Cricket: Preview Ind Vs Eng Third test

A quick scribble and scramble at writing a post, for preview of the third test, between India and England at Leeds.

NZ vs India.

India’s away tour tend to start with a sombre note. India was to play six test matches across two series and two different opponents, may be three if you add rain. For many fans, like fans of Indian cricket since the 90s India, common wish was to play the first test at the end. Doesn’t happen.

India’s first test in this tour was against England. Rain played its part, India did well, but unexpectedly fell apart at crucial juncture. New Zealand first winner of World Test Championship. Indian team subsequently proved why they were there in the final.

While NZ had practise matches in form of playing against England in two test matches. Perfect ideal preparation for the final. NZ did well against England and probably primed against India. Team India, however, did well against a side match at best. The good or bad of it, India was now well placed, to do well, since they were not playing the first test on the tour.

First Test, India vs England in Nottingham.

England won the toss and elected to bat first. Burmrah & Co got their radar right. Root top scored with 64. Bumrah claimed 4 in the first innings. Indian reply started cautiously and first wicket fell on 97, then three more wickets fell for 8 runs, Che, King, Jinx scored 9 runs between them. India was in a spot of bother. Rahul and Pant and then every consistent Sir Jadeja, farmed the strike, the tail wagged and Indian could get a very healthy lead. Opening stand of 97 and lead of 95 was cause of minor celebration.

England replied well. A very measured and a solid 100 from Joe Root, meanwhile other batsman contributed but didn’t carry on to support root well. Indian bowling kept plugging and Bumrah once again among the wickets, claimed 9 wickets in the match.

India response began well, Rain took the final call on the match. India drew a match which was probably there for their taking. Not to be as something better was instore.

Second test, at The Lords.

England won the toss again. Lords wasn’t a typical English pitch; weather was the typical English weather. Root elected to field, knowing prowess of English batting and incisiveness of Indian quartet. Rahul and Rohit again started cautiously. Indian openers this time compiled an opening stand of 126 before Rohit did Rohit things. A wobble followed before Rahul and Kohli stirred the ship some what however, England prized out last 8 Indian wickets for 97.

English response started with English openers, were claimed by Indian bowling. Root and Bairstow had a very good century stand. Ishant Sharma and Siraj claiming wickets, last 5 English wickets for 50 runs and England with a decent lead of 27 runs. They had the best of batting conditions, Indian bowlers tried hard but not with much luck. England lacked depth to bat India out of the game scoring 3 an over after batting nearly 130 overs. Root with superlative 180 not out. Other batsman contributed to 178, extras from Indian bowlers were fourth highest contribution of 33.

India started tentatively and English bowling with its tail up reduced Indian to 55/3. England were probably two more wickets a way of getting into the lower order. Then probably first of the two important partnerships start to persevere and resist the English attack. In the second session, Rahane and Che batted 28 overs for 49 runs. Che did what Che does, runs were a trickle of singles and two and odd boundary in each spell. They had a 100-run partnership grinding English bowlers for 50 overs. One wicket gets two in test match, India lost 3 more wickets for 20 runs. Ending the day 181/6.

The game was pretty much in the balance, when the day five started. England got Pant caught behind. Then England bowlers went bonkers, broke the Bro code of fast bowlers. Indian lower order batsman, Shami and Bumrah meanwhile, resisted and perhaps put the second crucial partnership of 89. Shami with a 56 not out and Bumrah with 34 not out. The words were flying everywhere, lot of drama and no sign of declaration from Kohli. The tide had turned and English plans to bounce out the Indian lower order failed. The momentum was with India. A few more hits after lunch and Indian declaration were no short of drama, the finale to which started after Indian declaration. Anderson sent wicket less in this inning.

England team, led by Anderson had stupidly tried to get under India lower order, perhaps not releasing, they would be the first one to open the bowling when England came to bat. Bumrah claimed Burns, Shami claimed Sibley, score board read 2 for 1, familiar score when Indian team use to tour abroad but not when we were bowling. Root again playing his own game perhaps on his own pitch looked set and kept Indian bowling at bay. Inspired change by Kohli, to bring Ishant, who claimed Hameed and then Bairstow at stroke of lunch. England 67/4 and seemingly ready to implode. Root was the wicket immediately after lunch. Then again Kohli got Siraj in to the bowling, who claimed Moeen and Curran in consecutive balls. India were now 3 wickets away, while England had to bat out 22 overs. Bumrah the magician bowled couple of short pitched balls at Robinson, got him on the backfoot and then delivered an off cutter, that was hitting the stumps, Eight down.

Siraj continue and claimed Butler and Anderson and perhaps in a dream spell of bowling lead Indian team to a dream win at Lords.

Third Test Leeds.

The third test starts tomorrow 23 August at Leads. England would want to pull one back and may be forced to make at least two changes. Indian would want to continue the winning ways with a winning combination. Obviously, the team selection from Kohli would be a talking point. However, the selection of XI of Indian men’s team hardly meets consensus. So far in the series, some of us would have to grudgingly concede, Kohli has made the right calls and everyone of his playing XI have stood up at very different times and defended when required and attacked whenever they could. Indian bowling on current form is definitely Indian team’s stronger suit.

Today Indian team also celebrates 1971 win at Oval, beating England in England.

Indian Test cricket fans, are witnessing, something we wished for a very long time. There are lot of factors both cricketing and non-cricketing, that ensure Indian Teams keep playing very solid game of attrition with the bat and attacking bowling. Interesting times ahead, that’s definitely assured.

Cricket: Boxing Day win for India.

Subha ka sapna sach hua.

Aus has lot of pageantry connected to their cricket season. Invariably starts with Tests in early Aus summer in month of December Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Boxing Day or 26 Dec the day when boxes of gifts open after X-Mas day. This time around, there was a change, ODI, T20s and then tests. India team went there straight after IPL.

Adelaide Test.

India 36 All out. One bad session and India were rattled and dismantled. Day night matches are tough. This one was perhaps very tough. India did well with the ball to restrict Aus first time around. They were doing well till Rahane called Kohli for a run and sold him a dummy. Indian team collapsed after that. However, managed a slender lead. But then Aus bowlers just dismantled the batting group.

Context, Perspectives and Consequences.

India touring away has been always under a bit more scrutiny from traditional test match funs. I guess as a test match follower, I am beginning to realize a few things, that perhaps only experience teaches you. Touring abroad is hard. Seems adaptability is hard. Adaptability as an individual player and together as a team together is a challenge.

Context.

2020 has been a challenging year, bio bubble, quarantine, as if pre Covid 19, rigors of test matches were not challenging enough, physically, mentally, emotionally.

No Kohli, this team’s prime mover of batting, plays all three formats, loves test cricket has a double ton against all teams barring Aus. Averages 61 as captain in test matches.

No Shami, got injured in the last match, perhaps bowls with most control. He can create a havoc in the second innings with his bowling.

No Ishant. A bowler with experience of 97 test matches, has matured as a bowler and is perhaps bowling the best in last 3 or 4 seasons then he ever did in the career.

No Rohit, his Test match performance hasn’t really sky rocketed but there is no substitute to experience.

Adelaide 36 / 9 with Shami injured, India batting didn’t survive a session and the Indian team recorded its lowest total in Test history.

Last time India recorded its lowest total they lost their next match by an innings.

No touring team, has equaled the series, in Aus after lost the losing the first match of the series.

Aus team has a very potent bowling attack in their conditions. They look to have all bases covered.

Steve Smith was averaging in 80s against India at different points. It is now just 10 runs in three innings for him in this series.

Perspective.

India is enough examples of coming back with their back to wall and come back to storm the castle. They did it in last tour, after getting beaten at Perth and they won Melbourne. Then there is THAT Eden Garden match after Aus won in Mumbai, Perth Test where Ishant bowled that spell to Ponting after Sydney test in 2008, there has been Trent Bridge, one at Centurion. Point is team has been well versed with what happens next. The same time in 2010 India won against SAf, Sreesanth bounced out Kallis, Laxman farmed the strike and steered the tail. Bhajji and Zak pulled one back for India.

I will have to make my memory jog a long time back but I don’t remember an Indian team going on a tour with settled opening batsmen, say Openers playing 12 to 14 tests before embarking on a foreign tour.

Meanwhile in away tests openers don’t always score and last 5 Indian wickets don’t always last for too many runs. However, these things for Indian fan are not something one should feel low about guess they are now a feature of the team at most times.

What remains is hope that at least 4 batsmen in the middle put some runs on the board. It is something grudgingly Indian fans may learnt to lived with. When at home, the factors just get reversed.

Consequence.

