Even though we have just beaten a weak Australian team, I am still happy with some of the finds that we have got in recent times, like Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Shikar Dhawan. And I am also happy that Vijay and Dhawan have made sure that we need not think about Sehwag and Gambhir when we tour South Africa. Our backup opener for South Africa should be Abhinav Mukund (since Rahane is flatly considered only for the middle order). Or if Pujara is seriously considered for the makeshift opener position, then Mukund can be swapped for Tiwary.
Openers: Vijay, Dhawan, Mukund/Tiwary
Our middle order right now is pretty decent with Pujara, Tendulkar, Kohli. I would persist with Ajinkya Rahane for the mere fact that he came in at a pressure situation and if we got to groom people, we got to give them time. With Dhoni now going with the 5 bowler policy and with Pujara, Tendulkar and Kohli locking their spots, its very tough for Rahane to get a look-in. But its fine, because if we need backup, he is more than enough to do the job
Middle Order: Pujara, Tendulkar, Kohli, Rahane
Keeping: You can't look beyond MS Dhoni for this job, but I would personally like to see a backup keeper just in case MSD pulls up with something. And for that, we have good backup keepers who have played quite a few tests. Personal preference is Wriddhiman Saha, but Dinesh Karthik can also be a good choice
Keeper(s): Dhoni, Saha/Karthik
Allrounders: Jadeja with that performance books himself a spot guaranteed. But having a fast bowling allrounder would be a great asset in South Africa, and I prefer Irfan Pathan if he passes fit before the tour. He has quite a bit of experience, and is a handy bat and a useful bowler.
Allrounders: R Jadeja, I Pathan
Bowlers: Bhuvaneshwar Kumar has made rapid strides in recent times, and has surely booked a ticket to South Africa. And Yadav once he is fit, locks in another spot. Ashwin locks his spot among spinners 200% after his Man of the series performance. Ojha would probably have to be dropped here because taking 3 spinners seems a luxury for South African conditions, and Jadeja has proven to be more than able to be the 2nd spinner after Ashwin. That leaves two more spots to be filled for the fast bowlers and I would persist with Ishant Sharma and also take Sreesanth. Sreesanth has enjoyed success before in South Africa, and now would be hungry to perform since the competition in the team has heated up.
Bowlers: Umesh Yadav, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, S Sreesanth
That's my 16 man squad for South Africa (barring future injuries to the above mentioned players).
Vijay
Dhawan
Mukund/Tiwary
Pujara
Tendulkar
Kohli
Rahane
Dhoni
Saha/Karthik
Jadeja
Pathan
Bhuvi Kumar
Yadav
Ashwin
Ishant
Sreesanth
At the time when he said what he said people were making claims that it was stint to take the attention away from the team(losing 4-0 in Australia) and put it on himself, take the heat if you may. But now that I think about it, I believe he was totally serious.
