Posted by   on (February 11, 2013, 4:13 GMT) - Featured comment

Would have love to see, Jivanjot Singh (Top Scorer in Ranji, Plays as Opener, 5 Hundred in 10 games) and Wasim Jaffer for his consistent run. S.Raina scored fantastic 100 in difficult circumstances against Mumbai in Irani Trophy and he was the best batsman in recently concluded ODI Series, He should have been given one more chance at number 6. What was the point in having 2 off spinners in squad? you are not going to play both, then better have a Leg Spin of Mishra or continue with P.Chawla and if you are going to keep one just to warm bench, then why not, Parvez Rassol from Jammu and Kashmir. You are not going to play Dinda anyways, why not put S.Sreesanth back?

As an Aussie, I don't know enough about the Ranji Trophy to make any sort of informed comment about the individuals who are replacing those who have been dropped. Having said that though, I've got to say that I think this is a move in the right direction for India. ... no matter how much you may want to there is simply no future in selecting players on the weight of past glories. Gambhir, for all his past heroics, looked frankly clueless in Aus. His reaction time was slow and at times he looked afraid of the fast bowling. .. a sign that age is catching up perhaps. .. Harbi MAY be a different story though. That man has done SO much damage to our batting over the years that his legend remains strong, even among the players in our team who have never faced him. .. here's a little secret for you. Lot's of Australians find Harbi to be disagreeable, insufferably arrogant and a general pot stirrer. You know what though, we respect the hell out of him. ... Strange, isn't it.

Sometimes you look back to move forward. Had Jaffer been selected that would have been the case. Dropping Gautam was fair. He has been occupying the slot without an intent to occupy the crease. May be a year on the domestic circuit might do good. But one never know, Bhajji has been included even without a decent year in the domestic circuit. Wonder why?. If the intention is to really look at the future (as being argued against Jaffer), why look at Bhajji and not at some of the better spinners in the domestic games. The recent spate of losses has to do with the top order than anything else. If the top order clicks India would do better than otherwise. Indian bowling has been pedestrian even when the side was doing great over the last 3-4 years (till WC 2011). It was not without reason MSD talked about his "Par+" batting approach and what "Par+50" could do to your own weak bowlers.

Excellent mix of youth and experience. Bold decision to let Gambhir figure it out in the India A side. Shikhar Dhawan gets his call up based upon domestic performance. Jaffer is probably out of mind as he has had his chances before, making a 3rd comeback at 35 is not possible. Harbhajan gets in the team as his performances against australia has been outstanding, though he did not bowl good in the domestic circuit, but he is a champion bowler nonetheless. I always feel the need for a good wrist spinner especially in India, but i only see mediocrity in Piyush Chawla and Amit Mishra, its a tough art to master. Also, after all the talk to replace Dhoni its good to see selectors have faith in him. He did himself good against England in ODI's to shut his critics. This could be make or break series for Sachin also. Much expected from him in what could be his swansong year. Really looking forward to this series.

If Irani cup + Ranji Trophy performances were the basis for selecting the Indian squad, Jaffer should have walked into the team ahead of Vijay. The same applied to Raina who deserved the #6 spot. Inclusion of Dinda is another one with no proof to support his inclusion. I.Pandey was the leading seamer in the Ranji & S.Nadeem, the leading spinner. Neither are in the squad. This again begs the question re: the basis for team selection. Harbhajan is not even amongst the top 50 of the Ranji Bowlers. Just to give him the satisfaction of completing 100 tests is bit of an overkill. Jadeja is a good ODI player- brilliant fielder & a reasonable all rounder. But if India needs a good left hand spinner, Nadeem is the guy.Jadeja does not justify his place purely as a bowler or batsman. Judging overall, this squad is short of seamers - Just 3! Out of these 3. Ishant has questionable fitness & Dinda is of questionable ability.Shami or even Pankaj.S.are lot better than Dinda.Dhoni still Test Captain?

Jaffer should have been included in this squad. He has proven his point by cracking centuries in his last three games, one each in semifinal and final or Ranji trophy and one in Irani trophy. He is solid in defense and footwork. He will outclass other three openers included in side any day. We will be facing strong Aussi attack and we should have rock solid opening partnership. It would be difficult if we loose early wickets as our fragile middle order has shown again and again. Nair also missed the boat, he could have given Indian bowling extra strength. It seems selection committee is not willing to take strong decisions. To get to number one status in tests we have to change our selection policies in a big way.

Posted by   on (February 10, 2013, 12:57 GMT) - Featured comment

I Still Don't Understand why people looking for Jafer as he is 35 and he can't even play for another 1 or 2 years, what if we don't find better replacement after 2 years. India still feeling the heat for better replacement of DADA. When vijay and Dhawan is in good form its better to use them now rather than finding opener when nobody is in form. It's good selection and my only worry is Rahena's selection since he lost most of his opportunities i would have preferred Manoj or Raina for middle order place. India's seam bowling dept looks very unhealthy compared to Ozz seam attack. It will testing time for india and our batting unit should work hard to find some runs, also it will pressure on Ashwin when bhajji in the squad. I pray that MSD should not go with three spinners. Best of Luck india.

Posted by   on (February 10, 2013, 12:20 GMT) - Featured comment

Based on sheer performance and experience, for the first two tests we should have chosen Wasim Jaffer. He is also a good slip fielder to replace Dravid whom we miss after his retirement. He could also have been selected instead of Viru who has not shown any great form. Shikar Dhawan has not shown the same consistency unless he was preferred to have a left hander to replace Gambhir.. Harbajan's selection can be justified on his perfomance in the Irani Trophy and hopefully he will perform coming back into contention. I yet maintain despite his century in the Irani trophy match, Raina is good for the ODIs and T20 games.

Ok. Good selection all in all. Two changes from squad against England. Awana makes way for Bhuvnes and gauti makes way for dhawan. Which is a good selection. Those who say jaffer. Go check what has dhawan done year after year in Ranji. One of most consistent. And just recently scored century against visiting england for delhi against full pace attack. This selection team is rewarding consistent young performers. and giving chances to this seasons performers at various level. Which is a good sign for indian cricket. Only thing is if Rahane is still looked at as opener by team think tank. Then what is the point in having 4 openers. Or he is now in race for no 6 batsman.Remains to be seen. Bhajji did bowl well just now in Irani match. So that's positive. Plus gauti goes to captain India A against Austrilia. Given chance to prove himself. So there is thought put into selection & Performers getting due chance.