What's new

New Zealand tour of India (2021)

India currently have lots of options for opening position in test cricket.
Let's take a look at candidates. I have sorted them by their likely order of precedence.

1.Rohit Sharma- 8033 runs @ 54.64, 25 hundreds
2.KL Rahul- 6218 runs @ 46.05, 16 hundreds
3.Shubman Gill- 2684 runs @ 58.34, 7 hundreds
4.Mayank Agarwal-5167@ 45.72, 11 hundreds
5.Prithwi Shaw- 2263 @ 51.43, 9 hundreds
6.Abhimanya Easwaran- 4401@ 43.57, 13 hundreds
7.Priyank Panchal- 6891@ 45.63, 24 hundreds
(Note- First class numbers are shown)

Rohit-Rahul pair is set to be our openers for some more tests after their England heroics with Shubman Gill likely to be reserved opener.
Remaining four alongwith upcoming talents like Ruturaj, Devdutt, Jaiswal are top quality cricketers and cannot be put out of the team for long time.
India is lacking middle order batsmans who can take role after Kohli and Rahane's departure.
Can management utilise these players in middle order?
Rahane was top order batsman for Mumbai before his debut , but went on become decent middle order batsman. In this case, which above players can be transformed into good middle order batsman?
PLease discuss and contribute.

One of Gill or KL will take the middle order position. Most likely, it will be Gill now.

Openers - Rohit, KL, Mayank, Shaw
Middle order - Pujara, Kohli, Rahane, Gill, Vihari, Shreyas Iyer

I don't think India are gonna look beyond that for the current time being.
 
Last edited:
We are taking NZ very lightly here. This series doesn't come under WTC or what? :inti

Don't know who will BCCI blame if we lost the series.
Their only priority is IPL and everything is secondary for them including tests.
We see what they did in last UK tour.
BCCI and players will go to any extent for IPL.
Name a single indian player who priortise tests/odi over IPL.
Earlier, every player's dream was to make debut for his country but now a days they all want to be part of league that only has glamour, parties, attention media and little quality cricket.
 
If Siraj or Umesh can get the better of Latham through sheer pace, then rest will be walking wickets against Indian spinner.

This is a series for Kane Williamson to prove his worth. Smith and Root have great record in India but Kane hasn't done well.
 
Don't know who will BCCI blame if we lost the series.
Their only priority is IPL and everything is secondary for them including tests.
We see what they did in last UK tour.
BCCI and players will go to any extent for IPL.
Name a single indian player who priortise tests/odi over IPL.
Earlier, every player's dream was to make debut for his country but now a days they all want to be part of league that only has glamour, parties, attention media and little quality cricket.

It is not right to blame for something which hasn't happened.

Over last 6 years, we have done admirably well in Test Cricket so the suggestion that IPL is priority for players and test cricket is secondary is wrong here, especially when you find that India's W/L record compared to other top teams since 2015 is :-

<B>India - 2.8
New Zealand - 1.8
Australia - 1.5
South Africa - 1.2
England - 1.0
Pakistan - 0.9</B>


https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...2015;spanval1=span;template=results;type=team

Do tell me if W/L ratio of 2.8 isn't admirably better than the rest of the teams for a period of 6 years where India have arguably played more overseas tests than at home?
 
If Siraj or Umesh can get the better of Latham through sheer pace, then rest will be walking wickets against Indian spinner.

This is a series for Kane Williamson to prove his worth. Smith and Root have great record in India but Kane hasn't done well.
What so special about Latham? In 2016, out of six innings, he only managed 3 50s with a highest score of 75. And spinners took his wickets 5 times out of 6. Even a washed up Goutam Gambhir had managed 50 in that series.
 
Don't know who will BCCI blame if we lost the series.
Their only priority is IPL and everything is secondary for them including tests.
We see what they did in last UK tour.
BCCI and players will go to any extent for IPL.
Name a single indian player who priortise tests/odi over IPL.
Earlier, every player's dream was to make debut for his country but now a days they all want to be part of league that only has glamour, parties, attention media and little quality cricket.
India has to play very bad to lose this series against Newzealand who last won a test in India in 1988!
 
India team is resting half the strength for the team. Rohit ,Virat ,Pant ,Bumrah and Shami .
We won a Test series in Australia without most of the people in your list. And we are playing in India where the likes Jayant Yadav has a freaking Test century. I don’t think Kiwis has neither batting and bowling to beat us in India.
 
Yeah, I thought we could have won a Test with him there.

A lefty on his first tour to india was going to win you a test match with ashwin playing for india, that is a totally believable expectation
 
I want India to give a massive phainta to Jamieson who has tormented us in Tests till now.
 
