New Zealand's Tour Of India Aug-Sep 2012

[Epic]

Still there's no proper replacement for that spot yet! But I'm confident that Dravid's & Laxman's positions can be taken up because there are many good young batsmen in the domestic circuit who bat well in those positions like Pujara, Rohit etc. Rohit has a phenomenal FC batting average and can play gems so hoping that he gets back to form soon and clears his lazy mindset.
Apart from Yuvraj there are some other contenders for no.6 like Saurabh Tiwary who's done well there in domestic cricket.

I really don't think you need a specialist #6 to bat in that spot, any opener would do tbh, they're usually the ones gearing up to take on the 2nd new ball.

 

[SaiSrini]

Saurabh Tiwary? That's a very outlandish proposition that I have heard for a test player in our team. Who next? Yusuf Pathan? Apart from a few handful innings in IPL, Saurabh Tiwary was not successful even in IPL. How can you even think of him to be Ganguly's replacement in tests?

If you had said the other Tiwary (Manoj), that would have been a logical suggestion. Manoj Tiwary is a future test prospect. He might not look lazily elegant or attractive like Rohit, but he works hard for his runs and gets them when it is required.

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I really don't think you need a specialist #6 to bat in that spot, any opener would do tbh, they're usually the ones gearing up to take on the 2nd new ball.

Any batsman with a good technique will do. Laxman was not a specialist opener (in fact he was so uncomfortable with opening that he even voiced out his opinion after he made a name for himself in the side and got his wish to move to the middle order executed).

 

[Epic]

Saurabh Tiwary? That's a very outlandish proposition that I have heard for a test player in our team. Who next? Yusuf Pathan? Apart from a few handful innings in IPL, Saurabh Tiwary was not successful even in IPL. How can you even think of him to be Ganguly's replacement in tests?

If you had said the other Tiwary (Manoj), that would have been a logical suggestion. Manoj Tiwary is a future test prospect. He might not look lazily elegant or attractive like Rohit, but he works hard for his runs and gets them when it is required.

He was talking about specialist #6 batsmen, guys who regularly play there for their state side and what not.

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Any batsman with a good technique will do. Laxman was not a specialist opener (in fact he was so uncomfortable with opening that he even voiced out his opinion after he made a name for himself in the side and got his wish to move to the middle order executed).

And what do most specialist openers have? A good technique and that's why I think Rahane should be tried out for that spot. It might not be permanent choice, but he'll get some game time and most importantly some runs under his belt, way better than warming the bench if you ask me.

 

[VC the slogger]

Saurabh Tiwary? That's a very outlandish proposition that I have heard for a test player in our team. Who next? Yusuf Pathan? Apart from a few handful innings in IPL, Saurabh Tiwary was not successful even in IPL. How can you even think of him to be Ganguly's replacement in tests?

He could be tried there. He scored some brilliant knocks at a high strike rate in the Emerging players tournament last year or so batting at no 5/6. Even in Ranji he's impressed a lot. BTW is Manoj good for no 6? He is a much better middle order player at 4/5. He's got a phenomenal FC average of above 58 with a brilliant 50-100 conversion rate so maybe India could start with him at 6. Or maybe Sehwag could move down there and let Rahane open with Gambhir.
Another player that comes to mind is Manish Pandey who's done a great deal in FC cricket and is a big hitter. He is a future prospect.

 

[sifter132]

Let Kohli stay at no 6 for now and see how he goes.

I personally think Pujara will make a better #3 and should be started there, but we'll see how Kohli and Pujara go about their business, that #3 spot is theirs for the taking really

Just interesting how India's fans and even their ex-players are really high on Pujara and want him to go to #3 straight away, even at the expense of Kohli. Aakash Chopra had Kohli at #6 in his preferred batting order I saw this morning, I've seen it a few times and I just don't understand it. He's the ONLY guy who did well in Australia, he's been killing it in ODIs and you want to keep him at #6? Probably won't matter too much in this series, but it can't be good to have your #1 player down at #6 for the long term.

I guess you have to ask the question where people are going to fit long term. Kohli looks a #4 and that spot is sewn up by SRT, Pujara is slotted for #3, I like Gambhir as a #3 though as well. Depends what openers India can find though I guess...

 

[icyman]

In the few year to come, I can see Rahane and Gambhir opening, with Viru in the middle. Pujara and Kohli should hold on to their place ,which brings up the 5.

Addiotnally, I came across anothe rinteresting name that I believe will do good for India in the future- Any thoughts about Rajasthan's Ashok Menaria ?

