India tour of South Africa

[Rehan_24]

LMAO!

Where does Pakistan cricket come here?

Your comments are like one of those reporters who need to blabber any gibberish to fill the air time. AB's fielding, his batting and commitment are as good as anytime before. He made 200 odd runs on tough surfaces and was fielding like a panther right through the series. Even in these three games he was on point with his attacking game and the only SA batsman who could pick the wristies. His only criticism is that he hasn't kicked on and made some poor choices in terms of shot selection. But to call him lethargic is a question on his commitment and only someone with no respect can utter such nonsense.

Like said before that I talked about his batting approach and attitude towards batting not as a fielder. I will stick to my view which I have already given the reason why I feel so. Whether my comments are similar to reporters is a different matter of discussion and lets forget this section of debate. AB needs to get his energy back as a batsman otherwise the career wont go long for him I think he has serviced enough and SA should look for a backup sooner than later, meanwhile take advantage from his massive experience.

 

[SaiSrini]

Hoping Raina and Pandey feature together in the XI for the first T20I against South Africa. Could give an indication of what India can implement in ODI's if this pair succeeds here in these T20I's. Will Kohli ever think of playing Dhoni at No. 4? More so in T20's where Dhoni's inability to connect big hits can hurt India badly.

 

[Ahmad94]

Hoping Raina and Pandey feature together in the XI for the first T20I against South Africa. Could give an indication of what India can implement in ODI's if this pair succeeds here in these T20I's. Will Kohli ever think of playing Dhoni at No. 4? More so in T20's where Dhoni's inability to connect big hits can hurt India badly.

I think for Kohli it comes down to why change a system that is working?

With a comprehensive series like this, its unlikely to lead to a change going into the next couple of series. I guess it comes down to giving Pandya and Kedar support at the end and Dhoni appears the best candidate for that. With this nippy nature between wickets, India (and I mean Kohli here) really just want him at the end to guide some of the harder chases in the future.

 

[Ahmad94]

I know we have some great cricketing minds on this thread can I get yall opinion on Ab Devilliers performance, is it time for him to retire from ODI?

@aditya123 @SaiSrini @Markkkkk @CricketQ20 @abhi_jacko @RUDI

any other members I mayve missed tagging please express your views. personally its time for AB to go!

Of course not. AB is still class apart and needs to stay. The fact that he came back from injury and got injured again probably lead to a mediocre series, plus he didn't have any support from the other experienced players in the side (JP is trash, Amla was mediocre, De Kock out of form and then injured).

I will say that he needs to put more of a value on his wicket. Constantly trying to hit the ball out the park (just because he can) isn't an ideal approach to his batting. Play less and better shots. A lot of times in this series he was out because of his own fault. Take your time to get settled before going after the bowling rather than the new approach he has in his mind.

 

[SaiSrini]

I think for Kohli it comes down to why change a system that is working?

With a comprehensive series like this, its unlikely to lead to a change going into the next couple of series. I guess it comes down to giving Pandya and Kedar support at the end and Dhoni appears the best candidate for that. With this nippy nature between wickets, India (and I mean Kohli here) really just want him at the end to guide some of the harder chases in the future.

What is working? The series win has been mainly fashioned by the top 3 (Kohli, Dhawan and Rohit) handling the bulk of the scoring. Whenever the middle order has got chances, they have not stepped up and it is now slowly starting to gain traction with the media who are already starting to turn it into a national discussion. The fact that Raina's return to the Indian team fold is very keenly looked at, tells you that the middle order system has not worked.

Also another guy to watch out for is Jaydev Unadkat. His stocks rose spectacularly after a terrific IPL season last year. And with him tearing the roof at the auction this year, he has now been included in the T20 side. With his bowling style having the potential to suit English conditions and having the left arm to add variety, it will be very interesting. He and Thakur could potentially be fighting it out for a place in that seamer's pool for the fifth seamer spot.

 

[Markkkkk]

I know we have some great cricketing minds on this thread can I get yall opinion on Ab Devilliers performance, is it time for him to retire from ODI?

@aditya123 @SaiSrini @Markkkkk @CricketQ20 @abhi_jacko @RUDI

any other members I mayve missed tagging please express your views. personally its time for AB to go!

Well it's a tough one. AB is one of the best batsmen in world cricket however over the last couple years his pending retirement + dodgy commitment have overshadowed his performances and rightly so. As great a batsman that AB is if his heart isn't in it then he won't perform to his best and will always have question marks over his place in the side and hence cause dressing room issues.

For me he must be removed from the test side, he doesn't seem to value his wicket anymore and you need to be 100% committed to your team if you're playing at the top level. In terms of ODIs I wouldn't be as worried, with a 6 batsmen line up we need his ability in the middle order and he has performed consistently for us. When you have guys like De Bruyn sitting on the bench it's not a real concern to let AB go from the test line up however he is still world class in ODIs and one bad series that featured an injury and 0 senior players around him doesn't change that

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

I know we have some great cricketing minds on this thread can I get yall opinion on Ab Devilliers performance, is it time for him to retire from ODI?

@aditya123 @SaiSrini @Markkkkk @CricketQ20 @abhi_jacko @RUDI

any other members I mayve missed tagging please express your views. personally its time for AB to go!