India team is resting half the strength for the team. Rohit ,Virat ,Pant ,Bumrah and Shami .
Kiwis need all the excuses in the world they can have for an Indian tour. Lol, someone who is yet to play a single test in subcontinent being a big loss!
 
I want India to give a massive phainta to Jamieson who has tormented us in Tests till now.
He is an unknown entity on Indian pitches. Will be interesting to see his tactics on our pitches. So far he has played only on helpful pitches.
 
In form batsman Daryl Mitchell has replaced Devon Conway in the BLACKCAPS Test squad for the upcoming G.J. Gardner Homes Tour of India.

Conway was earlier ruled out of the tour and the ICC T20 World Cup Final with a broken hand sustained in the BLACKCAPS semi-final win over England on Wednesday.

Coach Gary Stead said Conway would return home with the T20 squad after their three-game series in India next week, while Mitchell will stay on for the two Test series starting later this month.

“It’s a shame for Devon to miss out on the first series of the new World Test Championship cycle, but it also offers up an opportunity for someone else,” Stead said.

“Daryl’s versatility means he can cover a lot of batting positions and he’s certainly got plenty of confidence at the moment.

“He’s proven he can perform in Test cricket and I know he’s excited to rejoin the Test group.”

The BLACKCAPS head to India on Monday to begin the tour with three T20 Internationals on November 17 in Jaipur, 19 in Ranchi and 21 in Kolkata.

The two Test series starts in Kanpur on November 25 with the second Test in Mumbai from December 3.
 
Boult is I think a bigger loss than Conway. Was the best bowler on NZ’s last tour of India and generates the most reverse out of any of NZ’s quicks.
 
Just as Kiwis dominated India on home turf, I expect India to do the same on their home turf.
 
What so special about Latham? In 2016, out of six innings, he only managed 3 50s with a highest score of 75. And spinners took his wickets 5 times out of 6. Even a washed up Goutam Gambhir had managed 50 in that series.

I think he is a good player and suited to these conditions the most. In terms of overall , Williamson and Conway have better ceiling though.
 
Williamson to miss India T20s to focus on Tests

BLACKCAPS captain Kane Williamson will miss this week’s three-game T20 series against India as he prioritises preparing for the Test series starting on November 25 in Kanpur.

Less than 24 hours after falling to Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup Final in Dubai, Williamson and the 15-strong T20 squad arrived in Jaipur on Monday evening ahead of the G.J. Gardner Homes Tour of India.

With the opening game of the T20 series on Wednesday evening, followed by games on Friday and Sunday night - the decision was made for Williamson to join the Test specialist group already training in Jaipur as they focus on red-ball preparation.

Fellow dual squad member Tim Southee will captain the T20 side for the opening game on Wednesday, while Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner are also available for both series.

Lockie Ferguson’s recovery from a right calf-strain continues to progress well and he is expected to be available for the T20 series.


BLACKCAPS T20 squad for India

Todd Astle

Trent Boult

Mark Chapman

Lockie Ferguson

Martin Guptill

Kyle Jamieson

Adam Milne

Daryl Mitchell

Jimmy Neesham

Glenn Phillips

Mitchell Santner

Tim Seifert (wk)

Ish Sodhi

Tim Southee

Kane Williamson



BLACKCAPS Test squad for India

Kane Williamson (c)

Tom Blundell (wk)

Kyle Jamieson

Tom Latham

Daryl Mitchell

Henry Nicholls

Ajaz Patel

Glenn Phillips

Rachin Ravindra

Mitchell Santner

Will Somerville

Tim Southee

Ross Taylor

Neil Wagner

Will Young



The second Test starts in Mumbai on December 3.
 
Williamson to miss India T20s to focus on Tests

BLACKCAPS captain Kane Williamson will miss this week’s three-game T20 series against India as he prioritises preparing for the Test series starting on November 25 in Kanpur.

Less than 24 hours after falling to Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup Final in Dubai, Williamson and the 15-strong T20 squad arrived in Jaipur on Monday evening ahead of the G.J. Gardner Homes Tour of India.

With the opening game of the T20 series on Wednesday evening, followed by games on Friday and Sunday night - the decision was made for Williamson to join the Test specialist group already training in Jaipur as they focus on red-ball preparation.

Fellow dual squad member Tim Southee will captain the T20 side for the opening game on Wednesday, while Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner are also available for both series.

Lockie Ferguson’s recovery from a right calf-strain continues to progress well and he is expected to be available for the T20 series.