Much or the previous, mentioned were “known Knowns” before the team reached Melbourne. In test matches, it is always about the next ball, next session, next spell, next innings and so on. The past is something you can build upon. The tests matches are great leveler in many ways. It was nice that team didn’t carry an extra baggage from Adelaide.

BCCI and all those who worked behind the scene, scouting agents, coaches, physio, the first class set up deserve our applause. IPL and so many things that has started to work for Indian bowling, at the end of 2010s Indian bowling looked an empty cupboard.

Now with Ishant, Shami, Bumrah, Bhuvi, Pandya, Ash, Jadeja, Siraj, Saini, Natrajan, Pandya, Tyagi, Shardul, Chahar, Varun Aaron, Yadav, Chahal, Kuldeep, Chahal there is a decent talent pool and a very good bench strength. The whole supply value chain, is delivering near finished product, battle harden and wanting to be performers among the group. Yes, there is a fine tuning required but most ingredients are in place before their debuts.

I guess the bowling leadership would always been there, Kapil, Srinath, Kumble, Bhajji, Zak, Ishant, Bumrah, Ash at least these were the guys that stood out. Also there has been significant built up of skill, reversing swing, yorker, bowling on away pitches most importantly fitness. Bumrah is now perhaps the best find of this process. He was averaging less than 11 with the ball at Melbourne coming in to this match. Bumrah for the next 3 years should be given a free pass and should get to choose the Limited Overs he wishes to play in order to keep him fresh for Test matches.

Ash has been getting better, overseas tour he looked little out of place, but Ashwin maturing and is probably bowling at his peak in specially abroad. Ash and Bumrah are now Bossing the bowling group. I am sure lot of notes would be exchanged with in the group as to how to bowl in partnership, set the fields etc. Bumrah and Ash are pretty much in Dhoni school of playing cricket or its equivalent.  

Indian bowlers, haven’t allowed, Aus batsmen to dictate terms, this is happed in Adelaide as well. In previous tour, Warner and Smith were serving their bans, so one could as an excuse of the last resort, say that it was not the full team. But this time around of the 4 innings, they haven’t scored above 200 in three innings, in one inning they were chasing 100 odds. It is no mean task and Indian bowling has delivered their goods.

Rahane the man.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. He had to step in and he did stepped up. In hindsight, Kohli’s run out, in some way triggered a chain reaction that culminated with that 36/9. Need to remind that, Kohli had edged one earlier and Paine didn’t review it.

There were few questions for Rahane test match batting I had, one of those is why people would doubt his abilities, second why is batting at five?

Rahane did some brave changes and set the tone in some ways, due to various reasons, he was forced to ring in as many as four changes, Gill and Siraj got their debuts. Sir came back in the fold; Pant was in and Saha dropped. All of them did their bit in the game. Gill looked regal, Siraj didn’t looked to ball a bad spell both will have sterner tests in future, wishing them success already. Pant dashed a bit and changed the momentum. Sir Jadeja Swash buckling, Sword swirling, took a neat catch, bowled a decent spell in first innings, scored 57, ran out the captain, scalped two wickets in second innings. It needs no reminder that Sir is average 54 since 2018 with the bat. He brings a lot to the playing XI.

Rahane gets a big thumbs up for his captaincy. The team selection is not a revolving door, the fielding placements are innovative, bowling changes seems to be timely. His own 100 was one big bright spot for the team in this tour. He did the hard yards, defended doggedly all day on day two before opening up and guiding the team through thick and thin. It is bit sad that under Kohli’s captaincy, most batsmen have had their spot questioned, the list is long, Rahane is in that list, purely on numbers, only batsman blossomed under Kohli the captain is Kohli the batsman, DaOne, Rahane, Rohit, Pujara, Rahane all have had a question mark and kept hitting road blocks, in at some stage.

Concerns for Aus.

I imagine Tim Paine captaincy is on the line. He is already 36 not sure how long will go on. The  captain is as good as the team, Smith has been restricted in 3 of the 4 innings, Warner has not been available, Labuschagne has already has had 4 to 5 chances, Travis Head and Joe Burns will have to start repaying the faith at some point. The batting looks very timid, boring and struggling for ideas. I think lot of people would stand up and take notice of this Ind vs Aus series. It is the second consecutive test match that India won at MCG.

What next?

Next test likely to be at SCG. India will have to start fresh again. The good thing is it in 9 days away. So, lot of time to unwind and get back to game mode. Vihari and Mayank seem to be the ones who haven’t done much, It is sad to see Pujara struggling though. Smith is averaging 3 and Pujara is averaging 15. These are class acts in test matches. There would be two m atches more, India would do well to continue the same momentum.

It was a great match for Team India, a great come back, good all round performances buy so many players. Well done to all the players and coaching staff to put up really good performances.

Cricket: Review SAf vs India

Syllabus mein Ash aur Sir thhe, question paper mein Shami, Ishant aur Umesh aagaye…

In last 10 years, a bereft looking Indian bowling resources are now over brimming, Shami, Ishant, Yadav, Bhuvi, Saini, Chahar, Khaleel, Kulpreet, Chahal, Ash, Jadeja, Nadeem in this test, keepers are there two, Pant, Karthick, Saha, Axar Patel, Hardik are there porbably in the mix too. Then there is some assurance wrt Vihari. The batsman rally around Kohli, Che, Jinx, Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Gill. Rohit Sharma seemed to own the opening slot like he has done in ODIs. It is a big switch for him. The selectors, management need to be complimented on this issue. It was a brave call. Talent responded in imperious fashion. The focus will surely shift to away tests. Not sure which is the next overseas assignment for Indian test team (away from sub-continent)

Slight pessimism on home wins.

The consolidation of performances at home, seems to trigger a sense of fleeting pessimism. Playing a good shot means getting the timing right AND placing it between the fielders. A century against any team, any attack is a century. So also, a test win is a win. It s well earned as nothing is given on a platter.

Kohli seems to be the right guy at the right time, at the right place. His batsmanship is now a touchstone for consistency. No one is probably taking that away from him. However, in the most crucial aspect in the game that stands out, fitness.

What’s common to the following, Kapil Dev, Kumble, Dravid, Tendulkar, Srinath, Dhoni etc. These gents played for ages, primal was their fitness. It was their focus on fitness that probably made their game and presence one of the sight to behold. We have fitness to some of the best moments of the game we have seen. Fitness is key driver. Kohli has a turned a leaf on this. Mayank Agarwal looked good in Aus, but seems a lot lot fitter now. Game fit. Results are there for all to see. Ditto with Rohit Sharma. Shami also talked about fit group of bowlers. This has been a marvelous addition to the Indian team’s game. The bowlers now dive and slide, every run saved count. Most seam bowlers are seen bowling at full pelt even if it is the last session of the day. I guess wrt to fitness and game, with likes of Dravid at helm in junior and Team A it is yielding fitter players and hence a more rounded game.

Batsmen in paradise.

Opening batsman scored hundreds, middle order scored runs, Jadeja averaged over 70 with the bat. Mayank Agarwal and (more importantly) Talent showed discipline to stay when Philander and Rabbada were bowling some probing line and length. They saw the spell off and even when run rate was 2 an over they hung on and took their time. Kohli the captain has drawn lot of flak, some more than deserving but Kohli and Talent both seem to have justified the move to open batting with talent. Che Pujara, need to start afresh from that marathon batting in Aus. He seemed lack luster vs WI and in this series. He is a class player and will come around .

I am happy for Rahane, he too justified his selection. He is a complete batsman, however not much to show for performances over last three years at home. He has lost his slot in ODIs (number four anyone?) was dropped against SAf when we toured SAf but scratched around in WI with the century, looked very good now. It was a very good sign, hopefully he continues to build on this form.

Jadeja with bat and ball continues to build on his performances. He is the best Indian fielder will be handy in away tours especially where the lower middle order is severely tested and it is something he must look into.

Bowlers making their present felt.

You win test matches if bowlers take 20 wickets. Yes, there were partnerships down the order in most test matches for SAf in the series, but last 3 seasons at least squarely belong to the bowlers. Shami looked absolutely menacing, picking wickets nearly at will. Bumrah presence wasn’t felt. Yadav backed him up really well. Ishant was there for two matches and deserved a break for the third. Indian pace bowling looks very very professional, fit and hungry. Castling Faf in second test and bouncing out De Kock in the third innings in the third test will remain fresh in the mind of Indian fans for quiet sometime.

Kohli captaincy and some subtle moves.

