India's team for the Champions Trophy title defence

[geraltofrivia]

So with the CT coming up what should be our team for the title defense. This is mine.

Rohit - Hasn't played in a while but his record is still good I guess
Dhawan - Hasn't been good for a while but performs in ICC trophies. Doing decently in IPL though.
Kohli - Nothing to be said
Rahul - Has had some really good knocks in his short career (although T20/test)
Dhoni - Doesn't seem to have same mojo but did OK against Eng
Yuvraj - Same as above
Jadhav - Has done well recently. Can bowl a bit
Pandya - Not really a good bowler but I guess makes up for it in hitting ability
Ashwin - Always decent
Jadeja - Always decent
Shami - Good record but hasn't played ODIs in a long long time
Bumrah - Good bowler. Great at the death.

On paper seems like a decent lineup but we have a few with good records who haven't played in a long long time (Shami/Rohit), some are old but looking to have regained a bit of their old mojo but who knows (Yuvraj/Dhoni) and some are youngsters with potential (Bumrah/Jadhav/Pandya/Rahul).

Only Kohli/Ashwin/Jadeja are the ones who are established and are performing at current capacity. We won in 2013 with Jadeja and Dhawan going to the next level so who knows.

I am fairly confident of beating Pak/Lanka and getting to the semi finals but it's the other four teams that will be tough. The match against SA and the SF/F (if we get there) will be huge shootouts so I don't mind putting Pandya in as he can score runs at a decent clip to compensate for his mediocre bowling. Jadeja/Ashwin are OK batters too.

 

[JaDed]

Rishabh should come in for Dhawan although the management is trying their best to fit him in the middle order and rightly so.

 

[Syed1]

For India to prosper they need Kohli to be in supreme form. I'm afraid if chasing a stiff total Kohli gets out for a low score then India will not be able to overhaul the score. It is Kohli or nothing.

 

[geraltofrivia]

Rishabh should come in for Dhawan although the management is trying their best to fit him in the middle order and rightly so.

Rahul in place of Dhawan and Rishabh in 2 down? Dhawan did OKish for India B and Rishabh in team would make it too fresh. We do have warm ups like last time right? Last time warmups were responsible for the Rohit/Dhawan partnership which is one of the best opening partnerships ever (as much as some guys hate one of them or both). Vijay was tried in the warmups and failed badly.

 

[JaDed]

Rahul in place of Dhawan and Rishabh in 2 down? Dhawan did OKish for India B and Rishabh in team would make it too fresh. We do have warm ups like last time right? Last time warmups were responsible for the Rohit/Dhawan partnership which is one of the best opening partnerships ever (as much as some guys hate one of them or both). Vijay was tried in the warmups and failed badly.

Fresh is the need mate,do you remember last CT? We won it coz team was fresh,the only time we have genuinely won big tournaments without being fresh is 2011 WC and 2002 ICC champ trophy(shared).

 

[geraltofrivia]

For India to prosper they need Kohli to be in supreme form. I'm afraid if chasing a stiff total Kohli gets out for a low score then India will not be able to overhaul the score. It is Kohli or nothing.

Kohli always is in pretty decent form as is Ashwin/Jadeja. It's Yuvraj/Dhoni I am worried about. Dhoni is ok but Yuvraj keeps "returning" only to keep flopping badly again. Also Pandya need to up his bowling or he is going to get hit for plenty which I guess the management has agreed upon as a necessary compromise for his batting (just like England plays only all rounders over bowlers) but if Pandya can up his bowling then it bodes well for us as the other 4 (Shami, Bumrah, Jadeja, Ashwin) are pretty decent.

 

[Drreddymd]

Dhoni is getting seriously trolled even by the owners of ipl team he plays and his wife is defending him by wearing a chennai superkings jersey and helmet

 

[Drreddymd]

Dhoni strike rates this ipl is horrible. If he cannot hack against indian trundlers in ipl i am afraid he doesn't stand a chance in international cricket

 

[geraltofrivia]

Fresh is the need mate,do you remember last CT? We won it coz team was fresh,the only time we have genuinely won big tournaments without being fresh is 2011 WC and 2002 ICC champ trophy(shared).

