India [367 & 75/0] defeat West indies [311 & 127] by 10 wickets to win 2nd Test and series 2-0

[the_outsider]

I'm not sure why are we still blaming about India's mismanagement when the problem lies in Rahul's game. He played all the test and LOI matches in England and he's playing his 2nd WI test in a row now. He was benched only during the Asia Cup minus that afghan match. He's not making most out of the chances that he's getting and we still blame the management for it? How long is he going to get this free ride without his consistent performance?

Dude he has had a bad 2018. That is it. You guys are acting like he has never performed in his life.

Since his debut and till December 2017, KL Rahul had an avg of 45 and had 14 scores of 50+ in 21 test matches.

He has been in poor test form this year. That doesn't mean we discard a talent like him.

 

[AMSS]

A break would do KLR good. Needs to gather himself, and think about his game. He's a good player.

Stoked for Shaw. He'll stomp all over bowling attacks in these conditions.

 

[WengerOut]

Rahul is not a naturally attacking batsman. This is a wrong impression created in the minds of fans since the last IPL.

KP was an out and out red ball player since his U-16 days. You can check his List A SR to confirm it - a strike rate of 75.

It was due to IPL and T20s that he developed himself into a shot-a-ball player.

But he isn't a Pujara either.

 

[the_outsider]

But he isn't a Pujara either.

Of course. But he's no Sehwag either, as some people seem to think.

 

[WengerOut]

Of course. But he's no Sehwag either, as some people seem to think.

My point was he is trying to be someone else

 

[Napa]

This again highlights the question - when Umesh bowled so well in the league match vs Pak why would you replace with toothless ashwin - in CT final. Using the available resources, even in England. Kuldeep played on a pitch in a rain delayed match - when toss was due and team management had enough time to think of. So much for ego and ill-management of resources...

I really want to do some harm to whoever decided to drop Umesh in the CT final. In the group match against Pakistan he had 3 wkts for 30 runs in 7.4 overs.

 

[ind_win]

I really want to do some harm to whoever decided to drop Umesh in the CT final. In the group match against Pakistan he had 3 wkts for 30 runs in 7.4 overs.

Do not harm mate it is our great chikoo-choosy captain kohli. I have a lot of respect for kohli the bastman, none for kohli the captain. From what I read , even toss decision was altered at the last minute. Kumble itseems suggested to bat first (may be from his exp. of 2003 wc), kohli did vice-versa. Now I might be repeating myself, but doing a mistake when you know and have all evidences that you could do right and people to guide you right and still doing the mistake, this is not forgivable in my opinion.

The sad part is no one, apart from kohli is regular in the current team, owing to their own performances.
So no option there....

 

[Napa]

Do not harm mate it is our great chikoo-choosy captain kohli. I have a lot of respect for kohli the bastman, none for kohli the captain. From what I read , even toss decision was altered at the last minute. Kumble itseems suggested to bat first (may be from his exp. of 2003 wc), kohli did vice-versa. Now I might be repeating myself, but doing a mistake when you know and have all evidences that you could do right and people to guide you right and still doing the mistake, this is not forgivable in my opinion.

The sad part is no one, apart from kohli is regular in the current team, owing to their own performances.
So no option there....

Yeah, Kohli is a disappointment as a captain. Given the resources Kohli had, I believe if Ganguly was the captain, we would have done much better and maybe even won the last series in SA and England.

 

[the_outsider]

Do not harm mate it is our great chikoo-choosy captain kohli. I have a lot of respect for kohli the bastman, none for kohli the captain. From what I read , even toss decision was altered at the last minute. Kumble itseems suggested to bat first (may be from his exp. of 2003 wc), kohli did vice-versa. Now I might be repeating myself, but doing a mistake when you know and have all evidences that you could do right and people to guide you right and still doing the mistake, this is not forgivable in my opinion.

The toss decision is the biggest mistake of the last 10 years in ODI cricket for India.

I think Kohli and co. were rattled by SL's run chase in the group stage. They did well chasing in the next 2 games and probably thought, let's avoid a SL type situation in the final. But you always bat first in a final. Kohli should have known that.

