India in England, summer of 2021

[Kumar]

Looks like Sundar was dismissed cheaply! Was really hoping that he would show better technique

[Atithee]

Looks like Sundar was dismissed cheaply! Was really hoping that he would show better technique

Sundar isn’t playing.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ind ... -scorecard

[Kumar]

Looks like Sundar was dismissed cheaply! Was really hoping that he would show better technique

Sundar isn’t playing.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ind ... -scorecard

He is playing for county team and got dismissed by Siraj

[Atithee]

Oops! I thought I’d checked for that. Sorry about the misinformation.

[PKBasu]

Avesh Khan bowled for Chester? And, Pujara and Vihari had the worst SR. When will Pujara learn? Frustrating.

Two of the County Select XI (a group of the best county players from this season) had to pull out due to Covid (they were close contacts of people who tested positive). So Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan filled in for them. And now Avesh Khan fractured a bone, and probably needs to return. He also went wicketless.

[indiansportsfan]

Most of the folks with an assured spot in the starting X1 were "rested" (Kohli, Rahane, Ishant, Shami, Pant, Ashwin) for this tour match with the exception of Rohit; hence this seems to be an audition for the open spots. Seems like Yadav has edged ahead of Bumrah/Siraj for the 3rd fast bowler spot. Also Thakur could end up replacing Jadeja, if the wickets are not expected to give much assistance to spin.

Rahul also seems to have edged ahead of Pujara/Vihari/Washington for the middle order spot; hence the batting line up could very well be Rohit, Mayank, Rahane, Kohli, Rahul and Pant. However things could change if Mayak fails in the 2nd innings as well, in which case Kohli may ask Rahul to open and Pujara may get another chance at #3.

The bowling line most likely looks to be Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Ashwin and Thakur; but could be a game time change as well, depending on the pitch and weather conditions, Jadeja may come in place of Thakur.

[prasen9]

Avesh Khan bowled for Chester? And, Pujara and Vihari had the worst SR. When will Pujara learn? Frustrating.

I do not know if Pujara can become someone else. He did get out stumped. So, he was perhaps trying. People should ask him to think singles instead of stepping out and hitting. That said, Pujara, often plays spin by stepping out and padding up. Maybe he tried something else and got stumped. Or got stumped doing the same thing.

[Atithee]

It’s up to Pujara to decide how he goes about it. He just needs to step up his SR.

[prasen9]

Even before that, score more runs. I do not care a very slow approach that gets him runs. But, he is no Dravid.

[PKBasu]

Mayank made 28 and 47 in the two innings (best among the top four even in the first innings), so I think he is cementing his slot as the opener. Pujara made 21 (at #3) and 38 (as opener), falling to the same off-spinner in both innings. Quite rightly, Pujara seems to be on trial. Jadeja batted at #4 in the second innings and made an unbeaten 51, to go with his 75 in the first innings. He is showing that his batting and fielding are good enough for him to be in the test XI, and the bowling is a (huge) bonus. Vihari got some runs in the second innings, but I don't think he is the right replacement for Pujara.

[Atithee]

England vs India: After Avesh Khan, Washington Sundar Ruled Out Of England Tests, Says Report

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/england ... rt-2492369

[PKBasu]

I hope they send Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Suryakumar Yadav as replacements. In English conditions, even in the second half of the summer, Bhuvi will be potent. It's absurd that he isn't in the test squad on an England tour. Suryakumar has demonstrated that he is a quality batsman, and should now be picked as Pujara's replacement.

[prasen9]

Surya, Prithvi, and Jayant Yadav are flying in as replacements. Replacements Sad that Bhuvi is not considered for FC cricket. Has it been determined that his back cannot take bowling overs in test cricket?

So, we will have Prithvi, Mayank, Rohit, and Easwaran as the openers supported by Rahul and maybe even Pujara.

[PKBasu]

Kohli-Shastri appear to be bent on keeping Bhuvi out of the test squad. Disgusting, frankly.

Good to see that Suryakumar's weight of performances has forced them to admit him into the test fold, although he is officially still going to be merely a reserve player.

[prasen9]

Prithvi and SAY have been sent to England. Jayant has been held back in India for whatever reason. Who knows when/if he will go.

Anyway, of the current quad including these two, there are 20 players now. Here is the age distribution. I do this to get a picture of how much we are investing in youth, etc. I know not many care or should care because age does not really matter in this day if you have good physical fitness regimens. But, still here it goes.

Old: Wriddhi (36), Ashwin, Rohit (34), Umesh, Pujara (33), Rahane (32)
Young: Prithvi (21), Pant (23), Siraj, Axar, Bumrah, Vihari (27)

Wriddhi's successor is Pant. He should be doing fine. We should think of grooming Ashwin's successor. Sundar or Jayant are not really great bowling options. This is a gap we have. Rohit is not really a regular anyway. So, we do need two openers. And, we will need some replacements in the MO batting.

Good to see that our bowling, minus Ashwin, is perhaps not going to be attacked by age. Umesh is dispensable.

Among the young blood coming in, a couple of batsmen, a keeper, two good, young pacers and a left-arm spinner. We need to find and nurture a good leggie and a good off-spinner.