their bowlers are doing the job but the batsmen are not supporting them back - exactly what India has been experiencing in overseas Tests.

Cameron Green seems like a stable batting allrounder, may very well prove to be an answer to an inconsistent M.Marsh. Looked comfortable while batting.

All in all, this makes for a cracking 3rd Test in 2021. Whoever wins that will probably take the series.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Cameron Green looks really really good.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Shastri now calling Jaddu an all rounder and that he can bat 5. He also said that any bowler can break down any moment so he's handy!

 

[CerealKiller]

Shastri now calling Jaddu an all rounder and that he can bat 5. He also said that any bowler can break down any moment so he's handy!

I know you hate raw statistics, but his averages are Imran-esque
Yes, i know, he’s far from being Imran, but you can’t deny he’s a proper all-rounder.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

I think this is the first instance of Sir Smith having back to back failures in the same Test against India. Goes to show the level of dominance he had over our bowlers.

I just get a feeling that Smith will continue to fail even in the next match. The shot he played in the 2nd innings shows that he is absolutely uncertain about what he is doing and this is where psychological factor of a player plays a big part. Although he is too good a player to not perform consistently so I would be keen on watching him perform. Infact it would be fun to see how India gains momentum after Steve Smith starts scoring big. But I doubt whether he would score the next inning itself. He needs some drop catch or a review or something of that sort just to gain confidence and India need to be wary of this and not give him any chance.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Got up at 5AM today to watch the match

I doubt whether you would get up for work at that time

Anyways, you deserve this break since WFH is actually very tiring. Although I don't have the experience but few of my friends are working.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I know you hate raw statistics, but his averages are Imran-esque
Yes, i know, he’s far from being Imran, but you can’t deny he’s a proper all-rounder.

I have actually been calling Jadeja a proper all rounder for ages. It's not just him, I would like to see him bat 6 in India and Ashwin at 7. Another spinner in Kuldeep and 3 quicks.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

In an ideal world, Mayank should keep his place and so does Vihari. This constant changes and chopping is the reason we are in this place right now where players are not confident. If I was the captain or part of the management, I would go to Mayank and say, hey buddy.. I know your performance was not upto the mark but you will still keep your place, we still believe in you. Go out and bat hard in the nets and be ready for SCG.

But since its not an ideal world and we have a drunkard running the show, Rohit will most likely come in for Vihari and they will move Gill down the order. Gill should not be playing below 4. In other words, if Vihari is made the scapegoat, Gill will play where Kohli plays and Sharma to open. Again this does not mean Sharma will do good. We will have two openers again who will be playing with butterflies in their stomach. Gill showed some class and composure, he should not be batting down, he should be opening.

Lets hope for the best and lets hope we win SCG since Brisbane track will be a tough one is what I have heard.

 

[Aalay]

If Mayank is dropped after everything he has done in domestic cricket and on the last tour, it will be proof that there truly is no logic or reason in this current management setup.

It's unfortunate for Mayank, considering how he took on this Australian attack when we last toured on this very ground. I still remember how well he played against Nathan Lyon in that match. However, you can't just keep throwing him out there if he is playing the way he is currently. He is really low on confidence and just doesn't look the same player. He just looked clueless against Starc yesterday and looked like he could get out any ball.

I agree that Rohit hasn't played any cricket for a while, and it will be difficult for him to come in and start getting runs straight away. However, Mayank and him were our first choice openers last time we played test matches when no one was injured. Now that Mayank is struggling to make runs and Gill has played well in this test, plus Rohit only travelling to Australia for the last 2 test matches, I will be very surprised not to see Rohit opening in the next test with Gill. Unless, of course, if the management thinks he isn't match fit.

On KL Rahul, I actually wouldn't mind seeing him open since he has been in Australia since we started the tour and looked in good touch. Still, I don't think this management is keen to rush him back to the longer format, especially after the previous chances. That is also why they are persisting with Vihari because even though he hasn't looked that comfortable so far, he still had a decent tour of WI and got runs in the practice match.

