Print

Please post once and this message will disappear! Introduce yourself, say hello, jump into a discussion...

[LosingNow]

3 days to go.. and we have not announced the 15 yet. Way to go, BCCI!

[prfsr]

3 days to go.. and we have not announced the 15 yet. Way to go, BCCI!

I think it has to do with several bowlers being unfit.... I think 2 of them (at least) have to pass tests.

But, I agree it is ridiculous.
-P

[dextrous]

3 days to go.. and we have not announced the 15 yet. Way to go, BCCI!

forget about players, we don't even have all the selectors selected yet!

[LosingNow]

3 days to go.. and we have not announced the 15 yet. Way to go, BCCI!

forget about players, we don't even have all the selectors selected yet!

LOL..
Technically... now we have selectors.
http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php?topic=13780.msg171997#msg171997

However, it is bizarre to select a national team on Wednesday for Saturday's match. (We do that for our local league team!!)

[Cover Point]

3 days to go.. and we have not announced the 15 yet. Way to go, BCCI!

forget about players, we don't even have all the selectors selected yet!

LOL..
Technically... now we have selectors.
http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php?topic=13780.msg171997#msg171997

However, it is bizarre to select a national team on Wednesday for Saturday's match. (We do that for our local league team!!)

I have been on the selection panel for my team for many years (except for last year). I have always prioritized sending out the selection list by Tuesday for a weekend game. I know our games are a little more important than international games involving India (we usually have atleast 2 nations playing in every team ... sometimes more).

It is ridiculous that we dont have a team announced yet. How do they expect a player to join the team in time ... what if I get a call and I am out on vacations at the Dells or somewhere!

[gouravk]

laxman averages 25 at bangalore, dravid 18 and ganguly a mind-boggling 11 !!!!


God bless us !

[keep-it-cool]

Well, if you leave just 3 days between test matches AND want to select the team match by match, then there is very little that the selectors can do.

At the end of the day, all you need is some fine tuning to the squad ... I dont understand the fuss over whether to select by phone or meet etc ... simple solution - selectors speak to each other ... add a couple of extra pacers on stand-by .. and announce the squad. Where is the need to meet up and go through a five hour meeting for this???

On a related note, I hope they drop Munaf and do not drop KKD.

[OldPal]

laxman averages 25 at bangalore, dravid 18 and ganguly a mind-boggling 11 !!!!

Drop all 3

[keep-it-cool]

laxman averages 25 at bangalore, dravid 18 and ganguly a mind-boggling 11 !!!!

Drop all 3

Now, that needs a 5-10 hour meeting and some commando protection for selectors.

[broadbat]

No idea about the pitch conditions and less about the team. Still I will suggest going in with a 3 pacer and 1 spinner attack. I feel the Pak team has a better chance being bowled out by the quicks than the spinners. I would suggest a complete overhaul in the fast bowling dept including Zaheer. We have to see whom we can take to Australia.

[keep-it-cool]

I think Pakistan will play five bowlers ... and get Kamran to open.

I doubt India will do anything radical.

[pipsqueak]

what's the b'lore weather like? any rain?

[Jai]

Bad news for GOD

Gambhir tipped for second opener’s slot - TESTS vs AUSSIES - Parthiv may return; outside chance for Ranadeb  
LOKENDRA PRATAP SAHI
 
Calcutta: Gautam Gambhir, whose last Test appearance was exactly two years ago (Ahmedabad, against Sri Lanka), is almost certain to make the 16-member squad for the four-Test series in Australia.

The selection is in Bangalore on Wednesday afternoon.

The squad for the third and final Test of the ongoing series versus Pakistan will also be picked at the same meeting.

Gambhir is tipped to be the second specialist opener (Wasim Jaffer being No.1) and the heat is really on Dinesh Karthik. Even for the second wicketkeeper’s berth, there’s a good chance that he could be stumped by Parthiv Patel.

The in-form Parthiv’s last Test was against Australia, in Nagpur, over three years ago. That he can open is a big plus.

Karthik was outstanding on the tour of England, but has struggled in the current series. He hasn’t looked good and, according to The Telegraph’s sources, his survival probably depends on the stand taken by captain Anil Kumble.

Irfan Pathan too may make a comeback. He’s in a race with three others — Ishant Sharma, Bengal’s Ranadeb Bose and Praveen Kumar — for two slots that remain for new-ball bowlers. Zaheer Khan and Rudra Pratap Singh have booked the first two in that category.

Sreesanth, who would’ve been a certainty, has an injury and isn’t in contention.

