India tour of South Africa - 2013/14

[ferg512]

Wow did he really say hes not even thinking about retirement? Lets be honest the only reason hes still in the team is because of his name. The only problem I have with this WI series is he'll probably make a couple of fifties and get picked for South Africa even though he has been pretty bad as of late. I'm not trying to offend and Indian fans with this but come on, the guy hasn't made a test century for two and a half years, and its unfair that hes taking the spot of one of the many talented young batsman India have.

 

[zeustrojanstark]

Wow did he really say hes not even thinking about retirement? Lets be honest the only reason hes still in the team is because of his name. The only problem I have with this WI series is he'll probably make a couple of fifties and get picked for South Africa even though he has been pretty bad as of late. I'm not trying to offend and Indian fans with this but come on, the guy hasn't made a test century for two and a half years, and its unfair that hes taking the spot of one of the many talented young batsman India have.

Being an Indian or not everyone loves Sachin almost. I wanted to make the same point as you made but since i am an Indian people will bash me up if i post it. Thank god you voiced it out. You are absolutely correct indeed.

 

[nandu saju]

Ferg512 is fair enough,He hasn't made a test ton for a long time but I think he should be there for his experience and for his techniques.

 

[zeustrojanstark]

Ferg512 is fair enough,He hasn't made a test ton for a long time but I think he should be there for his experience and for his techniques.

Right, but for how long?

 

[Aalay]

3 tests and 7 ODIs definitely looks too much but no more when you see they are to played over the period of 3 months. Not sure whether the one off T20I between India and South Africa back in 2012 was a tribute to Kallis as his homeground is Newlands, Capetown and not New Wanderers, Johannesburg but my point here is why would not want Sachin to play against South Africa and then schedule a home series for him after NZ series in the month of March (no IPL too in that month I guess) rather than forcing him to retire by messing up with the schedule? Mind you it is not confirmed he will retire. Sachin fan or not, you would not like such a great sportsmen to retire against a weaker team. Instead, you or definitely myself would love to see him taking on the likes of Mornes and Steyns on their grounds like a gritty cricketer should be and then retire in the home series (scheduled at last minute of course) on a high. If he retires after WI series, there would be this feeling that he was made to escape (might be not the apt word) from his biggest test of fitness and technique at his age. Some people might even argue that he extended his career for reaching the milestone of playing 200 test matches. A series after South Africa series would have been fitting platform for Sachin to bid adieu and that would not have disturbed the schedule much.

Meanwhile, WI confirms the tour. Fixtures are still to be announced. At least on cricinfo.

It was arranged a tribute match for Kalis. It also created a bit of controversy because as you have mentioned, it was arranged at Johannesburg and not at his home ground cape town.

Tribute to Jacques Kallis at T20 match - Daily News | News | IOL.co.za

And back on Sachin's issue, I want him to go to South Africa. Even if we play WI which we are now, it will be selfish of him to retire just after WI series. Because if he does retire at the end of the WI series, we will be sending a largely inexperienced squad to South Africa and that can be extremely dangerous. You also have to realize however that now India don't have a home test series till October 2014. They can't schedule a home series in March because according to FTP, T20 WC is starting in mid March. And as you know in other months, India already have very packed schedule so there is absolutely now ay they can arrange a series any other time.

 

[Samuels]

Ferg512 is fair enough,He hasn't made a test ton for a long time but I think he should be there for his experience and for his techniques.

India did the right thing a while back by showing the door to Gambhir who was there for his name in the test name and they should do the same to Tendulkar. Its the runs that count not the name. As far as experience is concerned, yes he is experienced but if he has to be in the team just for that, BCCI should appoint him as the mentor instead. His hey days are long gone and at my optimistic best the only reason why Tendulkar should tour South Africa is the fact that his last test century came against them at Capetown, his second in that series. Furthermore, 4 of his last 6 test centuries has come against South Africa (2 each at home and away). Barring that, I do not see a reason why India would like to have him as a player.

EDIT: Staying with the topic about Tendulkar and whether or not he should continue playing, there is a good article written by Ed Smith that you would love to read.

 

[abhi_jacko]

While Sachin is most probably a factor for this WI tour, you guys are forgetting another important factor that is causing all this ruckus. It is very obvious that BCCI is being a d*head with CSA due to the appointment of Lorgat. India's tour of SAfrica would have been the biggest money spinner for CSA this year, and BCCI is showing its displeasure over Lorgat's appointment by making all this mess at the moment

 

[ferg512]

And back on Sachin's issue, I want him to go to South Africa. Even if we play WI which we are now, it will be selfish of him to retire just after WI series. Because if he does retire at the end of the WI series, we will be sending a largely inexperienced squad to South Africa and that can be extremely dangerous. You also have to realize however that now India don't have a home test series till October 2014. They can't schedule a home series in March because according to FTP, T20 WC is starting in mid March. And as you know in other months, India already have very packed schedule so there is absolutely now ay they can arrange a series any other time.

Its a tough one, I can see what you mean but based off Sachins recent form he will get eaten alive in SA by Steyn and co. and even if you throw someone in there in their first series they will probably do better than he would. India A have been in South Africa for a while now anyway and this is probably better preparation than facing many test sides tbh. I at least hope the BCCI stick to their guns in saying after the WI series he will be picked on performance alone, but then again they're probably banking on the fact he will score maybe two fifties like I said and they will justify his selection for SA.

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EDIT: Staying with the topic about Tendulkar and whether or not he should continue playing, there is a good article written by Ed Smith that you would love to read.