 

[SaiSrini]

If it all was left to Rahane (which it should be, after everyone gives in their inputs), I predict that Rahane would make just one change and that will be a forced one of 'Saini for Umesh'. I honestly dont think a winning combination needs to be disturbed. If Rohit can score at SCG, what's to say that Mayank CANT? And the thing for Mayank is, he has gotten himself into the rhythm and flow of test cricket. Rohit is coming off a quarantine and before that from the IPL. If at all you need a change, Rahul should get in first before Rohit Sharma.

Rohit is absolutely not needed for SCG. I wanted Vihari to be dropped for MCG but now that we've won, he should rightfully get another test and an extended run. Not sure how the SCG pitch will be, but I think we can still play two spinners and 3 seamers on a turning SCG pitch. I dont think its going to turn that much to warrant a 3rd spinner.

Hope Rahane is let to make his own choices and hope he makes the right choice!

 

[LiveLoveABD]

If it all was left to Rahane (which it should be, after everyone gives in their inputs), I predict that Rahane would make just one change and that will be a forced one of 'Saini for Umesh'. I honestly dont think a winning combination needs to be disturbed. If Rohit can score at SCG, what's to say that Mayank CANT? And the thing for Mayank is, he has gotten himself into the rhythm and flow of test cricket. Rohit is coming off a quarantine and before that from the IPL. If at all you need a change, Rahul should get in first before Rohit Sharma.

Rohit is absolutely not needed for SCG. I wanted Vihari to be dropped for MCG but now that we've won, he should rightfully get another test and an extended run. Not sure how the SCG pitch will be, but I think we can still play two spinners and 3 seamers on a turning SCG pitch. I dont think its going to turn that much to warrant a 3rd spinner.

Hope Rahane is let to make his own choices and hope he makes the right choice!

There is a lot of water that is not under the bridge with Rohit. You will not believe the storm that will come about if India lose in Sydney and Rohit isn't part of the side. The entire saga preceding to his departure to Australia will all come storming back.

I think the biggest tragedy of this tour will be the fact that we did not have one leader for the whole tour. The Sharma who should have been coming out of quarantine is Ishant. Rohit might come and smoke a century but there is no logic behind his selection and there is no logic in him being in Australia 14 days before the third test if he won't play. Knowing Rohit, he will be fuming at having left his family behind during a pandemic, spent 14 days in a two bedroom apartment and then not play.

My opinion on the XI that should play is known but Rohit Sharma will play.

Coming to Vihari, I would never have played him or Shaw in the first test. But now, I would just persist with him like I had said I would even for the second test. What we need and this team needs is continuity. I think this team needs to come out of this mindset of having two permanent fixtures before any SENA test. (Kohli & Bumrah)
Literally, everyone else has been dropped and picked and dropped and picked again. The very fact that Rahane and Pujara had a dressing down shows what sort of team this is. If Vihari fails in these four tests, at least we have enough data to know that his game needs to be worked upon before he can be in the scheme of things again. If that means Rahul benches it out, so be it.

I genuinely feel that this test win might not result in a series win but it could be the stepping stone for this generation to have one final push to win in England, SA and NZ when we go to those shores again. I think our middle order, WK and 5 bowlers are sorted. We have enough stock with the fast bowling reserves when they are all fit. We just need to be patient with our openers now whoever that might be of Mayank, Gill, Rohit or Rahul long term.

 

[Ashutosh.]

Ashwin at 7

Ashwin is no longer an all-rounder. He used to bat at 6th in 2016-17 but his performance is very bad with the bat in the last two years.



Jadeja and Pujara

 

[Yash.]

Jadeja and Pujara

The fact that Jadeja comes down the order certainly helps him a lot since he stays not out a lot.

 

[asprin]

He needs some drop catch or a review or something of that sort just to gain confidence and India need to be wary of this and not give him any chance.

He is due, no doubt about that. And he tends to step up when it's needed the most so I'm kinda fearing the inevitable in the 3rd Test.