Bose, who was in the squad which toured England, took six wickets (three in each innings) in the Ranji match versus Punjab which ended on Tuesday. But has he done enough?

Besides Jaffer, Zaheer and Rudra Pratap, eight others — Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S.Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kumble and Harbhajan Singh — select themselves.

Almost there, it seems, is Munaf Patel.

THE LIKELY SQUAD

(As of Tuesday evening)

Certainties: Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman, Wasim Jaffer, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Rudra Pratap Singh.

As good as certain: Gautam Gambhir.

Almost there: Munaf Patel.

Straight fight: Parthiv Patel/Dinesh Karthik.

Two from four: Ishant Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Ranadeb Bose, Praveen Kumar. Ishant and Pathan appear to be ahead.
 
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071205/asp/sports/story_8630999.asp

[gouravk]

it is not bad news ... i dont really care ... all i can do is laugh at their foolishness ....

[keep-it-cool]

So, one poor series and KKD becomes uncertain??

[broadbat]

and Praveen Kumar

Surely that is a joke?

[ramshorns]

Give or take I like the composition.  Would like KKD to be in the squad.  PPatel is not a bad choice at all given all that he has accomplished in the domestics.  Good to see GG back.  Would love to see SS fit and in the squad.  May be under the circumstances Pathan may be a better choice than most others for the remaining slot or 2 for the pacers.  Ideally Harbhajan should not be there.  Romesh Powar is a better bet.

[gouravk]

an out of form karthik is much better than an in form gambhir !!!

[justforkix]

Gambhir is tipped to be the second specialist opener (Wasim Jaffer being No.1) and the heat is really on Dinesh Karthik. Even for the second wicketkeeper’s berth, there’s a good chance that he could be stumped by Parthiv Patel.

The in-form Parthiv’s last Test was against Australia, in Nagpur, over three years ago. That he can open is a big plus.

Karthik was outstanding on the tour of England, but has struggled in the current series. He hasn’t looked good and, according to The Telegraph’s sources, his survival probably depends on the stand taken by captain Anil Kumble.

Surely this is a joke. Replaceing your best WK with your worst WK !!!!!!

What gives me hope that LP Sahi's sources have almost always been wrong of late 

[broadbat]

Why is Murali Kartik not in the list? Aussies were supposed to have a weakness against left arm spin which was the reason he made a comeback into the side. I think he will be a better bet than Harbajan. Besides I dont think we will play two spinners in any game expcept Sydney.

[Aloo Kashmiri Ul Haq]

What about VRV?

What purpose is a Shatabadi jitna taiz Ranadeb going to serve?

[broadbat]

What about VRV?

What purpose is a Shatabadi jitna taiz Ranadeb going to serve?

Lets go by jfk's post that LP Sahi's sources have been wrong of late.

[broadbat]

A report says that the Indian and Pak teams have arrived in Banglore. I did not know the Indian team was selected.

[keep-it-cool]

A report says that the Indian and Pak teams have arrived in Banglore. I did not know the Indian team was selected.

well, they have to turn up before 9am on the day of the match, dont they??

[Libran]

what's the b'lore weather like? any rain?

Beautiful for a lot of great things outside of office  ...but not for cricket ... cloudy..occasional drizzle... could have a few players down with flu... and lot of calls for bad light

If the sun does fight its way out, expect some good movement .. breeze blowing from Cubbon park should help...people with tickets in the Top tiers might as well get their thickest pullovers out

[Libran]

Parthiv Patel might elbow out Karthik
New Delhi: The Indian Test team for Australia is to be named on Wednesday.


Even as some players are a certainty in the team, the selectors are all set to replace a few.


With four consecutive low scores against Pakistan, Dinesh Karthik's place in the team is under threat and with Parthiv Patel continuing to make runs at the top of the order; the selectors do have a choice.


He is likely to get the nod as the second choice wicketkeeper.


Gautam Gambhir is also a certainly to be on the plane to Australia. Left out of the Test squad against Pakistan, Gambhir has built on his Twenty20 and One-Day form in the Ranji Trophy with a couple of hundreds.


Even as Gambhir's Delhi teammate, Virender Sehwag, faces more time away from the big league, another Delhi player Aakash Chopra has scored two double centuries in the domestic season and could get a spot.


The discussion over the middle order will possibly be the shortest at the meeting with Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni will keep their spots.


But in the seam bowling department, the selectors have a few headaches to deal with.


S Sreesanth is almost certain to miss out with a shoulder injury and his proven ability in bouncy conditions, such as this match winning effort at the Wanderers against South Africa last year, will be missed.


