India the Test Future?

[meninblue]

IMO Dhoni must be feeling the heat. I did not like the way he treated V.V.S. and he was the main reason why V.V.S. retired early . During the selection for NewZealand, selectors said to V.V.S. that although they have selected him for this series, he might be dropped for the next. V.V.S. was surprised the way selectors came across and he ringed Dhoni's cell phone for two days. Dhoni did not answer his call for two days. V.V.S. realized Dhoni was not backing him and maybe he too was part of this politics played in selection. Only one captain in Indian cricket has though that Raina and Yuvi are better test batters than V.V.S. Sadly, V.V.S. due to lack of support from his captain announced retirement early than he would have otherwise wanted to.

Dhoni's keeping has been below average IMO. Even Prior , whom i rate as average keeper, was standing a couple of metres ahead to England pacers who bowled relatively much faster than Indian pacers in England did. Whereas Dhoni was standing a meter back than Prior even for Praveen Kumar's pace. His confidence is just not there as a keeper. Unlike , Denesh Ramdin who collects the ball like the way a traditional keeper should, Dhoni can only collect the outer edges. Has anyone seen Dhoni collect the inner edges or the ones which come in to his left side in a proper technical keepers style? IMO he doesn't does it as good as Denesh does.

Even Dhoni's filed placement have been weird. IMO Ashwin has been turned into a defensive bowler due to fields given to him. How often have we seen him bowl round the wicket in all formats. Yes, Dhoni is disadvantaged of having aeging or slow fielders in the side, but atleast he can place them in the correct positions.

Now that Punter has retired, Sachin's retirement is being anticipated. If Sachin retires then IMO Dhoni will be more handicapped. Dhoni knows that and hence he is not playing politics like the way he did to V.V.S. Yes, Pujara's form will probably change Dhoni's mind and maybe we will see Sachin retire. But that would be foolish if Dhoni triggers sachin's retirement like V.V.S. was triggered by quite a few people. IMO even a club cricketer does not wants to lower his batting average and every bad innings hurts. A club cricketer also knows whether he is fit to play 40 over or 3 day matches. Sachin IMO too does not wants to continue playing and end up with lower career average. Also, he is aware of his fitness. Otherwise, he would have retired without anyone telling him to do so. He is not Yuvi or Raina who will use their rapport to get in test side. Once Sachin retires then we will see the real colors of this youth team, especially overseas. Dhoni is digging his own grave and we ahve observed how it is affecting team India's performances in the past year. Even Gauti and Sehwag are not happy with his captaincy, even though they will feed the media with positive comments about Dhoni.

IMO we need to change the test captain. It's the right time now.

[shankycricket]

Who are the alternatives though? I'd say that finding a decent opening pair for overseas conditions (not Sehwag) is a bigger concern than Dhoni. Not that Dhoni's been in good form but he has a great record at Kolkata. Maybe he'll turn it around over there?

[dan08]

I think Karthik's a good keeper-batsman. Not sure if i'd have him ahead of Dhoni though.

[shankycricket]

From an England point of view, I'd rather not see Dhoni in the Indian side for this series. I do understand the concerns regarding Dhoni outside the subcontinent though. He certainly doesn't have the technique to score in seaming conditions and his record shows. But I think he'll come good in this series. Away from home, they could look at Saha.

[meninblue]

If Dhoni hadn't been the captain he would have been dropped for his keeping.

[andy]

If Dhoni hadn't been the captain he would have been dropped for his keeping.

agree, he's an awful keeper!

[meninblue]

If not Irfan when fit, Abhishek Nayar should be considered as an allrounder. They deserve a test series.

[andy]

Nayar is average at best...although IMO so's Irfan..

[meninblue]

Nayar is average at best...although IMO so's Irfan..

Better than the likes of Jadeja Yuvi and Raina in test matches IMO.

[meninblue]

Ashwins test batting average is 46


Raina 29
Yuvi 34
Dhoni 38
Virat 39

[shankycricket]

Don't see why India need an allrounder at home, where you play 2 spinners. The 2 spinners will do majority of the bowling anyway. Its away from home when India play 3 seamers and 1 spinner that a 5th bowler i.e. a 4th seamer might be required to share the workload as the spinner won't get much assistance in the 1st innings and the 3 seamers might get overbowled.
I think India could look at Bhuvneshwar and Irfan as the seam bowling allrounders abroad. At home, just pick a specialist batsman at 6 and go in with 4 frontline bowlers, 2 seamers and 2 spinners.

[Red Devil]

Don't see why India need an allrounder at home, where you play 2 spinners. The 2 spinners will do majority of the bowling anyway. Its away from home when India play 3 seamers and 1 spinner that a 5th bowler i.e. a 4th seamer might be required to share the workload as the spinner won't get much assistance in the 1st innings and the 3 seamers might get overbowled.
I think India could look at Bhuvneshwar and Irfan as the seam bowling allrounders abroad. At home, just pick a specialist batsman at 6 and go in with 4 frontline bowlers, 2 seamers and 2 spinners.

yep - would have to agree

Bhuvneshwar and Irfan are the two all-round options, I'd be tempted to play them both - a fit Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav would probably be the other two seamers for me - with Ishant in the frame depending on his form. Dinda doesn't look too bad but it is early days

[Making_Splinters]

Don't see why India need an allrounder at home, where you play 2 spinners. The 2 spinners will do majority of the bowling anyway. Its away from home when India play 3 seamers and 1 spinner that a 5th bowler i.e. a 4th seamer might be required to share the workload as the spinner won't get much assistance in the 1st innings and the 3 seamers might get overbowled.
I think India could look at Bhuvneshwar and Irfan as the seam bowling allrounders abroad. At home, just pick a specialist batsman at 6 and go in with 4 frontline bowlers, 2 seamers and 2 spinners.

yep - would have to agree

Bhuvneshwar and Irfan are the two all-round options, I'd be tempted to play them both - a fit Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav would probably be the other two seamers for me - with Ishant in the frame depending on his form. Dinda doesn't look too bad but it is early days

Add in most of the Indian batsman bowl some fairly competant spin or medium pace and it really isn't something that is needed. India are a team who can play four bowlers with ease.

[andy]

agree m/s..

also if Ashwin is averaging 46 with the bat, why not put him at 7?

then you can get in 3 quicks and another spinner..

[meninblue]

Ashwin had scored a double century as opener for his Under 17 team. It is good that he is showing that he can knock the ton at international test level (against WI) and more than few 50's Some shots he played were like specialist batsman, the way he got in position due to judging the line and length early. It was proper footwork and hand eye co-ordination. There is no harm in giving him decent chance to bat at 7.