"Does Not Make Sense": Kapil Dev Questions India Team Selection After Wellington Thrashing

[ind_win]

https://sports.ndtv.com/new-zealand...-selection-after-wellington-thrashing-2185346

Former India skipper Kapil Dev has criticised Virat Kohli's boys following their thrashing in the Test series opener in Wellington, a game which they lost by 10 wickets at the Basin Reserve on Monday. "We have to praise New Zealand, they are playing very good cricket. The three ODIs and this Test match, they have been excellent. If we analyse this match critically, well, I do not understand how one can make so many changes. There is a new team in almost every match. No one in the team is permanent, if there is no security over your place, it will affect the form of the players," Kapil told ABP News.


The Indian batting line-up, which boasts of players like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, failed in both the innings at the Basin Reserve -- a reason which Kohli himself admitted for the reason for their downfall against the Black Caps.

"Such big names in the batting order, if you cannot score even 200 runs in 2 innings, you have not been able to conquer conditions. You have to focus more on planning and strategy," Dev added.

New Zealand were completely whitewashed in the five-match T20I series. However, they made a strong comeback and went on to win the three ODIs and have now won the first Test in the two-Test series.

Kapil was also surprised at the non-inclusion of KL Rahul -- who was the Player of the Series in T20Is -- in the Test squad.

"I do not understand. There is a lot of difference between when we played and what is happening now. When you build a team, you have to give confidence to players. When there are so many changes made, it does not make sense. Management believes in format-specific players. Rahul is in great form, he is sitting out, it does not make sense. I believe when a player is in form, he needs to play," he added.

Team India will now aim to level the series when they take on the Black Caps in the second and final Test beginning Saturday at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

 

[ind_win]

The ATG Captain of India - Well said Paaji.

 

[Saurav]

https://sports.ndtv.com/new-zealand...-selection-after-wellington-thrashing-2185346

Former India skipper Kapil Dev has criticised Virat Kohli's boys following their thrashing in the Test series opener in Wellington, a game which they lost by 10 wickets at the Basin Reserve on Monday. "We have to praise New Zealand, they are playing very good cricket. The three ODIs and this Test match, they have been excellent. If we analyse this match critically, well, I do not understand how one can make so many changes. There is a new team in almost every match. No one in the team is permanent, if there is no security over your place, it will affect the form of the players," Kapil told ABP News.


The Indian batting line-up, which boasts of players like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, failed in both the innings at the Basin Reserve -- a reason which Kohli himself admitted for the reason for their downfall against the Black Caps.

"Such big names in the batting order, if you cannot score even 200 runs in 2 innings, you have not been able to conquer conditions. You have to focus more on planning and strategy," Dev added.

New Zealand were completely whitewashed in the five-match T20I series. However, they made a strong comeback and went on to win the three ODIs and have now won the first Test in the two-Test series.

Kapil was also surprised at the non-inclusion of KL Rahul -- who was the Player of the Series in T20Is -- in the Test squad.

"I do not understand. There is a lot of difference between when we played and what is happening now. When you build a team, you have to give confidence to players. When there are so many changes made, it does not make sense. Management believes in format-specific players. Rahul is in great form, he is sitting out, it does not make sense. I believe when a player is in form, he needs to play," he added.

Team India will now aim to level the series when they take on the Black Caps in the second and final Test beginning Saturday at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Kohli doesn't understand this at all

 

[ind_win]

Kohli doesn't understand this at all

Totally agree - with the constant chopping and changing doing harm to the team.
This attitude cost India 1-2 test wins in Eng&SA tours.
Also, I feel kohli selects his team (or gathers his team) with a football captain/coach mindset of testing too many players - but cricket is not so dynamic as that sport is.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

His general point about giving confidence to players makes a lot of sense.

But his example of KL Rahul is stupid.

At times I wonder if our experts even follow cricket.

Giving Shaw, Gill a chance is rewarding merit.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

India failed because:

1. New openers who are yet to find their feet
2. Pujara failing (hasn't been the same post Aus series)
3. Kohli continuing his poor form (he was decent in Aus series and poor post that - barring that 250 odd against SA)
4. Vihari failed tho it was just a game
5. Ashwin becoming worse day by day with the bat
6. A tail that can't score even 25 runs amongst them

---

Arrogance and lack of planning is the main cause.