Seems captaincy in cricket is the easiest when openers grind the bowlers, score big, the middle order consolidates and up the ante, the lower order scores some quick runs. The opening bowlers set the tone, the spinners choke runs and claim wickets, the seamers come back with the ball reversing, someone with golden arm turns a few over and may be claim a luck wicket. The number one opener keeping well, some half chances were spilled but nothing too costly. Saha was brilliant as the keeper

This series saw most of it. Talent opening was a big call. He stuck gold there. Kohli himself moving at four was again a good move a position he should play. He also showed faith in Jinx. However, Vihari dropped hike a hot potato, playing two left arm spinners, having a wide mid on up when team is 7 down for nothing, lack of slip fielders was when SAf were under the pump hopefully would be looked into.

Faf with hands tied behind the back.

SAf need to form a core group early there are more than few options, some spin bowlers looked good. Philander and Rabada bowled well. Dean Elgar looked good in parts, Faf himself with the bat had rather lukewarm tour. In any case SAf didn’t seem to have enough batting power to start with. Markram didn’t amuse much for example. Touring India when top three are not firing or skating on thin ice, the results will take care for themselves for India.

All in all, India just swept away SAf for a very comprehensive and a compulsive win.

Saha, Yadav, Shammi, Talent, Agarwal, Jadeja, Kohli himself had a very good series. It was glad to see.

 

Cricket: SAf vs India Test

Test Cricket returns to India, after almost a year. The two away tours saw India beating Aus in Aus and West Indies in WI. India in Aus was about one unsung hero through the tour, Cheteshwar Pujara. Bumrah wizardry with the ball was close second. It has been an awesome away tour for Bumrah, SAf, Eng, Aus, WI. He is on top of the charts now. Rabada, Bumrah. Archer, Cummins, Boult all would be followed closely among upcoming bowling champions.

The recently concluded Aus vs England series, The Ashes may also have had a few interesting matches.

Back to grind.

All test matches seem to start with a similar notion of team winning the most sessions, winning a test and then test series. Off course, there is more to that story is previous series are looked into. Ind vs WI was not in that category. India should have tried some more batsmen. Ashwin was rested though. Ishant averaged 12 with the ball. Bumrah was merciless.

India does have problem with a settled batting order. Would you pick someone that averages 85.6 at home, 217 at home recently but 6.85 vs SAf at home? Rohit Sharma. It is a sad case for him. I am sure some may say he is not given a fair hand. I think looking at his numbers he hasn’t done enough to be the main stay in Test team. Another issue is finicky team selection of Kohli, when he should have played someone, the player gets dropped, when he out to drop someone he stays. Besides Kohli no other batsman has had a consistent run. Pujara was bought back 3 or 4 seasons ago in SL, has cemented his place. Done, KL, Shaw , Mayank, Vihari and a few more have been tried as openers, jury is out if the experiment is working.

Kohli the captain is perhaps, Mr. Scrooge Mc Duck wrt to bowling riches. Indian cricket is for long season, dearth of bowling riches. It’s the case now more. The likes of Bumrah, Shame on pull pelt, Chahar, Saini, renewed Ishant and there are few more waiting in the wings. Don’t discount Bhuvi yet. If he is not injured, he should be in the squad. He bowls, he bats well in pressure situation as rear guard, decent fielder. Not sure why he isn’t playing. Pandya the freak in the format is also not there either. KL Rahul is axed. Mayank Agarwal may wait to see, who is at the other end opening with him.

Ash and Sir are expected to go back to their merry ways, last time around they had SAf on the string, combined 7 innings for 54 wickets with combined average of around 11. SAf were reeling alright. India does however would do well to consolidate their batting order. Between Batting and Bowling, bowling looks more or less settled. This couldn’t have been said of many Indian teams of the past especially for Home AND Away test matches. Off course there have been brief moments of brilliance very now and then. Now it seems bowling group has drawn more honors and batting seems decent but consistency being Key, Kohli lacks support at times at the other end. The onus on that is Kohli the captain.

South Africa.

Faf and SAf have lot to prove. They have travelled away from home recently, besides couple of test matches in SL.  It was an early exit for them at World Cup. SAf is in middle of a huge transition, Amla, ABD, Steyn, Morkle have all bowed out of international cricket. They have a team in transition. A tour to SL / Bdesh is perhaps best preparation wrt to conditions and bowling that anyone is likely to face especially teams not from sub continent. Rabada and Philander are good at home. Maharaj is a steady bowler . There are some more fine players who would be looking to make their mark. Markram would be definitely one of them. As far as away stats of their batsman go, its not something Ash and Sir would loose their sleep on. Faf has a lot of work to do. In India matches can keep meandering till second session on the third or fourth day. Out of nowhere, wickets start falling and pitches start conjuring tricks.Number three is a key position here. They should play Klaasen, he looks very likely adaept at playing spin. Hitting straight, playing on front foot or cutting back.

De Kock and others need to rally around.

This series is reset as India defend turn as well as SAf who would look to play for time. All though India SAf matches have an air of sobriety there is always controversy in these matches. Mike Deness, Cronje, Gibbs, etc.

The numbers game.

Indian batting at home

Name	Career			Vs Saf			Home			Vs Saf at Home			Last 2 years at home
	Inn	Runs	Avg	Inn	Runs	Avg	Inn	Runs	Avg	Inn	Runs	Avg	Inn	Runs	Avg
Kohli	135	6749	53.14	16	758	47.37	54	3105	64.48	6	200	33.33	7	794	132.33
Che	118	5486	49.87	19	613	32.26	58	3217	50.3	6	202	33.66	8	420	52.5
Jinx	99	3759	42.23	12	532	53.2	36	1140	34.54	6	266	53.2	8	148	18.5
Talent	47	1585	39.62	6	149	12.41	14	769	85.44	4	26	6.5	3	217	217
Jadeja	63	1560	32.5	7	125	41.66	38	922	34.14	5	109	21.8	7	160	40
Ash	93	2361	29.14	11	552	50.18	47	1252	29.8	5	101	25.25	7	80	11.42

Indian bowling at home

Name	Career			Vs Saf			Home			Vs Saf at Home			Last 2 years at home
	Inn	Wkts	Avg	Inn	Wkts	Avg	Inn	Wkts	Avg	Inn	Wkts	Avg	Inn	Wkts	Avg
Jadeja	82	198	23.89	9	29	13.89	55	144	19.7	7	23	10.82	12	23	18.78
Ash	122	342	25.43	13	78	23.58	74	234	22.68	7	31	11.12	11	26	23.03
Shami	81	153	28.84	10	19	23.47	22	40	24.47	–	–	–	6	11	27.45
Ishant	165	278	33.41	23	29	42.2	61	84	33.59	10	9	47.11	6	12	21.25
Umesh	80	119	33.47	4	5	12	48	73	27.97	4	5	12	10	20	19.5

SAf batting away from home

Name	Career			Vs India			Away			in Asia			Away from Home Last 2 years
	Inn	Runs	Avg	Inn	Runs	Avg	Inn	Runs	Avg	Inn	Runs	Avg	Inn	Runs	Avg
Markram	31	1358	43.8	6	140	23.33	4	40	10	4	40	10	4	40	10
Elgar	96	3412	38.77	13	344	28.66	40	1189	30.48	18	413	24.29	4	49	12.25
Faf	98	3608	42.95	16	440	27.5	38	1347	42.09	19	409	22.38	4	105	26.25
Bevumba	59	1716	33	2	56	28	25	811	32.44	7	203	29	4	63	23.25
de Kock	66	2398	39.31	6	71	11.83	28	934	34.59	9	17	19.66	4	53	13.25

SAf bowling away from home

Name	Career			Vs India			Away			in Asia				Away from Home Last 2 years
	Inn	Wkts	Avg	Inn	Wkts	Avg	Inn	Wkts	Avg	Inn	Wkts	Avg	Inn		Wkts	Avg
Philander	109	214	21.64	12	28	18.82	24	70	27.42	14	14	32.42	2		1	38
Rabada	69	176	21.77	11	17	24.41	25	49	28.65	9	10	30.2	2		8	29.87
Maharaj	47	94	28.44	4	1	125	20	52	26.28	4	16	24.37	4		16	24.37

Cricket: Ind Vs SAf world cup 2019

Team India’s ODI World Cup 2019 journey begins today. Let the meme, GIFs, sarcastic tweets flow in all its splendor and grandeur. India have problems of plenty in batting as well as bowling and team is well balanced on paper. Like Mike Tyson said, you are always well prepared for the fight till, the first punch lands on your face.

In your face, that’s Kohli.

Unknown knowns.

The English Weather: Rain has already played it part, SL scrapping through while Afghanistan had them on the floor but they made a meal of the chase, yesterday. SL defended 201

The Pitch: Pitch conditions, on a cold English summer is any one’s guess

The Toss: Toss shall play a very crucial factor, seems its kind of cold day for India vs SAf, South Asian players prefer sun on their back.

The Team Selection & Complacency : Kohli’s team selection especially in test matches leaves, more people deceived than flatter. Key players besides Kohli, Dhoni pick themselves, Bumrah, Pandya, DaOne and Rohit.