 

[ind_win]

The toss decision is the biggest mistake of the last 10 years in ODI cricket for India.

I think Kohli and co. were rattled by SL's run chase in the group stage. They did well chasing in the next 2 games and probably thought, let's avoid a SL type situation in the final. But you always bat first in a final. Kohli should have known that.

I agree. It will go down in history as a mistake. But the catch is he keeps doing some genius mistakes, costing series after series. Not learning from old mistakes.

 

[ind_win]

Yeah, Kohli is a disappointment as a captain. Given the resources Kohli had, I believe if Ganguly was the captain, we would have done much better and maybe even won the last series in SA and England.

Totally agree. Ganguly had ATG Indian batsmen one GOAT at his disposal.
Just imagine if he had Bumrah, Shami, Kumar in his ranks.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

So was I wrong in suggesting that Mayank should have played in place of Rahul in this series? Guy got a full 5 match series against England even after performing poorly in the first few tests and we have our local experts blaming team management for this? Team management showed enough confidence in him. This is his 7th test match in a row. May be the problem in his game?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Shaw throws it away.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Disappointing from Rahul. Only guy worse than him in this lineup is rahane.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Windies have a good chance to actually win here. I have no faith in our batting lineup if we have to play in 4th innings.

 

[Napa]

Now Kohli has to score a century to avoid being overshadowed by the teenager.

 

[Joginder_Sharma]

The toss decision is the biggest mistake of the last 10 years in ODI cricket for India.

I think Kohli and co. were rattled by SL's run chase in the group stage. They did well chasing in the next 2 games and probably thought, let's avoid a SL type situation in the final. But you always bat first in a final. Kohli should have known that.

They still bat 2nd in tournament finals after winning toss. Nidahas and Asia Cup, both they could have won easily by batting 1st but almost lost them due to extreme pressure of chasing in a final.

They just don't learn.

 

[Hitman]

Pujara walks back to the hut for 10.

 

[Tyler Durden]

The 2nd free rider in the team comes to bat now.

 

[the_outsider]

They still bat 2nd in tournament finals after winning toss. Nidahas and Asia Cup, both they could have won easily by batting 1st but almost lost them due to extreme pressure of chasing in a final.

They just don't learn.

Very true. This Indian team is obsessed with chasing.

 

[ind_win]

So was I wrong in suggesting that Mayank should have played in place of Rahul in this series? Guy got a full 5 match series against England even after performing poorly in the first few tests and we have our local experts blaming team management for this? Team management showed enough confidence in him. This is his 7th test match in a row. May be the problem in his game?

I think Aus tour might end or make his test career - but a great opportunity will be lost to win the last frontier, if he fails, so have to admit India are taking a great risk by selecting him for Aus tour.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Very true. This Indian team is obsessed with chasing.

So much so that I think they have very little clue as to how to set a target given the conditions, pitch etc.

 

[RamLakhan]

What a great jinx by Harbhajan Singh!

 

[RamLakhan]

If Rahane cannot score century here, he should retire (or at least he should not tour Australia!) This is too much to keep riding on past glory & so called experience if it is costing so many overseas losses which we should have won and heck this probable loss to WI at home! This is too much! WI at home with some kind of challenge, if this can't be handled - then its really too much! This is not so out of hands & damn tough!

Australian, English & South African cricket managements don't work like this! Indian cricket has also become professional and they have to come out of this favoritism hangover! With the current Indian Cricket system, any player is bound to possess professionalism so it won't be that difficult to acclimatize to International Cricket after at least few matches!

 

[shaaik]

India 154/3 in pursuit to West indies's 1st innings score of 311.

Kohli and Rahane looking set for big hundreds here. West Indies bowlers on the other hand bowling some absolute garbage and the less talked about the captaincy of Jason Holder the better it is. Atrocious field placings and no pressure on the batsmen what so ever.

 

[RamLakhan]

India 154/3 in pursuit to West indies's 1st innings score of 311.