Lack of skillsets to play swing too contributed heavily.

It's like we never learned from our mistakes.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Rahane is a bit of a weirdo.

Started out so well but lost his way.

No trust in him honestly these days.

If we are going with 5 bowlers, I would drop Rahane.

 

[andy0204]

Rahane is a bit of a weirdo.

Started out so well but lost his way.

No trust in him honestly these days.

If we are going with 5 bowlers, I would drop Rahane.

Bahane should have been dropped 2 years ago.

 

[Saurav]

India failed because:

1. New openers who are yet to find their feet
2. Pujara failing (hasn't been the same post Aus series)
3. Kohli continuing his poor form (he was decent in Aus series and poor post that - barring that 250 odd against SA)
4. Vihari failed tho it was just a game
5. Ashwin becoming worse day by day with the bat
6. A tail that can't score even 25 runs amongst them

---

Arrogance and lack of planning is the main cause.

Lack of skillsets to play swing too contributed heavily.

It's like we never learned from our mistakes.

To add

Not playing 4 pace options .Ashwin or Jadeja aren't good enough as 4th bowler in SENA.It used to happen under Dhoni and tail always bothered us.

Too many starts not converting,specially by Aggarwal and Rahane

 

[Saurav]

Rahane is a bit of a weirdo.

Started out so well but lost his way.

No trust in him honestly these days.

If we are going with 5 bowlers, I would drop Rahane.

Who'd be your 5 bowlers?

 

[Saurav]

Bahane should have been dropped 2 years ago.

His last SENA ton was 4 years ago,but is senior so never questioned

 

[Saurav]

His general point about giving confidence to players makes a lot of sense.

But his example of KL Rahul is stupid.

At times I wonder if our experts even follow cricket.

Giving Shaw, Gill a chance is rewarding merit.

Rahul was dropped rightlu due to his stinky form.

But now he's turned it around.So we have to see whether he can still make it in Tests with new confidence

His ability,even overseas is not in doubt

Ofcourse Gill should have been given preference though

 

[andy0204]

His last SENA ton was 4 years ago,but is senior so never questioned

He is useless at home conditions,can't play spin, Can't score big in Sena conditions,no impact at all.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Who'd be your 5 bowlers?

Interesting question cos I believe the RIGHT choice need not appear to be the sensible one....and the sensible looking choice need not be the right one.

What was our problem in the last test bowling wise?

It was the fact that apart from Ishant....the other 2 pacers were TOTALLY useless.

Yes, Bumrah is coming from an injury...but talking about end results.

We can't win a test in SENA when 2 out of 3 pacers are useless.

Even if you beef up the bowling with one more pacer (Umesh or Saini both of whom are a lottery at this point), if 2 of the 3 main pacers are useless, you will lose the game.

So I would first look at the form of the bowlers.

If Bumrah is not looking in good touch, I would drop him.

Same goes for Shami.

---

So priority number 1 is to find out the 3 best pacers and play them.

Next comes the other 2 bowlers.

It depends on the pitch.

If the pitch is going to spin, I would easily take both spinners in and play a 3+2 combo.

If the pitch is going to be flat (not much spin help at all) or seam aiding, I would take a pacer + Jaddu (for the batting and economical bowling). The one concern I have with Jaddu right now is that he was pretty average in the home cycle.

So my answer is:

3 pacers + 2 spinners - Track that might aid spin later
4 pacers + Jaddu - Flattish track with no aid for spinner

As for our spinners, I don't think its fair to say they are not good as the 4th bowler in SENA. Yes, they haven't been perfect (especially Ashwin who cost us Southampton - should have sat down if he had an injury) but if you look at the data, they have been doing their job. Both Ash and Jaddu played important roles in the Adelaide and Melbourne wins.

Compare them with their peers. No one expect Lyon even stands up for scrutiny. And look at Lyon numbers when Aussie pacers don't do the job....I don't think it will be too good.

It's just that we see our spinners do so much in India that we expect them to do the same in SENA.