Yeah good thing about the new guys is they play very fast like the English, Australians etc. The older batsmen though good are still kind of old school (although not as old school as Pakistan's ).

The bowling of Shami/Bumrah/Jadeja/Ashwin is pretty decent though. If Pandya bowls well (relatively) we are good to go.

 

[Hasan123]

Rohit
KL
Kohli
Ms
Yuvraj/Kedhar
Hardik
Ashwin
Jadeja
Bhuvi/Bumrah
Shami

 

[geraltofrivia]

Jadhav too. That's 10 players.

 

[MMHS]

So with the CT coming up what should be our team for the title defense. This is mine.

Rohit - Hasn't played in a while but his record is still good I guess
Dhawan - Hasn't been good for a while but performs in ICC trophies. Doing decently in IPL though.
Kohli - Nothing to be said
Rahul - Has had some really good knocks in his short career (although T20/test)
Dhoni - Doesn't seem to have same mojo but did OK against Eng
Yuvraj - Same as above
Jadhav - Has done well recently. Can bowl a bit
Pandya - Not really a good bowler but I guess makes up for it in hitting ability
Ashwin - Always decent
Jadeja - Always decent
Shami - Good record but hasn't played ODIs in a long long time
Bumrah - Good bowler. Great at the death.

On paper seems like a decent lineup but we have a few with good records who haven't played in a long long time (Shami/Rohit), some are old but looking to have regained a bit of their old mojo but who knows (Yuvraj/Dhoni) and some are youngsters with potential (Bumrah/Jadhav/Pandya/Rahul).

Only Kohli/Ashwin/Jadeja are the ones who are established and are performing at current capacity. We won in 2013 with Jadeja and Dhawan going to the next level so who knows.

I am fairly confident of beating Pak/Lanka and getting to the semi finals but it's the other four teams that will be tough. The match against SA and the SF/F (if we get there) will be huge shootouts so I don't mind putting Pandya in as he can score runs at a decent clip to compensate for his mediocre bowling. Jadeja/Ashwin are OK batters too.

More or less, very much settled unit, though few players are there for reputation. Don't think MS, UV, Rohit & Dhawan are the same players they were 4 years back. 2 specialist spinners might a bit over kill, if UV is there, while Pandeya isn't still good enough as 3rd seemer. Besides, this pace attack isn't that good with new ball & now they'll use 2 balls. IND can play 2 of the 3 all-rounders (Ash, Jad, Pand), but one new ball specialist has to be there in playing XI - BK, Ishant or Umesh.

Personally, I'll play both Umesh & BK with Shami & the spin pair - Pandeya & Bumrah can be part of squad. I'll pick Raina as well & play him in starting XI - but not sure whom to drop between UV, Rohit or Dhawan. Without a lefti in middle order, IND'll suffer same as PAK against left-arm spinners darting from over the wicket with 6-3 field in middle overs.

 

[JattMaula]

Rohit
KL
Kohli
Ms
Yuvraj/Kedhar
Hardik
Ashwin
Jadeja
Bhuvi/Bumrah
Shami

Cunning plan!

 

[MMHS]

For a change - IND/PAK mach will be much, much closer than most thinks. I think, IND's advantage will start from the toss - if Virat wins it, he'll send PAK to bat; if Sarfu wins it, he'll decide to test his openers' quality against moving ball in early morning.

BUT, if somehow PAK end up bowling first, it'll be quite tight match.

 

[Hasan123]

Rohit
KL
Kohli
Ms
Yuvraj/Kedhar
Hardik
Ashwin
Jadeja
Bhuvi/Bumrah
Shami

Only had 10 players

Rohit
KL
Kohli
Ms
Yuvraj
Kedhar
Hardik
Ashwin
Jadeja
Bhuvi/Bumrah
Shami

 

[Drreddymd]

Our odi team is very over rated. It is top heavy with fragile middle order and poor lower order.

It consists of too many over the hill players like yuvi, dhoni and no finisher even if top order sets a platform

 

[dildildalwalla]

They need to get rid of TTFs Nehra and Dhoni tbh.

 

[Drreddymd]

They need to get rid of TTFs Nehra and Dhoni tbh.

