India's Tour of South Africa Dec 21 - Jan 22

[NILAYSHAH60]

Dangerous bowling spell from KG throughout the innings. It is impressive how Jansen have contributed in this series. He has certainly come a long way after the disastrous 1st Innings at Centurion. A stellar performance from Kohli and well supported by Pujara. I think some 20-30 runs would've been more pleasing.

We got South Africa out on 227 in the last game. Now when they are feeling confident about themselves it would makes things difficult for India. Bowlers need to step up once again.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Social Media "Warriors" from respective countries now back on twitter criticizing Kohli was not scoring 100 and how Babar is great. Have had enough with these comparisons now. Babar has played 1/3 of the matches Kohli has played and is not even close to him in terms of batting in Tests. Let Babar first play 100 test matches scoring atleast 27 centuries Kohli has currently and averaging 50 despite not having that century to his name in 3 years. Also score more 100 in away conditions as he (Babar) just has 1 in the 38 matches he has played.

 

[Ashutosh.]

There once was a boy named Ajinkya Rahane.

His last test match was played on Jan 11, 2022.

He will score 40+ in the second innings and will save his place again.

 

[Bigby Wolf]

 

[Bigby Wolf]

Social Media "Warriors" from respective countries now back on twitter criticizing Kohli was not scoring 100 and how Babar is great. Have had enough with these comparisons now. Babar has played 1/3 of the matches Kohli has played and is not even close to him in terms of batting in Tests. Let Babar first play 100 test matches scoring atleast 27 centuries Kohli has currently and averaging 50 despite not having that century to his name in 3 years. Also score more 100 in away conditions as he (Babar) just has 1 in the 38 matches he has played.

Don't take social media too seriously mate.

Those are just nameless trolls who mocks players senselessly on every now and then.

They are in numbers and ever going these days and hunt in the name of players.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

KS Bharat can be an adequate option, but even then the answer is no. We've already got four openners who have all somehow got gametime because of injuries. All four of them have shown that they deserve to start. Imagine throwing Pant ahead of them.

Pant is fine in the middle-order. All he needs is a bit of discussion around his shot selection and some experience which will come with time.

I have a feeling if Pant keeps playing rash shots, a year or so down we might see KL keeping and someone taking Pant's place.

 

[harishankar]

Both Rahane and Pujara need to be eased out. Too long without significant contributions in the middle order. And no, those occasional 40s and 50s don't count unless a bigger contribution is made, which is expected at those positions. Ashwin can get away with occasional 40/50s and batting failures because he plays primarily as a bowler. India could have easily made 300 on this pitch, with Kohli playing so beautifully.

Why the hell Hanuma Vihari was left out after such a significant contribution last match in the second innings defies logic.

I would give Pant one more opportunity though. In this innings, he looked like he wants to curb his natural game according to the situation, but it's too much to expect that he should be asked to curb his game. He will fire occasionally and win games single-handedly, and India need a genuine match winner at that position, regardless of his failures.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

We might put the blame on Pujara & Rahane but the fact is you don't score a 300 on tracks like these if you don't wear down the opposition in first session by not losing a wicket. India's problem is that they lost both of their openers before the Drinks are called on 3 out of 5 innings!

And this is why Rohit's contribution was so important in the England series. As Rohit is an experienced pro so he clearly had to help take the pressure off KLR considering that he is an ideal player who could play that long innings and score runs pretty quickly as well. In the England series we survived the first 25 overs on atleast 3 occasions!!!

 

[Sherlock Holmes]

Rahul - Blamed for not providing a start
Mayank - Blamed for not providing a start
Pujara - Blamed for not scoring/being slow
Kohli - Blamed for not getting 71st ton
Rahane - Blamed for existing in the 11
Pant - Blamed for rash shot selection
Ashwin - Blamed for rash shot selection
Thakur - You do very good work my Lord
Bumrah - Blamed for not hanging around
Shami - Blamed for not hanging around
Umesh - Blamed for not hanging around

 

[icyman]

Why the hell Hanuma Vihari was left out after such a significant contribution last match in the second innings defies logic.

A couple of things with Vihari- we already have Rahane and Pujara who can hold the fort. Vihari, rarely plays attacking shots. He is a good batsman, but I personally dont think he fits into the team/ adds balance to the side. There's nothing much you can expect from him. Yes, he played that innings in Sydney, but that apart, please help me recall when did Hanuma ever win/ scor eprofusely for him to be a mainstay?

You talk of Vihari's 2nd innings- too slow IMO. He could have accelerated a bit faster.

We might put the blame on Pujara & Rahane but the fact is you don't score a 300 on tracks like these if you don't wear down the opposition in first session by not losing a wicket. India's problem is that they lost both of their openers before the Drinks are called on 3 out of 5 innings!

And this is why Rohit's contribution was so important in the England series. As Rohit is an experienced pro so he clearly had to help take the pressure off KLR considering that he is an ideal player who could play that long innings and score runs pretty quickly as well. In the England series we survived the first 25 overs on atleast 3 occasions!!!

When Rohit is back, there will be changes to the batting order. IMO, Rohit and Shaw need to open. Shaw has to be in, cause he has the ability to attack from the 1st delivery. Gill at 3, Virat at 4 and KLR needs to drop to the middle order. That should be the right order for us to take forth. In due, course, replacement for Rohit and Virat can be found (Ruturaj Yashaswi)

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Rahul - Blamed for not providing a start
Mayank - Blamed for not providing a start
Pujara - Blamed for not scoring/being slow
Kohli - Blamed for not getting 71st ton
Rahane - Blamed for existing in the 11
Pant - Blamed for rash shot selection
Ashwin - Blamed for rash shot selection
Thakur - You do very good work my Lord
Bumrah - Blamed for not hanging around
Shami - Blamed for not hanging around
Umesh - Blamed for not hanging around

Doesn't change the fact that our top order failed unlike the Proteas who found Elgar & Keegan Petersen.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

When Rohit is back, there will be changes to the batting order. IMO, Rohit and Shaw need to open. Shaw has to be in, cause he has the ability to attack from the 1st delivery. Gill at 3, Virat at 4 and KLR needs to drop to the middle order. That should be the right order for us to take forth. In due, course, replacement for Rohit and Virat can be found (

In the past I have strongly advocated Shaw's inclusion at the top but the problem with him is that he won't give you more than 40-50 runs and this is where KLR does better. KLR has got a century at Lord's & Centurion both resulting in a win. So probably Rohit-KLR is the best pair that we can vouch for atm.

For openers we have,

KLR
Rohit
Mayank (first back-up)
Gill (second back-up)
Prithvi Shaw (he can play if 3 of them or injured/rest)

In the middle order,

Kohli (irreplaceable with his innings yesterday)
Pujara (still one of the best no.3 in the world)
Rahane (slightly fallen off the radar with Captain's backing)
Vihari (obvious back up to Rahane)
Iyer (Rahane's back up in home series)

Other than that I feel Sheldon Jackson can play at no.3 so he is worth investing. Now I have slightly unpopular opinion but Abdul Samad might get some A-games in near future. I don't think these days any side does have as versatile player to bat in the lower order as him. He does strike the ball a long way but his technique can allow him to play for long periods.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

I feel Sheldon Jackson can play at no.3 so he is worth investing

Just got to know he is already 35+...... So no point in having him at this age of his career.

 

[harishankar]

Gods of luck have now abandoned India on this tour.

well played South Africa for the 2-1 victory.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Those 5 penalty runs off the helmet sums up India's day thus far!