Kohli and Rahane looking set for big hundreds here. West Indies bowlers on the other hand bowling some absolute garbage and the less talked about the captaincy of Jason Holder the better it is. Atrocious field placings and no pressure on the batsmen what so ever.

Are you following the game? India is in a difficult position right now!

 

[DuckMaster]

Kohli scored only 45.

 

[DuckMaster]

If Rahane cannot score century here, he should retire (or at least he should not tour Australia!) This is too much to keep riding on past glory & so called experience if it is costing so many overseas losses which we should have won and heck this probable loss to WI at home! This is too much! WI at home with some kind of challenge, if this can't be handled - then its really too much! This is not so out of hands & damn tough!

Australian, English & South African cricket managements don't work like this! Indian cricket has also become professional and they have to come out of this favoritism hangover! With the current Indian Cricket system, any player is bound to possess professionalism so it won't be that difficult to acclimatize to International Cricket after at least few matches!

How can you hold Rahane single-handedly responsible for India's bad batting displays on overseas tours? India has not been clicking as a batting unit.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Windies have a good chance to actually win here. I have no faith in our batting lineup if we have to play in 4th innings.

They don't have any spinners. And Windies were 100 short first innings. As long as they show fight, it's good for the young team.

 

[the_outsider]

They don't have any spinners. And Windies were 100 short first innings. As long as they show fight, it's good for the young team.

WIndies are playing 3 spinners. Not every team is as brilliant as PCT that they won't play spinners in Asia.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

They don't have any spinners. And Windies were 100 short first innings. As long as they show fight, it's good for the young team.

Yeah that's true.

 

[ind_win]

ability+aggression = gilchrist type
agression-ability =kaluwitharana type
ability with certain flaws+aggression=decock+buttler type

I think India will be satisfied with the 3rd one. Now Dhoni was nowhere in the picture except for a flash in the pan period in 2006-2007 time in tests.

Pant guy if he can develop some defence, could easily turnup as a 40+ avg. type of player who can quickly score.

 

[RamLakhan]

Pant is definitely going on to become best "Test" Wicket Keeper batsman for India if he can keep up this confidence with the bat! Today was another tough situation (definitely... The pressure of probable defeat at the hands of WI at home! One slip would have led to disaster here! Imagine if DK was playing now!)

Yes I may be speaking too early, but none of the Indian WK batsmen gave this kind of confidence even for a brief period (with the bat! There could be better wicket keepers than him like Mongia, More, etc. Also Dhoni was good in ODIs and did not really gave that kind of impression in tests!)

 

[ind_win]

Pant is definitely going on to become best "Test" Wicket Keeper batsman for India if he can keep up this confidence with the bat! Today was another tough situation (definitely... The pressure of probable defeat at the hands of WI at home! One slip would have led to disaster here! Imagine if DK was playing now!)

Yes I may be speaking too early, but none of the Indian WK batsmen gave this kind of confidence even for a brief period (with the bat! There could be better wicket keepers than him like Mongia, More, etc. Also Dhoni was good in ODIs and did not really gave that kind of impression in tests!)

Do not remember Mongia the fixer please.

 

[Hasan123]

India are ahead in this game. A 100 run plus lead should be enough for victory. West Indies don't have the spinners to cause India trouble.

But I am happy they have competed in this game.

 

[RyanRyan10]

With Rahane getting runs today

Rahul is now the weakest link for us

A 150 runs lead would be great for us

Batting won't be easy in the 4th innings

 

[RamLakhan]

With Rahane getting runs today

Rahul is now the weakest link for us

A 150 runs lead would be great for us

Batting won't be easy in the 4th innings

Rahul is surviving only because of "Opener" tag! With Vijay & Dhawan failing it has made easier for him! Otherwise he would have been mercilessly discarded/sidelined just like in ODIs (even at the helms of DK, Rayudu, etc)

 

[RamLakhan]

How can you hold Rahane single-handedly responsible for India's bad batting displays on overseas tours? India has not been clicking as a batting unit.

He not only failed overseas, but also had issues at home! Yes its 1 person at at time, all are responsible for the loss!

