Afghanistan to make Test debut on June 14 against India at Bangalore

[GrandMaster]

Hope AFG put up a good fight and cause an unlikely upset.

I believe in Karma

 

[Sidilicious]

Navdeep Saini included in for the squad as Shami failed yo-yo test.
Navdeep was someone that was promoted massively by Gauti , says a lot about Gauti though,everyone remembers what Saini did in Ranji semis but no one knows the politics that was done to keep NAVDEEP away from team and how Gauti fought tooth and nail to include him.

Hoping Gauti becomes an administrator in BCCI genuinely trust him and Kumble much more than Curren co.

I didn’t know this about Gambhir, but I am not surprised. For me Gambhir was quite like Ganguly - a fighter and a good captain, except that he was not as sophisticated as Ganguly and was bit more brash, which lead to his downfall.

I remember how Dada fought tooth and nail to include Bhajji in the team for the Aus test series in 2001 and then to have Sehwag in the team as well for the ODI series that followed. Gambhir too has that fire in him.

I hope he serves Indian cricket in one way or another.

 

[TM Riddle]

Navdeep Saini included in for the squad as Shami failed yo-yo test.
Navdeep was someone that was promoted massively by Gauti , says a lot about Gauti though,everyone remembers what Saini did in Ranji semis but no one knows the politics that was done to keep NAVDEEP away from team and how Gauti fought tooth and nail to include him.

Hoping Gauti becomes an administrator in BCCI genuinely trust him and Kumble much more than Curren co.

What's the story here?

 

[ManFan]

I believe in Karma

Come again?

 

[Abdullah719]

A privilege to play Afghanistan in their first Test, says stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane

India will host Afghanistan in their first ever Test match from June 14. Ajinkya Rahane has been handed over India’s captaincy for the game and the right-hander has said that it’s a privilege to be leading the team in their maiden Test match. “It’s a privilege to be playing in Afghanistan’s first Test match. It’s a historic moment for them and an opportunity for us to be part of the occasion,” Rahane was quoted as saying in an ICC release.

Talking about the Afghanistan side, Rahane admitted that they have a bunch of some talented players who have proved their worth in the shorter format. “They have a fine team and some talented players, who have proved themselves in shorter formats. I am sure they are looking forward to do the same in Test cricket. On behalf of the Indian team, I wish them all the best,” he said.

Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai expressed delight about starting their Test journey and added that it’s an honour for his side to start their career in Test cricket against India.

“It’s a great moment for us as we embark on our Test journey. To be playing our first Test against India is a great honour and we hope to give a good account of ourselves. To be competing against the best on the Test rankings table is something to be proud of and we will try to do our best in whatever chances we get and exhibit the skills the players possess individually as well as collectively as a team,” Stanikzai said.

http://indianexpress.com/article/sp...ndia-stand-in-captain-ajinkya-rahane-5213313/

 

[JaDed]

I didn’t know this about Gambhir, but I am not surprised. For me Gambhir was quite like Ganguly - a fighter and a good captain, except that he was not as sophisticated as Ganguly and was bit more brash, which lead to his downfall.

I remember how Dada fought tooth and nail to include Bhajji in the team for the Aus test series in 2001 and then to have Sehwag in the team as well for the ODI series that followed. Gambhir too has that fire in him.

I hope he serves Indian cricket in one way or another.

Yup he does, and I too thought of him similar to Dada, and dada was right in rejecting Shastri sadly Kohli was too bent on him.

What's the story here?

Apparently selector were hell bent against including Saini, Gauti went out of his way to get him included inspite of all politics and Saini paidback with a brilliant spell against Bengal in semis.

https://scroll.in/field/862054/i-owe-my-life-to-gambhir-saini-turned-down-south-africa-stint-to-steer-delhi-into-ranji-final

“Gautam bhaiya, Ashish bhaiya (Nehra), Mithun Manhas rallied around me. They said what’s happening in the periphery shouldn’t be my concern. We will take care of that, you only bowl,” he said, recalling the time when DDCA officials were distributing pamphlets to keep him out of the team.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Big week for Afganistan Cricket.Best of luck to them

 

[Oligochaetes]

What pitch are the Indians setting for the Afghans? They dont dare set up a spinner's paradise..lol

 

[bantu]

I do not like the idea of resting both Bhuvi and Bumrah...
This might backfire in a big way...