BLACKCAPS T20 squad for India

Todd Astle

Trent Boult

Mark Chapman

Lockie Ferguson

Martin Guptill

Kyle Jamieson

Adam Milne

Daryl Mitchell

Jimmy Neesham

Glenn Phillips

Mitchell Santner

Tim Seifert (wk)

Ish Sodhi

Tim Southee

Kane Williamson



BLACKCAPS Test squad for India

Kane Williamson (c)

Tom Blundell (wk)

Kyle Jamieson

Tom Latham

Daryl Mitchell

Henry Nicholls

Ajaz Patel

Glenn Phillips

Rachin Ravindra

Mitchell Santner

Will Somerville

Tim Southee

Ross Taylor

Neil Wagner

Will Young



The second Test starts in Mumbai on December 3.

Wow.. NZ is resting their main player for the important Test Series against India, but our players want to play T20Is but ask rest for the tests.
👏🏻👏🏻
 
India resting 5 first team players vs NZ for the test series is frankly surprising and might end up in two ways - It might show how strong the Indian bench strength is that Ind could win despite resting 5 first teamers against the top ranked test side in the world, or it might blow up in their face and end up costing India for being arrogant against the world test champions.

I do like the thought process though - the plan to keep the players mentally fresh for the upcoming overseas test tour in South Africa, so I can understand the quicks being rested but I just don't understand the batsmen being rested though. You can't switch between formats immediately and you need to be in some nick before playing an overseas test series.
 
Indian players can't catch a breather. IPL is making all these players very fatigued.
IPL is the one of the reason india hasn't been able to win icc events
 
Indian players can't catch a breather. IPL is making all these players very fatigued.
IPL is the one of the reason india hasn't been able to win icc events

So what is the solution?

We all pretty much know that the IPL is not going away. Neither is the IPL going to change how/when/where/what/why they conduct their business. The others have to work around the 2,3,4 month window when IPL is being played.

So the above is the starting point on how to fix the issue. The issue has to be taken further from this starting point.
 
India resting 5 first team players vs NZ for the test series is frankly surprising and might end up in two ways - It might show how strong the Indian bench strength is that Ind could win despite resting 5 first teamers against the top ranked test side in the world, or it might blow up in their face and end up costing India for being arrogant against the world test champions.

I do like the thought process though - the plan to keep the players mentally fresh for the upcoming overseas test tour in South Africa, so I can understand the quicks being rested but I just don't understand the batsmen being rested though. You can't switch between formats immediately and you need to be in some nick before playing an overseas test series.

I don't like the idea of resting Pant and Rohit for Tests but still making them play the T20s vs NZ.

Kohli, Bumrah and Shami are completely understandable and acceptable. Kohli is playing the second test anyways.

Jadeja is playing the tests and resting from T20s, which is completely fine too.

Even for Rohit, since he has become next T20 captain, it might make sense.

However, for Pant, I am not too sure of resting him from tests but playing the T20s. If anything, he should have been rested from T20s and play tests or rest both and prepare for SA tour.
 
Last edited:
I don't like the idea of resting Pant and Rohit for Tests but still making them play the T20s vs NZ.

Kohli, Bumrah and Shami are completely understandable and acceptable. Kohli is playing the second test anyways.

Jadeja is playing the tests and resting from T20s, which is completely fine too.

Even for Rohit, since he has become next T20 captain, it might make sense.

However, for Pant, I am not too sure of resting him from tests but playing the T20s. If anything, he should have been rested from T20s and play tests or rest both and prepare for SA tour.

I do not understand all this resting for tests. Not just India, but NZ as well.

This is a series involving arguably the top test teams in the world. Should be a premium test series. Well you cannot call two tests a series. But regardless.

If players, boards cannot be bothered with tests, not sure how tests go forward in terms of fans being interested.
 
I do not understand all this resting for tests. Not just India, but NZ as well.

This is a series involving arguably the top test teams in the world. Should be a premium test series. Well you cannot call two tests a series. But regardless.

If players, boards cannot be bothered with tests, not sure how tests go forward in terms of fans being interested.

Who have NZ rested aside of Boult?
 
^ India have rested because they are prioritising SA away test tour.

Kane has been rested for T20s.
 
So what is the solution?

We all pretty much know that the IPL is not going away. Neither is the IPL going to change how/when/where/what/why they conduct their business. The others have to work around the 2,3,4 month window when IPL is being played.

So the above is the starting point on how to fix the issue. The issue has to be taken further from this starting point.