 

[the_outsider]

Rahul is surviving only because of "Opener" tag! With Vijay & Dhawan failing it has made easier for him! Otherwise he would have been mercilessly discarded/sidelined just like in ODIs (even at the helms of DK, Rayudu, etc)

No. Rahul is surviving because this is the first time he's been out of form. And he has been playing since Dec, 2014.

Every batsman experiences slump in form in their career. That doesn't turn them into bad cricketers.

 

[MMHS]

On 1998-99 tour of NZ,he was average

He had an opportunity to win us a test there
NZ were 74-5+Astle injured chasing 213 but he failed http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...ia-2nd-test-india-tour-of-new-zealand-1998-99

Bigger blame should go to Indian batsmen & Kumble to be honest. By the way, I am sure you haven't seen that game, which I did - it was during Ramadan period & I was in Dhaka that time; game started perfectly timed, just after Sehri

Prasad wasn't completely fit in 2nd innings - didn't bowl much outside opening spell and before he left, NZ indeed was 5 down in no time (6 actually, Astle left with injury and he wasn't expected to bat again - didn't play in next Test either). He bowled exceptionally tight in first innings to restrict NZ's lead which allowed Srinath & Kumble to attack.

Prasad made Indian starting XI on merit - this guy Thakur doesn't deserve a spot even in 16 men squad.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Rahul simply lacks the hunger for success and is taking his spot very lightly. He's been a passenger in this Test team for sometime now. IIRC he's played some 12 innings and made just one 149 in a dead rubber and looked pretty ordinary in most of the games by throwing his wicket away and not correcting his technical flaws or some people call it his "mental issues". India just doesn't have the luxury to persist with him if he continues this inconsistency. It's better the management send him back to domestics to regain his confidence, hunger for success and correct his technical flaws. Enough of giving this free-rider plethora of chances and special treatment calling him the "talent". I won't be surprised if India recalls Dhawan for Aus test series because no way are they going to make 2 newcomers the openers in overseas conditions. Rahul's spot is in danger and if it's his lack of form or mental game or whatever, he should have rectified them by now. "Talent" is not everything, temperement and discipline matter too. SA series, England and now WI home series, when would this free-rider learn to play some responsbile Cricket?

 

[jnaveen1980]

Rahul simply lacks the hunger for success and is taking his spot very lightly. He's been a passenger in this Test team for sometime now. IIRC he's played some 12 innings and made just one 149 in a dead rubber and looked pretty ordinary in most of the games by throwing his wicket away and not correcting his technical flaws or some people call it his "mental issues". India just doesn't have the luxury to persist with him if he continues this inconsistency. It's better the management send him back to domestics to regain his confidence, hunger for success and correct his technical flaws. Enough of giving this free-rider plethora of chances and special treatment calling him the "talent". I won't be surprised if India recalls Dhawan for Aus test series because no way are they going to make 2 newcomers the openers in overseas conditions. Rahul's spot is in danger and if it's his lack of form or mental game or whatever, he should have rectified them by now. "Talent" is not everything, temperement and discipline matter too. SA series, England and now WI home series, when would this free-rider learn to play some responsbile Cricket?

No. He didn't take it lightly. He has some weaknesses. He is allowing them to get to him. Mentally fragile.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

No. Rahul is surviving because this is the first time he's been out of form. And he has been playing since Dec, 2014.

Every batsman experiences slump in form in their career. That doesn't turn them into bad cricketers.

Yeah we should just wait for him to get back into form.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

No. He didn't take it lightly. He has some weaknesses. He is allowing them to get to him. Mentally fragile.

No place for mentally fragile players in this team. It's time to give some other player a chance.

 

[the_outsider]

Yeah we should just wait for him to get back into form.

That's what Ganguly thinks as well. Now if you have a better cricketing brain than Ganguly then clearly you are wasting your time on PP, aren't you? Go win us the WC, saheb.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Pant - the IPL super star, the test match saviour. What a find!

