India tour of England Aug-Sept 2021

[NILAYSHAH60]

The SKY team picked, they said it was very close between the two. Feeling was Rohit's century came when the conditions was hardest for batting.

Day 1 was the hardest to bat where Kohli and Shardul were just brilliant. Rohit played a great innings and probably his best in his Test career in Overseas but to say he was batting in hardest conditions is a bit of an over appreciation. But I couldn't pick any one of Rohit, Shardul or Bumrah. For me those 3 won us this Test so it doesn't matter who receives what!

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Day 1 was the hardest to bat where Kohli and Shardul were just brilliant. Rohit played a great innings and probably his best in his Test career in Overseas but to say he was batting in hardest conditions is a bit of an over appreciation. But I couldn't pick any one of Rohit, Shardul or Bumrah. For me those 3 won us this Test so it doesn't matter who receives what!

I think if Shardul had taken a couple more wickets he'd have got it, not that they weren't crucial wickets.

One feature of the series has been India finding someone to step up when they really need them. Whether it's been with bat or ball, everyone has contributed. Even Rahane; his only good innings was pivotal to the win at Lord's.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

One feature of the series has been India finding someone to step up when they really need them. Whether it's been with bat or ball, everyone has contributed. Even Rahane; his only good innings was pivotal to the win at Lord's.

This is something we were lacking 3 years down the line.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Yeah I don't need to be told how to watch sport. Cheers though... what a clown

Easy tiger, easy!

 

[icyman]

So, India won!

The murmurs have died down and everyone seems to be applauding the great effort put in by the team. While a win is a win, the media hyping and touting as if this team is the best, doesn't sit well with me. For a long time, India has given such performances and the media has happily covered the flaws.

This win doesn't mean that the team is the best. This win doesn't mean that our batting doesn't have any concerns. I would really want someone to dissect the tea's performance here. A similar outing in Australia- we got bowled out for 36, but then came back to win the series. Ditto in England (not yet won though). I still think there are problem areas and a shrewd opposition would definitely expose these flaws.

1. Batting: At the start, there was talk of slow scoring and the intent not being there. This hasn't changed and we have seen Rohit, KLR bat in a similar fashion. We need to really figure out what our strategy needs to be. If its to continue this ay, then lets not pressurize Pujara/ Rahane for scoring at a slow pace. Furthermore, the entire lineup isn't performing.Bailouts from Shardul. lower order cannot become the order of the day. If that is the case, are we looking at giving chances to others?

I personally feel Shaw must open and try to give a flying start(like Sehwag). KLR can drop one place down- though the question remains? In whose place

2. Middle Order: Rahane is out of form for sure. Does he get a longer rope? I think yes. That seems to be the way this side functions. However, its not doing his confidence any good, when you promote a supposed all-rounder ahead of him

3. Jadeja: What is his role? He isn't a main stream batsman. He is a mere spinner. Does he play all of your games? When do you use Ashwin and when do you use Jadeja?

4. Bowing: Bumrah bowled well, but the no-balls are a massive problem. We rested some bowlers- what is our best/preferred bowling lineup?

5. Keeper: If Pant is the preferred one, back him. If he has to play like Gilchrist, let him loose. Then don't make statements about playing rash shots etc. Now, who is your backup to Pant? Is it Saha? I dont think so. In such a case, wise to let Saha know he doesn't fit into the team's plans. If KLR is the backup, are you training him adequately enough to take on the duties in case of an injury to Pant?

The answers to the above pointers will help solve many of India's woes. Hope they do it.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

I don't necessarily think we need to tinker much with the batting line-up because this has been more about the approach and the mindset. I haven't seen India have such a stable opening pair in Overseas since the time I am watching India play Overseas (2011-12).

The thing comes down to our middle order that has failed to achieve consistency. I feel Pujara and Kohli have started to find their touch which is a good sign for India. But I am a little more worried about Rahane. He did help us to a great extent at Lord's but his problem isn't just the lack of runs but the lack of confidence. It's been about 5 years(2016) now since he has been himself. What is the team management doing? Aren't they looking after him? The team must decide on Rahane's future whether they really want him to get out of his lean patch by making some technical adjustments or move on with him.