The solution is to not host the IPL just before any World Cup. IPL had an unofficial window of 2 months from Apr-May every year but from last two years it is IPL which is going out of that window. IPL and indian players have to make adjustments accordingly. If you are going to expand that window to 4 months then definitely Indian players will struggle to perform in ICC tournaments. :inti
 
The solution is to not host the IPL just before any World Cup. IPL had an unofficial window of 2 months from Apr-May every year but from last two years it is IPL which is going out of that window. IPL and indian players have to make adjustments accordingly. If you are going to expand that window to 4 months then definitely Indian players will struggle to perform in ICC tournaments. :inti

I think the IPL being played this late in the year is an anomaly. More Covid related. I do not think that under any circumstances the IPL will ever give up the March - May/June slot. That can pretty much be written in stone.

And I am sure the ICC will not schedule anything that competes with the IPL. They would want their tournament far removed from the IPL so they can maximize revenues as well.

So I do not see either one clashing or competing for dates in the future. Unless....there is another pandemic.
 
Indian players can't catch a breather. IPL is making all these players very fatigued.
IPL is the one of the reason india hasn't been able to win icc events
Aussies play multiple T20 competitions across the world and yet they have won 2015 ODI WC and 2021 T20 WC. By your logic, they shouldn't be winning nothing.:mv
 
Jaipur, New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Jamieson will be skipping the three-match T20I series against India, starting from Wednesday, to focus on the two-match Test series which follows soon after.

Jamieson is the second player from the New Zealand camp after regular skipper Kane Williamson to prioritise playing in the Test series. The development was confirmed by New Zealand head coach Gary Stead.

"We decided through talking with Kane and Kyle that they won't play in this T20 series. They're both going to get ready for the Test matches and I think you'll find there will be other guys involved in the Test matches that won't play the entire series either. It's a bit of a balancing act at the moment and with three T20 games in five days plus travel to three different cities it's a very, very busy time," Stead said in a video interview released by New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

Apart from Jamieson and Williamson, stand-in T20I skipper Tim Southee, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner and Daryl Mitchell are other players in the T20I squad who are also named in the Test squad.

Stead stated all the 13 members in the T20I squad will get some game time in the T20Is. "You'll definitely see that the whole squad will get match time over here and that's about us managing the workload of the players, especially with the Test matches coming up for us, which will be a real key priority for us as we work through the next week."

Stead mentioned that pacer Lockie Ferguson, who missed the T20 World Cup due to calf injury, will be in the playing eleven for the first T20I against India.

"Lockie is likely to play (Wednesday). It's fantastic to get him back playing again. He's recovered really well from his calf injury which he picked up at the very start of the World Cup. So, exciting for him and our team to have him back in the bowling attack."

Stead expects India to be very strong in their home conditions. "They are still a very, very fine side. They have got a new coach in Rahul Dravid. I know that usually when a new coach comes on board, the people want to impress him and claim spots in the team. I certainly expect India will be very, very strong and will fire lots of shots at us. We just have to keep being positive and be really clear on the way we are going to play against these guys."


https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...g-out-of-t20i-series-to-focus-on-tests/832711
 
Boult in itself is a big name. NZ's premier fast bowler choosing to miss a big test "series". Besides him de Grandhomme is also skipping tests.

Boult doesn't seem to be up for anymore cricket. He looks mentally drained and it is better to give him a break which is what NZ are doing. He won't get much swing in India and it is easier to play on the up in India which can be done as Boult doesn't have much pace.

de grandhomme is not good enough for tests in India.
 
<B>First Test vs New Zealand on 25th November</B>. Post your XI for 1st test as a lot of players are rested for the series:-

KL Rahul
Shubhman Gill
Cheteshwar Pujara
Ajinkya Rahane (c)
Mayank Agarwal
Ravindra Jadeja
Wridhiman Saha(wkt)
Ravichandran Ashwin
Axar Patel
Mohammad Siraj
Umesh Yadav
 
Test team
KL Rahul
Shubman Gill
Mayank Agarwal
Cheteshwar Pujara
Shreyas Iyer
Wriddhiman Saha
Ravindra Jadeja
R. Ashwin
Axar Patel
Ishant Sharma
M Siraj
 
Tired of these meaningless bilateral series victories

So would you rather want them to lose the series and play qualifiers to get into the next ICC tournament? Frustration of not winning ICC trophies does not mean we start losing other games.
 
Tired of these meaningless bilateral series victories

We have won 8th consecutive T20 series wins. Some of them were white washes. Australia lost 5 bilaterals in a row and went on to win the world T20. Does that make them the best T20 side in the world. Not necessarily. IT is a lottery format. In this world T20 edition toss played a big role in deciding who would win a certain match. That is how Australia won despite getting their clock cleaned by England in the earlier round. They batted second 6 out of 7 matches.
 