Known Unknowns

Which will Faf wake up from the bed? SAf is in unchartered territory. Amla and Steyn both time performers for SAf. Steyn has been ruled out of world Cup. Amla, seems to be struggling in ODI format for last two seasons at least. SAf’s third match today, having lost the first two . There is lot of uncertainty (unknowns) wrt to SAf and it will be interesting if Faf can make the right calls, wrt to the team selection and then the toss. Make no mistake SAf is looking down the barrel and will have to do very well, even  if they have to run Indian close. Their fielding and bowling looked lack luster and the batting just collapsed on two consecutive matches.

All of SAf should rally behind Faf and himself should shepherd the team to the best possible position if they bat first. As a fielding captain, he may have gone back to the drawing board and re done his plans. This match might well be the fight to thread a win for both teams. Complacency best done away with.

Billion Dollar Question?

Does Team Indian batting order have an issue with Number 4?

The possible answers are a Yes or a No

If No is your pick, Kohli comes in at 3, controls the game Possible number four KL Rahul, Jadhav, Sir, Pandya, Kohli to decide. Dhoni follows at 5. I am banking on DaOne and Talent to ride the wind a little and give a decent start. Kohli is simply phenomenal in ODIs. Warner, Smith, Butler, Williamson. A special mention for Butler, I have never seen him scratchy out of sorts, he starts slow, runs pretty well between wickets. Pretty much like Kedar Jadhav, but Butler is someone who is a bit of a danger man. He is never out of sorts, struggling to put bat to ball, against all conditions and all type of bowling. High Quality player.

Issue of number four is also rooted whether India is batting first or chasing. Kohli the batsman is a huge Banyan tree, seemingly nothing in vicinity. However, as a captain he needs to take a brave call and stick with his number four .

If yes is your answer . Who is the best batsman in Indian team? He should be at four. Kohli has fitness, finesse and form with him. He can control the game and keep chugging runs. It will give confidence if KL is at 3. He won’t have to worry for runs as Kohli will keep rotating the strike. KL has the game, has opened in test. He is woefully out of form though. India5, 6, 7 in Dhoni, Jadhav and Pandya pretty much manage themselves.

Known Knowns

Bumrah with the ball.

Shami with the opening burst.

Kul Cha for a treat in middle over.

Jadeja’s fielding.

Indian team management has a problem of plenty. It would be good if Booming Ravi Shastri keeps his wards charged.

Possible playing XI.

There is a very high possibility, that Kohli rubbish my choice, seems I am still wondering how he chooses his team. His team selection is test at least, give cold vibes.

Daone, Talent, KL, Kohli, Dhoni, Kedar, Pandya, Sir, Chahal, Shami, Bumrah.

Some Stats

Bowling Number

	Career			Away			Multi Teams			England
Name	Wickets	Average	SR	Wickets	Average	SR	Wickets	Average	SR	Wickets	Average	SR
Jadhav	27	34.7	40.4	8	33.87	38.8	9	22.88	31.3	3	22.33	24
Pandya	44	39.72	43	19	40.21	46	4	64.5	65.7	5	77.8	73.8
Chahal	72	24.61	30.1	44	20.97	26.8	6	32.83	44	2	67.5	90
Bumrah	85	22.15	29.4	34	13.32	21.3	12	28.16	38.4	4	52	63
Kulpreet	87	21.74	26.4	47	18.25	23.9	10	23.7	34.8	9	16.44	20
Shami	113	26.11	28.5	57	24	26.8	26	20.15	22.6	33	19	24.3
Bhuvi	118	35.66	42.7	46	35.36	41.9	13	30.26	41.6	18	28.72	38.5
Sir	174	35.89	44	41	52.31	62.9	39	27.53	34.5	27	27	31.5

 Batting numbers

	Career			Away			Multi Teams			England
Name	Runs	Average	SR	Runs	Average	SR	Runs	Average	SR	Runs	Average	SR
Rohit	8010	47.39	87.95	3108	38.31	80.91	1352	52	85	687	57.25	82.87
Dhoni	10326	50.35	87.11	4478	50.53	83.68	1094	40.51	87.17	665	36.94	83.22
Kohli	10843	59.57	92.96	4509	57.05	90.85	1305	56.73	88.53	873	54.56	90.84
Rahul	343	34.3	80.89	233	46.6	79.52	60	60	90.9	2	9	45
DaOne	5535	43.62	93.79	2202	40.03	93.62	1647	63.34	95.58	976	65.06	101.03
Jadhav	1174	43.48	102.53	372	41.33	103.62	104	52	98.11	34	34	130.76
Pandya	731	29.24	116.58	172	15.63	102.99	105	52.5	194.44	147	36.5	145.44

 

Criticisms of Kohli the captain

This post is criticism of Kohli the captain. Kohli the captain stands as a near antithesis of Kohli the batsman. Kohli the batsman is match fit, fitness icon, making runs like a hedge fund owner, seems to be increasingly adapting to the situations and bowling attack he faces on pitches that he plays. Kohli the captain seems to have got the best bowling attack playing under an Indian captain in decades. In middle of the captaincy stint as a test captain, Dhoni was running thin on bowling resources and drew blank in England and Aus. If Dhoni was the captain with the resources Kohli has had for SAf, Eng and now Aus test series, Dhoni would have two series to his name and the present series he would have hand on the trophy by now. Dhoni used to play to set the template of the game, while Kohli seems to play the game to a set template.

Critics are reaching out for the scabbard and daggers may draw out soon. He is the batsman to watch out but for his team he is the elephant in the team. Sid Monga on Cricinfo has already listed the some of these blunder selections. These criticisms get more intense if and when India travels abroad and chose to suffer these selection blunders. At home, India under Kohli steam rolled, England, Aus and SAf in last few years, in some contests they manage to prevail at other times, they beat opposition very convincingly.

Some of the criticisms are:

Elephant in the room

Kohli the batsman is the elephant in the room, dominating and devouring whatever he comes across. When he started he wasn’t getting big meaty hundreds, often betting lower or with the lower order. In last 5 to 6 seasons, since that tour in England 2014, he has just transformed himself.

He is RBI’s promissory note in Limited Overs. In test matches too he is in middle of purple patch. His century at Perth was controlled, stoic, watchful. He was literally running out of partners. He got the rub of baggy green or Aus team got rewarded for Elite Honesty.

For the sake of the team, Kohli the captain needs address the elephant in the room, Kohli the batsman. He needs to vacate two down / Tendulkar’s slot. I assume Kohli will make runs independent of where he bats, when he bats and what order he bats. Kohli should be at 5. Rahane Jinx is more of an accumulator, who is albeit running through a very lean patch. Jinx should be at three. He has a decent technique and temperament, though he would love to have fitness levels of Kohli. Pujara slows down the speed of the game to how cattle roam around cities of India or specifically in his town of Jamnagar). He is phlegmatic and his reserves of patience outweigh total reserves of patience of all other batsmen combine. At 3 and 4 secured. Kohli will give Jinx and Che the boost they need to be more rounded batsman. Kohli doesn’t have to check boxes that these two batsmen have to face. Kohli can change gears quickly (automatically) if he is batting with the tail. It will seemingly look less fragile.

Indian openers tend to get rough end of the stick while batting away. Bowlers they ace seem to have a spring in the stride. The pitch seems to have a bias in favour of bowlers. Seems taking a single is a luxury. They have time on their hands. A flashy drive a loose pull shot can be exchanged for more solidity, playing more percentage cricketing shots is situation is more adverse. Keep the good ball away and if it mean letting go most of it, for at least 2.5 sessions so be it.

Apart from Kohli the batsman, there is another elephant in the room. The Indian batsman’s ability to play the finger spinners. I am not sure if the alarm bells are ringing, but any team hosting India will find a decent finger spinner and leave it to Indian batsmen to make him look fabulous. Moeen Ali in England, Lyon seem to just walk away with wickets, Indian middle order just crumbles time and again. Sehwag last series vs England, Panesar and Swan just cut through the Indian middle order. Lyon bowling at less than two an over especially against the Indian batsman playing him away from home is just too much respect. He is allowed to bowl and Indian batsman play at lengths and lines Lyon wants them to bowl. If Warne was bowling (wrist spinner I know) to this team, he would get the whole team out in two sessions every time.

Kohli needs to sort it out.

Team Selection

Kohli’s team selection is a systemic risk. I don’t know what exactly goes in behind the confines of the pavilion or Indian dressing room. A mistake repeated more than once is a decision. Kohli considering the resources he has is sitting on absolute goldmine. An Old War House, seem to have sorted out his game, Ishant Sharma. Bhuvi and Bumrah have been so good. Shami and Yadav have pace. Jadeja and Ashwin at home are imperious. Kulpreet Yadav is so good in ODI. Chagall is waiting in the wings. Probably this year’s IPL will get us couple of more good bowlers, who knows?