On Jadeja, I think he has proven that he is an ideal no.7 and he can't bat above that, so it makes sense to have him over there. On dry pitches, both spinners must play!!!! On sporting pitches it should be Ashwin over Jadeja and let Thakur do Jadeja's job of making those lower order contributions. On turning wickets of the subcontinent I would play all of Jadeja, Ashiwn & Axar. Washington would play Ashwin's back up.

And it's high time we find a backup for Pant and move away with Saha. I feel KLR shouldn't be a keeper in the longer formats so Srikar Bharat needs to get some matches and see what he has to offer. He is in the squad for quite a while and is yet to play for India.

 

[Ashutosh.]

“I do not think Ajinkya Rahane’s form is an area of concern. Our basic focus is not to think about where are people individually at the moment, collectively how much strength they bring into the team is our focus,” Kohli said in a pre-match virtual press conference on the eve of the Lord’s encounter.

What is the team management doing?

They are not worried about Rahane's form right now because they are already winning. Actually, they are waiting for an embarrassing defeat like 36 and once it will happen, they will drop Rahane.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

They are not worried about Rahane's form right now because they are already winning. Actually, they are waiting for an embarrassing defeat like 36 and once it will happen, they will drop Rahane.

That would be unfair tbh! We don't actually seem to have better player than him to bat at 5 and it would be India's loss if they fail to get the best out of him.

 

[icyman]

They are not worried about Rahane's form right now because they are already winning. Actually, they are waiting for an embarrassing defeat like 36 and once it will happen, they will drop Rahane.

Exactly my point! Just cause we have been winning doesn't mean that all 3 cogs are doing well. The batting, essentially is in doldrums and little has been done to arrest the slide that started in Australia. While they have been going gaga over Rohit, I fail to see how he has suddenly become India's best batsman despite not so great scores.

That would be unfair tbh! We don't actually seem to have better player than him to bat at 5 and it would be India's loss if they fail to get the best out of him.

If Rahane is dropped, I sincerely hope they focus on Gill/ Iyer to take over that position, in the longer run. Whosoever is selected, needs to be given a longer rope. Forget not that this side will soon face the troubles of transition. Rohit, Virat, Rahane, Pujara are perhaps only going to be around for a year or so. Better to start grooming players earlier.

 

[abhi_jacko]

While they have been going gaga over Rohit, I fail to see how he has suddenly become India's best batsman despite not so great scores.

So who is India's best Test batsman right now ? It has to be Rohit - he has been consistent, has gotten us off to good starts and has played match winning/turning knocks in his second coming as an opener. He is an opener, so low scores are part and parcel. Dont see anything questionable about the claim that Rohit is the current best batsman in Tests.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Rohit, Virat, Rahane, Pujara are perhaps only going to be around for a year or so. Better to start grooming players earlier.

I think they are going to continue till the end of 2021-2023 WTC cycle. But a lot depends on our South Africa tour.

 

[CerealKiller]

Osman Samiuddin should write about every cricket match ever.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...-happens-and-england-s-challenge-ends-1276592

 

[SaiSrini]

Rahane should play the series out rightfully before a decision is made on him. That's the least bit of respect you give to your vice captain, who is battling a consistency issue. And more so when you are winning despite his inconsistency. You can't discard Pujara and Rahane just like that, in the middle of a series. They form the modern day trio with Kohli and are test lynchpins.

Still think Ashwin is a better bet than Jadeja as a bowler and now with Shardul's batting exploits, it is indeed time to get back Ashwin for Jadeja. Ashwin would have got those same wickets that Jadeja did and maybe even more (Ashwin's carrom ball / leg spin could've used the same rough that Jadeja was expected to exploit against left handers; Ashwin is more confident of bowling non-specialist deliveries). And remember, Ashwin is no slouch with the bat and has 5 test hundreds and can be a real prick on the opposition with the bat in overseas tests. He has also gotten inconsistent with the bat in recent years, but he has the talent. Thakur should always be the 4th seamer and Bumrah should always play unless he cant play. The remaining two seamer slots should be rotated between Shami/Ishant/Siraj/Umesh.

 

[wasteyouryouth]

Good interview. Karthik has done some good ones with the key men of the Indian team this summer. A bit more in-depth than what you usually get.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

And remember, Ashwin is no slouch with the bat and has 5 test hundreds

Also someone who used to play as a no.6 back in 2016 and for no reason slotted back at 8 inspite of consistent performances.