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Pujara, current best player of spin bowling in the world, will be the key for India.

Will be interesting to see the pitch. Was watching videos of Mujeeb and the kid is impressive. Along with Rashid they make a formidable duo.

 

[RainMan_]

Good luck to Afghanistan. BCCI has done a commendable job by allowing Afghanistan to play a test match against India. Hopefully this is just the a start and they will allow India to play more tests against other Lower ranked teams in the coming years.

 

[cricketworm]

I won't mind for a bit if Afghanistan win this, not trying to sound condescending. But as a cricket fan and knowing India's bench strength, it will take lot of hard work for Afghanistan to beat India. And if they win it, it will be purely talent and hard work.

 

[Dingolfy]

I didn’t know this about Gambhir, but I am not surprised. For me Gambhir was quite like Ganguly - a fighter and a good captain, except that he was not as sophisticated as Ganguly and was bit more brash, which lead to his downfall.

I remember how Dada fought tooth and nail to include Bhajji in the team for the Aus test series in 2001 and then to have Sehwag in the team as well for the ODI series that followed. Gambhir too has that fire in him.

I hope he serves Indian cricket in one way or another.

Jeez, Desis and their conspiracy theories again.. Gambhir was dropped because he was horribly out of form. As simple as that. Nothing to do with his attitude.Come on, we now have a Kaptaan who is more brash than any one else in our history.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I do not like the idea of resting both Bhuvi and Bumrah...
This might backfire in a big way...

This is a useless test match. Our superstar bowlers just got a little break after playing in an all important IPL. They need a break.

 

[cricketworm]

"You have to understand, we have a lot of experience" : Dinesh Karthik

India have played maiden Tests against three other countries – Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh – but somehow it’s the side from war-ravaged Afghanistan, who got their first cricket lessons in Pakistan refugee camps, that are the most over-confident.

At least that is what it felt when Afghan skipper Asghar Stanikzai said his spinners are better than India’s. India stumper Dinesh Karthikthough pointed out that experience matters. Not going into the nitty-gritty of the issue, Karthik dismissed Stanikzai statement adding that even someone like Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav had more experience playing day’s cricket then the Afghan spinners put together.

“Look, you have to understand we have a lot of experience. Not only Test cricket but also domestic cricket, lot of four-day matches. Clearly, all their spinners put together would not have played as many matches as say a Kuldeep Yadav would have. At the end of the day experience has a lot of value. We saw that with CSK in IPL. Experience pays,”Karthik said.

Afghanistan are banking on Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman to compete against India with both spinners in prime form in the recent T20 series sweep over Bangladesh. Both have enough variations in their arsenal to trouble the finest of the batsmen, which was evident in IPL.

Karthik said eventually they might become better in red-ball cricket too but experience is something that can’t be bought.

“I am sure in time they will be even better bowlers than when they start off. But the point is, the kind of improvement they have shown in white ball cricket has been phenomenal. There is no reason why they cannot do that in Test cricket. But I would definitely say our spinners have a lot of experience. I’m sure their players will also vouch for that. So, I wouldn’t harp too much on that statement,” Karthik said.

India think-tank is however taking no chances.

Even on Tuesday, one of the four nets used for practice was blocked by the spinners. R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja bowled together along with net bowlers. There is a threat of rain due to the monsoon and it’s likely the pitch may not deteriorate that much for the spinners to be effective. Karthik praised the rise of Afghanistan cricket.

“It is one of the highlights for the ICC as well, to have a Test nation like Afghanistan. Their journey has been an inspiration for international cricket. Not many knew they play but for them to come in through the qualifiers and secure a World Cup berth, do so well and compete with the other teams, I give them a lot of credit. Everyone knows it’s a tough place and the turmoil they are going through. In spite of that, they are able to inspire people with their performances.”



https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-too-experienced-to-be-stung-by-afghanistan-spin-dinesh-karthik/story-mbdin2mcYT5zNuIYdJokzI.html

 

[MenInG]

Should be interesting this battle.

 

[Dingolfy]

This is a useless test match. Our superstar bowlers just got a little break after playing in an all important IPL. They need a break.

Dude, if you need your front line bowlers to dismiss Afghans whose total first class experience is less than even Kuldeep Yadav, then its better to dismantle the FC structure of India. A good Ranji side should be able walk over them.