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

That's what Ganguly thinks as well. Now if you have a better cricketing brain than Ganguly then clearly you are wasting your time on PP, aren't you? Go win us the WC, saheb.

So now you are hiding behind Ganguly's statement? When it suits you, you use ex players statements and when it doesn't you discard them. Lol.

 

[WengerOut]

That's what Ganguly thinks as well. Now if you have a better cricketing brain than Ganguly then clearly you are wasting your time on PP, aren't you? Go win us the WC, saheb.

Brother, Ganguly thinks Rohit should be brought back to test team. Do you agree?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Brother, Ganguly thinks Rohit should be brought back to test team. Do you agree?

Yes. He does.

 

[the_outsider]

So now you are hiding behind Ganguly's statement? When it suits you, you use ex players statements and when it doesn't you discard them. Lol.

Show me one instance of when I have discarded a player's comments. Just one.

And keep your bigass ego aside for a minute, buddy. If Ganguly is saying something and you are saying something else, who is going to be right?

 

[the_outsider]

Brother, Ganguly thinks Rohit should be brought back to test team. Do you agree?

I do. Because I think his game is totally suitable for Australian conditions. He did decently downunder the last time. Got a couple of 50s.

Not just Ganguly but a lot of people think that Rohit was discarded prematurely this time.

But we do have other options in tests and I don't mind having Rohit and Dhawan focus exclusively on white ball cricket till the WC.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I do. Because I think his game is totally suitable for Australian conditions. He did decently downunder the last time. Got a couple of 50s.

Not just Ganguly but a lot of people think that Rohit was discarded prematurely this time.

But we do have other options in tests and I don't mind having Rohit and Dhawan focus exclusively on white ball cricket till the WC.

Lol you are losing the plot now. First shardul, then rahul and now you want Rohit Sharma too in the side? I was right when I said you support mediocrity.

It's good to know that someone is there for the players who have lost their form or performing poorly.

 

[the_outsider]

Lol you are losing the plot now. First shardul, then rahul and now you want Rohit Sharma too in the side? I was right when I said you support mediocrity.

It's good to know that someone is there for the players who have lost their form or performing poorly.

Yes you are right and Ganguly, Sehwag, etc are all wrong.

Why didn't you play for India, sir? India lost its greatest gem. At the very least you could have given Harsha Bhogle a run for his money.

What a shame that the greatest cricketing mind of our times is rotting in a corner on the internet.

 

[the_outsider]

Lol you are losing the plot now. First shardul, then rahul and now you want Rohit Sharma too in the side? I was right when I said you support mediocrity.

It's good to know that someone is there for the players who have lost their form or performing poorly.

Yes you are right and Ganguly, Sehwag, etc are all wrong.

Why didn't you play for India, sir? India lost its greatest gem. At the very least you could have given Harsha Bhogle a run for his money.

What a shame that the greatest cricketing mind of our times is rotting in a corner on the internet.

Not every one of your idea is right, Viru bhai. Learn to accept that you can also get it wrong from time to time.

At least accept it when people like Ganguly are disagreeing with your thinking.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Yes you are right and Ganguly, Sehwag, etc are all wrong.

Why didn't you play for India, sir? India lost its greatest gem. At the very least you could have given Harsha Bhogle a run for his money.

What a shame that the greatest cricketing mind of our times is rotting in a corner on the internet.

There is no point in having discussions if you are just going to behave like a yes man of ex players and BCCI. So whenever people call you out for your opinion you are just going to hide behind an ex player's statement and try to prove others wrong just like you did above.

You even had to say yes to Ganguly's idea of having Rohit back in the test team. I am a huge ganguly fan myself but that doesn't mean I will follow him blindly. We want to interact with people who have their own opinion and don't like bots here.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Not every one of your idea is right, Viru bhai. Learn to accept that you can also get it wrong from time to time.

At least accept it when people like Ganguly are disagreeing with your thinking.

So do you agree that Rahul should keep playing for India even when he is not in form? And no other player should be tested? Am I right?

 

[RamLakhan]

Lol you are losing the plot now. First shardul, then rahul and now you want Rohit Sharma too in the side? I was right when I said you support mediocrity.

