[PPS]

On what basis was Raina drafted into the 11 ? I thought we were done with him after the last overseas tour. Rahane should have got a chance. I'm sure he along with the others are eager & hungry to do well as the big guns have retired.

And talking about Rohit Sharma, let me quote what Sanjay Manjrekar had said about him which aptly describes him:

Rohit Sharma is not lazy, he has got a lazy style of batting..when he plays well, it will be called 'lazy elegance'

[subs]

Of all the players, I think Badrinath should feel that he is the unluckiest test cricketer to play the game. First he cannot get into the team as we had 4 giants of the Indian test team playing in tandem. After years and years of waiting, when finally, Ganguly, Dravid and VVS decide to retire, in comes the likes of Rohit Sharma and Raina taking his place? Rohit the netting specialist and Raina the T20 specialist!!

Can anybody blame him for the frown on his face these days?

Subs

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by subs

Of all the players, I think Badrinath should feel that he is the unluckiest test cricketer to play the game.

Have you heard of Padmakar Shivalkar (hope I got the name correctly). One of the best spinners of his day, but didnt get any chance due to the spin quartet at that time. At least Badri has the IPL to fall back upon.

I dont think Badri is even the unluckiest cricketer in India, forget the world. In terms of which, do you ever think of Stuart Law?

If Badri was so great a player, he could have been considered as opener before Gambhir cemented his place. Heck, even VVS opened at some stage.

[subs]

Hi Selfdrive

You are right.

For us viewers, it is such a blessing to be born in an era of so many great legends as we enjoy watching them perform. But can you imagine, for players like Badrinath and Stuart Law, after years and years of struggle and sacrifices, they dont get the recognition they deserve and have to live with the tag of 'almost legend'!

I would also add the name of Ambatti Rayudu to that list, though the initial reasons for his missing out were the ICL same with Robin Uthappa.

Badrinath is a not an opener per se. He is a middle order batsman and an accumulator. So probably thats the reason he had to stay out. I now hope the same doesnt happen to Rahane who is a bright talent.

Subs

[esteem_lover]

Some more name comes to mind, Brijesh Patel, V.Sivaramakrishnan

[carboy]

Originally Posted by subs

I would also add the name of Ambatti Rayudu to that list, though the initial reasons for his missing out were the ICL same with Robin Uthappa.

I have written about this in the previous page also
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifti...ml#post2880677

Check Rayadu's record before ICL, after ICL. He has never deserved to be selected.

[selfdrive]

Originally Posted by carboy

Check Rayadu's record before ICL, after ICL. He has never deserved to be selected.

I agree. I think one of his claims to fame is a 175 he hit in some match I cannot recall. Perhaps it was junior or A level.
He may have had talent but probably missed the correct guidance. Maybe we can add him to Kambli category. though that is a wider issue of lack of temperament & discipline

[carboy]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

Maybe we can add him to Kambli category. though that is a wider issue of lack of temperament & discipline

No. Kambli was king in domestic cricket. Rayadu was very average even in domestic cricket.

[Eddy]

Anyone here using the good ol' analog cable connection ? Is star cricket on ?

[Gandhi]

Sandeep Sharma on fire against Australia in the U-19 Worldcup Final. Two amazing deliveries to get both the openers.

[.sushilkumar]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Anyone here using the good ol' analog cable connection ? Is star cricket on ?

Yes, I am and they have put everything in to digital now in NCR. Switch to setup box or be ready to see usual saas bahu serials...getting a setup box is steep 999rs. you own the box .

Originally Posted by Gandhi

Sandeep Sharma on fire against Australia in the U-19 Worldcup Final. Two amazing deliveries to get both the openers.

India finally won the U 19 world cup with captain leading from front with a century .

[NPV]

Super win - the Indian U-19 team rocks! Unmukt seems to be in Virat's footsteps, winning the U-19 World Cup as captain.
Hope we've at least identified two stars for the future with lots of talent - Unmukt and Aparajith.

[carboy]

What's with Ashwin - he seems to be another Kumble. Lethal in India, pathetic outside India. In Australia, Lyon, who himself is not a good spinner looked better than Ashwin.

[subs]

Ashwin is good in Indian conditions and Lyons is good in Aussie conditions. The simple fact is that each bowler is comfortable in the conditions they are brought up in.

That apart, from what I have seen of Harmeet Singh, I think he should be given a run in the senior team and see how he goes. Even if he fails, he has ample time to go back and rectify or improve his bowling. He looks to be a long term prospect and we should wait till he play the IPL and loses his drift and flight and starts bowling darts like wha happened to Bhajji.

Subs

[comfortablynumb]

Andrew Strauss retires from professional cricket:

Andrew Strauss retires from professional cricket | Cricket News | Cricbuzz.com

He was one of the very few England players of all time that I've liked. Well played!

Cheers,
Vikram