[Eddy]

The wicketkeeping cupboard remains bare, considering it was Saha and Ojha fighting for a spot not a long time ago.

However, Saha is not that bad. He kept and batted really well in the NZ series.

[AltoLXI]

SA wrap up the series in style

Meanwhile in the Ranji match against Rajasthan, Binny needs 161 balls to score 16 runs.

[NPV]

I just hope Gambhir doesn't come up with a century or high score(s) in the second test and retains his place .. this may end up blocking KL Rahul's place (he is expected to be in the team for the third test).

[Bubby]

Originally Posted by NPV

I just hope Gambhir doesn't come up with a century or high score(s) in the second test and retains his place .. this may end up blocking KL Rahul's place (he is expected to be in the team for the third test).

Just in, K L Rahul added to Team India squad ahead of second Test in Vizag

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by NPV

I just hope Gambhir doesn't come up with a century or high score(s) in the second test and retains his place .. this may end up blocking KL Rahul's place (he is expected to be in the team for the third test).

If that happens, and I were in the selection panel for the final XI, I would put Rahul in place of Saha and ask him to do wicket keeping duties too. It may be too much for him to keep wickets in the long format and bat too but It is an experiment worth doing IMO

[avingodb]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

I would put Rahul in place of Saha

That would not help anyone. You can't expect him to keep and open and that too in test match cricket and on a comeback from injury!

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

If that happens, and I were in the selection panel for the final XI, I would put Rahul in place of Saha and ask him to do wicket keeping duties too. It may be too much for him to keep wickets in the long format and bat too but It is an experiment worth doing IMO

Agree, I believe KL Rahul keeps for Karnataka, so it should not be a fitness issue. Only concern is the quality of keeping, poor keeping can turn a match.

[landcruiser123]

Originally Posted by AltoLXI

SA wrap up the series in style

SA was too good. Aus batting is really fragile, an unit having only 3 big names- Warner, Khawaja and Smith. Nevill always seems to run out of partners quickly when he settles and bats with the tail. Voges needs to be dropped, Bailey should be called up.

With due respect, most of the runs scored by Voges has been against WI and NZ.

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

If that happens, and I were in the selection panel for the final XI, I would put Rahul in place of Saha and ask him to do wicket keeping duties too.

Rahul is only a part time keeper. Asking him to keep wicket in tests would be too much. It might negatively affect his batting. I don't think Rahul keeps in Ranji games, CM Gautam keeps for KA.

I think Mishra might make way for Rahul. Gambhir may play at no.3. All depends on the nature of the pitch.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

If that happens, and I were in the selection panel for the final XI, I would put Rahul in place of Saha and ask him to do wicket keeping duties too. It may be too much for him to keep wickets in the long format and bat too but It is an experiment worth doing IMO

No it is not. It may work in LOIs but you always need specialists in test matches.

If we had made Rahul Dravid keep wickets in tests, he wouldn't be half as good a batsman as he was.

[TorqueyTechie]

Originally Posted by AltoLXI

Meanwhile in the Ranji match against Rajasthan, Binny needs 161 balls to score 16 runs.

I think this might have been a glitch in the scorecard as cricinfo shows that he has scored 19 runs in 29 balls.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

I would put Rahul in place of Saha and ask him to do wicket keeping duties too.

We can perhaps try this experiment in T20's once Dhoni retires. I don't think there is any scope for any sort of experimentation in Tests.

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

I think Mishra might make way for Rahul. Gambhir may play at no.3.

This is an interesting suggestion. I just hope KL Rahul has fully recovered, he's only played 1 domestic game since recovering from injury. Gambhir really must be ruing himself for not getting big runs in the 1st test.

[Eddy]

I don't think we need three spinners at Vizag. It will turn from day 0.

Much better going in with an extra batter.

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by NPV

I just hope Gambhir doesn't come up with a century or high score(s) in the second test and retains his place .. this may end up blocking KL Rahul's place (he is expected to be in the team for the third test).

After so much discussion here, Rahul replaces Gambhir in the second test and he scores a duck in the first innings!!! Had heard of commentator's curse, this looks like TBHPians' curse

finally India Manage 455. Although less than what they could have, it still is a good score. England 8/1 at present. This match will give a result I feel, hopefully in favour of India. but let's see how things pan out.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

Had heard of commentator's curse, this looks like TBHPians' curse

Commentator's curse usually is true with Ravi Shastri but the TBHPians curse is new , but there's always a second Innings

[Eddy]

80 / 4 with both Cook and Root back in the pavilion.

Ali and Stokes are the key now for England to remain in contention in this match.