Dhoni a ttf ? He is certainly over the hill but not ttf.

 

[Moh@n]

I would prefer Kuldeep over Ashwin. An attacking chinaman will be a genuine threat.

 

[Drreddymd]

I would prefer Kuldeep over Ashwin. An attacking chinaman will be a genuine threat.

Absolutely. Ashiwn lost his mojo in shorter forms by bowling negative lines

 

[Napa]

I would go with Saha rather than Dhoni. Saha was the first one to score a century in an IPL final, so he can certainly up the strike rate when needed.

 

[Napa]

For a change - IND/PAK mach will be much, much closer than most thinks.

If it is a close match, I will freely admit that you know a lot more about cricket than I do. I predict a one-sided hammering.

 

[Saurav]

Rohit
Dhawan
Kohli
Yuvi
Jadhav
Dhoni
Pandya
Jaddu
Bhuvi
Shami
Bumrah


Reserves

Pant
Pandey
Sandeep
Kuldeep

 

[IamIndian]

Our odi team is very over rated. It is top heavy with fragile middle order and poor lower order.

It consists of too many over the hill players like yuvi, dhoni and no finisher even if top order sets a platform

Poor lower order ? With Ashwin at 8 and Jadeja at 9 India have better lower order batsmen than many other teams.

 

[Square Drive]

OP is planning on playing 12 players?

Do what you want but you're not winning it.

Maybe if you try buying it but I heard it's not as cheap these days.

 

[Drreddymd]

Poor lower order ? With Ashwin at 8 and Jadeja at 9 India have better lower order batsmen than many other teams.

That is in tests but in odis ashwin is of no use.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

I am not too sure who India might play since I have no working knowledge of their current crop barring Kohli and maybe Rahanne/Pujara however I want Pakistan to field Junaid and Aamir as the opening bowlers and 1st change should be Hassan - Please no Wahab FGS

With Maddy and Shady taking over the spin dept I expect a very close and competitive game.

 

[Slog]

i expect a repeat of 2013 final if fixtures permit

 

[battler]

My XI would be

Rohit
Rahul
kohli
Yuvi
Jadhav
Pant
Pandya
Jaddu
Ashwin
Bk/Yadav
Shami

 

[Bilal7]

Hoping for some masalay-daar pitches during this CT so this lineup filled with FTBs and HTBs gets exposed big time. India should never have discarded Rahane and Rahul needs to open.

Coming up against Rabada, Philander, Amir and Junaid. Let's see how they do.

 

[Bilal7]

I am not too sure who India might play since I have no working knowledge of their current crop barring Kohli and maybe Rahanne/Pujara however I want Pakistan to field Junaid and Aamir as the opening bowlers and 1st change should be Hassan - Please no Wahab FGS

With Maddy and Shady taking over the spin dept I expect a very close and competitive game.

Riaz does turn it up in these tournaments and playing two spinners against India would be counterproductive.

Shadab should be our sole spinner because he has that unknown quality about him and we have two defensive spinners (Hafeez and Malik) to cover him if India do take him on. Four pacers are a must though. Amir, Junaid, Hassan and Riaz should both play.

 

[King Kong]

The best XI is :

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Pandey
Yuvraj
Jadhav
Pandya
Ashwin
Bhuvi
Shami
Bumrah.

 

[battler]

The best XI is :

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Pandey
Yuvraj
Jadhav
Pandya
Ashwin
Bhuvi
Shami
Bumrah.

Agree, but I would play Pant ahead of Pandey

 

[Napa]

Also Pandya need to up his bowling or he is going to get hit for plenty which I guess the management has agreed upon as a necessary compromise for his batting (just like England plays only all rounders over bowlers) but if Pandya can up his bowling then it bodes well for us as the other 4 (Shami, Bumrah, Jadeja, Ashwin) are pretty decent.

Don't understand this constant criticism of Pandya's bowling. He was our best bowler in the 1st and 3rd ODIs in the recent series against England.

 

[Syed1]

I am not too sure who India might play since I have no working knowledge of their current crop barring Kohli and maybe Rahanne/Pujara however I want Pakistan to field Junaid and Aamir as the opening bowlers and 1st change should be Hassan - Please no Wahab FGS

With Maddy and Shady taking over the spin dept I expect a very close and competitive game.