Take the last test. Our pacers flop and we expect the spinner to make up for it. This isn't to say he bowled as well as he could but the expectations are a tad unrealistic.

---

I have had a theory for years which I think NO ONE agrees with.

We should stick to our strength and play 3+2 combo (3 pacers and 2 spinners) in every SENA test EXCEPT the ones like in Joberg.

We could have done SOOO much better.

Think about it.

Centurion - Those extra Jaddu wickets could have turned the test.
Edgbaston - Minimal support for Ash. Pacers should have done more. Jaddu would have rocked there.
Southampton - Ash was useless. Jaddu would have kept us in the game. We weren't that far behind.
Adelaide - Easier victory. Or atleast same style of victory.
Melbourne - Easier victory.
Sydney - We played 2 spinners and Kuldeep bowled very well.

Even in the last test, had the 2 spinners operated in tandem, things may have been a bit different. We would have lost sure...but margin would have been better.

But no captain thinks this way haha.

They look at Lord's and claim 2 spinners are wrong WITHOUT realizing that Lord's pitch will turn in the 2nd innings lol. We just couldn't even put bat on ball there so no point complaining.

 

[Ab Fan]

When Kohli and Pujara gets start and hits 30s, they generally convert it into hundreds and big hundreds but Rahane always gets the feeling he is there for soft some runs which might perceive like tough runs.

Even after being constantly backed and with experience of over 50 tests, he really should be doing much better. I don't remember him doing anything significant in South Africa, England and Australia tours with the bat. Maybe that 50 in South Africa but anything else?

With home tours coming after the Australian tour, we should start playing someone else at home at no.5.

 

[Saurav]

Interesting question cos I believe the RIGHT choice need not appear to be the sensible one....and the sensible looking choice need not be the right one.

What was our problem in the last test bowling wise?

It was the fact that apart from Ishant....the other 2 pacers were TOTALLY useless.

Yes, Bumrah is coming from an injury...but talking about end results.

We can't win a test in SENA when 2 out of 3 pacers are useless.

Even if you beef up the bowling with one more pacer (Umesh or Saini both of whom are a lottery at this point), if 2 of the 3 main pacers are useless, you will lose the game.

So I would first look at the form of the bowlers.

If Bumrah is not looking in good touch, I would drop him.

Same goes for Shami.

---

So priority number 1 is to find out the 3 best pacers and play them.

Next comes the other 2 bowlers.

It depends on the pitch.

If the pitch is going to spin, I would easily take both spinners in and play a 3+2 combo.

If the pitch is going to be flat (not much spin help at all) or seam aiding, I would take a pacer + Jaddu (for the batting and economical bowling). The one concern I have with Jaddu right now is that he was pretty average in the home cycle.

So my answer is:

3 pacers + 2 spinners - Track that might aid spin later
4 pacers + Jaddu - Flattish track with no aid for spinner

As for our spinners, I don't think its fair to say they are not good as the 4th bowler in SENA. Yes, they haven't been perfect (especially Ashwin who cost us Southampton - should have sat down if he had an injury) but if you look at the data, they have been doing their job. Both Ash and Jaddu played important roles in the Adelaide and Melbourne wins.

Compare them with their peers. No one expect Lyon even stands up for scrutiny. And look at Lyon numbers when Aussie pacers don't do the job....I don't think it will be too good.

It's just that we see our spinners do so much in India that we expect them to do the same in SENA.

Take the last test. Our pacers flop and we expect the spinner to make up for it. This isn't to say he bowled as well as he could but the expectations are a tad unrealistic.

---

I have had a theory for years which I think NO ONE agrees with.

We should stick to our strength and play 3+2 combo (3 pacers and 2 spinners) in every SENA test EXCEPT the ones like in Joberg.

We could have done SOOO much better.

Think about it.

Centurion - Those extra Jaddu wickets could have turned the test.
Edgbaston - Minimal support for Ash. Pacers should have done more. Jaddu would have rocked there.
Southampton - Ash was useless. Jaddu would have kept us in the game. We weren't that far behind.
Adelaide - Easier victory. Or atleast same style of victory.
Melbourne - Easier victory.
Sydney - We played 2 spinners and Kuldeep bowled very well.

