[Shreyans_Jain]

Originally Posted by whencut86

FYI our bowling average is 23.52 in the last 5 years and is the best by any team in the world in Test Match Cricket. Yet they are nowhere near their potential and nowhere close to being world beaters due to absurd team decisions.

This number cannot be taken objectively. It is in a large part due to the long home season with almost all tests being played on rank turners where our spinners have run through batting sides time and again.

Then again, us not being world beaters has a lot to do with our fragile batting. We have simply not been able to consistently put enough runs on the board for the bowlers to do their job.

[am1m]

As much as I love R Ashwin, I don't see how we can leave a player like Jaddu out. He just makes things happen, with his batting and his fielding and just his overall 'positive cricket attitude'. And of course his bowling! Also don't see us playing 2 spinners at the Oval.

[whencut86]

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

This number cannot be taken objectively. It is in a large part due to the long home season with almost all tests being played on rank turners where our spinners have run through batting sides time and again.

Then again, us not being world beaters has a lot to do with our fragile batting. We have simply not been able to consistently put enough runs on the board for the bowlers to do their job.

Actually, this was the period from 2018 Aus series. Our pace bowlers have done really well since then. The averages of our pace bowlers was less than 25 during this period and only Umesh at an average of 27 was slightly higher but still good enough. So this was not purely due to rank turners and infact we had a lot of away tests in this period.

Completely agree on batting part and that is why the blame squarely lies with team management for team selection in this period and not doing away with overheads. At this juncture, there was only one man Rishab Pant who played crucial knocks in lot many of these matches both at home and away and he is out of action and God only knows if at all he will have a career ahead.

[Karan_n8]

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

I find this perplexing.
Include players in test squad, based on IPL T20 matches. First SKY and now Rahane.

Why have first class matches at all then?

What next? Pick players for ODI WC squad based on how they perform in a T20 series?

Exactly my thoughts. Sky needs to still prove he can be consistent, in anything other than T20s but recalling Rahane is such a weird move especially considering his contribution to India reaching the finals!
You remove Rahane from the annual contract after obviously giving him his share of opportunities, he plays 6 IPL matches and gets a slot at the WTC fInals ?!
I mean Bharat obviously should be the reserve keeper here but for me that reserve should have been Ishan Kishan, can play explosive knocks and definitely can match Bharat's keeping skills, if not better. Having Shardul, who really can bat and give breakthroughs consistently is so much better.

Case of Jaydev also seems so weird , he's played all of what 2-3 Tests ? Even if a reserve I'd pick Bhuvi or if a trump card has to be used, we have one of the fastest bowlers in the world on our bench, Umran Malik.

My preferred-combination considering the announced squad :-
With this combination you have 5 full time batters (though I would have picked Kishan instead of Rahul) , 2 proper all rounders + Ashwin , and 3 quicks. This combination also gives you 6 bowling options!

My playing XI for WTC:

R Sharma (c)
S Gill
C Pujara
V Kohli
KL Rahul (wk)
S Thakur
R Jadeja
R Ashwin
M Shami
U Yadav
M Siraj

[ValarMorghulis]

List of players in the WTC squad but currently injured:
1. KL Rahul
2. Jaydev Unadkat
3. Shardul Thakur (possibly has a niggle)

[KPR]

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

List of players in the WTC squad but currently injured:
1. KL Rahul

I've a wish or dream. One last time let BCCI give our MSD a proper farewell from test cricket in that WTC final . He fits that role of keeper and lower order batsman.

[Eddy]

I'm afraid Shami will also join the list. Playing an entire IPL season and leading the attack can be tiresome. Plus a lot of personal stuff going on in his life.

I hope he can remain the bowler he is for the next 2-3 years at least.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by KPR

I've a wish or dream. One last time let BCCI give our MSD a proper farewell from test cricket in that WTC final . He fits that role of keeper and lower order batsman.

Should have him as non playing captain at least guiding players from the bench

But people are already raving about the PBKS keeper.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by KPR

One last time let BCCI give our MSD a proper farewell from test cricket in that WTC final .

No chance of that happening even if we were overoptimistic. MSD is carrying a niggle, thats why he isn't batting more than 10-15 balls + to expect him to keep for 90 overs is asking for too much.

Originally Posted by Eddy

I'm afraid Shami will also join the list. Playing an entire IPL season and leading the attack can be tiresome. Plus a lot of personal stuff going on in his life.I hope he can remain the bowler he is for the next 2-3 years at least.

I'm worried about both Shami & Siraj! Both are bowling well & its extremely important that they remain fit for the WTC Final & the ODI WC. Won't be surprised if Ishant is recalled for the WTC Final!

[ValarMorghulis]

KL Rahul is out of IPL 2023 as well as WTC 2023.

I don't think this is good. In Pant's absence he was the best bet available in tests.

[AtheK]

Adidas partners with BCCI as official kit sponsor for Indian Cricket Team.

Finally a good sponsor, buying the India Jersey from some MPL site felt so odd.

[Bhalla]

Finally, a renowned sportswear brand is kit sponsor of Indian team. Always felt the void after Nike’s sponsorship ended. Now, that void is filled.

[Venkatesh]

Adidas India as the official kit sponsor of the Indian Cricket Team.

Video

https://youtu.be/QfK0DepIkYA

[ValarMorghulis]

Originally Posted by Bhalla

Finally, a renowned sportswear brand is kit sponsor of Indian team. Always felt the void after Nike’s sponsorship ended. Now, that void is filled.

There's no Kohli in this! Blasphemy

[arvind71181]

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

There's no Kohli in this! Blasphemy

Must be because he has PUMA as one of his sponsors! The video also has a very small bit of him.