Rudra Pratap Singh, too, is uncertain after having missed the first couple of Tests against Pakistan and there is an outside chance for Punjab pacer VRV Singh to make the squad.


VRV's ability to generate extra bounce and a good start to the domestic season may be his ticket to Australia.


Left-arm fast bowler Irfan Pathan is almost certain to earn a recall. Irfan has already returned to the One-Day squad with some success and is now likely to return to the country where he made an impressive Test debut four years ago.


And there can be a joker in the pack too. Ajit Agarkar; who did well on the previous tour to Australia and is an experienced campaigner, is also in the running.


Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel will be the first choice seamers while Harbhajan Singh is certain to get the nod as the second spinner in the squad behind skipper Anil Kumble.


(With inputs from Nishant Arora, Rudraneil Sengupta and Amit Bose)

http://www.cricketnext.com/news/karthik-under-threat-major-changes-unlikely/28170-13.html

[dhruvdeepak]

And there can be a joker in the pack too. Ajit Agarkar;

that is a tongue-in-cheek comment

[justforkix]

Apparently Zaheer, RPS, SS, Munaf, Agarkar are injured 

[justforkix]

Irfan Pathan, VRV Singh and Ishant Sharma included for 3rd test.

24 probables named for Aussie tour - squad to be selected on Dec 12.

Zaheer to miss 3rd test with heel injury

Munaf to miss 3rd test with some strain.

[ramshorns]

India v Pakistan, 3rd Test, Bangalore

Pathan, VRV and Ishant drafted in

Cricinfo staff

December 5, 2007
 

Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma and VRV Singh have been drafted into the Indian squad for the third Test against Pakistan to bolster a bowling attack struck by a spate of injuries. Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel and RP Singh have been ruled out through injury.

Niranjan Shah, convener of the selection meeting, announced a list of 24 probables for the tour of Australia. This list will be whittled down to the final squad on December 12.

Zaheer was struggling with an injury to his heel, RP with his ribs while Munaf suffered from a mild back strain that restricts movement.

Squad for 3rd Test against Pakistan Squad: Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Anil Kumble (capt), Harbhajan Singh, VRV Singh, Murali Kartik, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma.

24 probables for Australia tour Anil Kumble, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Sourav Ganguly, RP Singh, Munaf Patel, Zaheer Khan, VRV Singh, Pankaj Singh, Ishant Sharma, Murali Kartik, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Aakash Chopra, Gautam Gambhir, Ranadeb Bose, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Parthiv Patel.

More to follow ...

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/indvpak/content/current/story/323852.html

[justforkix]

HEHE - walking injury lasted 2 tests 

I think cricinfo got it wrong - Gambhir is not in the squad for the 3rd test.

[keep-it-cool]

DBV was right .. why do players need rest and rotation? they anyway manage that by getting injured!!

Great .. so, let us play a decider against Pakistan with IPK, VRV and Ishant .. maybe take them to Australia as well.

Zaheer was a disaster waiting to happen .. the amount of bowling he's done over the last year is not funny ...

[keep-it-cool]

LOL

[LosingNow]

The most important news.. AK is the captain for Aus tests

[Jai]

Punjab captain Dharmani blamed VRV's poor bowling in both the innings for the loss against Bengal. And VRV gets rewarded with a National call !!! Fantastic !!

[keep-it-cool]

Punjab captain Dharmani blamed VRV's poor bowling in both the innings for the loss against Bengal. And VRV gets rewarded with a National call !!! Fantastic !!

That's monkey man for you!!

[justforkix]

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/indvpak/content/current/story/323944.html

Indian captain firmly focussed on final Test

Kumble hopes team repeat Kolkata feat

Mathew Varghese in Bangalore

December 5, 2007

Fresh from being announced as the Test captain for the upcoming series against Australia, Anil Kumble tried to play down the challenge of facing the best Test team, and instead focussed on the third Test against Pakistan in Bangalore.

"We need a good result in Bangalore," he said, "and wrap up the series against Pakistan first." He suggested that India would again aim to bat Pakistan out of the game like in Kolkata. "Score 600 and then take 20 wickets," he said. "We weren't too far in the last Test, only six wickets short." ( Kumble interacting too much with Shahji and MonkeyMan )

Kumble, who was speaking at a sponsor's event in Bangalore, said he was more concerned about team results than personal milestones. "It's important to get the right results." Having already taken 578 Test wickets, Kumble felt No. 600 would not be far away. Muttiah Muralitharan broke Shane Warne's record recently, but Kumble said it was too far-fetched for him to even think of upstaging Murali.

