Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Swordsoffreedom]

I don't think India can win a single match in this series. Their experience of playing on the Australian bouncing pitch is very low. So they are not able to perform well in this pitch. There are a lot of talented players in the Indian team, let's see how the young players perform in the next match,

Indian team do have fair amount of senior players, this is 3rd Australian tour for players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashwin including Shami and Kohli (Both are out) . This might be hard to swallow but this is 3rd tour for KL Rahul, Saha and Umesh Yadav as well and then 2nd tour for players like Vihari, Bumrah etc. Would say its more than enough experience.

It seems to me that after playing in the IPL for a long time, now the Indian players are not mentally prepared for the Test match. Otherwise, one of the best batting lineups in the world would not have such a disaster. Players need to be diligent, mentally strong and try to understand the opponent's tactics. Otherwise, it will not be possible to win a Test match against a team like Australia.

[vella85]

This question about preparing green and bouncy pitches for domestic tournaments always come up whenever India undergoes humiliation in Australia or England. And after that there will be a home series against weaker teams such as West Indies or South Africa. India will win the series 3-0 or 5-0, and everyone will forget about the debate on bouncy tracks. This has happened for the last two decades or so and I don't expect the situation to change anytime soon.

India is the considered to be the king when it comes at their home ground matches and even stats shows that, but major concern is playing internationally against best teams. And, the humiliation which they received by getting all out for 36 will remain for a long time. I would not be surprised if India do not win any match in this test series or maximum might end up in a draw.

I don't think India can win a single match in this series. Their experience of playing on the Australian bouncing pitch is very low. So they are not able to perform well in this pitch. There are a lot of talented players in the Indian team, let's see how the young players perform in the next match,

The only pitches where I can see India not doing well on is Perth and Brisbane. Now there will be no test match played in Perth so they doge that pitch however they will be playing in Brisbane where Australia has a very good record and not just against India but against every team they play there so as I said in my previous post. India can maybe sneak a win at the MCG or SCG as these pitches will suite them, don't forget India did beat Australia at the MCG 2 years ago and yes Australia had Smith and Warner missing but it was the same bowling line up Australia has now and India were able to score over 400 runs in the first innings so I wouldn't count them out just yet even though I am Australian and want to see Australia win but I still can see India playing well in this series and like I said they could sneak a win when most least expect it.

[7788bitcoin]

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If I am right then Rohit Sharma is not in Test squad for this tour because he was available for only ODI and twenty/20 formats now they have very few names replacing for Kohli and Shami most chances Rahul and Shubman Gill are in favourites lists but still we have few days so wait for next decision from team management about this all.

There were reports about Rohit Sharma travelling to Australia by second week of December but after that there was no news regarding that, with Kohli gone Ajinkya Rahane will lead the team and i expect them to include KL Rahul in the team considering his form in the shorter format.

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Although Rohit Sharma does not have enough experience to play on the Australian pitch, but he is an experienced batsman. He knows how to play at any moment. Having a player like him in the squad makes the morale of other players in the team stronger.

No doubt about the batting capability of Rohit Sharma in the shorter format but he never performed to that level in the Test format and if the team management is planning to play him regularly then they should play him in Indian pitches rather than putting more pressure while touring.

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It seems to me that after playing in the IPL for a long time, now the Indian players are not mentally prepared for the Test match. Otherwise, one of the best batting lineups in the world would not have such a disaster. Players need to be diligent, mentally strong and try to understand the opponent's tactics. Otherwise, it will not be possible to win a Test match against a team like Australia.

It was a complete off day for India and coming into the boxing day match they will be under pressure and it is not looking good as they need some players to step up their game to be competitive. With Shami injured and Kohli taking parental leave things are looking slim for India to be competitive in this series.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

It was a complete off day for India and coming into the boxing day match they will be under pressure and it is not looking good as they need some players to step up their game to be competitive. With Shami injured and Kohli taking parental leave things are looking slim for India to be competitive in this series.

The record low score was just the tip of the iceberg, from what i remember India is not putting a huge score in Test matches for over a year and they need to replace the coaching staffs as it is not improving their skills nor their fielding coach is not doing anything to help the team as the team is dropping catches every match and even in the last match 5 catches were dropped.

