[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by carboy

Anyone who watched him play in the test matches played in WI will know that he will be a sitting duck in Australia.

I don't know how you could write off someone just like that.

Do you remember how Ishant troubled Ponting a few years ago, on Australian soil? And if I recall correctly, he was just 19 or 20 years old.

Kohli has been around for a little over a year in the ODI side, and he has already recorded 7 centuries, and a number of half centuries. He was No. 1 in the ODI Batsmen Ranking not long ago, and is still in the top ten.

Not Tendulkar, and not even Dravid had managed 7 centuries in his 1st calendar year of Cricket. If Kohli continues to play like this, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets close to Dravid or Sachin's records a decade and a few years from now. And the boy can field! He's lightning on the green!

India is churning out some really good and promising Cricketers.

[carboy]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

I don't know how you could write off someone just like that.

Do you remember how Ishant troubled Ponting a few years ago, on Australian soil? And if I recall correctly, he was just 19 or 20 years old.

Kohli has been around for a little over a year in the ODI side, and he has already recorded 7 centuries, and a number of half centuries. He was No. 1 in the ODI Batsmen Ranking not long ago, and is still in the top ten.

Not Tendulkar, and not even Dravid had managed 7 centuries in his 1st calendar year of Cricket. If Kohli continues to play like this, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets close to Dravid or Sachin's records a decade and a few years from now. And the boy can field! He's lightning on the green!

India is churning out some really good and promising Cricketers.

ODIs are played on tracks which are flatter than most test match tracks. That's why people like Yuvraj, Raina, Kohli have a great future in ODIs. They will break all records there.

But for tests, I would prefer Pujara & Rahane. Not that they are guaranteed to succeed - but they are more likely to succeed than Kohli, Raina, Yuvraj.

[Eddy]

Only if Pujara and Rahane do not play in the IPL. Look what happened to Murali Vijay. He started out as a solid opener with good technique but a couple of seasons in IPL took a toll on his technique.
(an armchair critics view )

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

Not Tendulkar, and not even Dravid had managed 7 centuries in his 1st calendar year of Cricket. If Kohli continues to play like this, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets close to Dravid or Sachin's records a decade and a few years from now. And the boy can field! He's lightning on the green!

India is churning out some really good and promising Cricketers.

This is absolute crap, how can you even think of a mediocre batsman with a lot of money luring him to even come close to those greats ? Ok, he is better than mediocre at his best. Please do not bring records to compare, 'cos there is no comparison. Yes, Kohli is a prospect just like Yuvraj, Raina, Rohit etc, nothing more than that. Sachin, Dravid ?????????? Are you crazy ?????

[srishiva]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Only if Pujara and Rahane do not play in the IPL. Look what happened to Murali Vijay. He started out as a solid opener with good technique but a couple of seasons in IPL took a toll on his technique.
(an armchair critics view )

I didn't even know Murali Vijay could play the way he did until he played the IPL and became famous. I can never talk about his technique since he played in India mostly on flat pitches including IPL. Even in India playing against Dale Steyn, you could see him so short on technique, Ashwin would probably play better.
Even Dhoni who has a big heart and can succeed just tries so hard to put bat on to balls in test matches.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by carboy

ODIs are played on tracks which are flatter than most test match tracks. That's why people like Yuvraj, Raina, Kohli have a great future in ODIs. They will break all records there.

But for tests, I would prefer Pujara & Rahane. Not that they are guaranteed to succeed - but they are more likely to succeed than Kohli, Raina, Yuvraj.

Perhaps if he improves his technique and concentration. Actually, I'd say his technique is pretty good. He drives the ball really well, and like most good Indian batsmen, he's good on his pads too. And he isn't particularly afraid of the short-ball.

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

This is absolute crap, how can you even think of a mediocre batsman with a lot of money luring him to even come close to those greats ? Ok, he is better than mediocre at his best. Please do not bring records to compare, 'cos there is no comparison. Yes, Kohli is a prospect just like Yuvraj, Raina, Rohit etc, nothing more than that. Sachin, Dravid ?????????? Are you crazy ?????

Woah, easy easy!

It wasn't a comparison. And Kohli is surely not mediocre, in my book.

All I tried to convey is that the lad has a very bright future, and if he continues the way he's playing, he may be one of the game's greats! It's just an opinion, and I'm sure you'd agree with me on this. I mean, there is no way he is as good as Sachin, and he probably never will be. But he shows a lot of promise. Just like Rohit and Raina.

