New Zealand in India, 2021 (3 T20Is, 2 Tests)

[PKBasu]

It is bizarre that Ishant still gets picked ahead of Siraj, who is just as good a bowler and adds some dynamism in the field. He went wicketless this test, which hopefully should ensure that he won't play in Mumbai. Umesh contributed with a wicket in each innings. Jadeja came into his own with the ball this afternoon with 4/40 in 28 overs. But we just couldn't prise out that last wicket -- with the Indian-origin pair of Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel frustrating us.

[prasen9]

In the last two years, over 9 tests, Ishant averages 28.12, which is not bad. About the same in the eight tests this year. But, Siraj averages about the same and is younger. He should be picked for the next test.

[arjun2761]

I think Rahane was afraid to potentially lose in the 4th day even after tea. Since we were 7 down and with bunnies to come, he perhaps felt that hitting out would get us all out very quickly and leave enough time for NZ to probably chase a 240-250 target. On hindsight, they likely would not have been able to get that target even with an hour or so more. Anyway, moral victory for India even if it isn't one on the scoreboard....

[Atithee]

Should have sent Umesh ahead of Axar to whack some sixes. This is why Shardul is a better choice over Ishant or Siraj. I don’t think we lose much in bowling; we definitely gain in batting.

[prasen9]

I think Rahane was afraid to potentially lose in the 4th day even after tea. Since we were 7 down and with bunnies to come, he perhaps felt that hitting out would get us all out very quickly and leave enough time for NZ to probably chase a 240-250 target. On hindsight, they likely would not have been able to get that target even with an hour or so more. Anyway, moral victory for India even if it isn't one on the scoreboard....

Yes, you are spot on. This is what I thought too. But, we have to risk 1-2 defeats and convert 5-6 draws into victories in exchange. Look at the scorecards of all the close matches and you will see this pattern. Why are cricket captains so desperate to avoid defeat? When the target was closer to 240, CricViz put the chance that NZ would win at less than 10-15% and a draw as much more likely, with a heavy chance of an Indian win. But, still the draw was about 15-20% if I recall correctly and while the chance that NZ would win went down in the next few overs, the chances of a draw went up much more with the Indian win % going down a tad. Now with there being points for the WTC and analytics, we should have certainly declared earlier to maximize the expected points. The folks at pro football use such numbers to decide whether they will hit a field goal or go for it on 4th down. Using these numbers, if you work with the points, we should have declared earlier. Much earlier. Why is cricket and its establishment and its whole thought process so backward?

We can build a model that is going to beat the Dravid's of the world hands down and takes human subjectivity and bias out of the equation. These guys do not even know or think of that.

[Atithee]

“Ravindra showed great composure [and] Ajaz Patel with his defence,” said Ashwin, who moved to 419 wickets past Harbhajan Singh’s 417 and became the third on India’s all-time list after Anil Kumble (619) and Kapil Dev (434). “Everybody hangs in there, everybody can defend well these days.”

Was this a dig at Indian tail or genuine admiration?

[prasen9]

Everyone but us if it goes to the tailend.

We have to applaud our upper tail though. Ashwin, Saha and Axar in conjunction with Iyer bailed us out. Otherwise, we would have lost this match due to the craptacular batting of Mayank, Pujara, and Rahane (3/5ths of the upper order).

[prasen9]

Drop Mayank and Saha and bring in Bharat (opener) and Kohli?

[Atithee]

I think Jaffer suggested opening with Saha.

[Atithee]

Ha ha. The “sudden” injury bug has hit again.

BREAKING: All of Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja have been ruled out of this Test

Ishant dislocated his left little finger during the final day of Kanpur Test. Jadeja suffered a right forearm injury during the first Test, and was diagnosed with a swelling on his forearm after undergoing scans. He's been advised rest. Rahane sustained a minor left hamstring strain while fielding on the final day in Kanpur. He's not recovered fully yet.

Source: Cricinfo

[Atithee]

This means Kohli, Siraj, and ? A spinner or pacer? Jayant Yadav or Prasidh Krishna?

[prasen9]

I think it is sort of a continuum. Everyone carries some injury. When you are in bad form, then may be if you are not fully fit, you do not want the player. If they were in good form, you tell them to suck it up and play.

Siraj and Kohli are obvious replacements. Who replaces Jadeja? Jayant Yadav? Given how useless our pacers were, it makes no sense to get PK. PK cannot bat as well as JY. But, who knows. Kohli has made some boneheaded decisions before.

BTW, in earlier days, in home tests, the selectors used to choose the XI. Away, the coach and the captain, with the VC a tiebreaker. When did everyone cede selection matters entirely to Kohli?

[Atithee]

So, should Saha play?

[prasen9]

No.

[Atithee]

Williamson out for NZ too.