Sunday, December 4, 2011

Is India ready to thunder down under ??

Well Donkeys have paid back England in 50 over format,West Indians lost the test match series but are fighting in the one-day series but losing against the new look Indian team.Action shifts in a month,its time now to feel the heat, the Agneepath series for India.The Indian Test team is on the verge of going in the transition phase.Australia has always been tought to beat at their home but now can this legendary middle order finally win India a series in Australia ???                       

"Its Australia Rahul, no worries "
Rahul Dravid , VVS Laxman , Sachin Tendulkar these big names going on the next tour to Australia is as likely as is Vinod Kambli talking sense about Cricket.Both Rahul and Laxman have a love affair batting together , Australia knows what lies ahead if they are complacent.The 100th hundred is getting over weighed day by day as India squandered a rare chance to white wash the Windies. Sparse crowds, Bad light fiasco , DRS ,Test cricket is having enough to think about as this marquee series gets underway on the traditional Boxing Day at MCG. When M S Dhoni and M Clarke come out for toss in Melbourne , one thing will be sure this series will decide the fate of two teams who are on either sides of transition.Australia having won against the kiwis will be confident about their young outfit doing well at home, India on the other side will look win series, and say "We did it for Sachin"


                    Having a test series win at home always agurs well for any team, aussies will be happy that they are the host as Clarke will hope that his personal and team’s good form continues for the next two months as well.Ponting is getting his touch,while Clarke has been in brilliant form, making 3 centuries in his last 4 test matches.Pattinson, Starc, Lyon, Cummins have just come in the team but are picking up wickets at good rate.India will be hoping to play them better.Injury issues to Watson, Marsh , Harris, Johnson meant they missed the kiwi series but they are on track to be back for the India.India's last two series have not been ideal, England white washed India and West Indies fought hard making the series intense as it ended.Preparation,Intensity,Injuries were the main reason for India's loss to England.Luckily this team is injury free and they have two warm up matches to prepare themselves. BCCI (thanks to Gary Kirsten) have finally understood the need to acclimatize to foreign conditions , the test specialist like Dravid,Laxman,Sachin and co. are expected to leave for Australia as India look to finish off the one-day series against West Indies at home.Lets now get into the squad that’s selected to go on tour.


Who will bat at no 6 ??
 It’s a no brainer that having come back from injuries , the India top order autoselects itself in the playing X1. Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Sachin, Laxman is a one of the better line ups one can have in test world on an away series.Dhoni the captain will obviously keep his place despite struggling to make runs as milkly as he does in the limited overs format of the game. Zaheer Khan again will be vital for India,the whole nation will be praying for him being fit.He along with Ishant and the latest spin all rounder in Ashwin are sure of their places in the team.India have been playing with four bowlers for some years now, Yuvraj and Raina for not able to grab their chances have left healthy competion for the No6 slot,which as of now seems to be on for Kohli.The presence of Rohit Sharm too may also help Kohli realize the need to perform and earn his place in the team.Left arm spinner Ojha, young pace menUmesh Yadav,Varun Arron will compete for the one spot that remains in the team. In Australia one does not expect to have 2 spinners playing on tracks with pace and bounce. This means its likely that Umesh Yadav playing ahead of the undercooked Arron. Umesh Yadav would be very thankful to Praveen Kumar who has a fractured rib to keep him out of the tour.

Will Irfan come back ??
                                 Dec 5 is when his replacement will be announced, having seen RP singh being called out of wilderness to play against England, one cannot rule out a similar recall for any the bowlers in the current Indian domestic circuit.If they are to select on Ranji performances , it’s a swing bowler Irfan Pathan who is taking five-fors for his team Baroda impressing with his inswinger to the right handers something that went missing from the promising young left armer.If at all Irfan gets selected this might just turn out to be the perfect player India would want to play giving them an extra bowling option following his batting skills .Irfan Pathan in the team means that Kohli will have to be benched since how ever powerful world may think BCCI is, they cannot play 12 players. 5 batsmen 4 bowlers under performing wicket keeper Batsmen(MSD) and 1 allrounder in Irfan Pathan means a balanced side over all to combat the young Australian team.Kohli fans might not like this prospect but its in the greater interest of the team India needs an batting allrounder atleast on tours to Aus,SA,Eng. Its time selectors to show faith in Irfan and give him a chance to shine , Irfan can be the Indian Watson. How many times have we expected but are left dumstruck by the BCCI, so do not rule out the suprise !! 
                                    India has the team to do it,they have players injury free.The question is this team ready to fight ?? Indian fans were disappointed with India not even competing in England.So does this team have the hunger to thunder down under ??? 

9 comments:

  1. if Irfan is included in the squad, he surely takes the no. 6 slot. If he isnt included in the squad than I think Rohit is a better option for the place than Kohli

    ReplyDelete
  2. Absolutely. irfans inclusion will balance the side and more importantly....... he deserves a chance.... also he has experience of 2 tours down under so looking forward for him to make the edge.... !

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am not sure Irfan should be included here. He still doesn't have much pace and on tracks of Australia, swinging the ball is going to be tough. Why not consider Nehra I wonder..! Though in the end I think they may also make a toss up between Mithun and Vinay Kumar..

    ReplyDelete
  4. Irfan's inclusion will be a huge plus for india n will make that lower middle order look more experienced n stable and if not then I reckon Virat should b given that spot
    What say @criccrazyNiks???

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hope they dont select Jadeja :D :D ha ha though i just get the feeling like Ravi Shastri that it will be a suprise selection again :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. cant say, indian selectors.....
    irfan must be included........
    and if not him.. 6th place to Rohit.

    ReplyDelete