Even if our bowling dismisses the Indians for a sub-par score of around 220, you really think TTFs like Kami, Shehzad and Hafeez will chase it down? Good luck.

 

[Rayyman]

I think Kohli might fail in UK. Unless of course, it's a flat track. Which it probably will be.

 

[Napa]

Even if our bowling dismisses the Indians for a sub-par score of around 220, you really think TTFs like Kami, Shehzad and Hafeez will chase it down? Good luck.

Judging from the results of the last few years between these two teams, you need to bring back Afridi to win an ODI against India.

 

[Syed1]

Riaz does turn it up in these tournaments and playing two spinners against India would be counterproductive.

Shadab should be our sole spinner because he has that unknown quality about him and we have two defensive spinners (Hafeez and Malik) to cover him if India do take him on. Four pacers are a must though. Amir, Junaid, Hassan and Riaz should both play.

Why should we change our strategy based on the opposition?

If Imad and Shadab are working for us and the pitches in England are a bit conducive to spinners in the summers then we should play both whether the opposition is India or Papa New Guinea.

Also India's spin playing ability is a tad bit overhyped. We have seen over the years how spinners have had the better of their famed batting line-up. Yes they have folks like Kohli or Yuvraj who absolutely murder spinners but you are playing three pacers to handle those folks. Also the Indians would never have seen Shadab and his googly is mighty hard to pick when playing for the first time. Sure they can do all sorts of video analysis, but cricket is not played infront of a laptop screen. It is one thing to know what's coming, a completely different thing to play it. He made Pakistan's premier batsman, Babar Azam, look like a tailender twice in two consecutive balls (across two innings) to dismiss him bowled and plumb in front.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

India team is too strong.

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Jedhav
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami
Bumrah
Yadav

This team has it to win the CT.

 

[Syed1]

India team is too strong.

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Jedhav
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami
Bumrah
Yadav

This team has it to win the CT.

I disagree. Rahul is excellent. Nothing needs to be said about Kohli. Jedhav has been a good find for them. Other than that the batting line-up is paper thin is playing on past performance. In the bowling line-up Ashwin and Jadeja are the biggest threats, maybe Bumrah will show up in a couple of matches. Other than that the bowling lacks venom.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

I disagree. Rahul is excellent. Nothing needs to be said about Kohli. Jedhav has been a good find for them. Other than that the batting line-up is paper thin is playing on past performance. In the bowling line-up Ashwin and Jadeja are the biggest threats, maybe Bumrah will show up in a couple of matches. Other than that the bowling lacks venom.

Yuvraj and Dhoni are match winners on their day.
Shami and Yadav will be good if the conditions offer swing and pitches arent flat.

 

[troodon]

Dhawan (Last chance for him)
Rohit (Looked terrible in IPL so far)
Kohli (c)
Rahul
Pant (W/K)
Jadhav
Pandya (Lack of better options)
Kuldeep (will be our surprise weapn. He can also bat well).
Jadeja
Bhuvi
Bumrah

No place for MSD. He is done. Those reflexes are gone. He still shows flashes of it once in a while. But with him, India are playing one batsman short. Pant is much better than him. The only advantage that MSD has is his presence in crunch situations.

 

[King Kong]

India team is too strong.

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Jedhav
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami
Bumrah
Yadav

This team has it to win the CT.

No way is Umesh ahead of Bhuvi. Bhuvi and Shami should be our automatic selections in the XI.

 

[Thomaskutty]

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Pandya
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami
Bumrah
Yadav

This is a flawless lineup .. that can retake the trophy.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Dhoni
Yuvraj
Jedhav
Pandya
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami
Bumrah

 

[troodon]

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvraj
Dhoni
Pandya
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami
Bumrah
Yadav

This is a flawless lineup .. that can retake the trophy.

Tail starts from Yuvraj.

Yuvi simply cannot be trusted.
MSD is well past it.
Pandya is a hack.
Jaddu/Ashiwn amount for nothing with the bat in LOI.