It's good to know that someone is there for the players who have lost their form or performing poorly.

But also I think your ploy won't do any good... I assume you want below XI to play in Australia:

Mayank
Shaw
Pujara/Vihari
Kohli
Nair
Pant
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami
Ishant
Bumrah

You want to persist with these players for 1 or 2 tours at the most. Then switch over to another set later! I guess you wouldn't have spared even Kohli during his problems in previous English tour! I can't see development of team with this ploy!

However I would like to be more proactive with team policies & relationships with players. For e.g., I want Rahul to be spoken about what's his preference? LOIs or Tests? If its Tests, then let him concentrate fully as Opener in Tests and play only IPL. And Pandya should be sparingly used in tests. Should not be a default selection for all tests to just bring balance... We could have played Jadeja in some matches and Pandya in some matches in England by making smart selections based on pitch & conditions. Not by trial & error method. Pick Jadeja when Ashwin fails, pick Vihari when Pandya fails! That is the mistake!

 

[Sadevdesai]

Looks like the Indians are playing like number 1 Team !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

But also I think your ploy won't do any good... I assume you want below XI to play in Australia:

Mayank
Shaw
Pujara/Vihari
Kohli
Nair
Pant
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami
Ishant
Bumrah

You want to persist with these players for 1 or 2 tours at the most. Then switch over to another set later! I guess you wouldn't have spared even Kohli during his problems in previous English tour! I can't see development of team with this ploy!

However I would like to be more proactive with team policies & relationships with players. For e.g., I want Rahul to be spoken about what's his preference? LOIs or Tests? If its Tests, then let him concentrate fully as Opener in Tests and play only IPL. And Pandya should be sparingly used in tests. Should not be a default selection for all tests to just bring balance... We could have played Jadeja in some matches and Pandya in some matches in England by making smart selections based on pitch & conditions. Not by trial & error method. Pick Jadeja when Ashwin fails, pick Vihari when Pandya fails! That is the mistake!

I wanted Mayank to get his chance against West Indies because KL Rahul was not performing. Not sure what's wrong in that.

 

[Rahul1]

I do. Because I think his game is totally suitable for Australian conditions. He did decently downunder the last time. Got a couple of 50s.

Not just Ganguly but a lot of people think that Rohit was discarded prematurely this time.

But we do have other options in tests and I don't mind having Rohit and Dhawan focus exclusively on white ball cricket till the WC.

How many mediocre test cricketers are you planning to defend? Rohit in tests? That has got to be a joke.

 

[Rahul1]

I do. Because I think his game is totally suitable for Australian conditions. He did decently downunder the last time. Got a couple of 50s.

Not just Ganguly but a lot of people think that Rohit was discarded prematurely this time.

But we do have other options in tests and I don't mind having Rohit and Dhawan focus exclusively on white ball cricket till the WC.

Like who? Rohit fans on twitter?

 

[the_outsider]

There is no point in having discussions if you are just going to behave like a yes man of ex players and BCCI. So whenever people call you out for your opinion you are just going to hide behind an ex player's statement and try to prove others wrong just like you did above.

You even had to say yes to Ganguly's idea of having Rohit back in the test team. I am a huge ganguly fan myself but that doesn't mean I will follow him blindly. We want to interact with people who have their own opinion and don't like bots here.

I didn't have to agree with Ganguly on Rohit. I did because I agree with him.

I know that the hate against Rohit on this forum is strong so I might be wasting my breath here.

But you have been watching cricket for years now. Can you honestly say that Rohit doesn't have the game and ability to succeed at test level?

Yes, he has a weakness against swinging ball. But lots of players had great test careers with massive weaknesses. Ponting was a walking wicket against spin all his career. That didn't stop him, did it?

Rohit scored back to back 50s and a century before the SA series. He failed in 3 out of 4 innings in that series. A series where most batsmen failed. He scored 40-something in the second test and was promptly dropped.

Should Rohit have played ahead of Rahane? No. But did he deserve to be dropped after scores of 102*, 60, 50*, 10, 11, 10 and 47 since his comeback into the test team? Also no.