Kohli besides, Che and Jinx seems to have running marginally thin on batting resource. KL Rahul hasn’t really impressed with runs. Vijay is averaging 7 away from home. Dhawan looks ok at home and in ODIs, meanwhile in test matches, look awkward. Shaw, poor chap, injured. Mayank Agarwal has been flown in as reinforcement. Vihari look good prospects, but both of them open tomorrow or in this test, their failure and their success is Kohli’s punt and should not be marked against Mayank or Vihari. Kohli somehow needs to find players, who will exchange verve, panache, tattoos,hair styling gel and favourable film reviews (assuming next Sehwag is not on the horizon) with some old fashioned cricketing grit.

Playing five bowlers and ensuring a long tail doesn’t help. Even if Pandya was playing, not sure, he would bowl a lot. Ishant, Bumrah, Bhuvi are a must in the playing XI. A spinner out of Ashwin or Jadeja. Pant is raw; Lyon will keep calling him out. Raw pace look god, Bhuvi’s guile and his ability to keep hitting a block of 6 x 6 sq. inches makes him invaluable. Bhuvi bowls well within himself and an asset with the bat. Pandya for his ability to pick wickets and do something out of the ordinary something that the batsman is left bemused.

Team selection is subjective, not sure two Indian fans will ever agree on any playing XI.

Sense of insecurity / uncertainty

Increasingly from the outside, that there is great sense of insecurity / uncertainty within the group. Story of which starts in SAf, Rohit travels with the team to SAf, after scoring heavily vs SL in LOI in India. He had average of 11 in all test matches he played against SAf. He played in first two matches, kept the scores barely around his average except for a blistering 31. Rahane the best suited to play test matches abroad sat out for first two tests India folded in the first two tests Rahane made a comeback in the third test, on a minefield. India won. Bhuvi get surprise selection in XI on the first test does his trick with bat and ball gets dropped in the second test. India struggle with both bat and ball in the second. Ashwin dropped in the fourth. In England Pujara is dropped in one of the test. Pandya bowls only 10 overs in the match in seeming conditions, on a green top, he goes in with the two spinners. The whole list is actually put by Sid Monga on Cricinfo. In Aus both test matches so far have seen their share of weird selections. I am sure it will continue in the third and the fourth tests.

Vijay was unceremoniously dropped in England; bought back will be probably dropped again. Kohli besides addressing the elephant in the room needs to get a core group going, including openers, give them 10 to 12 matches, if they stick they stick. It’s the same with bowlers. Hopefully we see Kohli waking up right side of the bed and hopefully make all the right selection. Kohli the captain should stop running these popularity contests in the name of team selection.

The series in SAf and England were lost looking at score line they reflect how we played as the team, but little more Dhoni like game sense while selecting the playing eleven, selection of bowlers when they are bought in and from which end they bowl and we would be more competitive and prevails in previous two away series. Kohli the captain would have done the unthinkable.

Also away from home, Kohli has won all matches where he has won the toss.

So we got to wait till tomorrow to see if

Kohli wakes up with right frame of mind,

Kohli wins the toss.

Kohli gets the playing XI right.

Cricket Preview Indian tour to Aus

India’s tour to Aus begins next week. The first match of four matches,  test series starts on 6 Dec 2018 in Adelaide. Aus start favourites in my book. My thoughts partly influenced by Ian Chapel, we can disagree. The following set of clichés were play out – Captaincy, Catches, Collapses, Conservative, Controversies.

Captaincy

As Napoleon seems to have said, “I don’t fear an army of tigers led by a sheep, I fear an army of sheep of led by a tiger. Captaincy has such a vital role in any team game, probably in cricket the cause and effect of captaincy is more pronounced. Kohli has a very good record as a captain. At home, when Pujara, Dhawan are going ahead with big runs, Ash and Sir can pick wickets at will, Kohli himself virtually scoring a fifty every time he bats. While Indiam team tours away from Subcontinent, Ash or Sir, only one among the two will get to play and bowl, Che and Dhawan don’t score big runs, Kohli alone is seen marshalling the batting and scoring the runs. Obviously Kohli’s role has to be analysed twice. As a batsman he is simply superb, there is not much change in his technique or approach, his fitness is amazing, his hunger remains insatiable, for what’s perceived as a flamboyant player on the field with theatrics and all, he has runs, boundaries, centuries etc. to brag about. As a captain he carries, losses in SAf and England tours, where his team could have done better, his captaincy could have done far better but not to be.

Captaincy seems such a cake walk when you have ace up your sleeves, openers laying a solid platform, middle order grinding out, a quick partnership in half a session, when you are batting, while bowling opening bowlers keep a check on dashing openers some timely wickets bowling probing lines, inviting the drives on the off side, setting the right field, third and fourth seamers, keeping runs in check and chipping away wickets, opening bowlers coming back with reverse swing combining with spinners to clean the tail. Elementary.

Kohli away from home finds his aces bit out of places. However he has had the best bowling attack for an away tour that any Indian captain who could hope/dream for in last 25 years. Problem is his team selection, choosing Kuldeep on a green top in England and leaving Ashwin away on spinner friendly pitch … Bumrah is asset to have right now, Ishant is wise now, bowling better in away tests, better than his career averages. Bhuvi is out of sort for now. Umesh Yadav looks and bowls like a wild card. Ashwin will get better as an away bowler.

Catches

Fielding best encapsulates the mood of the team, spells out intent. Converting a half chances, someone catching a RIPPAH in slips, a close-in catch or a run out can change the complexion of the game in matter of minutes. One wicket brings another. India out fielding has soared in past five years, diving and stopping boundaries, cutting of the singles etc but close in catching weighs India down. Number of catches dropped and matches lost have a direct correlation. Fielding spells the camaraderie in the group like nothing else. Catches win matches and series. Indian team have their work cut out. Watch out for drop catches.

Collapses.

Indian batting team, heavy on indecision and temprament not being 100%. On the outside, Indian batsman playing, out sessions in alien conditions seems daunting. I am not convinced if India can bat 200 overs consistently in test matches away from home. It is something not all teams to do, here they don’t even aspire to play out a tough sessions by building gritty partnerships  more often than not, and they just collapse under some mysterious sense of helplessness . In the 8 away test matches this year, the average team score is 230 both innings combined, the first inning score is 247 and second innings score is 212, if you discount for the best and the worst scores, average first innings score falls to 213 and second innings score falls to 203.

It’s tough to defend or attack in these runs but it’s not something you realise once you mark the guard at the crease. The conditions are pretty much known. A team has all kind of support staff for numbers, video technicians etc. So it shouldn’t be surprise at least to the payers where they stand. Also players themselves know, we on the outside can just hope batsman put their hands up be counted and score big runs. At the moment repeatedly over the years across the geographies they tend to collapse. Stringing partnerships in the middle order is an oddity for past five to six years. We have been expecting a change but that particular break hasn’t really been noticed as of now.

Conservative.

I am a stroke player and I will play my shots, that’s the way I play. I hope any batsman playing this series and averaging in 20s shouldn’t do that, play to the percentages, play on the merit, if session demands, to shut the door on the opposition and play for attrition so be it. It is expected that players err on the side of caution. It also goes for captaincy. At the start of the series play the right team, which makes the opposition cautions? As Ian Chappell often says, ask imagining the opposition team if they would like to see a particular bowler, batsman or for that matter field setup and then act accordingly.

Kohli needs to address the elephant in the room, i.e. Kohli the batsman. Kohli should give up the number four spot which has been affecting both Jinx and Che. Ideally playing XI – Vijay, KL, Jinx, Che, Kohli, Vihari, Karthick, Ash, Bhuvi, Ishant, Bumrah. Che gets stuck at the crease, doesn’t rotate the strike, Jinx and Kohli are always on a look out for runs, this will get Che going at four. Kohli will make runs anywhere on current form (read fitness). Jinx needs to be given responsibilities confidence. He averages better away than at home, barring Kohli, may be. Conservative cricket would mean, Draw first and not have a repeat of what happened on Tours of SAf and England. The final score line shows a big gap between team, having said that, the gap shows where due to lack of captaincy, team selection, individual payers like Che and Jinx, making big runs.