Our batting will be an unreliable Rohit + a youngman Rahul + Kohli. If the top3 fail, we will fail to score 200.

 

[Moh@n]

Rahane might be crucial in English conditions. Someone would need to play the Dravid role.

Also Dhawan tends to punch above his weight in ICC tourneys. He got a couple of 100s in the previous CT in 2013.

 

[Syed1]

Tail starts from Yuvraj.

Yuvi simply cannot be trusted.
MSD is well past it.
Pandya is a hack.
Jaddu/Ashiwn amount for nothing with the bat in LOI.

Our batting will be an unreliable Rohit + a youngman Rahul + Kohli. If the top3 fail, we will fail to score 200.

I hope you are around when the same batting lineup would be scoring 300 for fun in every match

 

[troodon]

I hope you are around when the same batting lineup would be scoring 300 for fun in every match

Against mediocre bowling units like Lanka/WI, they can post 300.

But the battle will be against Aus/SA who can smother past prime players like MSD/UV. Pandya will be lucky to score more than 10 against good bowling units. He can bash slow trundlers though.

 

[bleaf27]

The best XI is :

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Pandey
Yuvraj
Jadhav
Pandya
Ashwin
Bhuvi
Shami
Bumrah.

I would take Bhuvi or Shami out. With Pandya in the line up - You have Bhuvi , Shami , Pandya and Bumrah essentially 4 seamers. and just Ashwin as a spinner with Yuvraj not rolling his hand.

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvi
Pant
Dhoni
Pandya
Ashwin
Kuldeep
Bumrah
Shami / Nehra

 

[Specialisttailender]

I would prefer Kuldeep over Ashwin. An attacking chinaman will be a genuine threat.

Not a big turner and even though ICC tournaments will have neutral pitch he'll find it hard to get proper turn. The risk is not worth taking now. I'd prefer Mishy, Ashwin, Jadeja combination for now.

 

[bleaf27]

Not a big turner and even though ICC tournaments will have neutral pitch he'll find it hard to get proper turn. The risk is not worth taking now. I'd prefer Mishy, Ashwin, Jadeja combination for now.

Ah I left Jadeja out ! Now it can be a better balanced side ! need to get Pandya out

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvi
Pant
Dhoni
Jadeja
Ashwin
Bumrah
Shami / U Yadav
Bhuvi/ Nehra

 

[Drreddymd]

My expectations are too low for this. Pak will surprise us this time and if we reach semis it is by team contributions only and not on individual performances

 

[Sin Nombre]

It is a poor batting lineup and will likely get eliminated in the group stages

Rohit/Dhawan - unless ICC Dhawan returns, waste of space
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvraj - waste
Dhoni - waste
Jadhav - no experience in England
Jadeja
Ashwin
Bhuvi
Shami
Umesh / Bumrah


Really needed to integrate the likes of Pant in the leadup to the tournament.

 

[bleaf27]

It is a poor batting lineup and will likely get eliminated in the group stages

Rohit/Dhawan - unless ICC Dhawan returns, waste of space
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvraj - waste
Dhoni - waste
Jadhav - no experience in England
Jadeja
Ashwin
Bhuvi
Shami
Umesh / Bumrah


Really needed to integrate the likes of Pant in the leadup to the tournament.

Dhoni certainly isn't a waste. Same Dhoni won the last CT
In keeping , Dhoni is the best India has , Saha isn't close yet.
In batting , I'd pick Dhoni over Saha for now.
So what's your next option.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Dhoni certainly isn't a waste. Same Dhoni won the last CT
In keeping , Dhoni is the best India has , Saha isn't close yet.
In batting , I'd pick Dhoni over Saha for now.
So what's your next option.

Tendulkar won 2 MoS at World cups; maybe we should bring him back as well?

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Yuvi has 1 x odi century in 6 years. And he's 35 now. I don't think a playing XI can have both Yuvi and Dhoni in it, it's just too risky. Would love to be proven wrong however.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Also even at his peak Yuvi was an average player when playing odis in England.

 

[bleaf27]

Tendulkar won 2 MoS at World cups; maybe we should bring him back as well?

I think he could still play well enough to win his spot in the side.
You aren't answering the question , Who would be the wicketkeeper instead of Dhoni ?

