[Eddy]

Originally Posted by ram87pune

Hey Eddy,

I just checked his wikipedia page and it mentions his birthdate as 20/09/98 so he is turning 20 in around 11 days from today. So as of today he is 19.

But still he is going to be one of the greats of the game if he continues his current form.

Hi Ram, of course his legal age in records is 19-20. I am talking of his real age - he has mentioned that he does not remember his actual year of birth. He has given a statement that his earliest cricketing memory is Imran Khan lifting the 1992 world cup.

His hometown is known for not keeping formal birth records. Plus he certainly does not look like a teenager.

PS: Read up on the commentary exchange between VVS, Sehwag and Akash Chopra on fudging age at U-19 levels. It is an eye opener.

[pratyush6]

Originally Posted by ram87pune

Hey Eddy,

I just checked his wikipedia page and it mentions his birthdate as 20/09/98 so he is turning 20 in around 11 days from today. So as of today he is 19.

But still he is going to be one of the greats of the game if he continues his current form.

By any guesstimate - he is atleast 29+ He remembers Imran lifting the WC, that was '92 - that is 27 years confirmed. Lets discount all age related records to him. He is a good bowler and there is no doubt in it. However Test cricket is a different cup of tea, you need to have a good bowling squad to make an impact.

[VWAllstar]

What would be your Test XI for India in the upcoming Series?

There is a news that MSK Prasad has backed the idea of Rohit Sharma as the front runner for Test Opener and finally agrees K L Rahul needs to improve his batting skills to be re considered. With Saha also performing in the domestic circuit and many others knocking the doors, it would be an interesting few months of test cricket awaiting for us.

My XI :

Rohit Sharma
P Shaw
C Pujara
V Kohli (C)
S Gill
H Vihari
W Saha (wk)
R Jadeja
R Ashwin
B Kumar
J Bhumrah

Difficult choice to drop Ishant Sharma but Ashwin still remains a threatning bowler.
A Rahane although performed well in the WI but it has come after nearly 18 months of dull performances. Gill has been playing really well and need to give him confidence by making him play when he is at his prime form.

[avingodb]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

My XI :

Shaw is not eligible for the South Africa series due to ban and Agarwal deserves more chances. I guess he has not played at home yet in India colours. Also, resurgent Rahane will also get more opportunities now.

[PPS]

No doubt Ashwin will be part of the XI in Test Matches played in India! Perhaps Bumrah may be rested for SA Tests since he's selected for the limited overs leg of the tournament.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by avingodb

Shaw is not eligible for the South Africa series due to ban and Agarwal deserves more chances. I guess he has not played at home yet in India colours. Also, resurgent Rahane will also get more opportunities now.

Oh yes. Then Agarwal will be the right replacement. Rahane had his chances, now it is high time we start inculcating confidence in domestic tournament performers.

Originally Posted by PPS

No doubt Ashwin will be part of the XI in Test Matches played in India! Perhaps Bumrah may be rested for SA Tests since he's selected for the limited overs leg of the tournament.

Bhumrah will not be rested. May be the next series but not in tests against SA.

Do we have good pace bowlers who are good to play their maiden test match?

[Eddy]

Aggarwal
Eeswaran / Nohit
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Hardik
Pant
Ashwin
Jadeja
Bumrah
Ishant

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Aggarwal
Eeswaran / Nohit
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Hardik
Pant
Ashwin
Jadeja
Bumrah
Ishant

Hanuma Vihari will not be replaced now. He has done enough to be in the side. Hardik or Jadeja, that will be a choice they will have to make. This is where Ashwin gets the axe by Kohli. He likes Hardik and Jadeja than playing Ashwin.

Ashwin is a proper test batsman and so is Jadeja (2or 3 triple centuries in domestic) Hardik is a Gamble and India cannot play 2 (Read Pant)

[harry10]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Aggarwal
Eeswaran / Nohit
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Hardik
Pant
Ashwin
Jadeja
Bumrah
Ishant

Vihari will play instead of Hardik. Jadeja and Ashwin both will be played on Indian pitches. Nohit might open as indicated by selection people. I dont expect any surprises in the line up.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by harry10

Vihari will play instead of Hardik. Jadeja and Ashwin both will be played on Indian pitches. Nohit might open as indicated by selection people. I dont expect any surprises in the line up.

Hardik instead of Vihari because if it is a flat pitch, we would need a fifth bowler definitely. And we don't need 6 batters plus a keeper at home. I think Pandya will play. Unless they replace him with Kuldeep and play 5 specialists. But six batsmen is unlikely.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Hardik instead of Vihari because if it is a flat pitch, we would need a fifth bowler definitely. And we don't need 6 batters plus a keeper at home. I think Pandya will play. Unless they replace him with Kuldeep and play 5 specialists. But six batsmen is unlikely.

It will be really sad to see Vihari making way for Hardik. They can ask Vihari to open, he has the technique and a good temperament to do so.
Vihari is a handy off spin bowler too.
I have had reservations for Hardik, especially after his off field antics. At 6 we deserve a more sincere player than him.

If Rohit is given an opportunity and he scores even 2 centuries then there will be a long rope for him then onwards.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

I have had reservations for Hardik, especially after his off field antics. At 6 we deserve a more sincere player than him.

What off field antics? An interview in bad taste? What's that got to do with his selection now? He proved his worth in the World Cup.
Compared to him it's Shaw who's done worse off the field and you were ok with him playing.

By all means drop Hardik for anyone based on the need for a specific kind of player, but let's move on from the Karan Johar episode.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by Eddy

What off field antics? An interview in bad taste? What's that got to do with his selection now? He proved his worth in the World Cup.
Compared to him it's Shaw who's done worse off the field and you were ok with him playing.

By all means drop Hardik for anyone based on the need for a specific kind of player, but let's move on from the Karan Johar episode.

Oh no, not the chat show disaster. His overall outlook is casual and so I meant we need a more sincere player at 6. There is hardly any doubt of his place in the ODI and T20s but does not justify in test matches especially with Jadeja and Ashwin being very much capable batsmen.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Hardik instead of Vihari because if it is a flat pitch, we would need a fifth bowler definitely. And we don't need 6 batters plus a keeper at home. I think Pandya will play. Unless they replace him with Kuldeep and play 5 specialists. But six batsmen is unlikely.

Don't think Kohli will tinker much with the WI winning team. Only 2 changes I see happening. Rohit for KL and Ashwin for Shami/Ishant. I dont mind Pandya back in team but Vihari deserves a longer run.

[VWAllstar]

So the team for SA test series has been announced. Good to see K L Rahul being dropped and R Sharma to be given an opportunity to open. Saha selected as well as Gill too. This is good selection for a change.