India the Test Future?

[andy]

you cant compare what happens in odi's to tests, especially when the guy hasnt even played a test shanky.

[shankycricket]

I suppose there must be a reason why he doesn't open for Mumbai even when their first choice opener is unavailable.

And to say that what happens in ODIs is irrelevant is just far too simplistic. Its not as if he was getting out playing expansive shots.

[shankycricket]

Lack of feet movement and inability to cover the movement have been his undoing in ODIs. If anything, this problem will haunt him a lot more in Tests. To say that what happens in another format is irrelevant is too convenient and too simplistic. Watch him bat and judge.

[andy]

Rahane can probably get away with opening in t20 though, he has done a cracking job for Rajasthan in IPL opening the batting, so he isnt useless opening the batting!

[shankycricket]

Even in the IPL, he has struggled a bit against international bowlers.

Not trying to knock the guy down, I still think he's a fine prospect but in the middle order. The Mumbai wicketkeeper was promoted to open ahead of Rahane when their first choice opener Jaffer was unavailable at the start of the season. Surely there must be a reason for it? He was picked as the middle order reserve against England and I'm not quite sure what he has done in these 2 months to earn the promotion as an opener.

[meninblue]

Rahane can probably get away with opening in t20 though, he has done a cracking job for Rajasthan in IPL opening the batting, so he isnt useless opening the batting!

IMO Ajinkya will be in contention for a place in the squad in all formats. There are others who have scored lots of runs in Ranji but that has been only for current season. Ajinkya and Shikhar have done well over lot of domestic tournaments in India and across various formats. They also have more LIST A experience than other top scorers of this Ranji season. Both are brilliant fielders as well.

[shankycricket]

Rahane can probably get away with opening in t20 though, he has done a cracking job for Rajasthan in IPL opening the batting, so he isnt useless opening the batting!

IMO Ajinkya will be in contention for a place in the squad in all formats. There are others who have scored lots of runs in Ranji but that has been only for current season. Ajinkya and Shikhar have done well over lot of domestic tournaments in India and across various formats. They also have more LIST A experience than other top scorers of this Ranji season. Both are brilliant fielders as well.

Agree that he should be in the Test squad but in the middle order.

Don't understand why he should be in the ODI/T20 squad though. Lots of batsmen in India with far better List A and T20 records than him.

[alfie]

Agree with Shanky here...Rahane doesn't look like an International opener , at least at present ...let him come in to the middle order and we'll see.

[Red Devil]

anyone know the latest on Umesh Yadav - is he ever going to be fit again?

[greyblazer]

I said that at the end of the England series but people disagreed.But the question is who would come in?
Mukund?I must say I wasnt impressed with his technique in the West Indies and England although he showed a bit of fighting spirit.
When I first saw Vijay bat,I liked the look of him.He had a solid technique and looked a decent,organised player.But ever since he has started playing T20 he is chasing balls outside the off stump and getting out.His defense has become non existent.Jaffer has previously done well in SA and England and he has got a good technique but is perhaps too old now.
Any others?
But I do agree that Sehwag should move down the order.I can assure you that not too many opposition spinners would be happy with that.

Rahane can open, Sehwag can bat lower down.

No he isnt an opener.A 22 year old who doesnt even open for his state side cant be asked to open for his country particularly when they are in such a bad state.

Jaffer has done well in England and has a good technique? He averages 24.40 in England. The only time he looked ok was at Trent Bridge in 07 but even then he should have been given out lbw to James Anderson. In Oz, SA and England he averages 21.72. Everytime I see him bat I feel any decent swinger will fancy his chances against him.

[meninblue]

The good thing from this selection is Dhoni has realized there is no point in favoring all his CSK buddies and other favorites. I am surprised though that he remains test captain.

[shankycricket]

http://ibnlive.com/news/cricketnext/nz- ... 33-78.html

Packed schedule, will need to prioritize tournaments and send teams accordingly.

[Red Devil]

India's test squad for NZ from cricinfo ...

MS Dhoni (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, M Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishwar Pandey

In: Ishwar Pandey
Out: Pragyan Ojha

The obvious surprise is Ishant retaining his place, we can only hope that they don't pick him for any of the games. Pandey gives some height and should be given a chance if they want a taller bowler. I'd expect Bhuvi to do well in NZ, and Umesh is probably the most exciting prospect so we need to invest in him.

Ojha's omission may seem harsh, but there is no point taking 3 spinners to NZ and Ind tail is so weak that the spinner will have to be Ashwin or Jadeja just to give some depth to the batting line-up.

[shankycricket]

Ishant's retention isn't really a surprise, as disappointing as it is. Pandey is a good selection and Aaron is in for the ODIs. Very disappointing to see Ojha dropped without getting a game whereas Ashwin hangs on despite piss poor performances in both formats. Disgraceful. Oh Well, its all Ojha's fault. He needs to know which IPL team to play for.....


Equally disgraceful is the selector's son Stuart Binny making it ahead of Rishi Dhawan. Yuvraj's omission is a move in the right direction but not sure what Raina has done (apart from playing for CSK ofcourse) to retain his spot. Still no Pujara in ODIS

[Red Devil]

Do you think Dhawan will make it as a test opener, given that we have away series against NZ and Eng coming up?

Moving Rahane up to 5 would also be a good move for these tours