Controversies

A good controversy sets the broadcasters, cash register ringing overtime. News Flashes, commercials, repeat telecast, TRP no one should ideal complain. The TV coverage is now cringe worthy, too much animation, stats, interview, expert opinions, ads. I suggest they get back to 15 minute review that includes, playing XI of both sides, recent performances bit of information on weather and pitch and how probably teams stack up. Focus on cricket coverage and some great commentary. Watching cricket is cumbersome, when cricket is not on the centre of things and everything is covered along with cricket. If the trend continues, people will suffice to have a look at online medium whether to watch live or simply follow scores and follow the highlights at the end of the day. It will be in interest of cricket, its followers, boards, broadcasters, audiences to make sure they have lean, plain vanilla coverage for cricket. If you have extended cricket preview session with all the flab and sugar, be my guest.

This is the first series for Aus after Sand paper gate. Smith and Warner took the fall, for previous captains of 25 years. Tampers already flew in that, SAf tour Aus, Warner’s theatrics went over the boundary in more ways than one. The fall out was, Vice-Captain Warner and Captain Smith banned for one year, Bancroft for nine months, Coach Lehman stepped down, Starc got injured and didnt play the next game. It seems the ball was tampered but none of the bowlers knew about it. There have been review committee and everyone has jumped into it. The best observations on this saga had come from English ex-players. It was fun reading every word of it.

Traditionally, umpiring has been of very poor quality in Aus. One of the more consistent things after their bowlers line and length and their hard hitting batsmen scoring runs freely. Sachin’s LBW when stuck on the shoulder is hard to miss, also that Sydney Test in 2008. Peter Roebuck slammed Ponting. Look for how many appeals against Indians get over turned assuming they use it judiciously. Also see the fun once, Indian team run out of reviews. It will be a telling tale of this tour. I hope rain stays away.

Some numbers:

A comparison of numbers across careers and away matches, Matches, Innings, Runs/ Wickets, Average

		Career				Away
Name	type	M	I	R/W	Avg	M	I	R/W	Avg
Ash	Batting	64	91	2331	29.5	26	44	1079	29.16
Che	Batting	64	107	4905	49.54	28	49	1688	35.91
Jinx	Batting	52	88	3271	41.4	30	52	2131	46.32
Kohli	Batting	73	124	6331	54.57	39	70	3226	47.44
Rahul	Batting	31	51	1848	37.71	17	29	963	33.2
Rohit	Batting	25	43	1479	39.97	16	29	710	32.77
Vijay	Batting	59	101	3933	39.33	29	52	1676	32.23

Batting numbers in away test matches since 2015

		away Since 2015
Name	type	M	I	R/W	Avg
Ash	Batting	13	19	483	34.29
Che	Batting	13	20	749	39.42
Jinx	Batting	13	20	786	46.23
Kohli	Batting	15	24	1291	59.9
Rahul	Batting	12	19	707	37.21
Rohit	Batting	4	6	128	21.33
Vijay	Batting	7	11	135	12.27

A comparison of numbers against Aus

		Vs Aus				In Aus
Name	type	M	I	R/W	Avg	M	I	R/W	Avg
Ash	Batting	14	22	349	17.45	6	12	27.6	27.6
Che	Batting	12	22	1101	55.05	3	6	201	33.5
Jinx	Batting	9	17	605	40.33	4	8	399	57
Kohli	Batting	15	27	1322	50.84	8	16	992	62
Rahul	Batting	6	11	523	52.3	2	4	130	32.5
Rohit	Batting	3	6	173	28.83	3	6	173	28.83
Vijay	Batting	13	24	1275	53.12	4	8	482	60.25

Numbers for Bowlers Matches, Innings, Wickets, Averages

		Career				Away
Name	type	M	I	R/W	Avg	M	I	R/W	Avg
Ash	bowling	64	120	336	25.44	26	46	102	31.78
Bhuvi	bowling	21	37	63	26.09	10	16	36	26
Bumrah	bowling	6	12	716	25.57	6	12	716	25.57
Ishant	bowling	87	155	256	34.73	54	94	172	35.29
Shami	bowling	36	69	128	29.96	25	45	88	32.45
Sir	bowling	39	75	185	23.5	11	20	41	36.82
Umesh	bowling	40	78	117	32.85	16	44	44	40.95

Numbers for bowlers since 2015 for away test matches

		away Since 2015
Name	type	M	I	R/W	Avg
Ash	bowling	13	24	32	27.09
Bhuvi	bowling	4	7	16	16.37
Bumrah	bowling	6	12	716	25.57
Ishant	bowling	11	20	34	24.82
Shami	bowling	15	28	52	25.75
Sir	bowling	4	8	23	29.52
Umesh	bowling	16	30	44	40.95

Numbers for bowlers in matches against Aus

		Vs Aus				In Aus
Name	type	M	I	R/W	Avg	M	I	R/W	Avg
Ash	bowling	14	26	71	32.49	6	10	21	54.71
Bhuvi	bowling	6	11	9	52.77	1	2	1	168
Bumrah	bowling	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Ishant	bowling	22	40	48	46.41	10	17	20	62.15
Shami	bowling	3	6	15	35.8	3	6	15	35.8
Sir	bowling	8	16	49	18.02	NA	NA	NA	NA
Umesh	bowling	11	20	42	35.64	7	12	25	43.96

 

Cricket : Ind Vs Eng Preview

I am a great fan of Ian Chappell as a commentator and what he writes at Cricinfo. As he often remarks, “Team starts taking character of the Captain.” Kohli is now in the helm of affair of the team, he has been now for last few years and nearly 30 tests or more. Kohli’s performance need a double take, in a sense that Kohli the batsman has been marvellous in all forms of the game. The nature of his game doesn’t change too much though at first instance across the 2.5 formats of the game that may seemingly demand different techniques, Kohli like all other batsmen of his calibre/ experience/performance don’t show much change in technique or quality of stroke play. Kohli, Root, Williamson, Smith are in the same league as batsman. Root and Williamson are more copy book, Kohli seems to have technique of his own and fitness of a superman. Smith is most unconventional of them all and seems to have huge mental reserves for long innings which may or may not result into occasional brain fades.

However if Kohli’s mantle as a captain is to be compared with Kohli the batsman, stark differences tend to emerge. Shot selection vs team selection for example. Dhoni used to set the template in the play, Kohli plays by set templates. At home when DaOne, Vijay are more composed and Che is averaging close to Kohli, Ash is taking wickets at 23 and Sir at 20, things look very rosy as visiting teams find themselves between the anvil of huge scores and spinners in total control.

This is not where the picture ends. Captaining at home is the lesser devil between the two as opposed to captaining away. Indians don’t seem to travel well, at least that’s the notion. But considering how SAf have been spun and dusted in SL is for all to see. It is kinda embarrassing. ICC will have to step in at some point and make sure home advantage isn’t one beyond reach of visiting teams. It is not only to do with the toss but also the schedule of a test tour.

There seems to be sense of inflexibility and great amount of risk with Kohli’s team selection. In SAf, sticking with Sharmaji who averages 11 in all test match vs South Africa and not having Jinx in the playing Xi who averages 52 against SAF till then. Then dropping Bhuvi in the second test and persisting with Sharmaji, costed us the series, even though in first two matches there were instances that India could have pulled it their way but it was not to be. Philander was taking wickets in heaps at the average of 16. Rabada and Ngidi chipped in. There could be more inexplicable decision taken while on the field of play.

I fear a similar trend in team selection, even if selectors have reduced the risk of Sharma ji by not keeping him in the squad. Ideally, my Playing XI would be : Vijay, KL, Jinx, Che, Kohli, Karthik, Ash, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Kuldeep. I would prefer in the very batting order. Kohli likes playing with 5 bowlers and he has resources to do that. Hardik, is still learning the tricks, but he is a decent fielder, has a good habit of taking wickets, Ash brings in experience. Sir because simple to keep Anderson on the boil at some point in time during the series. This may be slightly meaning less exercise, I mean suggest my team / batting order. It will be interesting to see what team is selected and what the batting order is and how the team fares through the fifteen sessions of each test. Then there is this English weather which would show up more than a spectator in the series.

Bhuvi has taken a role well of the spear head in SAf, Bumrah aslo chipped in with wickets. Shami is an expert second and fourth innings bowler. However, three of these two are injured. Ideally, Kohli in the 3 ODI series, should have gone ahead with Jinx, Ash, Sir, DK, Ishant playing all possible matches. There is nothing like actual match practice. India does have one county game but I guess that’s not enough if one looks at five test match series.

The onus apart from Kohli is on Che and Jinx. More on Jinx though, one of the fewer batsman after Dravid to score better in away tests than at home. I am not sure if it is form (read fitness) or what, Che and Jinx hopefully put their hand up and simply score big runs through the series. Anderson and Broad are so good in English condition, once they are out of the attack, fourth and fifth bowlers can be scored off. KL Rahul is also primed to score big runs. Indian fielding specifically close in catch has to be spot on. Hopefully they convert half chances. A five test match series would be a big one for India’s to play especially away from home.