Even in the last test, had the 2 spinners operated in tandem, things may have been a bit different. We would have lost sure...but margin would have been better.

But no captain thinks this way haha.

They look at Lord's and claim 2 spinners are wrong WITHOUT realizing that Lord's pitch will turn in the 2nd innings lol. We just couldn't even put bat on ball there so no point complaining.

Well going without either Bumrah or Shami is too big a call for Kohli to make. Shami looks okay to me but Bumrah is clearly not in rhythm.Umesh should be in for him as I think conditions might suit him

Also there won't be any spin in NZ.Sometimes NZ doesn't even play a spinner which can happen again if Wagner is back

Spinners don't work as 4th bowler because they only come into play on 4th 5th day at best. If we had a good wrist spinner I'd agree playing 2 spinners but that's not the case

Ashwin bowled okay in first Test but his batting has gone down too much to be able to play him at 7.Jaddu on the other is batting better but doesn't have much impact with ball.So its a compromise either way.

 

[Saurav]

When Kohli and Pujara gets start and hits 30s, they generally convert it into hundreds and big hundreds but Rahane always gets the feeling he is there for soft some runs which might perceive like tough runs.

Even after being constantly backed and with experience of over 50 tests, he really should be doing much better. I don't remember him doing anything significant in South Africa, England and Australia tours with the bat. Maybe that 50 in South Africa but anything else?

With home tours coming after the Australian tour, we should start playing someone else at home at no.5.

That's what we should have done in home season before this tour.Groom players. Play Vihari more often.Introduce some youngsters at both top and middle.

Instead we only groomed Rohit and gave opportunities to Rahane to pile on runs and make it seem all is good

Its not fair on guys like Vihari, Pant and Shaw/Gill to play only overseas while seniors benefit in easy conditions

 

[Hasan123]

KL Rahul should have been in the test squad. He was in good form and his test career has been decent to be fair. I feel as though he would have faired better than Shaw.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Bahane should have been dropped 2 years ago.

I used to disagree with that notion about rahane but now I changed my mind. You guys are right about rahane. Only performs when his spot is under threat. remove him and put Rahul at 5. pant at 6. Probably vihari or pandya at 7? You need an all rounder for balance in n.z. I know pandya is a risky choice but in n.z conditions he might be handy. 8 probably jaddu bhai or ashwin?

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Rahul was dropped rightlu due to his stinky form.

But now he's turned it around.So we have to see whether he can still make it in Tests with new confidence

His ability,even overseas is not in doubt

Ofcourse Gill should have been given preference though

Yes true.

Due process was followed.

Though to be fair, Gill should have been given preference over Shaw as he had been doing so well in A tours.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Well going without either Bumrah or Shami is too big a call for Kohli to make. Shami looks okay to me but Bumrah is clearly not in rhythm.Umesh should be in for him as I think conditions might suit him

Also there won't be any spin in NZ.Sometimes NZ doesn't even play a spinner which can happen again if Wagner is back

Spinners don't work as 4th bowler because they only come into play on 4th 5th day at best. If we had a good wrist spinner I'd agree playing 2 spinners but that's not the case

Ashwin bowled okay in first Test but his batting has gone down too much to be able to play him at 7.Jaddu on the other is batting better but doesn't have much impact with ball.So its a compromise either way.

Rather have them both than trying to get the 4th pacer in who can't score anything with the bat anyway.

3 proper pacers + 2 spinners to give control (who can also contribute something with the bat) seems more solid to me.

But yeah I know it won't happen.

I guess the same 4 bowlers might be picked. Or maybe Jaddu will come in place of Ash.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Well going without either Bumrah or Shami is too big a call for Kohli to make. Shami looks okay to me but Bumrah is clearly not in rhythm.Umesh should be in for him as I think conditions might suit him

Also there won't be any spin in NZ.Sometimes NZ doesn't even play a spinner which can happen again if Wagner is back

Spinners don't work as 4th bowler because they only come into play on 4th 5th day at best. If we had a good wrist spinner I'd agree playing 2 spinners but that's not the case

Ashwin bowled okay in first Test but his batting has gone down too much to be able to play him at 7.Jaddu on the other is batting better but doesn't have much impact with ball.So its a compromise either way.

umesh is a weird one. He is world class in sub continent but sometimes looks toothless away from home. He has speed and swing though. I would not drop bunrah unless he is definitely not 100%. He doesn't quite seem fit so I guess it's up to the board now. Wouldn't mind saini either. He is a good red ball bowler.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

The test series in WI changed Rahane's fortune.

