[Oxy]

Shardul is going to be useless. I am hoping against hope that does not happen.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by Oxy

Shardul is going to be useless. I am hoping against hope that does not happen.

Pretty harsh. He is decent lower order batsman as well. However I too belive Natrajan should be given a chance considering we need some variation. According to the pitch, K Yadav too can make a break through in the team.
J Bhumrah
M Siraj
T Natrajan
R Ashwin
R Jadeja
This would be an ideal bowling attack. Just keep the Smith away!

[harry10]

Originally Posted by Oxy

Shardul is going to be useless. I am hoping against hope that does not happen.

Can't judge his red ball usefulness from his white ball career. Maybe he can swing the ball well and is the surprise factor for us. Natrajan, Saini or Thakur. We can only judge how they are after match is done.

Some people are also advocating playing Kuldeep in place of Umesh considering the spin assistance in n SCG pitches. But, I feel that would be a mistake. Ashwin and Jadeja are enough and both can bowl 10-15, over spells on a stretch if needed. Plus if Vihari plays he can bowl good off spin too.

[KPR]

I've a polarizing opinion. Why not open test with Pant? Rahul/Rohit can strengthen lower order.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by KPR

I've a polarizing opinion. Why not open test with Pant? Rahul/Rohit can strengthen lower order.

I too had liked the idea of Pant opening with R Sharma. Gill and Rahul to play at number 5 & 6 respectively. The wicketkeeping duty to be shared between Rahul and Pant depending on the time they have spent on the field batting.
R Sharma was a failure in the middle order hence it is better he opens. May be psychological however he has been at his best when he has opened the batting.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by KPR

I've a polarizing opinion. Why not open test with Pant? Rahul/Rohit can strengthen lower order.

Would be exciting, if he clicks he can be like Sehwag and take the game away in a session but we ain't gonna risk it. Pant does alright down the order and Rohit will definitely open.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by Oxy

Shardul is going to be useless. I am hoping against hope that does not happen.

Hope Aussies also take Shardul lightly & he picks up wickets! He did ok in ODI's I felt & was clobbered in T20's.
Not too sure whether Natarajan has played many 3-4 day games for India 'A' before this. His main exploits have been in white ball cricket.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by PPS

Hope Aussies also take Shardul lightly & he picks up wickets! He did ok in ODI's I felt & was clobbered in T20's.
Not too sure whether Natarajan has played many 3-4 day games for India 'A' before this. His main exploits have been in white ball cricket.

Not in favour of Natarajan either. Saini has raw pace and is likely to do much better. We do not need more Vinay Kumars in our test team for heaven's sake - Shardul is just that.

[searacer932]

Dada in hospital . Prayers for Dada for his speed recovery. We definitely need Dada at the helm of offers for cricket in India.


https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/s...t-pain-1246055

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has been hospitalised in Kolkata and is undergoing treatment. According to PTI, The former India captain complained of chest pain after a workout session on Friday, and he was taken to a hospital on Saturday.

[harry10]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket...02-p56rbn.html

Bio bubble breach by 5 Indian players. Absolutely idiotic.

[vibbs]

Apparently the guy who posted the incident has now gone back and said that there was no hugging involved. It was written in jest.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by vibbs

Apparently the guy who posted the incident has now gone back and said that there was no hugging involved. It was written in jest.

Doesn't matter. Breach has been confirmed. As per Crickrt Australia all 5 players have been kept in isolation and they have to train seperate from the group. Maybe they will have to go for testing too soon.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by harry10

Bio bubble breach by 5 Indian players. Absolutely idiotic.

The Mumbai lobby ensured Rohit becomes vice-captain, so that his place in playing 11 is guaranteed. But he seem to have blown it.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by msdivy

The Mumbai lobby ensured Rohit becomes vice-captain, so that his place in playing 11 is guaranteed. But he seem to have blown it.

Same can be said about Shardul if he ends up playing.

[pandey.jai]

Such a highly irresponsible act by some of the players of the Indian Cricket Team. Now that the breach has been confirmed, what are the next steps here? Even if the players completely isolate and test negative, there is not sufficient time before the third test to follow the protocols set by Cricket Australia.

There is not even enough time to fly potential replacements in. Does this mean there is a way that the third test will get called off?