English resistance will be offered by Cook and Joe Root. I am not sure if Hales would play. He is a treat to watch. Stokes, Anderson, and Broad provide a stiff test of Indian batsman. The jury is out if Abdul Rashid will play. He did his bit in ODI matches. Rashid would lend some variety to the English attack.

	overall			home			away			vs england			in eng			away since 2015
Name	matches	wickets	avg	matches	wickets	avg	matches	wickets	avg	matches	wickets	avg	matches	wickets	avg	matches	wickets	avg
Bhuvi	21	63	26.09	11	27	26.22	10	36	26	6	20	28.3	5	19	26.63	4	16	16.37
Sir	36	171	23.11	26	137	19.7	10	34	36.82	10	38	31.81	4	9	46.66	3	16	26.31
Ishant	82	238	35.52	33	84	33.59	49	154	36.58	12	38	36.84	7	25	40	9	29	24.44
Ash	58	316	25.34	36	225	22.79	22	95	31.67	11	45	37.44	2	3	33.66	12	62	23.04
Shami	30	110	28.9	10	38	24.89	20	72	31.02	6	15	41.2	3	15	73.2	10	36	19.91
Umesh	37	103	34.94	22	62	30.2	15	41	42	6	12	45.66	Not App	Not App	Not App	7	16	36.12

Batting	overall			home			away			vs england			in eng			away since 2015
Name	matches	avg	runs	matches	avg	runs	matches	avg	runs	matches	avg	runs	matches	avg	runs	matches	avg	runs
DaOne	30	43.93	2153	11	44.37	710	19	43.72	1443	3	20.3	122	3	20.3	122	16	46.28	1157
M Vijay	57	40.69	3907	30	47	2257	27	34.37	1650	10	42.16	759	5	40.2	402	6	21.22	191
KL	24	40.86	1512	12	47.11	848	12	34.94	664	3	58.25	233	Not App	Not App	Not App	10	35.6	1382
Jinx	45	43.17	2893	20	32.87	1019	25	52.05	1874	8	25.85	362	5	33.22	332	30	40.9	1718
Che	58	50.34	4531	34	62.42	3121	24	35.25	35.25	14	46.13	1061	5	22.2	222	10	47.38	616
Kohli	66	53.4	5554	32	63.5	2921	34	45.39	2633	14	44.4	977	5	13.4	134	13	49	931
Ash	58	30.46	2163	36	30.25	1210	22	30.74	953	11	35.5	91	2	35.33	106	12	32.41	551

	overall			home			away			vs India			Vs India in Eng			home since 2015
	matches	wickets	avg	matches	wickets	avg	matches	wickets	avg	matches	wickets	avg	matches	wickets	avg	matches	wickets	avg
Ali	50	133	40.68	28	82	33.47	19	42	53.04	10	29	37.44	5	19	23	37	92	43.35
Broad	118	417	28.89	66	259	26.93	46	138	33.45	15	54	24.48	9	44	17.19
Anderson	138	540	29.23	78	344	24.15	54	174	34.15	22	86	281.17	12	60	25.88	16	85	14.61

 

Cricket SA 2,India kneel

Success has many fathers, failure is invariably an orphan. For Fans of team India, who wish to see the team to do well abroad away from the sub continent, overseas tour remain a recurring nightmare. For us the fans, repeated half-baked performance in away test match is a Déjà vu, the grips of which don’t ever seem to relent.  An elusive test (not A Series, a test, one 5 day match) win abroad is now Unicorn.

The victors.

This series was more about the men in charge, the sober and phlegmatic Faf Du Plessis vs Virat Kohli. On the onset, one believed that the Teams on the whole looked competitive. Just in case,  Number one and Number two teams in test cricket were competing. Perhaps we tricked ourselves into believe our fragile batting order would stand up to incisive SAf bowling. We hood winked ourselves on the batting prowess that’s hardly turned up this series.

Faf is an assuming leader. When ABD and Steyn were out due to injury he was excellent, Smith & Co didn’t even have a chance. I mean, imagine best bowler and best batsman (in the world) out due to injury when you are touring Aus, perhaps a very tough place to tour. ABD till then wanted to have captaincy till then. SAf under Faf did well and he cemented the captaincy. Faf is perhaps not the best stroke playing if you compare with Amla or ABD or Markram or out of form de Kock. He has his game sorted out though. He sticks around and can change gears quickly. On the fourth day it looked odd when he and Elgar came together and slowly batted India out of the game. He looked good for more. Faf has been a very good captain and very gritty and determined with the bad. He was ringing in the changes on the button. He has lead SAf to a brilliant series win.

ABD on his part did what best, score runs, scores them when chips seem to be done. Twice in two matches he has managed to turn around a situation. He may not have a century to show, but he stood between SAf batting and Indian bowling with some purpose. He is now the top run scoring player for this series.

Rabada and Philander are a terrific combination. Morne Morkle may not be in full rhythm. Steyn won’t be missed for sure. Debutant Ngidi took a five on the debut.

Philander hardly bowl in the second inning of the second test. Indian batting in the second innings had a familiar feel of an impending disaster. The ball started to keep low, only thing bouncing lower was Indian batting line up.

Indian batting line up has consistently shown the tendency to wilt or crumble at any stage if the game. Kohli’s scored an outstanding 150. He has scored 191 tuns so car,  other top batsmen have scored 186. Pandyas silly run out in first inning made a difference between trailing by 28 runs and leading by 30. One has got to feel sad for Pujara.

Two run outs in this match, run out on duck in first innings.

Board, selectors, captain and Coach.

For all his faults, Captain Kohli has a forceful personality. BCCI chose to have an ODI series, immediately after India had beaten SL in SL in Test, ODI and T20. How and why of that series are more belwildiring the more you see the score board of this test series.

Board has recently announced a future tour program. I hope they have not kept tour games as optional. Ideally a tour starts with an ODI series, then couple of first class games and then the test matches. Or in future, Board decides to send the team for the tour and flight lands near the pitch and captain walk out to toss first day of the test. A selection committee member is must on tour who has a vote to pick the team. Board/selection committee have done well, to have frontline bowlers battle ready, we were struggling for the long time. Dhonis team was reduced to one trick pony, bowlers were just not there. Fragile batting made the team a half trick pony. Obviously this is for matches abroad.

BCCI has also worked out two different teams – Murali Vijay, Che, Ashwin, Ishant are not playing ODIs anymore Jinx may be slotted in that same bracket.  Perhaps it is fair for the Board to ask Kohli to choose the captaincy of any two of the three formats. If they can take it a step further, Kohli remains the captain either Test or ODIs (and T20s)

Ravi Shastri is another forceful personality. He is a sharp commentator and made his mark as English commentator. If he is to be blamed for test fiasco, since 2011 India has played 24 way tests and lost 17. We were hopeful that this series was different but wasn’t meant to be. It won’t help blaming Shastri the coach for the fiasco.

On the cricket field, onus is on the captain, the glory and doom is captain’s choice. If Shastri is pulling the strings from behind the boundary, Kohli’s captaincy will prove to be shittier than what it is, as off now.

Captain is as good as the team (selection).

The team selection under Kohli is now has a nature of systemic risk. If all sundries haven’t noticed as of yet, Winning single One test match abroad needs a separate template, separate preparation. Don’t think India will play two spinners in SAf, England, NZ or Aus (new term as read on twitter, SENA) Anyone who has followed Indian team for more than 4 seasons would know it. India sunk into the gulf of timidity that lies in a gap between Kohli the Batsman and Kohli the captain. Kohli the captain needs to up the game. How?

Ask him to think what the opposition would say if he presents the scenario.

Jinx was not selected even for the second test, KL Rahul, failed to amuse, Vijay looked sordid. Che has been such a big disappointment. In the first test he didn’t open with Ashwin in the second innings, Here he did. But then didn’t bowl Pandya for first 65 over, Shami hardly bowled in the second session on the fourth day. He should also relinquish the number coveted number four slot for the team sake. Kohlis game sense on his best day is 10% of Dhoni of what had on his bad day.  Kohli has only once repeated his playing eleven in around 35 plus matches. The fragility of Indian top order is secret to none. Kohli aim for fitness in the team is bearing fruit. However, fielding needs to get better. How a team fields indirectly shows so much, half chances of Amla and ABD or anyone else can’t be spilled.

Keeping ODI like split slips is another example. Kohli the captain while on the field can’t be the lead instigator of low vibe jibes, jeering every incoming and outgoing batsman obviously takes its toll. Kohli needs to be wiser here and needle with some sense. I am, what I am! this excuse doesn’t work; you don’t play certain shots at certain stages of your innings. Kohli has to bite his tongue on this one.