 

[Gaurav_7]

Menaria? It's too early. I don't know much about him but, it's definitely early. Sehwag should open as long as he plays. The guy can turn a match in no time. Kohli/Pujara at 3/4, Rahane at 5. Rohit Sharma can bat at 6. There's no doubt he has the talent but, as Varun said, he needs to do away with his laziness. Manoj Tiwary can be prospect too in tests. Lol @ whoever brought up Saurabh Tiwary though.

 

[Fenil]

In the few year to come, I can see Rahane and Gambhir opening, with Viru in the middle. Pujara and Kohli should hold on to their place ,which brings up the 5.

Addiotnally, I came across anothe rinteresting name that I believe will do good for India in the future- Any thoughts about Rajasthan's Ashok Menaria ?

Menaria? He has played just 14 games. I'd rather have the two time Ranji champion team member, Robin Bist in the test side than having Menaria.

 

[icyman]

I think you guys mis-understood me. I dont want Menaria to be drafted in immediately, but as a future prospect, i think he'll be a better bet than Ravinder Jadeja for sure.

 

[Epic]

Just interesting how India's fans and even their ex-players are really high on Pujara and want him to go to #3 straight away, even at the expense of Kohli. Aakash Chopra had Kohli at #6 in his preferred batting order I saw this morning, I've seen it a few times and I just don't understand it. He's the ONLY guy who did well in Australia, he's been killing it in ODIs and you want to keep him at #6? Probably won't matter too much in this series, but it can't be good to have your #1 player down at #6 for the long term.

I guess you have to ask the question where people are going to fit long term. Kohli looks a #4 and that spot is sewn up by SRT, Pujara is slotted for #3, I like Gambhir as a #3 though as well. Depends what openers India can find though I guess...

I'll tell you why, the media is trying to build him up to be the next Dravid and we're all falling for it really (me included), but I know for a fact Dhoni won't, he'll go with Kohli at 3 and Pujara at 5.

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Menaria? It's too early. I don't know much about him but, it's definitely early. Sehwag should open as long as he plays. The guy can turn a match in no time. Kohli/Pujara at 3/4, Rahane at 5. Rohit Sharma can bat at 6. There's no doubt he has the talent but, as Varun said, he needs to do away with his laziness. Manoj Tiwary can be prospect too in tests. Lol @ whoever brought up Saurabh Tiwary though.

Or he can leave you 1 down in the 1st over exposing your middle order to the new ball, he's more of a liability than anything and don't even say "ugh, that's the risk you take with Sehwag" 'cus I'm done taking these unnecessary risks for some viewing pleasure.

I just want one of our specialist openers to open, is that too much to ask? And you don't need to open the innings to 'turn' a match, you can do that batting anywhere from 1 to 6.

 

[VC the slogger]

There you go, these guys are gonna pick Raina ahead of some others. Dhoni says in this article that the slip cordon is secure after the retirements of Dravid & Laxman because ""We have Virat [Kohli], [Suresh] Raina and we already have [Virender] Sehwag there, he will most likely stand in at first slip. I don't think we will be short of fielders who field at slips."

 

[icyman]

I just want one of our specialist openers to open, is that too much to ask? And you don't need to open the innings to 'turn' a match, you can do that batting anywhere from 1 to 6.

I agree with your points w.r.t Sehwag. But, if he gets going in the first few overs, which he does more often than not- it creates instant pressure on the opposition captain.

It buys the team more time. A specialist opener can defend and stave off the new ball. Maybe, in such a case we end up at 56/0 after 20 overs. If Sehwag gets going, that score can be like 132/1 or 132/2 after 20 overs. I'd take the second option. -As business terminologies always say- Higher the risk, higher the returns.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

I wont mind giving Raina a last go. Have always shown faith in tried and tested players so wont mind giving him a last go.

Seeing that article it seems this would be our lineup

Sehwag
Gambhir
Kohli
Tendulkar
Pujara
Raina
Dhoni
Ashwin
Zaheer
Sharma/Chawla
Yadav

 

[icyman]

What purpose would that serve ? I am even against the idea of having him in the Test line-up. There are players like Raina, Yuvraj ,who are more suited to the short format of the game. They should work hard on it and make it their homes just like they have done for the T20s.

Raina ,playing at home can strike gold, but, it defeats the purpose of having Rahane in the team, who has been on the sidelines long enough.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Why even argue when Dhoni isnt listening? Its better to have him in the side accept the fact and move on