From my perspective ABD is little bit past of his prime. Its not he does not want to perform, it is that the injuries have hit him hard just like Dale Steyn. Unlike @Markkkkk said I do not see any commitment issue, he is very much dedicated to serve SaF as Kohli is to Anushka Sharma . Probably yes he needs to step out from Test matches and focus on his fitness in ODI's and T20s and get SaF the much needed silverware in 2019. Problem is after recent South African performance its really sad to see SaF bench strength.The new generation of cricketers should be aggressive and explosive but they are just succumbing. Credit where due and India were brilliant in ODI's but SaF were piss poor. I havent seen a weaker SaF side since years.

 

[Satan666]

From my perspective ABD is little bit past of his prime. Its not he does not want to perform, it is that the injuries have hit him hard just like Dale Steyn. Unlike @Markkkkk said I do not see any commitment issue, he is very much dedicated to serve SaF as Kohli is to Anushka Sharma . Probably yes he needs to step out from Test matches and focus on his fitness in ODI's and T20s and get SaF the much needed silverware in 2019. Problem is after recent South African performance its really sad to see SaF bench strength.The new generation of cricketers should be aggressive and explosive but they are just succumbing. Credit where due and India were brilliant in ODI's but SaF were piss poor. I havent seen a weaker SaF side since years.

Yep probably following SA sides early 2000s and agree this is the weakest SA outfit and performance I’ve seen as well.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

The questions being asked of AB de Villiers are completely justified. But, some of the terms used for him are extremely unjustified. I have had my share of differences with @Markkkkk and I find the 'he doesn't value his wicket anymore very very unfair. If, after the second test of the India tour we were asked to pick the difference between the two teams we would have picked AB. He also had to throw his wicket away a couple of times in the interest of the team.

I know I've not been asked but this is my truthful honest feeling and you can see from this topic, I've been critical of him-

I think, AB is a forced test cricketer. He's been convinced by Gibson to play all formats but my mind and heart say that his body and heart are done with test cricket. However, whenever he does dawn the whites, his commitment does not flinch. Personally, I rate the test series he played extremely highly. He got out unfortunately most of the times and seemed to still have the game required for test cricket. But, if your heart isn't in it, it just isn't and his obsession with the world cup tells me he's not quitting limited overs for sure.

Secondly, all this talk of him not having enough support is absolute bollocks. He had Klaassen for support in the first game he played, Amla the second and Zondo the third. He's not out of form, he looked like the only chap who could pick the spinners. His issue in limited overs is not commitment, support or injuries but his focus and temperament. He needs to read games better (like he's done before) and look to build innings rather than dominate from the outset. He can reserve that for T20.

Lastly, all those who feel that he's past it would have had me agree with them a year back. But, the two tests and him being able to pick the spinners tells me his eye is still sharp and if he can keep his head in it he is still capable of making a difference for SA.

One thing AB isn't is lethargic. He's just too effing patriotic a bloke for that. In fact, I say it with immense pride that I truly feel that patriotism from all the SA boys. I just don't feel that from any other country including my own.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Yep probably following SA sides early 2000s and agree this is the weakest SA outfit and performance I’ve seen as well.

SA's problem in LOI is their bowling. They're all test bowlers that hit a length apart from Rabada. I also feel Duminy and Miller need to be kept on their toes to get the best out of them..

 

[Rehan_24]

Of course not. AB is still class apart and needs to stay. The fact that he came back from injury and got injured again probably lead to a mediocre series, plus he didn't have any support from the other experienced players in the side (JP is trash, Amla was mediocre, De Kock out of form and then injured).

I will say that he needs sto put more of a value on his wicket. Constantly trying to hit the ball out the park (just because he can) isn't an ideal approach to his batting. Play less and better shots. A lot of times in this series he was out because of his own fault. Take your time to get settled before going after the bowling rather than the new approach he has in his mind.

Quite agree, I remember during the time of the twlight of Ricky Ponting's career, The great Imran Khan was asked about Ponting's future thats before 2011 WC. Imran said that the problem with Ponting is that he is still playing those big shots he used to in his hay days but at the age and stage he is in, He has to play less shots and give value to his wicket, The same done by Javed Miandad, Inzy and Sachin.

In AB case, SA can still carry him for a while to get benefit from his experience.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

AB has declined quite a bit but looking at the state of South African cricket, it's perhaps not time for him to go yet. The right word to describe the new generation of South African batsmen would be "meek" - quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive. They still need someone to stand up to bowlers and carry that aura which can bring out the best out of teammates. The other senior batsmen in the lineup - Amla, Elgar and du Plessis - either don't have the sheer quality to be elite that ABD does and/or are declining. ABD certainly is not the player he was four years ago but there's no one else who's even 75% the player he is now. He needs to stay for another 12 or 18 months to oversee the transition from trash like Duminy to more promising players and then retire.

 

[Targaryen]

Manish Pandey, Bhuvi and Unadkat playing the game. Target should be over 200 since the wicket is batting friendly and chasing team has been successful at Highveld most of the time.

 

[Ashutosh.]

Suresh Raina is back

 

[Ashutosh.]

India Playing XI

Rohit Sharma
Shikhar Dhawan
Virat Kohli (c)
Suresh Raina
Manish Pandey
Hardik Pandya
MS Dhoni (wk)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Jaydev Unadkat
Yuzvendra Chahal
Jasprit Bumrah