There is no question about the fact that Rohit Sharma was prematurely dropped from the test team this time.

 

[the_outsider]

Like who? Rohit fans on twitter?

Like Ganguly, Sehwag, Madan Lal. You can Google,my friend.

Apparently even the English were preparing for Rohit Sharma before the test series and were glad to see his exclusion.

But of course if you don't want to value their opinions you shouldn't reply to me either. After all who am I? If you know better than all those guys then talking to me would be a waste of time for you.

 

[the_outsider]

So do you agree that Rahul should keep playing for India even when he is not in form? And no other player should be tested? Am I right?

I never said others shouldn't be tested. I have written here on PP that I was hoping Kohli drops himself and Mayank gets a game.

But yes, KL Rahul shouldn't be dropped now. This is the first time in his career that he's going through a slump in form. Less than a year ago, he had 9 scores of 50+ in 11 innings. Dropping quality players as soon as they hit a bit of a road block is only going to do long term harm. KL Rahul is the kind of talent that doesn't come everyday. Dropping him just because of 7-8 bad tests is not how you build a test team.

I had earlier given you a detailed explanation of why that idea cannot be executed given India's LO itinerary and the Ranji season. I don't want to get into that all over again.

 

[WengerOut]

I never said others shouldn't be tested. I have written here on PP that I was hoping Kohli drops himself and Mayank gets a game.

But yes, KL Rahul shouldn't be dropped now. This is the first time in his career that he's going through a slump in form. Less than a year ago, he had 9 scores of 50+ in 11 innings. Dropping quality players as soon as they hit a bit of a road block is only going to do long term harm. KL Rahul is the kind of talent that doesn't come everyday. Dropping him just because of 7-8 bad tests is not how you build a test team.

I had earlier given you a detailed explanation of why that idea cannot be executed given India's LO itinerary and the Ranji season. I don't want to get into that all over again.

That Aus series was his only consistent series in his career and it was one and a half years ago. Since then he had almost 10 tests where he has performed poorly. This is not out of form. He is getting dismissed in similar fashion.So there is a technical flaw which he need to correct.you can't keep on selecting a guy but of sympathy because it is his first out of form phase.

 

[Ab Fan]

Rahul is an extremely talented cricketer.

First of all, he is an opener and these are early days in his career, a player is bound to fail early on, particularly in alien conditions. We should not get rid of himself as early. He has got hundreds in India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England and West Indies.

These are players whom you got to persist for a bit longer because once they get their mindset right, they can really do wonders for the team.

Prithvi Shaw has got a great start but as an opener, he will also be going to have some consecutive 10-12 tests failures in alien conditions. Then drop him as well?? That's not how it works.

However, Rohit is almost 31 now and if we look at his recent performance, he is good for flat SC wickets but I don't think he can deliver in tough batting conditions. His stats are massively inflated and getting him back in XI is a negative tactic, i.e. pushing yourself backward.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I never said others shouldn't be tested. I have written here on PP that I was hoping Kohli drops himself and Mayank gets a game.

But yes, KL Rahul shouldn't be dropped now. This is the first time in his career that he's going through a slump in form. Less than a year ago, he had 9 scores of 50+ in 11 innings. Dropping quality players as soon as they hit a bit of a road block is only going to do long term harm. KL Rahul is the kind of talent that doesn't come everyday. Dropping him just because of 7-8 bad tests is not how you build a test team.

I had earlier given you a detailed explanation of why that idea cannot be executed given India's LO itinerary and the Ranji season. I don't want to get into that all over again.

KL Rahul is a good talent I think nobody has denied that here but he is performing poorly so he should be dropped now to make way for someone else. He needs some time off from the national team. He can make a comeback in the test team later. I don't want him to be dropped from the LOI teams though so its better for him to be dropped now otherwise he will lose confidence in LOI's as well.