 

[bleaf27]

Also even at his peak Yuvi was an average player when playing odis in England.

Yuvi has experience , can turn his arm around and has done well against England . Bringing a new kid with no experience to play in england and throw him into CT , isn't smart

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Dhawan
Rohit
Kohli
Rahul
Jadhav
WK Bat (Pant or Uthappa)
Jaddu
Ash/Kuldeep/Chahal
Bumrah/Bhuvi/Pandya
Shami/Bhuvi/Pandya
Umesh

If this troop plays, we have a solid chance of winning.

If the comedy troop (that our selectors love) plays, its all in the hands of God.

 

[Sidilicious]

This would be an ideal XI

Dhawan
Rohit
Kohli
Rahul
Jadhav
Pant
Pandya
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami/Bhuvi/Umesh
Bumrah

But it would probably be
Rahul
Rohit
Kohli
Yuvraj
Jadhav
Dhoni
Pandya
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami/Bhuvi/Umesh
Bumrah

With the ideal team, I would expect India to reach the semis. With the second team, no chance of getting out of the group stages.

 

[Napa]

I think Kohli might fail in UK. Unless of course, it's a flat track. Which it probably will be.

As the recent series against Australia showed, Indian batting has enough depth to succeed even if Kohli fails

 

[Napa]

This would be an ideal XI

Dhawan
Rohit
Kohli
Rahul
Jadhav
Pant
Pandya
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami/Bhuvi/Umesh
Bumrah

But it would probably be
Rahul
Rohit
Kohli
Yuvraj
Jadhav
Dhoni
Pandya
Jadeja
Ashwin
Shami/Bhuvi/Umesh
Bumrah

With the ideal team, I would expect India to reach the semis. With the second team, no chance of getting out of the group stages.

What is with this hero worship of Pant? Just Pant instead of Dhoni and Dhawan instead of Yuvraj is going to make the team so much better?

Saha (with a century in an IPL final) is a much better option than Pant anyway.

 

[Bilal7]

Why should we change our strategy based on the opposition?

If Imad and Shadab are working for us and the pitches in England are a bit conducive to spinners in the summers then we should play both whether the opposition is India or Papa New Guinea.

Also India's spin playing ability is a tad bit overhyped. We have seen over the years how spinners have had the better of their famed batting line-up. Yes they have folks like Kohli or Yuvraj who absolutely murder spinners but you are playing three pacers to handle those folks. Also the Indians would never have seen Shadab and his googly is mighty hard to pick when playing for the first time. Sure they can do all sorts of video analysis, but cricket is not played infront of a laptop screen. It is one thing to know what's coming, a completely different thing to play it. He made Pakistan's premier batsman, Babar Azam, look like a tailender twice in two consecutive balls (across two innings) to dismiss him bowled and plumb in front.

It makes perfect sense to play four pacers against India, just like it makes sense to play two spinners against Australia. You want our strategy of playing two spinners to fail before you change anything? That is very reactionary.

India is definitely overhyped at playing spin but they are still much better against it than they are against pace. Especially with the like of Yuvraj and Dhoni in their team who will still milk spinners around for singles and hit them when needed but slowing reflexes has meant that Riaz's pace will trouble them.

Four pacers and a sole spinner should be our primary attack. Hafeez and Malik will probably play so we have the extra spinners if needed.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Hopefully guys like Dhawan, Pandya, Axar Patel, Ishant, Mohit, Rahane won't be selected. And India need fully fit Ashwin, Kohli, Shami, Rohit, Bhuvi and Umesh. Dhoni should be there too to guide Kohli in this important ICC tournament.

 

[Specialisttailender]

Ah I left Jadeja out ! Now it can be a better balanced side ! need to get Pandya out

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvi
Pant
Dhoni
Jadeja
Ashwin
Bumrah
Shami / U Yadav
Bhuvi/ Nehra

I rather have Gambhir than Pant for now . We need to send the best team that can win this trophy. I wouldn't recommend inexperienced to be included in the side. Yuvi, Pant and Dhoni combination can be a disaster if things don't go well.