[esteem_lover]

All the players whom you quote including Kohli are ODI specialists, they might even score a triple hundred in ODIs, that is where they will be great, certainly not in tests. India has become a breeding ground for such players since the inception of IPL. Let us hope that the people who matter (BCCI, selectors etc) put enough faith on the very young lads like yadav and aaron and keep them away from the lure of money or at least they have it in them to be a Sachin or Dravid or Laxman.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

All the players whom you quote including Kohli are ODI specialists, they might even score a triple hundred in ODIs, that is where they will be great, certainly not in tests. India has become a breeding ground for such players since the inception of IPL. Let us hope that the people who matter (BCCI, selectors etc) put enough faith on the very young lads like yadav and aaron and keep them away from the lure of money or at least they have it in them to be a Sachin or Dravid or Laxman.

It is true, that they are ODI specialists. And it is true that in today's times, money gets to their heads. But one must not write them off just like that. There is no way Dhoni can ever be a good test player. Yes he can score 100s, but put him on pacy Australian or English pitches and he would buckle. That said, he fought it out every time he came out to bat during our tour of England.

Dhoni can never be a great test-player because he lacks the technique to be one. Test-matches are true tests of ones character, and as a character, Dhoni may be good, and that's why he's an efficient captain. But a good cricketer? Not quite.

But Kohli, on the other hand, has awesome technique. If you watch him closely, he plays proper Cricketing shots. He doesn't slog as much as the slam-bang variety that Raina and Dhoni clearly belong to.

That said, even Yuvraj has great technique, and can time the ball brilliantly too. But he hasn't really succeeded at test-match level.

[Eddy]

I differ on Yuvraj. He does not have a good technique. Timing - yes.

[esteem_lover]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

Dhoni can never be a great test-player because he lacks the technique to be one. Test-matches are true tests of ones character, and as a character, Dhoni may be good, and that's why he's an efficient captain. But a good cricketer? Not quite.

But Kohli, on the other hand, has awesome technique. If you watch him closely, he plays proper Cricketing shots. He doesn't slog as much as the slam-bang variety that Raina and Dhoni clearly belong to.

That said, even Yuvraj has great technique, and can time the ball brilliantly too. But he hasn't really succeeded at test-match level.

All said and done, it is all in the mind for every sporstman, I would like my kids to look up to sachin, dravid and Laxman than Kohli, yuvraj and harbajan. I will not write off Raina and Kohli, but they will never be good test players only because of the present circumstances. Today, Kohli showed a lot of promise, but he will never have the appetite for this kind of cricket, it is not his fault, this is how it is in these times. At least, he is lucky that he is playing along these greats and learning a thing or two from them.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by Eddy

I differ on Yuvraj. He does not have a good technique. Timing - yes.

Well, Yuvraj, in my opinion, is patchy. He is susceptible to the short-ball, and can lose his stumps easily if the ball is too full and straight. But I've seen him play a few shots, and as a left-hander, I think he is at his elegant best when he cover-drives or cuts square off the back-foot. He plays the inside-out shot well too.

But the moment the bowler begins to vary his pace and becomes unpredictable, Yuvraj seems to completely lose it! He isn't good at picking the ball. If you bowl to him at a consistent line and length, he will whack you, but the moment the bowler mixes-up his deliveries, Yuvraj seems to be in some sort of trouble. Add to that, his fielding has gone down south off late too.

[PPS]

I personally feel musical chairs will be played for the next 2 years among - Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rahane & Yuvraj for the no.6 slot!

I really do not know how much they value a test slot. They seem to be more than happy playing ODIs & T20. Someone like Rohit Sharma has got so many chances but he still hasn't been able to cement a place in the side. Rahane looks a good future test prospect.
The upcoming Australian tour will be a big challenge for Virat Kohli. I feel after the first 2 ODIs against WI he should be immediately be sent to Australia to get used to the pitches there.

[Eddy]

As I see it, Yuvraj is out of the game as far as tests are concerned.

So till the big 3 play on, it'll be between Kohli and Rohit for the no 6 slot. Injuries/ retirement will make way for Rahane & Pujara. A long shot, but I think Shikhar Dhawan & Badri may also be in the running

[esteem_lover]

I don't think Rahane and Pujara have a shot here, maybe only after Kohli, Rohit, Raina and Yuvraj. The last 2 will be tested again after the big 3 leave. And poor Badri will never get a chance again unless a miracle happens.

[suhaas307]

I really want Kohli to do well. He is a great Cricketer, and you can see his youth and exuberance on the field. He is a good batsman, who needs to control his temper and play with a cool head. He tends to get carried away in the scheme of things, which is never a good sign.

Today, play was stopped for a few minutes when Kohli was in his 60s. The moment play was stopped (due to a WI player's injury) Kohli lost his concentration, and swung wildly at a shot and wide ball that spun sharply away. It was a minor slip-up, but it cost him his wicket.

That's what test-matches are all about. One minor slip-up is all it takes for you to find yourself back in the dressing-room.