Indian tour of South Africa, December-January 2010/11

[War]

Sometimes i worry about the future of India middle-order when Tendy/Dravid/Laxman eventually go.

Of course for the past 20 years those 3 along with Ganguly & Azharuddin gave Indians its golden era of middle-order batsmen who where quality batsmen all-round the world (although Ganguly & Azhar had their issues overseas).

But they few times in the last 20 years when some other batsmen outside of that fantatic 5 played in the middle-order such as Kambli, Amre, Jadeja, Yuvraj, Bhardwaj, Kanitkar, Badani, Kaif, Raina, Pujara (to date) in test. They all struggle to look the part in test against real pace - a historical achilles heel for IND batsmen.

So now although with Sharma, Kohli, Yuvraj, Tiwary, Vijay, Panday, Raina, Pujara represents the hottest young batting talent in world cricket. They shoes they have to fill are more enormous that i think they even realise. Yuvraj & Raina all have already been exposed & dropped while Vijay & Pujara have had slow stars. If i where an Indian fan, id be slightly worried about the future.

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Impressed mightily with Virat Kohli. He has the qualities to be India's future superstar. Hope he stays grounded. He can bat in really tough conditions too

I am not putting too much importance to the result of this series. The WC is in the subcontinent, and so this series (if India lose it badly) could bring us back on earth and keep us hungry.

Yea of all the young hot IND bats, Kohli seem to have best rounded game at this stage.

 

[pcfan123]

Taking the batting powerplay was still the right idea, perhaps they should have taken it while Dhoni was still there. A massive counter attack back then could have still been possible. It was almost a lost cause when they took it right now.

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That was a gift for Parnell, harbhajan didn't even bother getting off the mark. He was into DLF mode from the start

 

[SaiSrini]

Kohli seems to be showing the game for tough conditions. Ganguly inspite of having a huge weakness for the short ball (he had even become a joke for his short ball weakness) survived for so long and eventually became legendary. So I expect Raina to survive in similar fashion because he has the temperament and the attitude. Dhoni has moulded his game to graft in tough conditions. I dont see Yuvraj sticking with the team for long enough because he doesnt seem to show the eagerness to learn from mistakes. Rohit Sharma could probably make a place for himself because he is technically decent and can also do the big hits. Sehwag will stay for atleast 5-6 more years, and Gambhir for more than that. I think Pujara would be a good candidate for our future ODI batting lineup for the solidity he brings to the crease. Pandey is a promising bat and he did well in SA in IPL-2. If we find 1-2 more bat who have a good game for tough conditions, we shouldnt struggle as much. Remember in ODI's, Dravid and Laxman dont play anymore and Sachin last played an ODI almost an year back. So in the ODI's and T20's, we are already into the future.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Sachin is Tsotsobe's bunny, nice bunny to have

Haha .......

 

[ferg512]

I saw Tsotsobe got 4 wickets, did he bowl well, or were India just trying to smash him??

 

[aussie1st]

Tsotsobe has been in awesome form, he completes the pace trio of Morne and Steyn. Once again SA will head into the WC as favourites they have an awesome batting lineup, pace bowling looks good and their spinners can get the job done.

 

[McLOVIN]

They went went 5 bowlers. KOOL!

 

[SaiSrini]

Batting under lights in Durban has always been the hoodoo for most teams that come to South Africa. Who can forget that 2003 WC night when Ashish Nehra ran through England and got his career best figures of 6-23 or something? No Sehwag, no Gambhir, its so tough and we shouldnt be put under the pump for this defeat. Toss becomes so crucial here and its a 'win the toss and win the match' type situation.

Why was Rohit played ahead of Yusuf Pathan? Dhoni wanted to shield Pathan so that he can pick Pathan on the basis of that hundred he scored against NZ? Does Dhoni think that Pathan's brutal exposure on these bouncy tracks will hurt his case for selection in the XI for the World Cup? I wish Pathan had played.

 

[Cricketman]

Really, what would Pathan have done any different?

 

[SaiSrini]

Really, what would Pathan have done any different?

Pathan'g big hitting was the better choice to take. Anyways, this is World Cup rehearsal and so if you have Pathan in your scheme of things for the World Cup XI, its time to give him the chance. Also it would have exposed him if he was not good enough.

 

[Cricketman]

All this talk about big hitting in the world cup... just think that Robin Uthappa would have been a better choice. Certainly deserved a spot in the 30. Not only is he a massive hitter but can play a mature innings up the order too. Would have given our side more depth and fluidity...

 

[prarara]

Kohli seems to be showing the game for tough conditions. Ganguly inspite of having a huge weakness for the short ball (he had even become a joke for his short ball weakness) survived for so long and eventually became legendary. So I expect Raina to survive in similar fashion because he has the temperament and the attitude. Dhoni has moulded his game to graft in tough conditions. I dont see Yuvraj sticking with the team for long enough because he doesnt seem to show the eagerness to learn from mistakes. Rohit Sharma could probably make a place for himself because he is technically decent and can also do the big hits. Sehwag will stay for atleast 5-6 more years, and Gambhir for more than that. I think Pujara would be a good candidate for our future ODI batting lineup for the solidity he brings to the crease. Pandey is a promising bat and he did well in SA in IPL-2. If we find 1-2 more bat who have a good game for tough conditions, we shouldnt struggle as much. Remember in ODI's, Dravid and Laxman dont play anymore and Sachin last played an ODI almost an year back. So in the ODI's and T20's, we are already into the future.

Who would be our bowlers for the future?

 

[shravi]

Who would be our bowlers for the future?

What is this bowling you speak of?

 

[SaiSrini]

Who would be our bowlers for the future?

Not an easy question to answer. Let the selectors answer it.

 

[relentless_rock]

Who would be our bowlers for the future?

Major problem. Any young chap we place our hopes on, becomes unsuccessul on international stage.
We don't even have top quality spinners pushing Bhajji out of the team when he runs thru an extended bad form and with fast bowlers its an even dire situation.

Can't understand what has Prasad done as bowing coach during his tenure and what Simmons is doing right now. Surely, we either don't spot the right talent, or end up giving advises on how fast bowlers can prolong their careers to milk ths cash cow. Even the young Deepak Chahar bowls in early 120s kph.

I suggest we shuld restructure the contract system such, that an express bowler is paid in gold, wuld encourage youngsters to bowl fast and not compromise ths abilit solely to stretch their careers.