India in England, summer of 2021

[Rajkumar Sharma]

Can't understand the logic behind including Pant in T20Is based on test performance in Australia.Test Cricket is completely a differant set up. On such condition, there can also be chance for Gill, Pujara in T20Is who has brilliant performance in Australia

50 from KS Bharat will put him in the test probable permanently

[Kumar]

So one knock of 50+ runs after pitch has eased somewhat (with older ball), makes him a permanent member. His Fc average of 36 is less than Saha and that of Pant. Surprising that u always tout domestic, but then turn around and propose this. Would you play him as a pure batsman or play him as a WK and Pant as a specialist batsman? Or altogether replace Pant?

I don’t think Pant has a great future as MO bat in short format. We all know that his capability when fields are spread is probably not ideal. Considering his talent and his past success in Australia , i think he deserves a shot as a opener and if he fails as a opner in Australia, i have no problem dropping him. My biggest worry is that they will play him as a MO bat in Wc and his failures will continue

As to Gill, his average and SR in the recently concluded IPL was better than Ishan. So considering that Gill is much better in Australia, he would absolutely be better than Ishan Kishen.

[Rajkumar Sharma]

First of all i said, he will become probable in test squad which means from now he will get picked as second wicket keeper, which is empty after Saha got dropped. Secondly, Pant has performed in test cricket and no one can put question on his place in test matches, all doubts are around his place in shorter format. You can't give cover to a guy who is constantly failing in shorter format through his test performances. Bharat has shown that he is capable to play as batter but the management will not pick him as 5th batter as two keeper playing will look absurd when two class players in form of Vihari & Shreyas is there, but this series will definately be make & break for the two as Sarfaraz is waiting with plenty of runs in current domestic season

[Kumar]

By the way, Ashwin after having missed the flight due to covid joined the team. He is probably not playing the warm up, which probably makes Ashwin very doubtful for the test. I would have liked to see Ashwin get to bat to see if he can play as the only spinner over Jadeja.

India’s best bet to win this match would be a pitch that offers plenty of assistance and hope that their batsman are as bad as ours. If i am england, i would roll out a flat pitch and win like the chennai test.

[SaniaFan]

We still have bowlers who can bat but not the other way round. This was the point I was making. Ashwin, shardul and jadeja are decent bats. Hardik is the only one from the batting side who bowls and he had also stopped bowling for a long period.

[Atithee]

If Ashwin isn’t going to be in the test team, what’s the point in flying him out there?

[Kumar]

If Ashwin isn’t going to be in the test team, what’s the point in flying him out there?

They want to see the pitch atEdbagston, before they make a decision as to whether Ashwin will play that test. I think Jadeja is assured of a place, while Ashwin will be a decision based on pitch. For me, if he is an option for test spot, he should have played this warm up game.

@Saniafan, the problem is our top order will very likely fail. So we pretty much need all our bowlers to bat . In test match, i think part time bowlers are not as valuable as bowlers who can bat. It is probably the other way around in whiteball cricket.

[SaniaFan]

Having batsmen who can bowl are useful. Basically people like sehwag and tendulkar have taken some very important wickets in our wins tests as well as shorter formats. They were no less batsmen. Why should we not expect more from our batsmen. I am surely for bowlers also contributing with bat but we often give a free ride to our batsmen. They should also move their butt after batting.

[Atithee]

Twerking lessons may be in demand for the Indian batsmen.

[Rajkumar Sharma]

KS Bharat promoted to opening. 50+ score this time will matter and he might be in consideration for selection with failure of Vihari & Iyer in 1st innings. Playing the ball late to cover the swing, which is required in English tracks, seems this man could be an asset for the team in future

[Kumar]

KS bharath showed fantastic mettle keeping to spinners in kanpur test. Could he get a lookin over two of Shreyas Iyer, Vihari and Pujara? My. Gut feeling also says that he will probably make it to playing 11.


Why are kohli and Rohit not batting? Are they waiting for ball to get old? Is it not purpose of warm up game to find some form. A century in this game could go a long way towards improving kohli’s fortunes.


Nice article on Bharath.
https://indianexpress.com/article/sport ... g-7673213/

[Rajkumar Sharma]

Rohit Sharma tested positive might miss the final test against England

[Kumar]

Rohit Sharma tested positive might miss the final test against England

Hope Kohli is named a captain rather than Pant. This is looking mire and more a disaster. So KS Bharath will get a chance, hope he makes full use of it.

[Rajkumar Sharma]

Rohit Sharma tested positive might miss the final test against England

Hope Kohli is named a captain rather than Pant. This is looking mire and more a disaster. So KS Bharath will get a chance, hope he makes full use of it.

Most likely, finally the reason of promoting Bharat can be known. I don't expect BCCI to name Kohli as captain, they might choose Bumrah or Pant even Pujara can also be the contender.

[SaniaFan]

It seems Bhumrah is most likely!! Based on some of the TV reports