[Sithara007]

Indian team do have fair amount of senior players, this is 3rd Australian tour for players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashwin including Shami and Kohli (Both are out) . This might be hard to swallow but this is 3rd tour for KL Rahul, Saha and Umesh Yadav as well and then 2nd tour for players like Vihari, Bumrah etc. Would say its more than enough experience.

Experience doesn't necessarily translates to performance, as seen from the first test match. If that was the case, then India would have made much more than the total of 36 runs which they could manage in the second innings. Now it is going to get much more tough, as Virat Kohli is not going to be there. Increasingly, a 0-4 whitewash is looking very likely this time.

[JSRAW]

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If I am right then Rohit Sharma is not in Test squad for this tour because he was available for only ODI and twenty/20 formats now they have very few names replacing for Kohli and Shami most chances Rahul and Shubman Gill are in favourites lists but still we have few days so wait for next decision from team management about this all.

There were reports about Rohit Sharma travelling to Australia by second week of December but after that there was no news regarding that, with Kohli gone Ajinkya Rahane will lead the team and i expect them to include KL Rahul in the team considering his form in the shorter format.

He's in Sydney. 3rd test is scheduled there so he directly went there and going over mandatory 14 days quarantine.  He could join the Indian team around 30th dec.

Indian team do have fair amount of senior players, this is 3rd Australian tour for players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashwin including Shami and Kohli (Both are out) . This might be hard to swallow but this is 3rd tour for KL Rahul, Saha and Umesh Yadav as well and then 2nd tour for players like Vihari, Bumrah etc. Would say its more than enough experience.

Experience doesn't necessarily translates to performance, as seen from the first test match. If that was the case, then India would have made much more than the total of 36 runs which they could manage in the second innings. Now it is going to get much more tough, as Virat Kohli is not going to be there. Increasingly, a 0-4 whitewash is looking very likely this time.

The way i see it middle order is still good and capable of putting up some fight, tough situation but not expecting whitewash.

[bryant.coleman]

The way i see it middle order is still good and capable of putting up some fight, tough situation but not expecting whitewash.

Middle order was looking OK. But the decision to replace Saha with Pant can have an effect on the team balance, and this can weaken the middle order as well. BTW, Ajinkya Rahane will be captaining the side for the second test, since Virat Kohli is absent. It will be interesting, as these two are very contrasting personalities. Recently, Kohli's captaincy has been disappointing and therefore I have a lot of hopes on Rahane.

[Iranus]

The way i see it middle order is still good and capable of putting up some fight, tough situation but not expecting whitewash.

Middle order was looking OK. But the decision to replace Saha with Pant can have an effect on the team balance, and this can weaken the middle order as well. BTW, Ajinkya Rahane will be captaining the side for the second test, since Virat Kohli is absent. It will be interesting, as these two are very contrasting personalities. Recently, Kohli's captaincy has been disappointing and therefore I have a lot of hopes on Rahane.

I am also optimistic about Rahane's captaincy. He may help improve the performance of the Indian team. And if he succeeds, Virat Kohli's captaincy will face more questions. Even Virat Kohli can lose the captaincy. Let's see if India can win a match with this team.

[JSRAW]

Any idea how many changes we are going to see in the next game?

Options available according to batting order

Gill or KL Rahul  > Shaw (Don't forget KL Rahul was shit in the last tour. Result, dropped from the national team and Gill is new so hard choice.)
KL Rahul or Gill  > Kohli
Rishab Pant > Saha (Not sure how are they going to justify this change, if they do replace Saha)
Saini/Shiraj > Shami (I really hope they go out of the box and include Natarajan in the playing XI)

[Vishnu.Reang]

Gill or KL Rahul  > Shaw (Don't forget KL Rahul was shit in the last tour. Result, dropped from the national team and Gill is new so hard choice.)
KL Rahul or Gill  > Kohli
Rishab Pant > Saha (Not sure how are they going to justify this change, if they do replace Saha)
Saini/Shiraj > Shami (I really hope they go out of the box and include Natarajan in the playing XI)

My choice would be:

1. KL Rahul ahead of Shaw/Gill
2. Gill as replacement for Kohli
3. Saha as the WK
4. Natarajan as the 3rd pacer, ahead of either Saini or Siraj

Pant is being preferred by Kohli and the team management, and therefore I don't think that Saha is going to get another chance. The management is going to argue that Pant is a better batsmen when compared to Saha. And regarding the slot for the 3rd pacer, both Saini and Siraj are not suitable for the role. Both of them are inexperienced, and short-tempered.