"He's like a taxi-meter. He only goes in tens," Kumble remarked of Murali. "It's too hard to catch him." (ROTFL)

Asked about the upcoming Australian tour, Kumble appeared bullish on the team's prospects and referred to India's 1-1 draw in the Test series the last time they toured the country. "We did well the last time around. I see no reason why we won't do well again," he said. "We had a great chance to win the series in [the final Test] in Sydney." Kumble would have mixed memories of that Test, having taken 12 wickets but also seeing chances go down off his bowling, which ultimately cost India the series win.

When asked if there were any specials preparations in plan for Australia, Kumble said the task right now was the focus was on the final Test against Pakistan. He said the mood in the team was upbeat.

Mathew Varghese is an editorial assistant at Cricinfo

[manee]

I think that it is a wise move to rest Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel, no matter how littly injured they are. The fact is that the pitch will likely be flat and the bowlers will have to put in a lot of overs which cannot be done if you are not at 100% fitness.

As for the three selected, I noticed that the Indians have chosen the three quickest bowlers in the domestic cricket, perhaps they wish to trial three probables for Australia's fast bouncy pitches.

Pathan is a good selection and I feel that by taking three or more wickets an innings for Baroda consistantly, he deserved his place.

VRV is a strange choice. The boy has an obvious no ball problem and something so rudimentary should really be solved quickly before being trialed for the Test team. He does have pace and bounce but feel that he should perhaps be churning out more economical domestic performances before being selected because, being as expensive as he is, not on his day he can cost a team a match.

Ishant Sharma is another strange choice. He is clearly too raw for Test cricket and cannot take consistant wickets for Delhi but, if his bounce and pace is properly harnessed, he could be a handful. I feel that VRV and Ishant are a case of there being no one else but they can both be deadly on their day. I feel that both possess not only the tangible quality of pace which clocks at 135kph, but also the intangible quality to harass batsmen, have them ducking and thinking twice before stepping on to the front foot.

I would have liked to see Pankaj Singh in the squad for the third Test because he has been truly a performer in the domestic season, consistantly churning out the best bowling performance for Rajasthan.

[Jai]

Good to be involved, says Chetan 
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
 
Bangalore: Former India opener and senior national selector Chetan Chauhan has made a comeback as manager. Indeed, he’s been given that post for the forthcoming tour of Australia and will be assisted by one-time Hyderabad batsman Dr M.V.Sridhar.

“It’s definitely good to be involved with the Indian team... It’s a responsibility and I’m looking forward to returning to the dressing room,” the New Delhi-based Chauhan, a former MP, told The Telegraph.

Chauhan was the manager for quite some time during 2000-01, at the start of the Sourav Ganguly-John Wright partnership. He has, incidentally, toured Australia twice.
 
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071206/asp/sports/story_8635759.asp

PS: So now we have Rajput as Assistant Coach, Chetan as Manager and Sridhar as asst. Manager. On top of that, GK will be there too as Consultant, although not for the entire series. Wow !!

[Jai]

Probables cut fails to excite Ranadeb
A STAFF REPORTER
 
Calcutta: Getting into the 24-member India probables’ list for the forthcoming tour Down Under didn’t excite Bengal seamer Ranadeb Bose. On the contrary, the seamer sounded low for failing to make the squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan in Banaglore, despite injuries to Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel. “I’m surprised… what can I say,” Ranadeb told The Telegraph from Siliguri.

Ranadeb, who toured England with the Indian side, was not considered afterwards. “Getting into the probables has turned out to be a funny thing for me,” Ranadeb said.

“I have no reaction. I don’t expect anything more… There is no point talking about it,” an upset Ranadeb remarked.

The Bengal seamer, who bagged 57 wickets in the last Ranji Trophy meet to guide Bengal to the final, was also ignored for the Bangladesh trip earlier this year. Instead the selectors opted for Delhi paceman Ishant Sharma, who made his debut in Dhaka in May.


 
Failing to make the cut, a clearly discontent Ranadeb went on: “If VRV Singh can make into the Test squad… Then what’s wrong with me.”

Incidentally, a half-fit VRV managed one wicket in Punjab’s last Ranji Trophy Super League match against Bengal while the 28-year old Bengal pacer claimed six wickets from the same match.

“I am proud and happy playing for Bengal and will like to concentrate on our next game only,” he said.
 
Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071206/asp/sports/story_8635614.asp