India the Test Future?

[andy]

i would leave out Dhoni from the test side now, and go with Saha instead.

[shankycricket]

I suspect they'll stick to the line up that played at Nagpur with a specialist batsman replacing Jadeja. The fact that Jadeja batted below MSD and bowled so many overs suggests to me that he was picked as an extra bowling option for what was a must win game for them. For a fresh series, I expect them to revert to 6 batsmen with MSD at 7.

[shankycricket]

Rahane doesn't open for Mumbai in FC Cricket. Even when regular opener Jaffer was unavailable at the start of the season, they promoted their keeper to open instead of Rahane. Maybe he's more suited to the middle order?

[andy]

also after being dropped, does Zaheer automatically come back in for the next test series they play, or do they move on from him now?

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'd like to know that. I sort of assumed he had gone. And I've not heard him mentioned since he was rested. But I suppose he hasn't retired.

[meninblue]

I'd like to know that. I sort of assumed he had gone. And I've not heard him mentioned since he was rested. But I suppose he hasn't retired.

He is undergoing injury rehabilitation at National Cricket Academy (NCA) at Bangalore at the moment.

[andy]

there's a shock!

[meninblue]

Abhishek Nayar is a better option instead of Yuvi,Jadeja,Rain,Rohit . He also offers the medium pace overs. Off course his stance is awkward as he appears just over stump height with a hugely bent stance, but he has the test match patience and big hundred and double hundreds in FC.

Second highest scorer in this years Ranji season, scoring 966 runs in 17 innings. Also took 19 wickets in 14 innings. Jiwanjyot scored 995 in 17 innings.

[meninblue]

Abhishek Nayar is a better option instead of Yuvi,Jadeja,Rain,Rohit . He also offers the medium pace overs. Off course his stance is awkward as he appears just over stump height with a hugely bent stance, but he has the test match patience and big hundred and double hundreds in FC.

Second highest scorer in this years Ranji season, scoring 966 runs in 17 innings. Also took 19 wickets in 14 innings. Jiwanjyot scored 995 in 17 innings.

Nayar is in as expected I can see him getting in the playing 11 as well. Good luck to the prolific Ranji cricketer as well as others who will get selected in playing 11.

Mumbai's Abhishek Nayar has been selected to play for India A against Australia in a tour match in February. Nayar was not a part of the India A and Board President's XI squads announced earlier this week.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-aus ... 02873.html

[andy]

still wold like to see Dhoni left out of the test side, and Saha put in there, but cant see it happening sadly.

[shankycricket]

I won't mind that but Dhoni's Test form isn't really anywhere near as bad as Sehwag, Gambhir or Sachin. Knowing how Indian cricket works, its hard to see how all 4 of them c being dropped (heck, they might even retain all of them). So if I had to drop one or two of them at the moment, Sehwag should be the first to go with Gambhir probably second.

Though I'm pretty sure all of them will be picked.....

[shankycricket]

Knowing how Indian cricket works, I'd also be willing to put a good bet that Suresh Raina will be batting at 6 vs Australia.

[shankycricket]

Jiwanjot Singh is in the India A squad, Dhawan is in the Irani Cup squad and Mukund is leading the BP XI, which suggests that they may not be too far away from a Test call up but pretty sure they'll give Sehwag and GG at least a couple of Tests.

[andy]

Dhawan does have the talent, and should be given a go....

Dhawan and Rahane perhaps the future test opening partnership for india?

[shankycricket]

Rahane isn't an opener. I think his ODI outings so far show why he is seen as a middle order option in Tests and not as an opener. Poor against the moving ball...