 

[Specialisttailender]

Dhawan
Rohit
Kohli
Rahul
Jadhav
WK Bat (Pant or Uthappa)
Jaddu
Ash/Kuldeep/Chahal
Bumrah/Bhuvi/Pandya
Shami/Bhuvi/Pandya
Umesh

If this troop plays, we have a solid chance of winning.

If the comedy troop (that our selectors love) plays, its all in the hands of God.

Chennai payyana nee ? . How can you leave Dhoni out? I wouldn't want Dhoni either but we need an experienced wicket keeper and Pant is inexperienced for a middle order wicket keeping position at an important tournament. Uthappa is a choker and should be avoided at all cost. Mishy in for Chahal for experience wise and Pandya as a back up for Jaddu.

Rohit/ (match winner)
Rehane
Rahul
Kohli
Yuvi/Gambhir/Jadav
Dhoni
Jaddu
Ashwin
Mishy/Chahal
Shami
Bumrah
Aaron/Yadav

 

[Sidilicious]

What is with this hero worship of Pant? Just Pant instead of Dhoni and Dhawan instead of Yuvraj is going to make the team so much better?

Saha (with a century in an IPL final) is a much better option than Pant anyway.

What hero worship?

Pant is the future, so he should be brought in soon. Saha might be the best WK, but even if he makes it, he won't hang around much. Dhoni has clearly lost his mojo.

As for Dahwan over Yuvraj, even though Yuvi might score once in a while, he is not the same beast as before. Dhawan may be useful for another tourney.

 

[bleaf27]

I rather have Gambhir than Pant for now . We need to send the best team that can win this trophy. I wouldn't recommend inexperienced to be included in the side. Yuvi, Pant and Dhoni combination can be a disaster if things don't go well.

Yeah I can agree with that. Gambhir is beasting right now and his experience does count .
It can be however Dhoni needs to be there, I don't think Saha is ready for a CT pressure as of right now and his power hitting isn't as close to Dhoni. Also Dhoni being in the side gives Kohli a cooler brain to bounce ideas with. Without Him , Kohli may get a bit unnerved.
Toss up between Yuvi and Pant I'd say

 

[Ph_11]

Based on what I am seeing I would hate to include Rohit and Dhoni. Gambhir is in.

 

[Napa]

Based on what I am seeing I would hate to include Rohit and Dhoni. Gambhir is in.

Saha is a better option than Dhoni. Solid wicketkeeping and can really smack the ball around at the right time.

 

[Ellipsism]

Saha is a better option than Dhoni. Solid wicketkeeping and can really smack the ball around at the right time.

Can smack it around at home, remains to be seen whether he can replicate that outside India.

 

[bleaf27]

Saha is a better option than Dhoni. Solid wicketkeeping and can really smack the ball around at the right time.

Yeh I wouldn't take Saha over Dhoni for now.
Dhoni - brings a brilliant thinking mind , experience and proven ability to hit while being the better keeper
Saha - good keeper , unproven hitting for now , limited high pressure experience

 

[cr7great]

yuvi and dhoni should not be selected

 

[Ph_11]

Saha is a better option than Dhoni. Solid wicketkeeping and can really smack the ball around at the right time.

I will go with Parthiv Patel Hands down the best in India for this format. Saha will slow things down.

 

[Ph_11]

Yeh I wouldn't take Saha over Dhoni for now.
Dhoni - brings a brilliant thinking mind , experience and proven ability to hit while being the better keeper
Saha - good keeper , unproven hitting for now , limited high pressure experience

Dhoni brings nothing. The mind part is overrated. I want someone to collect the ball and hit it.

 

[Napa]

I will go with Parthiv Patel Hands down the best in India for this format. Saha will slow things down.

How many centuries exactly has Drop Machine Patel hit in the IPL?

 

[Ph_11]

How many centuries exactly has Drop Machine Patel hit in the IPL?

He is more consistent then anyone else. The Delhi wkt keeper is good but no experience. It is kind of hard to score century in 20 over format.

 

[Sin Nombre]

I think he could still play well enough to win his spot in the side.
You aren't answering the question , Who would be the wicketkeeper instead of Dhoni ?

Pant should have been played against England and groomed as the LOI wk-batsman for a year now.