 

[the_outsider]

KL Rahul is a good talent I think nobody has denied that here but he is performing poorly so he should be dropped now to make way for someone else. He needs some time off from the national team. He can make a comeback in the test team later. I don't want him to be dropped from the LOI teams though so its better for him to be dropped now otherwise he will lose confidence in LOI's as well.

See this is why I am against dropping him right now.

Because if we drop him from the test team we have to drop him from the LOI team. That's the only way he will have the chance to play Ranji. Otherwise, he will be sitting in the dugout as the reserve opener in LOIs downunder while the Ranji season goes on in India.

So that's the choice we have to make:

Either drop KL Rahul completely from the Indian national setup and send him back to domestics

Or give him some time to get back into form in red ball cricket and keep him in the LOI squad because he has been in very good form there.

So the real question we have to ask is "Do we want KL Rahul in the WC squad?"

If the answer is no, he can be dropped right this instant. But if the answer is yes, then he has to be persisted with for now.

 

[WengerOut]

See this is why I am against dropping him right now.

Because if we drop him from the test team we have to drop him from the LOI team. That's the only way he will have the chance to play Ranji. Otherwise, he will be sitting in the dugout as the reserve opener in LOIs downunder while the Ranji season goes on in India.

So that's the choice we have to make:

Either drop KL Rahul completely from the Indian national setup and send him back to domestics

Or give him some time to get back into form in red ball cricket and keep him in the LOI squad because he has been in very good form there.

So the real question we have to ask is "Do we want KL Rahul in the WC squad?"

If the answer is no, he can be dropped right this instant. But if the answer is yes, then he has to be persisted with for now.

Atleast in tests, he was once in form. He was never in form in ODIs. He should be dropped since he is not interested in ODI middle order either.

 

[troodon]

RAHul seems to be a choker at Test level. He is being given a little no run and so far, he only has 1 century to show for the 12 or 13 innings he played. Very poor from him.

There is a reason why he has not settled into the Test team yet. A fine talent who seems to be a mental midget at the Test level.

Rahul should be a regular in ODI and T20 teams. But he should be boots out if he plays inebriated more Test like this.

 

[Sidilicious]

RAHul seems to be a choker at Test level. He is being given a little no run and so far, he only has 1 century to show for the 12 or 13 innings he played. Very poor from him.

There is a reason why he has not settled into the Test team yet. A fine talent who seems to be a mental midget at the Test level.

Rahul should be a regular in ODI and T20 teams. But he should be boots out if he plays inebriated more Test like this.

Quite disappointed in him. I'd give him another 2 tests in Aus and if does not do anything of note, then he needs to be replaced by Mayank.

 

[Mp812]

That's what Ganguly thinks as well. Now if you have a better cricketing brain than Ganguly then clearly you are wasting your time on PP, aren't you? Go win us the WC, saheb.

Ganguly or David opinion vs BVB opinions on cricket. No brainer. Obvisously dada and wall can still learn lot about cricket from

 

[MP2011]

This means we need to bear his single digit scores four more times? By the time 2 tests of Aus tour are done, we would have most probably lost the series.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Shannon gabriel is definitely the fastest bowler going around.Very happy to see him doing well.

 

[LastManstanding]

Holder picks a 5 fer. Brilliant effort. Pitch seems to have quickened a bit today. 13 out of 18 wickets have fallen to Pace bowlers in this match.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Jadeja isn't an allrounder.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

This match can get exciting,if we are asked to chase 250+.

 

[alized]

What a bowler Holder is! Was not expecting this collapse from India at all! At home too!

 

[LastManstanding]

I wish India prepared more such pitches at home

 

[ind_win]

a glimpse of what is to come for India - collapses against quality pace bowling - ashwin, rahane replacements due. If the opening is weak and probably (wish it is not) last tour for Rahul, which it is and on top of it if middle order is weak too India could be shot out by starc, cummins, hazelwood for under 225-250 most of the time. rahane with vihari is better, rahane too many past-glory-based chances in the team. ashwin should not be bowled in the second innings if the pitch favors the pace bowling like it is doing now. Waste of slot for that guy if selected in Aus. Pacers have to buckle up , lot of workload for them in Aus I think.