Tired of these meaningless bilateral series victories

I would counter that with the converse: a significantly dominant performance in a bilateral series, which comprises of more than just 1-2 outings is a more rigorous demonstration of which team is better. the world cup was an anomaly, as other posters have pointed out, too much of a lottery based on the toss. but that is the format one must contend with in the ICC events.

such bilateral series may seem mundane because of their redundancy, but it is proof positive of which team is better.
 
I would counter that with the converse: a significantly dominant performance in a bilateral series, which comprises of more than just 1-2 outings is a more rigorous demonstration of which team is better. the world cup was an anomaly, as other posters have pointed out, too much of a lottery based on the toss. but that is the format one must contend with in the ICC events.

such bilateral series may seem mundane because of their redundancy, but it is proof positive of which team is better.
It is also testing ground for assessing new players.
 
Rahul
Mayank
Pujara
Gill
Rahane
Jadeja
Saha
Axar patel
Ashwin
Umesh
Siraj

This playing Eleven have lots of batting depth and bowling line up is very very strong .only weak link is Saha batting
 
Team management has asked Shubman Gill to bat in the middle order in the first Test against New Zealand. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal to open.
 
<B>First Test vs New Zealand on 25th November</B>. Post your XI for 1st test as a lot of players are rested for the series:-

KL Rahul
Shubhman Gill
Cheteshwar Pujara
Ajinkya Rahane (c)
Mayank Agarwal
Ravindra Jadeja
Wridhiman Saha(wkt)
Ravichandran Ashwin
Axar Patel
Mohammad Siraj
Umesh Yadav

1. KL Rahul
2. Mayank Agarwal
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
4. Shubhman Gill
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. KS Bharath (w)
8. Ravi Ashwin
9. Axar Patel
10. Umesh Yadav
11. Ishant Sharma
 
<B>First Test vs New Zealand on 25th November</B>. Post your XI for 1st test as a lot of players are rested for the series:-

KL Rahul
Shubhman Gill
Cheteshwar Pujara
Ajinkya Rahane (c)
Mayank Agarwal
Ravindra Jadeja
Wridhiman Saha(wkt)
Ravichandran Ashwin
Axar Patel
Mohammad Siraj
Umesh Yadav

1. KL Rahul
2. Mayank Agarwal
3. Cheteshwar Pujara
4. Shubhman Gill
5. Ajinkya Rahane
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. KS Bharath (w)
8. Ravi Ashwin
9. Axar Patel
10. Umesh Yadav
11. Ishant Sharma
 
Rahul
Mayank
Pujara
Gill
Rahane
Jadeja
Saha
Axar patel
Ashwin
Umesh
Siraj

This playing Eleven have lots of batting depth and bowling line up is very very strong .only weak link is Saha batting

I would like to play KS Bharat instead of Saha. Rest of the squad is ok. :inti
 
This series makes me yawn. We know the conditions, we know the pitches, we knows what's needed and NZ do not have it. Barring a miracle or weather, India will sweep 2-0.
 
Washington Sundar is still injured. Would have been good for team balance

I guess selecting team from this squad is not difficult , pretty obvious who is going to play.
 
I feel Ishant gets a nod over Umesh as Ishant would be able to get some more bounce from the wicket . Umesh has been wayward mostly.
Umesh is a beast in India with his skiddy pace and reverse swing. He averages 24 in India whereas Ishat averages in 30s. At Ishant's pace,you wont get bounce in Indian pitches and its the skiddy bowlers like Shami and Umesh who can reverse swing the SG ball at pace get more success in India.
 
Suryakumar Yadav replaces KL Rahul in India's Test squad

Team India batsman Mr. KL Rahul has sustained a muscle strain on his left thigh and has been ruled out of the upcoming 2-match Paytm Test series against New Zealand.

He will now undergo rehabilitation at NCA in preparation for the series against South Africa scheduled next month.

The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Mr. Suryakumar Yadav as KL Rahul’s replacement.

The first Test between India and New Zealand begins on 25th November, 2021 in Kanpur.

India’s Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2021/n...yadav-replaces-kl-rahul-in-india-s-test-squad
 
Kl Rahul injured. Gill might still open , probably shreyas iyer will play at #4

How does this Shreyas Iyer keep getting into the national side ? Is he related to someone higher up in BCCI ?

I do not think I have seen such a terrible player, with no talent, skill and attitude in the last 20 years..

Unbelievable..
 
Back
Top