[JSRAW]

Gill or KL Rahul  > Shaw (Don't forget KL Rahul was shit in the last tour. Result, dropped from the national team and Gill is new so hard choice.)
KL Rahul or Gill  > Kohli
Rishab Pant > Saha (Not sure how are they going to justify this change, if they do replace Saha)
Saini/Shiraj > Shami (I really hope they go out of the box and include Natarajan in the playing XI)

My choice would be:

1. KL Rahul ahead of Shaw/Gill
2. Gill as replacement for Kohli
3. Saha as the WK
4. Natarajan as the 3rd pacer, ahead of either Saini or Siraj

Pant is being preferred by Kohli and the team management, and therefore I don't think that Saha is going to get another chance. The management is going to argue that Pant is a better batsmen when compared to Saha. And regarding the slot for the 3rd pacer, both Saini and Siraj are not suitable for the role. Both of them are inexperienced, and short-tempered.

If we take a close look at last tour then Hanuma Vihari is not bad option for Top order. He did opened the inning when everybody was clueless after the failure of KL Rahul-Murli Vijay. They could try him again at the top order along with Mayank. This would give them option to keep Gill and Rahul at the middle order as i think Rahul is too vulnerable against new ball.

To be very frank, will always prefer Pant over Saha when playing in SENA countries because of batting. I have mentioned many times that he didn't perform bad in overseas when playing in test cricket. I think he's the only Indian wicket keeper to make 100s in England and Australia, its a big achievement for any young boy and he didn't make any mistakes behind the wicket so far, although i consider Saha superior when its comes to gloves.

I prefer Natarajan too, he came as a underdog and making name for himself but i think they are going to rob this poor guy. Would be very happy if he debut in the next game, doesn't matter if he fails or something. Just want to see if he can handle himself in the pressure game.

[teosanru]

Any idea how many changes we are going to see in the next game?

Options available according to batting order

Gill or KL Rahul  > Shaw (Don't forget KL Rahul was shit in the last tour. Result, dropped from the national team and Gill is new so hard choice.)
KL Rahul or Gill  > Kohli
Rishab Pant > Saha (Not sure how are they going to justify this change, if they do replace Saha)
Saini/Shiraj > Shami (I really hope they go out of the box and include Natarajan in the playing XI)

I think Gill and KL Rahul is going to be an obvious change that the team would have. Gill had batted brilliantly in the tour match he definitely deserves a match. KL Rahul was in great form from IPL and then T20 I think he is an obvious choice in place of Shaw.
But I agree with JSRaw I don't want Pant in place of Saha. Only reason to include Pant would be to get a left hander in the team. I don't know why is no one talking about this. But the complete batting Line-up of Indian team has no lefty I think this does gives a great advantage to Aussies in tests. Right hand left hand combination especially in opening does have a great advantage.

But talking about 3rd pacer it's a difficult choice to make. Problem is that Test bowling is different from other formats. You just can't go on to bowl Yorkers or bouncers and get away. The most important thing is to move the ball Saini is better than Natrajan in that whereas Shami is much better than both in them. So i feel Shami should remain intact in the team.

[Vishnu.Reang]

If we take a close look at last tour then Hanuma Vihari is not bad option for Top order. He did opened the inning when everybody was clueless after the failure of KL Rahul-Murli Vijay. They could try him again at the top order along with Mayank. This would give them option to keep Gill and Rahul at the middle order as i think Rahul is too vulnerable against new ball.

To be very frank, will always prefer Pant over Saha when playing in SENA countries because of batting. I have mentioned many times that he didn't perform bad in overseas when playing in test cricket. I think he's the only Indian wicket keeper to make 100s in England and Australia, its a big achievement for any young boy and he didn't make any mistakes behind the wicket so far, although i consider Saha superior when its comes to gloves.

I prefer Natarajan too, he came as a underdog and making name for himself but i think they are going to rob this poor guy. Would be very happy if he debut in the next game, doesn't matter if he fails or something. Just want to see if he can handle himself in the pressure game.

Hanuma Vihari as an opener is not a bad option. But if BCCI is having such plans for him, then it would have been better to experiment this during the warmup matches against the Australia A first. Anyway, it is a good option and Gill/Rahul will be more than happy to bat at the middle-order. I don't have a preference regarding Saha/Pant, so the selection of Pant works for me. BTW Natarajan doesn't enjoy support from "powerful" circles. I just hope that he will not end up like Karun Nair.