That was a very good read, although I can see a few comparisons to Federer it is quite different because of the fact cricket is a team sport.

 

[SaiSrini]

A player of Sachin's stature takes massive failures before you seriously think about dropping him. And Tendulkar hasn't endured massive failures even in recent times. The talk has always been that of "him not matching up to his own standards". With his standards being set at a very lofty perch, he has to endure periods where he wont get any close to them. But the small cameo'ish innings here and there has kept him going. And it has kept the flame of his believers (like me!) alive.

I believe he deserves to go out on a high, but he is a non-believer of that idea. Anyways, I feel Sachin can be valuable in SA with his experience. And I am 100% sure the BCCI cant force him into retirement. Its good that people talk in such terms. It could make Sachin talk with his bat (which he often does when criticism comes his way).

 

[ferg512]

Can someone explain to me how Rohit Sharma hasn't even played one test yet? I'm certainly no fan of the guy but he averages 60 at first class level. I guess his batting stats are probably a bit inflated though due to Indias flat wickets, but even so there are not many tough test batting wickets around the world these days. Bit strange how Raina got the chances he got, but I guess he is really close to Dhoni.

 

[zeustrojanstark]

A player of Sachin's stature takes massive failures before you seriously think about dropping him. And Tendulkar hasn't endured massive failures even in recent times. The talk has always been that of "him not matching up to his own standards". With his standards being set at a very lofty perch, he has to endure periods where he wont get any close to them. But the small cameo'ish innings here and there has kept him going. And it has kept the flame of his believers (like me!) alive.

I believe he deserves to go out on a high, but he is a non-believer of that idea. Anyways, I feel Sachin can be valuable in SA with his experience. And I am 100% sure the BCCI cant force him into retirement. Its good that people talk in such terms. It could make Sachin talk with his bat (which he often does when criticism comes his way).

I do agree with what you say but i just have a couple of questions.

1. All i want to know is why is the West Indies tour that too a home tour is arranged for Sachin's 200th? Sachin averages well in the South African conditions, why cant he play his 200th test there against the likes of Steyn and Morkel? Atleast the media are creating havoc with this news and all news channels are debating whether Sachin will retire or not leaving behind the various other important scams and issues here back in India.

2. So how long you want a player to play? He is 40. He has been the best player of this era i accept but what about the reflexes, body etc...?? He wouldnt have the same which he had 10-15 years back. Why do you want this much experienced guy to go to South Africa again and score a couple of more 50s and 60s which eventually means nothing for his stature and records. Let some new player go to SA, get exploited, let India lose too, it will atleast be an experience for him, Sachin will certainly not be around when India goes to South Africa next time, why wait till then, select a new player like Sharma, Rahane and get exploited then? Let all happen at the earliest, i hope you take these in the correct sense

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Can someone explain to me how Rohit Sharma hasn't even played one test yet? I'm certainly no fan of the guy but he averages 60 at first class level. I guess his batting stats are probably a bit inflated though due to Indias flat wickets, but even so there are not many tough test batting wickets around the world these days. Bit strange how Raina got the chances he got, but I guess he is really close to Dhoni.

You must remember there was a guy called Rudra Pratap Singh, a so called quick bowler. There was a strange incident where Dhoni said he would step down as captain if RP Singh is not picked in the squad. RP and MSD are very close friends but you even hear that guy's name now except during IPL season? I do accept its a crime when Raina plays test match but dont drag Dhoni into this issue like what all typical anti dhoni jerks do.

PS: Raina played his last test against New Zeland one year ago. He is rightly and clearly out of favour in tests.

 

[nandu saju]

If Tendulkar retires with the WI tour you would say he has chosen the easiest team to retire from test and if he goes to SA you would say that he is selfish and is taking away the chance of an youngster.Then what should he do ?Anyway dont ask him to retire now as it would be very stupid to do so after getting so close to a great milestone of 200 tests

 

[SaiSrini]

I do agree with what you say but i just have a couple of questions.

1. All i want to know is why is the West Indies tour that too a home tour is arranged for Sachin's 200th? Sachin averages well in the South African conditions, why cant he play his 200th test there against the likes of Steyn and Morkel? Atleast the media are creating havoc with this news and all news channels are debating whether Sachin will retire or not leaving behind the various other important scams and issues here back in India.

2. So how long you want a player to play? He is 40. He has been the best player of this era i accept but what about the reflexes, body etc...?? He wouldnt have the same which he had 10-15 years back. Why do you want this much experienced guy to go to South Africa again and score a couple of more 50s and 60s which eventually means nothing for his stature and records. Let some new player go to SA, get exploited, let India lose too, it will atleast be an experience for him, Sachin will certainly not be around when India goes to South Africa next time, why wait till then, select a new player like Sharma, Rahane and get exploited then? Let all happen at the earliest, i hope you take these in the correct sense

1. Because they want to give Sachin his 200th test at home, even more possibly at his home ground. And if we believe in the theories floating around, this series is being fixed to give him a farewell and giving him a farewell on home grounds would be huge in terms of crowds.

2. I am for balance in the sisde, and with the retirements of Dravid, Laxman, youngsters have come in already. One senior staying is not going to be bad, and if that senior is a guy like Tendulkar, great. For a guy like Sachin, he still has to prove that he has got fuel left in his tank. So for him, he has stuff to prove. And its his passion and hunger for playing. Can't question him for that

 

[Abishak11]

can sehwag can play for india

 

[nandu saju]

can sehwag can play for india

Well its not his time.Let him play domestic cricket and play some good innings and he would be selected