India tour of South Africa

[Velocity]

Honestly, however good India have played lately, I just don't think they are ready for a daunting tour of South Africa. I agree with @kushal17 preparation has been absolutely ridiculous. Without a practice match, the batsmen are never going to do well without this ideal preparation. Training sessions are good, but India badly needed 1-2 practice matches. Just looking what happened in that 1st odi vs SL. India got absolutely hammered while the pitch was seaming and plenty of bounce. I would have given India a chance to do well on this tour, but without even one practice match I expect India to go down 2-0 if they're lucky or even 3-0. Our seamers are fantastic, but batting is a concern as the calibre of Sri Lankan bowlers are nothing when facing against the Proteas seamers. I have a feeling our team will get a beating out there in SA.

But I am hoping for the best, Vijay, Kohli, Rahane have fired overseas, which gives a slight bit of optimism in the batting department.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

If we play our best lineup, I am pretty sure we will do well.

 

[asprin]

Honestly, however good India have played lately, I just don't think they are ready for a daunting tour of South Africa. I agree with @kushal17 preparation has been absolutely ridiculous. Without a practice match, the batsmen are never going to do well without this ideal preparation. Training sessions are good, but India badly needed 1-2 practice matches. Just looking what happened in that 1st odi vs SL. India got absolutely hammered while the pitch was seaming and plenty of bounce. I would have given India a chance to do well on this tour, but without even one practice match I expect India to go down 2-0 if they're lucky or even 3-0. Our seamers are fantastic, but batting is a concern as the calibre of Sri Lankan bowlers are nothing when facing against the Proteas seamers. I have a feeling our team will get a beating out there in SA.

But I am hoping for the best, Vijay, Kohli, Rahane have fired overseas, which gives a slight bit of optimism in the batting department.

Agree with this. Initially I was optimistic of our chances but after the two innings (1st Test and 1st ODI) against SL, I'm not so sure. If Lakmal and co. could make a mockery of our batting, imagine what the likes of Styen, Rabada, Morker and Philander could do. I also have a hunch that Kesav Maharaj might end up getting a lot of wickets.

 

[SaiSrini]

One thing that should hopefully differentiate our performance from the 1st ODI against SL is that, we will have the likes of Vijay/Pujara/Rahane in the test side to weather tougher conditions overseas. I know Rahane played that first test against Sri Lanka and failed. But he seems to turn on a positive mode when he bats overseas. And Vijay did not play that first test and the ODI against Sri Lanka. Pujara did well in that first test and did not play the ODI. So these 3 will be crucial to our batting fortunes in South Africa if we have to compete hard. I still will call South Africa as very strong favorites, but I would hope positively that our test team have the skills to give a tough fight. I wont be surprised if we win a test. If we can somehow also sneak out a draw, we might even have a 1-1 scoreline which would be fantastic for India. But I am seeing a 2-1 scoreline for South Africa.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

One thing that should hopefully differentiate our performance from the 1st ODI against SL is that, we will have the likes of Vijay/Pujara/Rahane in the test side to weather tougher conditions overseas. I know Rahane played that first test against Sri Lanka and failed. But he seems to turn on a positive mode when he bats overseas. And Vijay did not play that first test and the ODI against Sri Lanka. Pujara did well in that first test and did not play the ODI. So these 3 will be crucial to our batting fortunes in South Africa if we have to compete hard. I still will call South Africa as very strong favorites, but I would hope positively that our test team have the skills to give a tough fight. I wont be surprised if we win a test. If we can somehow also sneak out a draw, we might even have a 1-1 scoreline which would be fantastic for India. But I am seeing a 2-1 scoreline for South Africa.

I predicted the same scoreline. I think we can win the series if we play our best and get some blunders from SA. I wish I shared your confidence as far as the batsmen went.

I for one will wait to see whether Rahul and Rahane play ahead of Dhawan and Rohit. Also, while I despise Ishant, he should start alongside Bhuvi and Shami.

At least Vijay, Pujara and Kohli will start the tour for sure.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

I am not sure Rahul will play ahead of Dhawan as Dhawan has had experience playing in SA and has done well last series. Rahane should and will definitely be in our final XI there is no question on that is it?

 

[SaiSrini]

I am not sure Rahul will play ahead of Dhawan as Dhawan has had experience playing in SA and has done well last series. Rahane should and will definitely be in our final XI there is no question on that is it?

Is Rahane's spot even in question? If so, I would be devastated. I don't care if his form has been edgy/poor in home conditions. He is a 'son of a gun' when we tour abroad. Probably our No.1 batsman abroad, ahead of Vijay. Even Kohli hasn't give us the sort of comfort level that Rahane gives.