[mersal]

But talking about 3rd pacer it's a difficult choice to make. Problem is that Test bowling is different from other formats. You just can't go on to bowl Yorkers or bouncers and get away. The most important thing is to move the ball Saini is better than Natrajan in that whereas Shami is much better than both in them. So i feel Shami should remain intact in the team.

No matter how good a bowler is in the short format his patience level will be tested for sure in the long format because they need to face a different situations even they need to bowl for the entire day and go wicketless which will definitely affect the confidence level. But we shouln't go to that much level for now just look at their capabilities and hope for the best is the smart option so in my opinion, choosing Natarajan is the better choice because he is having the ability to destroy the opponent batting lineup which already proved by his performance in the short format in the same conditions as well.

[7788bitcoin]

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He's in Sydney. 3rd test is scheduled there so he directly went there and going over mandatory 14 days quarantine.  He could join the Indian team around 30th dec.

That is good, he will be joining the team and his inclusion depends upon how the Indian players perform in the boxing day match.

Pant is being preferred by Kohli and the team management, and therefore I don't think that Saha is going to get another chance. The management is going to argue that Pant is a better batsmen when compared to Saha.

India is already dropping catches in the field and they need a specialist keeper who could hold on to their catches. Pant can play his shots but yet to convince me as a good keeper.

I prefer Natarajan too, he came as a underdog and making name for himself but i think they are going to rob this poor guy. Would be very happy if he debut in the next game, doesn't matter if he fails or something. Just want to see if he can handle himself in the pressure game.

Even i prefer to see Natarajan since Shami is injured and India does not have a good left hand seam bowler and he is a good choice.

[JSRAW]

~snip~
I don't know why is no one talking about this. But the complete batting Line-up of Indian team has no lefty I think this does gives a great advantage to Aussies in tests. Right hand left hand combination especially in opening does have a great advantage.

But talking about 3rd pacer it's a difficult choice to make. Problem is that Test bowling is different from other formats. You just can't go on to bowl Yorkers or bouncers and get away. The most important thing is to move the ball Saini is better than Natrajan in that whereas Shami is much better than both in them. So i feel Shami should remain intact in the team.

Good point...

Pant and Natarajan could fill that gaps tho. In domestic both Natarajan and Saini has more or less similar performance. Shami is injured bhai and already ruled out.

BTW Natarajan doesn't enjoy support from "powerful" circles. I just hope that he will not end up like Karun Nair.

His future is secure in IPL. National team is another drama, let's hope for the best.

[Sithara007]

Even i prefer to see Natarajan since Shami is injured and India does not have a good left hand seam bowler and he is a good choice.

Yes.. a left-arm seamer adds more variety to the attack. Shami, Saini, Siraj.etc are all right-arm pacers and they bowl at 85-90mph, with very little seam movement. Natarajan bowls at a slightly slower pace, and is able to get a lot of seam movement when compared to the others. But then Saini and Siraj are preferred, because they play for the same IPL franchise as Virat Kohli. IMO, Siraj's inclusion to the test squad can be solely attributed to this.

[mersal]

Even i prefer to see Natarajan since Shami is injured and India does not have a good left hand seam bowler and he is a good choice.

Yes.. a left-arm seamer adds more variety to the attack. Shami, Saini, Siraj.etc are all right-arm pacers and they bowl at 85-90mph, with very little seam movement. Natarajan bowls at a slightly slower pace, and is able to get a lot of seam movement when compared to the others. But then Saini and Siraj are preferred, because they play for the same IPL franchise as Virat Kohli. IMO, Siraj's inclusion to the test squad can be solely attributed to this.

Since Virat Kohli is also going to miss the remaining matches still do you think that his preferred candidates will be given more priority? Saini is okay for the replacement but not sure about Siraj because he is not consistent with his bowling which can turn the total bowling unit into chaos even with small miss in the accuracy.

[pakhitheboss]

Bowlers were not the reason why India lost the first test it was the batsmen who were responsible for such a pathetic defeat. I donot think changing bowlers will do the magic. Poor fielding and  in batting should be worked on first.

[JSRAW]

BCCI just posted this in twitter so its safe to say that there would be no #ucking Natarajan in the playing XI. Siraj/Saini going to replace injured Shami.

https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1342045902203047937