Had he flopped there, we could have moved on.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Rather have them both than trying to get the 4th pacer in who can't score anything with the bat anyway.

3 proper pacers + 2 spinners to give control (who can also contribute something with the bat) seems more solid to me.

But yeah I know it won't happen.

I guess the same 4 bowlers might be picked. Or maybe Jaddu will come in place of Ash.

I like that idea actually. why not

Shaw (needs to be given confidence)
mayank
puji
kohli
Rahul? or gill
pant
jaddu
ashwin
ishant
shami
bumrah

Never know unless we try. I still think this is a well balanced strong team and would work in all conditions. Or pick pandya over ashwin.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I like that idea actually. why not

Shaw (needs to be given confidence)
mayank
puji
kohli
Rahul? or gill
pant
jaddu
ashwin
ishant
shami
bumrah

Never know unless we try. I still think this is a well balanced strong team and would work in all conditions. Or pick pandya over ashwin.

Been saying this since 2013-14.

It's 2020 now.

But never implemented. Haha.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Been saying this since 2013-14.

It's 2020 now.

But never implemented. Haha.

me too honestly I have been clamoring for this team since 2015 lol. Never happened.

jaddu and ashwin/pandya can bat and bowl. Adds balance. You need that balance in n.z and England.

In Australia and south africa it wouldn't matter as much. Need 4 bowlers and 7 batsmen. Works fine.

that's the issue I have with kohli. Very stubborn. Great player. Great captain but a little naive and idiotic when it comes to selections lol.

 

[sindhiboy]

rahul is a walking wicket in tests, especially in sena. he flunked the whole of 2018 and was one of the reasons india lost the tours of eng, safrica

even pandya is more deserving of a test spot than rahul

 

[Ab Fan]

I don't see too much of selection issue in test cricket in this series. But actually the problems started few tours back only.

Bringing back Rohit Sharma in team and then playing him as opener for few games(luckily at home) which became a gold for him and now he is first choice opener for India along Agarwal. Mind you no Indian expert will ever say anything on Rohit being brought as opener.

Persistence with Rahane for far too long. He bats at safest position of 5 and should have learned by now to convert his starts into hundreds but he doesn't. Such a great start to his career,was competing with Kohli after first tour and since then has either scored soft runs or failed.

Also, Shaw's technique is poor against moving ball. He is the product of the same Indian culture which these days are producing batsmen who hit 100 and 200 for fun at home but will struggle for runs in SEN and if Australia gives wickets having movement considering they will have Smith back which they will along with the natural bounce, he might struggle there as well. But he is 20, so can be dropped and given some time.

For fast bowling, if Bumrah and Shami both perform poorly, we will lose tests anyways as these two are our best bowlers from this generation. Ishant v2.0 is brilliant also but due to his first half, he will be a little less recognized.

I would also prefer Jadeja overseas over Ashwin particularly Vs team with not many left handers. Former is more pivotal as cricketer than latter.

 

[Titan24]

Other than maybe Jadeja coming in for Ashwin I cant think of any other change. Dropping Vihari or Shaw after one test would be wrong in my opinion but if Gill is must then Vihari should be replaced as Shaw is the future and you dont want to damage the confidence of a young by dropping him after just one match in not so easy conditions.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Whilst I don't believe KL Rahul will make any difference if he played next test. I have been really put off by Kohli's attitude, he should have been fuming after the first test loss but he is all lalalal walking gingerly, high fiving Kane Williamson, he clearly doesn't give a damn

 

[tyron_woodley]

Other than maybe Jadeja coming in for Ashwin I cant think of any other change. Dropping Vihari or Shaw after one test would be wrong in my opinion but if Gill is must then Vihari should be replaced as Shaw is the future and you dont want to damage the confidence of a young by dropping him after just one match in not so easy conditions.

vihari is young too. only 25. I want to drop rahane and put gill in his spot. keep vihari or put pant at 6. jaddu and ashwin or pandya at 8. We badly miss bhuvi. he is perfect for swing conditions. don't know why he isn't picked.

