India the Test Future?

[Gingerfinch]

Well written though!

[legstump]

Funny you should say that, Rich, as here I am.

Was rather hoping the 'us vs them' mentality would have rescinded by now, given that my initial comments toward CMS were woefully misguided.

Unfortunately, I haven't got a great deal of time to post either here or at 606v2 at this moment, though.

Would be interesting to get the thoughts of you guys on that article - naturally it has created a complete split in opinion. Some say they certainly won't rule the cricketing world by 2016, others say they can but they won't, and a few of the die-hards believe that they can. Personally, I think they can prove to be incredibly competitive over the course of the next five years after an initial settling period following the retirement of the golden generation, but at the same time Australia, England, South Africa and Pakistan all have some tremendous youngsters emerging, too. It leaves me incredibly excited about Test cricket over say the next decade, as I think it could reach its peak of competitiveness at some point during.

[Making_Splinters]

I must admit, it has always some what perplexed me how there can be a general sense of gloom over Indian cricket when they have a grroup of players with first class records that far outstrip anything any other country can currently boast of and indeed is Rahane not in fact in the top five batting averages in the entire history of first class cricket!

A further look produces Rohit in the top ten in the history of the game as well as Tiwary, Badrinath and Mukund all in the top 20, whether or not you put much cop on the standard of the Indian domestic game to have four currently playing batsmen out stripping legends of the game, at least at first class level, is surely a sign for hope?

[Gingerfinch]

Rahane averages 68 but has never played a test?

[braveneutral]

The problem with the Indian golden generation is that batting-wise, you will always find players that are hyped as the next big thing - regardless of era. Perhaps Indian fans are doom and gloom at the minute, but this is likely because you can not replace VVS, SRT and RSD with completely new players and get the same level of performance. For these guys mentioned that are waiting in the wings, there will be a bedding in period of a few years (I would have thought) before they start to click as a unit. There will be two years or more before they even all start playing together. It is highly possible that India won't win an away Test against decent opposition for years. Thus, there is reason for doom and gloom, add to that the differences in class and adjustments that are needed in the step between Ranji and Test level there is a reason maybe for this negative outlook.

[legstump]

Whilst I would rank the Indian domestic game far below English county cricket in terms of the overall level of quality, such records are still mighty impressive, and show a great level of consistency. It isn't the be all and end all, as we have found out with Mukund when opening the batting in England - it is a bloody tough assignment, regardless of first class success - but it certainly allows for promise.

Bowling remains the issue. If the likes of Yadav, Praveen, Aaron can really push on, improve their game and add consistency, then they stand a chance. If not, they may suffer many of the same problems that the current side is suffering, i.e. an inability to take 20 wickets on a regular basis.

[braveneutral]

Aaron is like a scatter gun and Yadav is not there yet. Ashwin at times looks highly convincing and at others looks like there is no point having him there. Jadeja shouldn't come into the Test side I don't think, a specialist like Ojha would do more damage. The problem is 20 wickets. Frankly they can't take them. Do I see four of Aaron, Yadav, PK, Ashwin and Ojha managing it consistently. Maybe, but unlikely.

[shankycricket]

Funny you should say that, Rich, as here I am.

Was rather hoping the 'us vs them' mentality would have rescinded by now, given that my initial comments toward CMS were woefully misguided.

Unfortunately, I haven't got a great deal of time to post either here or at 606v2 at this moment, though.

Would be interesting to get the thoughts of you guys on that article - naturally it has created a complete split in opinion. Some say they certainly won't rule the cricketing world by 2016, others say they can but they won't, and a few of the die-hards believe that they can. Personally, I think they can prove to be incredibly competitive over the course of the next five years after an initial settling period following the retirement of the golden generation, but at the same time Australia, England, South Africa and Pakistan all have some tremendous youngsters emerging, too. It leaves me incredibly excited about Test cricket over say the next decade, as I think it could reach its peak of competitiveness at some point during.

Good to see you here. Always believed that you are a very knowledgeable cricket poster. Whatever mistakes you might have done as an admin should not cloud over the fact that you are very knowledgeable about the game of cricket and a game of cricket.
If you views on CMS were genuinely misguided then I dont have any issues with you because before that incident I had always held you in high regard.I do have a few issues with some of the other admins for the way they have treated me in the past but I wont go there.Now that you are here,I would like to believe that we should forget the past and move on
Lets just discuss cricket.I understand that you might not have the time atm but whenever you find time, it would be great to have you posting here. This is an excellent site,trust me.
I dont think there is anything wrong with posting on two forums.

Regards

[legstump]

As things stand, Braveneutral, you are correct. It is why I emphasise the word consistency, as that is the one thing perhaps holding these bowlers back. They certainly have the talent and the necessary attributes.

Yadav's early Test career has reminded me of Steven Finn's, a little. A wicket taker, but with a tendency to go around the park. Finn seems to have corrected his lines and greatly improved as a bowler, even adding a yard of pace in the process. Yadav's challenge is to do the same.

Shanky, thanks for the welcome.

[Making_Splinters]

I think there is a general overstatement on the importance of India finding quality quick bowlers, they have arguably only had a single high class consistant performer in recent times; Khan and yet they have still managed to do reasonably well.

If anything the continuing lack of a replacement for Kumble is a far bigger issue for India than any pace bowler.

As for positng on two forums, personally I have never seen the point as it simply becomes an exercise in copy and pasting, I have found CMS to be a good base for decent cricket discussion, that of course is in no way saying there are not other good sites out there, so I have kind of stuck around even though from time to time I do miss having a little tumble with the ignorant mass of 606.

[braveneutral]

As things stand, Braveneutral, you are correct. It is why I emphasise the word consistency, as that is the one thing perhaps holding these bowlers back. They certainly have the talent and the necessary attributes.

Yadav's early Test career has reminded me of Steven Finn's, a little. A wicket taker, but with a tendency to go around the park. Finn seems to have corrected his lines and greatly improved as a bowler, even adding a yard of pace in the process. Yadav's challenge is to do the same.

Shanky, thanks for the welcome.

Indeed, but I don't think that the bowling unit will come to fruition, it will have no problem in India, of that I am almost certain, but put it in English or Australian conditions or even Irish ones and not much will happen.

If no one is opposed, I am going to move this all to the India - The future thread.

[ddb]

Personally a line up of Rahane, Gambhir, Pujara(often gets left out even though he's probably best suited), Kohli, Sehwag, Rohit, Dhoni wouldn't worry me too much in SA in 2 years.

It should be a decent batting line up. And the only good thing that came from the 8-0 is that we can not say "The Big 3 would have performed if they were still playing"

The bowling is weak and we've produced 2/3 World Class seamers in all our history so that's to be expected tbh. My main worry is the lack of a top quality spinner. Ojha's reliable but he isn't going to pick up wickets at a regular.

[legstump]

Please do, my apologies for starting this debate in the incorrect section.

[braveneutral]

Please do, my apologies for starting this debate in the incorrect section.

Not your fault!

[ddb]

Indeed, but I don't think that the bowling unit will come to fruition, it will have no problem in India, of that I am almost certain, but put it in English or Australian conditions or even Irish ones and not much will happen.

Will be interesting to see whether Joe Dawes has any effect here though. Eric Simmons actually made our bowling attack worse IMO.