I would play Rahul ahead of Dhawan even though Rahul has been ordinary in the recent tests. I am 100% sure Dhawan will fail when he encounters a pitch slightly lively. Rahul might also fail, but I give him a bigger probability of surviving such a scenario, than Dhawan. Vijay is a surefire selection for me considering his overseas record last time and his back-to-back hundreds recently which indicates his return to form.

My XI for the first test in Cape Town:

Vijay
Rahul
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Saha
Pandya
Ashwin
Jadeja/Ishant
Bhuvi
Shami

If history stays true, Newlands could provide the best help for the spinners. In that case, play both our spinners. If they find out its more green than expected, play Ishant in place of Jaddu. I will play Ashwin ahead of Jaddu, purely for Ashwin's batting technique which is a lot more solid and way less flashy. I have not many hopes in either of their bowling.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Is Rahane's spot even in question? If so, I would be devastated. I don't care if his form has been edgy/poor in home conditions. He is a 'son of a gun' when we tour abroad. Probably our No.1 batsman abroad, ahead of Vijay. Even Kohli hasn't give us the sort of comfort level that Rahane gives.

I would play Rahul ahead of Dhawan even though Rahul has been ordinary in the recent tests. I am 100% sure Dhawan will fail when he encounters a pitch slightly lively. Rahul might also fail, but I give him a bigger probability of surviving such a scenario, than Dhawan. Vijay is a surefire selection for me considering his overseas record last time and his back-to-back hundreds recently which indicates his return to form.

My XI for the first test in Cape Town:

Vijay
Rahul
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Saha
Pandya
Ashwin
Jadeja/Ishant
Bhuvi
Shami

If history stays true, Newlands could provide the best help for the spinners. In that case, play both our spinners. If they find out its more green than expected, play Ishant in place of Jaddu. I will play Ashwin ahead of Jaddu, purely for Ashwin's batting technique which is a lot more solid and way less flashy. I have not many hopes in either of their bowling.

More or less agree with the XI. I would play Pandya at 6 and Saha at 7 and Jadeja would undoubtably be my first spinner. I would also play 3 seamers, the AR and the 1 spinner. No Ashwin.

 

[Bigby Wolf]

http://www.news18.com/cricketnext/a...veals-ravi-shastri-to-cnn-news18-1606273.html

Arrogant Ravi Shastri told a news channel that Vijay and Dhawan will open in South Africa.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

http://www.news18.com/cricketnext/a...veals-ravi-shastri-to-cnn-news18-1606273.html

Arrogant Ravi Shastri told a news channel that Vijay and Dhawan will open in South Africa.

I'm totally expecting it. If you can remove Kumble and get Shastri, this is just the icing on the cake.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

My XI for SA-

D Elgar
A Markram
H Amla
AB de Villiers
F du Plessis
Q de Kock
C Morris
V Philander
D Steyn
K Rabada
M Morkel

ALL OUT pace attack.

 

[Markkkkk]

My XI for SA-

D Elgar
A Markram
H Amla
AB de Villiers
F du Plessis
Q de Kock
C Morris
V Philander
D Steyn
K Rabada
M Morkel

ALL OUT pace attack.

Let’s drop arguably our best test bowler this year who’s been an absolute revelation for a T20 specialist who hasn’t played a test for ages...

Is AB opening the bowling and captaining by any chance?

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Let’s drop arguably our best test bowler this year who’s been an absolute revelation for a T20 specialist who hasn’t played a test for ages...

Is AB opening the bowling and captaining by any chance?

Are you talking about Keshav Maharaj? If so he will definitely play and SAF will atleast have one spinner. I think the basic team that played against Zims will remain the same with only Bavuma replacing Faf perhaps. Also if they want to play Steyn they could play him for Phehlukwayo.

 

[asprin]

I think SA should be flexible and play an out and out pace attack on a spicy wicket.

Why would any side go into a test match with just seamers? I mean the over-rate would be crazy!! plus, on a 4-5th-day pitch, you definitely want a frontline spinner, especially someone like Maharaj who has performed exceedingly well in the last year or so.

Completely agree with Ahmad94 here. It would make sense if the spinner in question was a part-timer or mediocre at best. But Maharaj has been performing decently and certainly needs to be in the playing XI. I think the Indians being good players of spin is long gone if recent events are to go by. Sure, they are still better than most teams but no where great against quality spinners.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Completely agree with Ahmad94 here. It would make sense if the spinner in question was a part-timer or mediocre at best. But Maharaj has been performing decently and certainly needs to be in the playing XI. I think the Indians being good players of spin is long gone if recent events are to go by. Sure, they are still better than most teams but no where great against quality spinners.

I agree Maharaj has done well, but the Indians will pick him any day for some respite. I am of the opinion that a 5 man pace battery sends a very strong message and it will mess with some Indian heads.