 

[tyron_woodley]

nevermind bhuvi injured. that really sucks. umesh may be handy in these conditions.

 

[big_gamer007]

As usual the same excuses come out. When we lost against SA or England the same team selection issues came up, when the players who were left out came back in team and we still lost then same pundits blamed these players.

Fact is simple, Indian team is just not good enough to consistently win matches away from home. Need to accept this fact and move on, no point thinking any xyz player would have made any difference.

 

[tyron_woodley]

As usual the same excuses come out. When we lost against SA or England the same team selection issues came up, when the players who were left out came back in team and we still lost then same pundits blamed these players.

Fact is simple, Indian team is just not good enough to consistently win matches away from home. Need to accept this fact and move on, no point thinking any xyz player would have made any difference.

I don't have a problem with the selections but if bumrah and ishant weren't fully fit they shouldn't have played.

 

[Titan24]

vihari is young too. only 25. I want to drop rahane and put gill in his spot. keep vihari or put pant at 6. jaddu and ashwin or pandya at 8. We badly miss bhuvi. he is perfect for swing conditions. don't know why he isn't picked.

Vihari is young but what I am trying to say is Shaw has future in all 3 formats and is supposed to be one of the best talents in India and in my opinion shouldnt be dropped after one off test in NZ. Vihari is a decent player but currently not many would mention him as the future of Indian batting so he is considered dispensable at the moment. Not to forget Vihari’s bowling as a 5th option wasnt used at all in the first match and if the conditions are somewhat similar I dont see him being used again however can give a variety of off spin against lefties if Jadeja replaces Ashwin. So lets see.

Rahane wont be dropped considering his overseas record and even in first match he was the highest scorer in the first innings while second highest in the 2nd innings for India.

 

[Saurav]

vihari is young too. only 25. I want to drop rahane and put gill in his spot. keep vihari or put pant at 6. jaddu and ashwin or pandya at 8. We badly miss bhuvi. he is perfect for swing conditions. don't know why he isn't picked.

Pandya and Bhuvi are injured everytime I check

 

[Saurav]

Other than maybe Jadeja coming in for Ashwin I cant think of any other change. Dropping Vihari or Shaw after one test would be wrong in my opinion but if Gill is must then Vihari should be replaced as Shaw is the future and you dont want to damage the confidence of a young by dropping him after just one match in not so easy conditions.

Vihari is also young.and offers bowling option

Shaw is very loose against movement.Staying legside and slashing at everything isn't the way.He'll learn but we can't afford to lose Tests for that

 

[Saurav]

Vihari is young but what I am trying to say is Shaw has future in all 3 formats and is supposed to be one of the best talents in India and in my opinion shouldnt be dropped after one off test in NZ. Vihari is a decent player but currently not many would mention him as the future of Indian batting so he is considered dispensable at the moment. Not to forget Vihari’s bowling as a 5th option wasnt used at all in the first match and if the conditions are somewhat similar I dont see him being used again however can give a variety of off spin against lefties if Jadeja replaces Ashwin. So lets see.

Rahane wont be dropped considering his overseas record and even in first match he was the highest scorer in the first innings while second highest in the 2nd innings for India.

Shaw is future sure.Dropping him isn't writing him off.Its just saying you aren't ready enough

 

[Saurav]

As usual the same excuses come out. When we lost against SA or England the same team selection issues came up, when the players who were left out came back in team and we still lost then same pundits blamed these players.

Fact is simple, Indian team is just not good enough to consistently win matches away from home. Need to accept this fact and move on, no point thinking any xyz player would have made any difference.

You have to give yourselves the best chance.Don't think we do it

In SA,Kohli dropped Rahane for Rohit in first 2 Tests and in England Pujara was dropped initially.We lost these matches very closely