The onus of this series is on Kohli and Kohli alone. He is currently writing cheques his team can’t encash. Kohli has to have a settled opener, a low risk accumulator of runs someone who doesn’t let bowler bowl maiden after maiden and just get into a rhythm, he must play percentage cricket shots and rotate strike. Che had that role, but failed here. Kohli needs to relinquish four, either play at three or control the situation from five. There is a slot empty for a left hander in the middle order. Pandya is a good find, provided he is given the ball in first fifteen balls Pandya looks innocuous and probably doesn’t know what he is bowling, but doesn’t give much away. There is only one spinner who will be playing abroad.

His selection of bowlers has been spot on. Bhuvi however must play every possible match that India plays. He is a very good bowler, can bowl long spells, if there is any swing, and he will exploit it. He is a decent bat and a good outfielder.

Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.

Hopefully under Kohli’s captaincy Indian fans recurring nightmare would be vanquished for once. Kohli had the ingredients but messed up the recipe.

India close but far at New Lands

On what proved to be a four day test, including one rained off day. India were close but really far in the New Lands test, Philander just ran through the Indian side in the fourth innings. ABD played a brisk and blistering 60 odd in the first inning. SAf tail pitching in. SAf took the upper hand with 77 runs lead in the first innings, India lost by 72 runs, after bowling out SAF for 130 in the third innings. A test pitch is perhaps best judged after two or more innings are complete. A seaming pitch where bowlers ruled the roost, 758 runs in all for 40 wickets, a wicket every 19 runs or less for both teams, SAF saw wicket falling around every 21 runs while, Indians team saw fall of wicket for every 17 runs.

I don’t know how ICC evaluates the pitch, it would be interesting to see the chatter if 18 wickets were to fall on a spin friendly pitch.

SAF innings jitters and ABD.

Bhuvi had a dream start to the spell, and rocked the SAf boat with three quick wickets, Shami was rusty. Bhuvi is an intelligent hard working bowler. I hope he watches how Philander bowled, his lines and length and pace. Philander and Bhuvi are two uncanny bowlers, both swing the new ball both ways. I hope Bhuvi picks up length bowl by Philander on SAf wickets. Elgar had no clue what Bhuvi was bowling. Markram was beautifully set up, Amla was a bonus wicket. Du Plessis may have changed hurriedly, before getting o crease and justify, his choice after winning the toss.

ABD perhaps played the most controlled innings. After more than a year in wilderness, ABD looked determined. Plus Indian bowlers in seaming conditions have … unflattering record. It was high octane batting on ABD as he wrested the initiative back from Indian bowlers. Bhuvi, Pandya and perhaps in second Spell, kept pegging wickets though SAF scored at a very brisk rate. At times the scoring rate in excess of 4.5 an over. Indian bowlers conceded 30 to 40 runs too many.

First day, Indian bowlers reign, SAf with the runs on the board.

Kohli got the bowlers right for this test match. Kohli got the bowlers absolutely spot on, I don’t think there should be any changes for the rest of the series, Indian bowlers seems to have delivered the goods with SAf out on the first day.
Bowling out the host team on the first day, is a rare feat by our bowlers. The bowlers’ went on to bail out the team twice with the ball and once with the bat. Bumrah, Bhuvi and Pandya were on song in the first innings. Shami looked out of the rhythm but came into his own in the second inning. Bumrah got ABD as his first wicket, Pandya got du Plessis. However ABD just got on top of Indian bowling and dented the bowling with some brilliant stroke play, he scored freely and a false stroke, saw him castled by Bumrah.

SAf kept piling the runs, Dhawan dropped Maharaj, he went on to score more runs in the match than Dhawan did. Shami got better of dangerous de Kock, who had picked up the gauntlet left behind by ABD. SAf getting out of the first day meant India should have batted for next five sessions, just to get used to the pitches, the bowling. However SAf bowling was too hot and spicy for Indian batsmen’s liking, Steyn and Morkle, and Philander and then Rabada, the best bowler in the world officially.

The Indian batsmen just didn’t turn up.

Batting vs SL in Indian ODI pitches no semblance of pitches, conditions, bowling of SAf. The decision was telling blow to our chances before the ball was bowled. SAf would have been very happy to see Rohit bat. If Jinx Rahane is the “Test only:” batsman then Rohit is ODI only batsmen don’t get me wrong, he will score runs in ODIs. I think Rohit Sharma is a bad experiment. Jinx with stellar averages, 53.44 away test matches, 60 vs SAf and 69 in SAf. Vs Rohit averages for same set are, 26, 8 and 9. These were the number before the first test. The numbers for Rohit didn’t improve by any bit. Ashwin has far betters number as compared to Rohit. If at all seems if there is a dilemma while playing away from and choice is between Ashwin and Rohit, pick Rohit every time. Rohit didn’t look convincing. Kohli took a punt he shouldn’t have taken. Play Ashwin purely as a batsman instead of playing Rohit on away pitches. Ashwin has average of 32 to Rohit’s 26. All this could change is Rohit does a Steve Smith for remainder of the innings.

However, Rohit isn’t the only one, Dhawan is closing in fast. Dhawan caught on pulling in the ball; it was near repeat in both the innings. Dhawan and Vijay had to just see off the last ten over on the first day. Once Vijay edged, Dhawan should have pulled the shutters down 18 for 1 would have been much better than 28/3. India never really caught up in the match after that. SAF played on the percentages and Indian middle order remains fragile. May remain fragile for some time to come.

The second innings looked a mountain to steep to climb.  One could attribute it to lack of pitches,  one own preparations,  ODI format / schedule. In ideal scenarios tours start with couple of practise matches,  ODIs followed by a three day game,  Test matches and end with T20.  To imagine any team to just start a tour facing Steyn,  Morkel,  Philander and Rabada is but too much.

Kohli the captain needs to patch up with Kohli the ODI behemoth.

Dhoni’s captaincy didn’t have the riches of bowling department. Dhoni always managed to have something up his sleeve, something moment of magic, some moment of inspiration. Dhoni consistently hood winked teams, just a small change. Kohli obviously doesn’t have those subtleties. Ian Chapell in one of his many columns suggest, a captain should, play an imaginary scenarios and ask for oppositions opinion, if they don’t like it then Kohli as captain should persists. Kohli in all his bravado seems to forget he is the captain who has to hoodwink the opposition and win matches. At home, Ashwin and Jadeja help Kohli cover lot of these mistakes. Jadeja and Kohli averaged 15 run per wicket for better part of India’s extended home season. Kohli’s form is imperious, plus Indian tail will always wag at home. Ashwin, Saha, Jadeja, will always get u 100 plus runs at home, so a batsman gets a 100, one of the top four sees a 100 partnership, and India would be very comfortable. Opposition has to faces Jadeja and Ashwin.
India needs to bat four sessions, in the first innings, if it means scoring at 2.5 an over so be it. 350 batting first have to be the target for the batsmen. Now who will score those runs?

Kohli mad some bizarre number of tactical errors in this match, one that costed him this match if not this series.
Not playing Jinx on away from home pitches might have been an expensive lesson to learn.

Not bringing in Ashwin early in the SAf first inning when ABD and Fa and then De Kock were hammering in the bowlers and Shami was still to get into rhythm.

Dhawan should have asked to close the shutters and look for safety rather than trying to dash Steyn Gun out of the attack.

Che eats up so many balls for his first 20 runs, bowlers keep building the pressure, score board doesn’t move. Che shouldn’t be batting at three.

Kohli should either shift up at three where he sets, he shouldn’t be exercising the number four spot, which Tendulkar occupied for so very long, or he should bat at five steers the team through to match the opposition first inning score.

Pandya and Ash should have opened the bowling in AF second innings, at closing stages of the play, Ashwin with his sticks and bounce on the pitch to Elgar or bowling round the wicket to Markram, may not have given the elbow room that SAf openers manage to get.

Imagine with India less than 200 to get, at the start of fourth innings and a luxurious opening stand of 50 runs, too much to ask for?

It is tough to say, if Indian batsmen would turn up in the second match, Indian middle order collapse is always round the corner. SAf batsmen may gather their wits for the second test. One has to keep fingers crossed that Indian bowlers will keep up the intensity. India should look to bat 120 overs at least whenever they bat next. For an Indian cricket the sinking feeling at the end of the first day will continue to persists for remainder of the tour unless Indian batsmen conjure up something of a show. Or Kohli makes some bold moves with the sole aim of winning the test match in SAf. The result at New Lands could have much been in Indian teams favour, however for now Faf and boys are in driving seat.

Let the next playing XI be Murali,Dhawan,Kohli,Jinx,Che,Bhuvi,Parthiv,Pandya,Ash,Shami,Bumrah